No spares in whole UK ! Help reqd

[eos]

Just had a phonecall from a mechanic working on my O2 plate elise to inform me that it cant be repaired as there are no Clutch release shafts available in the whole UK either through the Lotus or Rover Network !!!!!!!
Basically the clutch release shaft has seized and appears marginally warped.
Having tried to order a replacement through Bell and Colvill we were then informed that there are no spares shafts available in the entire Lotus network and there has been a back order for these dating back to February.
Being a Rover engined car we contacted the rover dealers who contacted rover directly to be told the same scenario.
If I was peeved off before I am absolutely gutted to think that the car is now off the road indefinately as no dealer ( Lotus or Rover ) can get hold of this part.
It has been suggested that I now try to get hold of a second hand part which may be my only option.
Sorry to say Lotus but the whole situation sucks when you cant get a part for an engine / gearbox that was available as recently as two yrs ago.
Not impressed with the shaft seizing in the first place so this just takes the biscuit.
Any help or suggestions where I can find a replacement for the poxy part would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[ganglandboss]

Have you tried Eliseparts.com?

I know they are sold out at the mo, but have you spoke to them?

[clanger]

If its a standard part - have you tried local car breakers - there's an abundance of k's there

[999]

frazer guest said:

If there are no parts available. Is it not possable to get a batch made up?

If you cant afford to pay for a batch of 100 yourself, see if anyone else needs the part? Or just get a couple made just for you?

On the face of it, quite a reasonable suggestion, but who else (other than Lotus owners), in their right minds would contemplate having to pay to have a whole batch of parts made up , because they can't source any throughout the whole of the UK. That really is a damn disgrace and something I look forward to never having to do.

[[k]arl]

It's not even Lotus-specific or major parts that are in constraint. I've been waiting for several weeks for the press-studs that hold down the boot carpet and battery box for my R. They were requested weeks ago, and yesterday were still on 'back order' from the factory with no ETA .

My stealership said that this is becoming a major problem at the moment, with another chap waiting a number of weeks for 07MY headlights.

[k]

[retrorider]

try ptp in hinckley.ask for richard watson.he might be able to help...