S2 Owners - winter

[sja]

The yuk weather is on its way.. In prep I have ordered some better(?) bulbs (I know HID is the way, but hey its nearly xmas and child needs news toys more than I do)

If anyone interested the fittings for the Phillips 50% + are Low Beam H1, High Beam H7, Sidelights W5W (free if ordered on-line) Driving lamps H3 not in 50% + range but 30% +.

I'll post when fitted to see if they are worth the expense.. Surely anything must be better than the candles currrently fitted..

Now wipers, searched this forum and no real answer. Any suggestions for a blade? Halfords dont list.. So what other make model will fit and not smear..


Cheers..

[bogie]

another tip - actually goto an MOT place of bodyshop and get them to align your dip beam properly on the machine...makes a world of difference as most are out from the factory

[jfrf]

thought a wiper is only about a tenner from dealer

[tanman]

jfrf said:

thought a wiper is only about a tenner from dealer

I wish, i paid about £25 from the dealer, even then i had to take it back because it was crap, the next one wasn't much better either.

[kevin ritson]

Eliseparts sell the wipers at a tenner, if it's an early S2 it'll be a different type, though.

BTW aren't HID bulbs illegal without a headlamp washer? I went to a lecture about the Ford GT a while ago and the UK homologaters explained that they had to fit a washer to get the car approved (which is why a £120K car has a cheap Mazda 6 windscreen washer jet poking out of the bonnet

[shangani]

The issue of the washers etc only holds for oem HID. The aftermarket kits are supposed to be OK.

As for wipers - similar experience - I took 2 back to the dealer before finding one that sort of worked. I will replace just the rubber next time with something a bit better quality. The Lotus ones are made in Brazil or Argentina or somewhere in South America I recall.

[bogie]

for OEM fitment of HID you need self levelling motors and wash/wipe...for aftermarket you dont...thats how Lotus dealers in the US can offer HID upgrades for the Elise.

I have HID dip, main beam and driving lamps....just to be sure other drivers see me coming

[shangani]

Have you considered looking for an HID kit for the rear lights - so they can see you disappearing into the distance as well? (I am well depressed at my k series after driving a Honda elise)

[sja]

Fitted most of the bulbs now and there certainly better than the standard.. Tip of the day, when removing the headlamp cover its the three bolts that you can remove by hand NOT the three 10mm bolts that need socket.. That held me up as the whole assembly comes out!

Still need to do the driving lamps, according to manual it need to be done by dealer as alignment may be altered. Anyone know how to sort alignment?

[rixge]

Sja, when removing the headlamps, is it through the front grill,or is a wheel off jobby ?
If through the grill, how does it come off ?

[sja]

I have an S2. The driving lamps are accessed by removing grill, just four clips..

The headlmap housing (plastic cover) all comes off in one piece, its fixed by those three bolts.. Accessed from under wheel arch, no need to remove wheel just put on full lock.. Obvious really as you may need to change bulb quickly without tools, wish I had thought of that before started undoing nuts etc..

[rixge]

Most splendid ! Have an S2 too. Its always handy to know what your doing !
You never know when a lamp will go, and i would hate to have to pay to get it fixed,if its an easy job.
Thanks for the info, its much appreciated.