Exige 350 adventures
Discussion
Welcome to my Exige 350 adventures
After 2 years and 2 euro trips in a F-type 5.0 rwd R
Its gone, as although fun, not that fun in the cold & wet so was parked up in the winter.. Meaning it wasnt the daily it was supposed to be... And too heavy and automatic for a fun only car. Hence the Exige!
Broke the budget and upset the wife (she loved the look and sound of the Jag) by stretching for the 350 vs an S
But glad i did as the gear shift is awesome. Really mechanical, reminds you that you are driving a mechanical machine!
With only 4200 miles its perfect.. Like new
Although miles are already being added at a rapid rate and In the process of planning a post lockdown european trip
Thanks to Rob and Matt at sliverstone
And Williams, Hendy and B&C who all helped with my search
Loving driving it
It has more than enough torque and power
The steering is awesome. Love that you feel every detail of the road surface. Its such a confidence inspiring car, you really feel connected to it.
Looking forward to some european trips and getting on track in due course. And it being something to tinker with.
So far
Speakers have been change for focuals and a size larger at the back as the originals struggled at motorway speeds
Not that keen on the exhaust, it static tests at 110db, so needs to be quietened, hopefully 2ubular can fix that
Depending on how i get on track, may look into harnesses and i guess ultimately suspension
Not a fan of some cars that look like they have crashed into halfords carbon department.. But at some point when i can afford it will look at some Alias mirrors, sills, scoops
At some point keen to try the Alias intake, or the pricy KT carbon one, but ultimately a KT ex430 or ex460 kit, but dont want to ruin the car with too much power
But before all that. The most important thing is to drive it and have fun!
Anyone know the name of the colour.. Other than lotus blue?
What do people use on the black bits? Autoglym bumper stuff leaves them a bit greasy.
After 2 years and 2 euro trips in a F-type 5.0 rwd R
Its gone, as although fun, not that fun in the cold & wet so was parked up in the winter.. Meaning it wasnt the daily it was supposed to be... And too heavy and automatic for a fun only car. Hence the Exige!
Broke the budget and upset the wife (she loved the look and sound of the Jag) by stretching for the 350 vs an S
But glad i did as the gear shift is awesome. Really mechanical, reminds you that you are driving a mechanical machine!
With only 4200 miles its perfect.. Like new
Although miles are already being added at a rapid rate and In the process of planning a post lockdown european trip
Thanks to Rob and Matt at sliverstone
And Williams, Hendy and B&C who all helped with my search
Loving driving it
It has more than enough torque and power
The steering is awesome. Love that you feel every detail of the road surface. Its such a confidence inspiring car, you really feel connected to it.
Looking forward to some european trips and getting on track in due course. And it being something to tinker with.
So far
Speakers have been change for focuals and a size larger at the back as the originals struggled at motorway speeds
Not that keen on the exhaust, it static tests at 110db, so needs to be quietened, hopefully 2ubular can fix that
Depending on how i get on track, may look into harnesses and i guess ultimately suspension
Not a fan of some cars that look like they have crashed into halfords carbon department.. But at some point when i can afford it will look at some Alias mirrors, sills, scoops
At some point keen to try the Alias intake, or the pricy KT carbon one, but ultimately a KT ex430 or ex460 kit, but dont want to ruin the car with too much power
But before all that. The most important thing is to drive it and have fun!
Anyone know the name of the colour.. Other than lotus blue?
What do people use on the black bits? Autoglym bumper stuff leaves them a bit greasy.
Gameface said:
First thing I'd do is powder coat the spoiler stanchions black.
Lovely car.
Thanks Lovely car.
Painting the up rights is common from what what I read
Im more likely to go the other way and paint the wheels silver ro match them ... As tend not to like black wheels
Or perhaps bronze or gold ...
All part of the fun
Pretty sure that after a TVR youll be fine
The exige is better built and more modern than my old tuscan. And the engine is generally seen as bullet proof.
Its a small car. With less space than a TVR
The Jag is a true drive to Nice in one hit old skool GT. Was effortless at 175mph in germany
It was ace on the route nepoleon where you been a big engine long legged car. And coped well with the twisty french back roads. But in the busier, speed restricted UK it sounds good but i missed the interaction of the manual in a less powerful car.. The exige is an extreme interpretation of that
Apart from carbon bits, gearchange, dampers and some engine tweeks an exige v6S to a 430 are basically the same
You can fit a soft top to any of them
The exige is better built and more modern than my old tuscan. And the engine is generally seen as bullet proof.
Its a small car. With less space than a TVR
The Jag is a true drive to Nice in one hit old skool GT. Was effortless at 175mph in germany
It was ace on the route nepoleon where you been a big engine long legged car. And coped well with the twisty french back roads. But in the busier, speed restricted UK it sounds good but i missed the interaction of the manual in a less powerful car.. The exige is an extreme interpretation of that
Apart from carbon bits, gearchange, dampers and some engine tweeks an exige v6S to a 430 are basically the same
You can fit a soft top to any of them
Great little adventure to Lotus Silverstone yesterday
Thanks to Matt and Rob for organising
Good to speak to people about the cars, and good to see lots different colours and specs out . must have been c 20 S3 exiges out
Especially liked the Army green 380 that parked next to me. Another new owner.. Sorry i got to the blue 350 first
So thats 700 miles in 3 weeks.. Vs the 4000 in the last 4 years.... Cars are made to be driven!
Sorry was too busy and only got one picture of the isotope green car above
Thanks to Matt and Rob for organising
Good to speak to people about the cars, and good to see lots different colours and specs out . must have been c 20 S3 exiges out
Especially liked the Army green 380 that parked next to me. Another new owner.. Sorry i got to the blue 350 first
So thats 700 miles in 3 weeks.. Vs the 4000 in the last 4 years.... Cars are made to be driven!
Sorry was too busy and only got one picture of the isotope green car above
Davey D said:
Hi @custardkid, I'm the guy you was talking to at the lotus Silverstone open day with the green exige 380sport. Looks like quite a few people was after that blue 350 sport of yours 
Are you local to cadwell area? You should get your lotus out on the back roads around there ;-)
Are you local to cadwell area? You should get your lotus out on the back roads around there ;-)
Cadwell is about 3hrs away.. Otherwise would be there all the time
August is Castlecombe... the local
But done most laps at donnington.. Great for that 4 wheel drift feeling
Also love Anglesey
Lotus will make it out on track next year
Got a trip planned in it to the Vosges in sept. Which hopefully will means some good roads
Thanks for all the comments
Enough talk about 410 snake oil
Back to the 350
Not to everyones taste, but i like it more than the black wheels
Looking forward to a road trip in sept, the continent is probably off the cards, so will explore the old military road and the highlands .. But probably keep off the popular NC500
Enough talk about 410 snake oil
Back to the 350
Not to everyones taste, but i like it more than the black wheels
Looking forward to a road trip in sept, the continent is probably off the cards, so will explore the old military road and the highlands .. But probably keep off the popular NC500
DamnKraut said:
Definitely better than boring black. Looks a bit too Impreza-esque to me. Looking at Exiges in the classifieds, the combo silver wheels on a blue car looks perfect to me, e.g. this one:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10666389?c...
Yes... It is a bit Colin McRae https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10666389?c...
Have another set of black ones... That may go Silver
Kenzle said:
Hi custardkid,
You mentioned that you have upgraded the speakers behind the seats to larger ones, can you give more details on this please?
I am about to embark on upgrading to Focals as well, which ones did you go for and how was the experience of swapping them?
Love the blue / gold wheels combo by the way, I'm not a fan of black wheels either.
The focals made a big difference, stopped the distortingYou mentioned that you have upgraded the speakers behind the seats to larger ones, can you give more details on this please?
I am about to embark on upgrading to Focals as well, which ones did you go for and how was the experience of swapping them?
Love the blue / gold wheels combo by the way, I'm not a fan of black wheels either.
Although never going to be great in a lotus
I went 100ac front and 165 ac rear. These are bigger than the 13cm factory speakers. They are about the same size as the recess in the panel. As they are deeper you need an 18mm mdf spacer from ebay. Painted black.
Used some dinamat to hold some m6 speed clips, inplace and bolted the speaker in place with some allan bolts, much more secure than the self tapping screws supplied
Plenty of clearence to the seats
Just take the roof off, as when moving the passenger seat with the roof on i managed to scuff the leather around the gear shift.. Doh
Speakers now removed... As not enough clearence to the harness bar ive fitted... So will be getting some 13cm ones
The 13cm speakers cover the holes for the 165cm speakers
Awesome weekend in Scotland through the cairngorms, across the highlands and down the west coast
1500 mile round trip... So have now added >50% to the miles on the car from when i bought it in 3 months!
Car was awesome, telepathic handling, never felt like it needed more power ... Just amazing to drive
So much feed back through the wheel, so darty
I must admit i did use ear plugs on the 8 hr drive up / back, as its abit noisey on corse tarmac ... And that is with the sound deadening. Hate to think what a cup car is like
1500 mile round trip... So have now added >50% to the miles on the car from when i bought it in 3 months!
Car was awesome, telepathic handling, never felt like it needed more power ... Just amazing to drive
So much feed back through the wheel, so darty
I must admit i did use ear plugs on the 8 hr drive up / back, as its abit noisey on corse tarmac ... And that is with the sound deadening. Hate to think what a cup car is like
Any views or experience of upgrading to a carbon front service hatch aka 380/410/430?
And to carbon side scoops
OEM looks to be c£2.5k and needs some modification
Elise shop one - c£1.2k needs no modification, but has a red band. Also looks like the carbon is one layup, where as the OEM carbon is mirrored in the centre line
Side scoops range from £400 to £2.5k - any experience
Elise shop have two versions £400/£500
Alias ones are £1k
OEM is c£2.5k
Any experiences?
Probably withdrawal symptoms of not driving it over the winter / lockdown. Carbon isn't going to make it more fun to drive...
And to carbon side scoops
OEM looks to be c£2.5k and needs some modification
Elise shop one - c£1.2k needs no modification, but has a red band. Also looks like the carbon is one layup, where as the OEM carbon is mirrored in the centre line
Side scoops range from £400 to £2.5k - any experience
Elise shop have two versions £400/£500
Alias ones are £1k
OEM is c£2.5k
Any experiences?
Probably withdrawal symptoms of not driving it over the winter / lockdown. Carbon isn't going to make it more fun to drive...
Actus Reus said:
Try www.the-chariot.com - he does some CF front access panels around the £1k mark and they look great.
Just got a red Sport 350 and considering chainging the black wheels to gold too, though may wait til I get a second set and have them painted at the same time I change the rubber to save a few pennies. Will start a 'reader's car' thread if ever work calms down.
Thanks will have a look Just got a red Sport 350 and considering chainging the black wheels to gold too, though may wait til I get a second set and have them painted at the same time I change the rubber to save a few pennies. Will start a 'reader's car' thread if ever work calms down.
Have also contacted Eltech in italy
Which has the herring bone finish
Welcome ! Amazing cars
Can recommend a trip to some good roads to enjoy the handling!
Actus Reus said:
Try www.the-chariot.com - he does some CF front access panels around the £1k mark and they look great.
Just got a red Sport 350 and considering chainging the black wheels to gold too, though may wait til I get a second set and have them painted at the same time I change the rubber to save a few pennies. Will start a 'reader's car' thread if ever work calms down.
Red and gold looks good Just got a red Sport 350 and considering chainging the black wheels to gold too, though may wait til I get a second set and have them painted at the same time I change the rubber to save a few pennies. Will start a 'reader's car' thread if ever work calms down.
https://images.app.goo.gl/pYmdmqgoH6UGY2JA6
Quick update
Awesome couple of days driving through Wales to Anglesey and then a track day
Anyone thinking of getting one.. just do it
Car is great on the twisty Welsh roads, and surprisingly supple of some of the crappier tarmac. And most of all fun at legal speeds
On track,
keep tyres at c30 psi, got even wear across them which is good.
despite it being a warm sunny day, nothing got too hot. Usually on a BMW the brakes get super hot! The advantage of 400kgs less weight!
Didn't need the extra bolt on silencers as a 105db day
Generally car took it in its stride .. made for the job!
Driver needs to up his game tho... Need to be much smoother than in a BMW and manage weight and thus grip on the front end. Too aggressive on the brakes and turn in and the back will step out, even in sport mode.
Race mode seamed to be the best balance of car moving around and safety. Accelerate too early and it'll wash alittle wide.... But playing with the adjustability and learning the car is all part of the fun
Other good news was at no point did I feel the need for more power or stiffer dampers etc... So should save some £s for a bit
If anything it was probably the fastest thing on track.. if the driver improves a bit.. and that's never good as you are always catching things
Didn't get to play with the 2x GT3RSs as only seamed to do a couple of laps
And the 410 was in a different group (Welsh covid rules meant 20min sessions Vs open pit lane)
Only down side was the droney Avon track rubber on the 5hr journey home
Castle Combe next week ..
410 out on track:
https://youtu.be/78_qV1Ct1LE
Awesome couple of days driving through Wales to Anglesey and then a track day
Anyone thinking of getting one.. just do it
Car is great on the twisty Welsh roads, and surprisingly supple of some of the crappier tarmac. And most of all fun at legal speeds
On track,
keep tyres at c30 psi, got even wear across them which is good.
despite it being a warm sunny day, nothing got too hot. Usually on a BMW the brakes get super hot! The advantage of 400kgs less weight!
Didn't need the extra bolt on silencers as a 105db day
Generally car took it in its stride .. made for the job!
Driver needs to up his game tho... Need to be much smoother than in a BMW and manage weight and thus grip on the front end. Too aggressive on the brakes and turn in and the back will step out, even in sport mode.
Race mode seamed to be the best balance of car moving around and safety. Accelerate too early and it'll wash alittle wide.... But playing with the adjustability and learning the car is all part of the fun
Other good news was at no point did I feel the need for more power or stiffer dampers etc... So should save some £s for a bit
If anything it was probably the fastest thing on track.. if the driver improves a bit.. and that's never good as you are always catching things
Didn't get to play with the 2x GT3RSs as only seamed to do a couple of laps
And the 410 was in a different group (Welsh covid rules meant 20min sessions Vs open pit lane)
Only down side was the droney Avon track rubber on the 5hr journey home
Castle Combe next week ..
410 out on track:
https://youtu.be/78_qV1Ct1LE
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