Whichever you go for, buy proally. Their stuff is bullet proof. Like I size, my last Elise had a pro twin and that was great.

 

This is how it ends....

One more panel...


The last bolt...


Stabilo's back!


I went out for a celebratory drive for a few miles and this experience has changed the way I see the car. I understand it more and I was thinking about the rad, hoses, cooling etc as I was driving
I felt more empowered if I were to have other issues. Strangely a great experience, OK, I spent 500 or so on rad, hoses, towing post, coolant, spare fasteners. Not mega money and a good learning experience. I'm not sure what lotus charge to do this job but I wouldn't like to think another was doing it. All those panels at risk, all those screws that could get dropped down gaps....

 

She went to official Lotus yesterday for a full check and stamp in the book. I was absolutely, and I mean absolutely bottom f*cked on the price for the service

Supplied 50 quid of Redline MT90 for the gearbox (I would have done that job myself but thought they may as well whilst it was on ramps).

It had another oil and filter change (we did an interim one when I first collected it 4 weeks ago). It had the gearbox oil changed, it had racing brake fluid put in it and then it had a bunch of visual checks (17yo with spanner tapping stuff I assume) and an ECU readout done.

They did me for 391 quid

But, it got its lotus stamp at least. I would happily have done all of that myself and paid ema 150 quid for use of the stamp.

So, since having it we have:

New radiator
New hoses
New coolant
New engine oil and filter (twice!)
New brake fluid
New gearbox oil
Tapped with a spanner by a 17yo trainee to check nothing falls off.

Next is engine mounts I think. Then possibly new gear linkage

 

You want more to fix don't you - bring it on, I hear

 

That is peanuts carp. BM wanted to sting me for £700 for oil, air filters and microfilters

You are old

 

I think you have to expect a bit of service cost on a 40k sports car! Not the easiest to work on and they should have done a fair few checks.

 

I do and I don't tbh. I like the tinkering but not the expense

 

WOW. Sounds RS4 like

 

True mate. I'm not moaning in honesty and glad it got a thorough check. Just seems a lot a of money for what is fluids change.

They did say they noticed I had coppergreased everything and thanked me for it also they said they saw the kurust usage and thought I was doing a good job

 

Were it me I would not see it as tinkering - I'm sure you don't - but getting to know my machine well. By virtue of your choice of weapon, the expense is not going to be eye watering. That £500 or so was a tough baptism but in terms of fee for the chosen recreational sport, not bad and, what, half a day's pay?

You will not really rest until you have gone through the entire car, whether on a reactive or preventative basis. And then you will own it. Not different from Mikey with his AM or MB with his racing S (although he took cheat short cuts throwing out fittings lock stock and barrel )