Wiper Blades

Elise windscreen wipers can be particularly bad when compared to other cars. A number of things are arguably to blame for this:

• Curvature of the screen
• Length of blade
• Speed of blade due to single arm arrangment

The arm and blade arrangement fitted to Series 1's and early Series 2's are particularly renowned for there poorness. It is difficult to tell whether it is age related (as most S1 blades are now relatively old) or a design problem (the spring in the arm and across the blade being insufficient). Various options are available:-

• Replace the S1 / early S2 blade assembly with an identical replacement
• Replace the wiper arm and blade for a 'Series 2' type (that are fitted to the majority of Series 2, except very early ones)
• Replace the blade only, e.g. with a JML Wonder Wipers item or similar.

The Series 1 type can be identified by the traits that it cannot be lifted 90deg to the screen (without breaking!) and it uses an 'R' clip to retain the blade assembly on the arm. The Series 2 assembly is a conventional blade with integral plastic clip that holds it on the arm.

All three options have been successfully tried. Replacing the arm and wiper for an S2 type has the advantage that once the new arm is fitted the blade assemblies are standard parts available from high street vendors, whereas the S1 types are a special Lotus item. The replacement blade option is very cost effective with some excellent feedback reported.