kayj_prod

Key blank is nothing out of the ordinary. Any key cutting place should have a blank. The last one I had done wasn’t quite accurate enough, so had to be done a little more carefully. (More metal filed off the key saves weight of course. 😉)

Always useful to know where each generation of Elise/Exige has differences. Glad to know you’ve already sourced new ones and found the very easy guide on SELOC. It might be that Bis’s blog helps Chris or Timloy with their S2s, even if it wasn’t useful for an S3.

Here is a guide that might help others reading the thread:

I changed mine on my S1 Elise ages ago. The proper Lotus ones are ridiculously pricey, but alternatives are available to do inside and out. I think there is an instruction guide on here or maybe SELOC. If I remember correctly, the rubbers are held on by little steel clips all the way along. I replaced mine with the glass out and the door off because of other work I was doing at the time. Refitting the doors and windows was definitely one of the most challenging jobs I did! Edit: I think it was Bis who produced a guide...

Sounds like lots of history. I’m in Norfolk so at Stratton Motor Company... I get about a bit!

Hi Neil, Welcome to the club. Everyone else must be out enjoying the sunshine... my car is currently being serviced so I am in waiting mode! I used Paul Marty years ago when Paul was still there, so I can’t vouch for it since new ownership. I’m sure others will get back to you soon enough with other suggestions or info. Have you considered having it looked over before you sign over the ££ if it hasn’t been checked or serviced recently?

I replaced the whole units on both sides including the metal inner clamping bracket as it was in a pretty sorry condition. Just went with Eliseparts IIRC and got it done. Worst job was cleaning off the old glue, but looked lovely and looked after once finished and less likely to fall off! Brighter too, but that was probably a combination of all factors.

I agree with Lithopsian, however, if it does go wrong, you can resolve it easily as long as you can get a wheel off. It’s a job where slow and steady really is the best course.

...and if you do get it wrong, make sure you have the locking wheel nut doofer to hand so you can get a wheel off to reach through and release it from underneath. (Also been there. 😉)

I changed my S1 lamps to LED- saved having to get under there again!

I would assume the third brake light has to work if required by specs when the car was built. Total assumption though. I reckon one lamp being out (of five IIRC) is not a problem though. I’m thinking of those cars that have duplicate side lamps; still fine if one is working per side. Certainly on my S1 Elise, the third brake light was not a sealed unit- regular filament lamps in that so limited life span. I’ve had a quick check on my Exige. The third brake light unbolts from the inside just like S1 so as long as you can get your head upside down in the back to remove the unit, it wouldn’t be a lengthy job to inspect/replace a single lamp. 501 capless type probably.

So seeing as I have a hybrid Volvo, can I say I drive a Type 65?

https://youtu.be/B03UPE_GDmQ

https://carbuzz.com/news/lotus-will-finally-reveal-something-new-this-week