Elise S2 door waist seals

[Richard ward]

Hi 

I am currently looking at the possibility of getting a number of Elise s2 door waist seal made up. I have sought a manufacturer that is able to produce but requires considerable investment in tooling and getting first batch in stock. This all came about after trying to source a seal for my S2 111, difficult to find and crazy prices. Also believe the same seals can be used on the Vauxhall vx220.

would anybody out there be interested, will be trying to get them on the market for less than £150 for a pair, not for each one!

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

 

[MrWill]

Sold. Count me in 😁

[timloy]

I’ll have a pair please. 

[MattyB]

It's been asked and discussed a few times, on here and on SELOC.

The problem is that whoever decides to manufacture these is going to want a *big* order to cover tooling, design etc - there is a thread on here discussing this exact topic, and the company wanted an initial order in the "five figure" range according to the person who was looking at organising. No members on here are going to stump up, and companies like Eliseparts are just happy to resell the expensive Lotus items.

Discussed here, if interested:

 

[Richard ward]

MattyB

You are right, it has been discussed and yes there is considerable investment involved, but if enough people are interested and the market is there I am willing to make the investment. I,m not looking to make a fortune out of it, if the venture pays for the replacement of my seals and a few beers I will be happy.

I am currently waiting for a response from my contact as regards do ability ( its not quite a straightforward moulding), cost per unit and order sizes, and I am expecting a five figure sum. 

I am however hopeful we can get it off the ground.

thanks for you response, all feedback appreciated.

 

[tobyg]

I'd take a couple of sets!

[ollie]

Any updates?

[Richard ward]

Ollie, I have had the rubber analysed (brother is a polymer scientist). He introduced me to an extrusion specialist company who now have the sample seal and are evaluating it. I hope to hear soon how much it will cost to tool up, initial batch quantity required and cost per pair. What makes the seal more complicated and expensive to produce is the end boot that wraps around the door, since it's two mouldings (mirror images for left and right sides) then the vulcanising to the seals themselves. I,ve got my fingers crossed I can get this off the ground but they've got to come in considerably cheaper than what's currently available. That said, I am still hopeful.

[ollie]

Thanks for the reply Richard 

Fingers crossed they can make some up. I'm sure there would be a huge market for them if they don't perish like the old ones. Do you know If you will get an answer before Christmas as im desperate for some but don't fancy the bill from lotus at the moment. 

Cheers Ollie 

[Richard ward]

Ollie

Many thanks for your interest.

i was in contact with the prospective manufacturer a couple of days ago chasing them for a response, they promised to get back to me ASAP regarding tooling costs and price. It's certainly doable, by Xmas I doubt it as it all takes time. At the moment my left window is sealed up with gorilla tape as I,m in no rush to go out and spend a small fortune on just one seal. 

As soon as I get some news I will certainly post. As said I,m not in it to make a fortune, if it covers my costs and a few beer I will be happy, it will be good to help us s2 owners out.

i have instructed them that I would like them to produce the seals approx 20mm longer than the sample they have in order that prospective buyers can cut to the dimension required for their own car, probably because I can't see that any two Elise's have the same dimension to the nearest mill. Hopefully this should not pose too much of a problem.

fingers crossed.

[collieek]

Just a thought on making them longer it is not easy to cut them back without deforming the metal insert.

You will also expose that metal an then it will rust quicker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ollie]

Hello Richard 

Yes keep us updated please, sounds like it's heading in the right direction though. I'd be a bit concerned about them being slightly longer also though as mentioned above as I can't imagine there easy to cut then it will create the same problem as the lotus ones with rust. Surely if there the same length it should be fine? As the ones coming out the factory are just one length. 

Cheers Ollie 

[Richard ward]

Hi all

latest update on S2 door seals, I have now received a quote.

As you can imagine, tooling costs and minimum order come at a considerable cost.

However, I would be able to supply the seals as a pair for £150 including postage and packaging (parcel force express 48, should anyone require, signed for or special delivery, then an additional cost).

Postage accounts for approx £15 of the cost, so for anybody close enough to me willing to collect £135 a pair. 

So, effectively each seal comes in at £67.50 which I think is pretty competitive.

I am keen to go ahead with this if I have enough interest from you guys, delivery time from the point of me placing an order is 14-16 weeks, a fairly long time but the company has to do a considerable amount of tooling work.

So, what do you all think?

 

[The Cakes]

Hi Richard, I think your biggest audience will be on Seloc and TLF. Post up on there as it’s pretty quiet on here at this time of year. I’m sure your efforts will be rewarded over on those two. 👍🏻👍🏻

[MrWill]

I'm still good for a pair

Cheers 

MrWill