Help…. What would you do?

[Guido]

I pick up my ‘new’ Exige on Friday. Whilst it was being prepped, the dealership have found the fans are a little worn and are going replace them. This obviously means taking the front clam off. This is not going to cost me anything so should I take the opportunity to replace the rad and aircon condenser whilst the clam is off?

I will not have to pay any additional labour so would only have to pay for parts which come to around £750. 

I get 12 months warranty with the car so if either went wrong in the first 12 months, repair would be covered. 

Even though I obviously hadn’t planned for any ‘repairs’ this does seem like a good price and worth doing as a preventative measure. 

The only downside is they don’t have a black rad in stock so I would have to go with a silver one.

 

Thoughts?

 

. 

[DeanB]

I wouldn't be shelling out £750 to replace stuff that ain't broke. You know the adage....

Rads can last 15 years. They don't all pop in the first 5 years. 

It isn't silly money to pay for the clam to come off if and when either of them do fail in 2028 or whenever!

That's my thinking anyway. I'm not saying I'm right ...

[Guido]

Dean. Thanks for replying. The car is 11 years old (13 plate) and is on its original rad etc…..  My first Lotus (S1 Elise) has a rad failure which was catastrophic , so I’m probably a little more cautious than most.

I won’t pay any labour for fitting either so I’ll probably get the work done. 

[mattb130]

I understand the once bitten and whilst I’m in there logic. Especially as I do my own spanner work I’d prefer to do things once.  However there are older cars that get driven hard that still have the original packs. 

Personally I’d put the £750 to one side now forget about it and when and if the time comes hopefully it will have earned some interest to pay for the clam removal and then you can do the whilst I’m in there game. 

[Daveb99]

£750 sounds a lot for those parts.   Is it a main dealer?  Presume they are genuine parts? Could you get the bits cheaper elsewhere and supply them, for them to fit?

For the S1 Elise, as an example, there are a few options for rads - some quality stuff on eBay that does the job perfectly.  

I changed the air con condensors on my 987 Boxster S last year and it cost me £120 for a pair.   Suspect they are way smaller than those too, on the Exige - probably a part for a run of the mill car that they used on the Exige?

[Guido]

Yes, it’s at a main dealer. 

AC condenser - £240 + Vat
Radiator - all alloy  £290 + vat
1 x Pipe £58.58 + vat
1 x Pipe £17.36 + vat

I won’t pay any labour. The fans are being replace FOC which is why the front clam is coming off in the first place. 
 

It’s money I obviously wasn’t planning to spend but it gets the job done and as the new owner, I know it’s sorted for the future. 

[Daveb99]

42 minutes ago, Guido said:

Yes, it’s at a main dealer. 

AC condenser - £240 + Vat
Radiator - all alloy  £290 + vat
1 x Pipe £58.58 + vat
1 x Pipe £17.36 + vat

I won’t pay any labour. The fans are being replace FOC which is why the front clam is coming off in the first place. 
 

It’s money I obviously wasn’t planning to spend but it gets the job done and as the new owner, I know it’s sorted for the future. 

Ok.  Do you see the rad from above?   If so I’d want a black one if that’s what it’s supposed to have….especially at £350 ish.

[Guido]

Silver rad replacing a silver one!!  
I’ve gone all in!!  I had the money available so it’s 2 less things I have to worry about. 
 

Now roll on Sunday, so I can enjoy the car on a run out with MLOC brigade!!!

[Daveb99]

1 hour ago, Guido said:

Silver rad replacing a silver one!!  
I’ve gone all in!!  I had the money available so it’s 2 less things I have to worry about. 
 

Now roll on Sunday, so I can enjoy the car on a run out with MLOC brigade!!!

Great stuff, enjoy!