My first lotus - Elise S2 - Newbie Questions…

[Dopper85]

Hi all,

I’ve entered the lotus world today with my first Elise, an S2, finished in laser blue. 

it will need servicing soon so looking for recommendations near to Stoke on Trent?

thanks all and looking forward to learning more about the car and I’m sure there will be some questions that pop up
 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 6 by Dopper85

[Muska]

Welcome, I’m also Staffordshire, although south of the county.

i have been looking at some recommended places to use and a couple came up in Burton on Trent:

Gav@Unit4 - https://www.unit4vehicleservices.co.uk

PJS Sports Cars - https://www.pjslotus.co.uk

Ive not used either yet but both seem to come highly recommended.

[Guido]

I use both.  You won't go wrong with either.  You will probably have to wait longer to get your car in at PJS as they book up very quickly.

[DeanB]

I use Gav at Unit 4 and have for 15 years. He's never let me down. In fact, my car is with him now for a new brake master cylinder. Top man and sensibly priced.

 

[Elisemadray]

Welcome to Mloc Lee, Yep Both Top Guys   couldn't go wrong with either Gav maybe a little cheaper

hope to see you on a run watch Events

[winthattt]

Another vote for Gav (and son) but I believe PJS are really good, I have never tried them because I’ve never had reason to use anyone other than Gav.

[Bird]

I’ve used PJS and they were great.

[DSTOR]

PJS are very very good,  but equally… I’ve heard good things about Gav.  Like Ray says take your pick. One thing to consider perhaps is that Paul @ PJS has a loan car (VW Polo) not sure if Unit 4 have loaners?  

[Dopper85]

Thanks for the warm welcome, it’s greatly appreciated and I’m looking forward to learning more about these awesome little sports cars.

i do have a few initial queries that im sure you’ve heard a million times from new owners:

1. The LCD panel on the Shurlock instrument cluster intermittently goes blank so that engine, temp fuel, mileage can’t be seen. I understand that this is a common issue but don’t really feel confident removing it to send off for refurb. Is there anyone that could be recommended local to stoke that can do this specific item?
2. I have a certificate for the original sale and installation of the cobra alarm / immobiliser but somewhere over the last 19 years the PIN has been lost. Is there anyway of getting this back?
3. I’m going  to grab a battery conditioner, probably a CTEK MS5. If connected to the battery in the boot how does everyone wire the quick connector as I believe the boot lid is alarmed when locked so can’t stay open over night?
4. any recommendations for a steering wheel lock that will fit the Elise’s compact steering wheel?

 

thanks again

[PaulH]

Hi, As others have said welcome to MLOC.

I have a CTEK battery charger and have been using it successfully for the last 3 years.  My Elise is always parked in my locked garage, and I've always locked and set the alarm, even though it's in a locked garage. 

I fixed a plug-in CTEK connector to the battery so it's easy to connect the CTEK charger.  I typically leave the boot closed but not fully shut so it's easy for the cables to go into the battery.  I have read on other posts that those who have there cars outside find that they can fully shut the boot and there is enough space and the rubber seal is soft enough for the cables to still pass into the battery. 

I used the charger virtually every weekend to bring the battery back to fully charged. The alarm on mine (S3 Elise) does discharge that battery pretty quickly.  Last Friday I came to use the car and battery was flat.  I've taken the battery out and attempted to recharge it but it's knackered.  It got very hot when charging (quite worrying).  It's a sealed battery (Varta B18 12V 44Ah 440A), so I can't check the acid level, and I don't know its age.  I've replaced it with a Yuasa 063 3000 series equivalent.       

With that experience I'm inclined to not set the alarm when it's in my locked garage, so the battery doesn't get so much discharge and recharge, which I'm pretty sure lead acid batteries don't like.

 

 

[Lithopsian]

The alarm PIN can usually be obtained from Lotus.  Contact your dealer if it is a main Lotus one, otherwise might have to go direct.  Or it is possible to brute-force guess it.

[winthattt]

Under the front nearside access panels there are terminals for the battery (at least there was on my s2 Exige). Just attach the charger pig tail leads to them and tuck the the connector to the outside near the wiper.  I have an s1 Exige these days (battery in the front) and use the same method.

You can see the connector below the wiper. I have used Accumate chargers for years, no issues, got it from Eliseparts. I have ctek for my bmw, works fine as well.

 

[Dopper85]

Thanks for those who’ve replied so far. I’ve read in the manual that the auxiliary power socket in between the seats is always live (seems unusual)

could the battery maintainer be attached to this rather than a comfort connection off the battery terminal?

I’ve also contacted lotus for the cobra pin so will update on that.

its a really fun car and I’m surprised at how mechanical / visceral it actually 

[DaveH]

Hi, and welcome, another vote for Gav (&son 😉) from me, I’ve had my S2 111R Sports Racer since 2007 and Gav has always serviced it, first when he was at Peter Smiths Sportscars till it shut, then since he set up Unit 4. I’ve always found him to helpful, efficient and dead straight, never had a reason to consider anywhere else, top chap. 

I always have mine on a CTEK, under a dust cover in a locked garage, but I use a cigarette lighter adaptor to connect it to the car (apparently its always live😳?) then out through the rubber seal at bottom of the door if the hard top is fitted, I’ve never had a problem….

Re cobra code number, I too have lost/mislaid/ was never given the code, I understand you can sometimes see it on the alarm control box from the access panels…but couldn’t mine and Lotus wanted about £65 to check their records so I didn’t bother….

Enjoy it 👌