Brendonian

You're actually suggesting a yoga move? Surely the Lotus position is more appropriate

One small detail has irritated me a little since buying my car. The DPM mode switch felt awful in operation. The entire switch moved around in the dash panel. Had a look at the weekend. Removed the two retaining screws at the back of the cubby under the switch panel, and with a little struggle, pulled the panel away from the dash. The switch is simply held in place with a cable tie which prevents it from pulling through the panel, but does little to stop the whole thing rotating. Just wrapped a strip of insulation tape around the join between the switch and the panel, and it now feels much more solid. The actual switch movement doesn't feel great, so I thought about buying a replacement. At around £300, I'll live with it as is!

Nice write-up! What do people use to actually bung the pipes?

Are you sure that’s wise? Gloss looks lovely, but will reflect badly in the windscreen. I had a gloss carbon cover on my Exige S1, but soon decided I didn’t like the reflections. Good news is a few minutes with very fine sandpaper soon to the shine off.

Yes. Yes I am 😀

I've only had mine a couple of weeks, not done any long journeys in it, but yes I do feel I start to get a little lower back pain after driving. I think it needs a little more lumbar support. My first Elise came with an inflatable bladder behind the padding in the lumbar region. Can't help feeling these seats need the same. Following this thread with interest!

Does anybody know how easy it would be to re-route the USB cable in the trinket/stowage tray to have it just come out under the dash? I’ve installed a MagSafe phone mount under the dash, and would like to tidy up the cable running to it. Tried removing the cover above the small passenger side cubby to see if it’s accessible from there. Removed the two screws at the rear of the cubby, expecting the panel to come away easily, but it didn’t budge.

Surely real men reverse into the garage? 😉

It’s done! Had to brutally disassemble the two centre vents. Doubt they can be saved now, but whatever! Very pleased with the results 😀

Not a very good picture I'm afraid. The car's in the garage, and not well lit. Will try to get better pics later.

Update: the new vents arrived this morning. Driver's side vent was tough to remove, but it's done. Passenger side was relatively easy... the two centre vents just don't want to budge It feels like I'm going to tear the whole panel off! On the plus side, it's all symmetrical, and the two outer vents do look much nicer!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233494136659?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D4de0ff31ab73425d8ded61dd3e687eea%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D334167809839%26itm%3D233494136659%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DAlfa+Romeo&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A91eb32db-2844-11ec-a8ce-526b74282167|parentrq%3A6051e0c317c0a4b712f8becefffd1056|iid%3A1 There's a few second hand ones around, but most seem to have suffered with flaking chrome. I just searched for Alfa 156 air vents. I believe the same ones are used in the Europa and S1 Evoras Also available from Lotus via your preferred dealer, or online with DeRoure/Bell and Colville: https://www.bellandcolvill.co.uk/product?qs=1&MAK=1&MDL=20&TBL=12675&SMA=0&SMO=0&ST=&SC=0&PBID=1088157

Thanks again! That's very reassuring

Thanks for confirming that Dave! Was worried the flexible ducts would just get pushed out of the way.

Seriously considered updating to the Mercedes vents like GFWilliams did before he went to Ferrari stuff, then saw the amazing new Komo-tec aluminium vents, but decided to keep things simple and affordable with a straight swap to the standard Alfa vents with chrome trim rings. Parts are ordered, but I'm wondering what's involved in fitting them. I'm led to believe you can remove the original vents with a firm tug, but is fitting the new ones a simple matter of pushing them in, or is there any difficulty re-fitting the hoses on the back of them?

Thanks Paul 👍

But it's ok to criticise anyone who chooses not to take an entire picnic? Can't argue with that

Am I the only one who uses a cup to to transport a coffee to my destination? It doesn't need to be about drinking whilst driving!

Hi Paul, thanks for that. I don't suppose you have a link to the specific items you bought? Or exactly what criteria you searched for?

Just read through this thread. Fascinating stuff, and you've done some great, well considered mods. Didn't see you report on the success/otherwise of the replacement dust caps for the headlamps though. I'm picking up my Exige this weekend, and guessing the bulbs are going to be high on my list of things to upgrade!

So glad they issued a clarification that it's based on an Evora GT chassis... and yet the people most closely involved say "Although we started with the Exige platform – the B-surfaces are Exige – this is totally different. It’s longer and has new wishbones, new suspension, new arms, new uprights, a new exterior and a new interior.” Jenson: “The only thing remaining from the Exige is the chassis and the bottom end of the engine; the rest is totally coachbuilt.”" I'm interested to get a definitive answer, but my guess is it really is an Exige chassis. The horizontally mounted radiator with fans mounted on top, and the choice of windscreen wiper are clear clues based on hardpoints under the skin. Guess the interior will make it clearer!

Where's the "Yes, twice... and awaiting a 3rd replacement" option? 🤔

Wow, Transforged seem to have dropped off the grid entirely. Deleted their social media accounts as well.

I had 5 Esprits, Stevens N/A, SE, S4, S4s, and V8. Loved them all, but the S4s was clearly the pick of that bunch. Later moved on to a number of Elise/Exige variants, which were obviously more fun, but harder to live with on a daily basis. Then I got my Evora LE. Honestly, I wouldn't consider going back to an Esprit now. I still have naughty thoughts when I see that lovely wedge shape, but things have moved on. The Esprits were never especially reliable, and I can't see that the years will have helped in that area. The Evora is just as special for me, but with the advantage of vastly better brakes and handling. Of course my driving has improved over the years, but I was always wary of oversteer in Esprits, but when I do get a little slide on with the Evora, it feels so progressive and natural that it's something to savour more than fear! The big thing for me, having learned to enjoy the purity of the Elise is that I never want to suffer turbo lag again! I'd definitely consider an Elise/Exige again, but the Esprit has been ruined for me by the newer models.

Pretty sure I've posted them before, but these are the ones I use: Plus a silver one for people with the wrong colour car