[Favour Please TLF’ers]

Done.

[Random car and/or Lotus related pictures and videos]

Started watching on my phone, thought WTF!  Put it up on the widescreen, just as crazy. Love it.

Well spotted Bibs.

[Government regulations - Car modification]

Phew! So those of us with +2s can sleep easy tonight.

[Government regulations - Car modification]

That has been the case for many years, but I'd still like to hear him opine.

[Government regulations - Car modification]

@C8RKH, where are you on this one?

[Fuel shortage]

Could everyone please start spreading rumours of an imminent shortage of Anusol, to give those who love to queue for/panic buy something they don't really need,  an alternative to the filling stations.

[PJS Lotus announcement - today 27/08]

50 minutes ago, jep said:

 

It ain't no 'kick in the teeth'. It is a business relationship that has ended. 

 

 

That may be the situation literally. But I would be interested to hear their take on this, from the affected businesses. 

[PJS Lotus announcement - today 27/08]

I can't see how this can be deemed to be a good move.  Yes, those of us in the know will hopefully continue to use these now disenfranchised garages, unless you have a full official Lotus service history, and wish to maintain that. For prospective newcomers to the brand, the reduction in the number of service centres could be offputting.  I know two people who would have bought a Lotus, but for the perceived lack of a nearby official garage.  Also, no matter how you dress this up with corporate speak, it must be a hell of a kick in the teeth for these garages who have, no doubt, invested time, effort and money in conforming to Lotus' requirements. 

[A general car rant!]

Recently, I had all four tyres changed on my daily drive (diesel mondeo), at a local large independent, as used by my tame mechanic.  A few days later, whilst driving on a fast Welsh mountain road I suddenly had a serious vibration/wobble on the NSF.  I pulled in and found that one wheel stud had sheared, two were missing, including  the locking one, and the other two were easily tightened with a socket wrench.  On further inspection, every stud on the other three wheels was loose. I didn't touch the locking studs.  I removed one stud from each rear wheel to replace the missing ones on the front  I tightened them all up, apart from the lockers, so that when I took it back to the fitters, they would be the first to check them, and I was confident that these would be loose as well.

Take car back to the tyre place. "Oh no, sir. We have eight torque wrenches here, all calibrated. Impossible."  Have demonstration of one of such torque wrenches on my wheel studs, all tight, surprise, surprise.  "Okay. " says I, "Here's the locking nut. I haven't touched them. Let's see how you get on with them."

A quarter and then an eighth turn to tightness.  "Someone has tried to pinch your wheels, sir."                                               " Impossible."                                                   "You can buy locking nuts on the internet these days!"                                                     "Since I was last here, when not being driven, this car is kept in a secure place both night and day."                                        "Well, even though it's not our fault, you'll have to leave it here so we can sort out that front hub"

Leave car, cancel next day's appointments.  Arrive to collect car, young f'wit drives it round to front of premises and hands over keys.  Exit car park, ABS light comes on.  Take car back. "Well, it was alright when we test drove it, sir.  But, even though it's not our fault,  you'll have to leave it here so we can sort out that ABS sensor."

Leave car, cancel next day's appointments.  Collect car.  Vow to never, ever go to that place again and spread the word accordingly. 

Thank you Delamere Motors of Telford.

 

[Is electric really the answer?]

On 31/07/2021 at 23:39, electro_boy said:

Interesting video regarding industrial vehicles:

 

This is well worth watching.

Our government seems to be waking up to the potential of hydrogen as a fuel.  I hope/wish that Lotus/Geely do the same.  I will never own an electric car, never mind a Lotus.  A hydrogen powered Lotus?  Now that would be something I would seriously consider. 

[Lotus Babes]

Do Valetpro offer this service? If so, are there any additional benefits for TLF members?

[What made you UNHAPPY today!]

Ah, you've had a glimpse of the future @Bibs.  These air quality limits are starting to creep in all over the place.  Speed limits are the opposite of prices, once they go down,  they rarely go up again. 

[What made you UNHAPPY today!]

Apparently the aim is to reduce the burden on our NHS by reducing the number of people suffering terminal/life-changing/long term injuries by 50%.

[What made you UNHAPPY today!]

I managed to pass my speed awareness course (non lotus related) at the weekend,  and the ex-Motorway policeman conducting the course told us that, within the next 2-3 years, all speed limits will be reduced.  Current 30mph roads will become 20mph, country roads, currently 60mph will become 40mph and motorways will become 60mph.

First I've heard of this, and if true then we may as well all drive glorified golf buggies, which,  I suppose, is the plan anyway. 

[[New Product] Lotus OE Tyre Savers]

At that sort of price, for occasional use, I'm afraid I'm out.

[[New Product] Lotus OE Tyre Savers]

In terms of pricing, some are available on t'internet from £16/17 a pair, but these may be deemed suitable for a range of tyre sizes. Ones made specifically for the Evora would be of more interest.  Having said that, I do use mine on the road all year round, weather/salt permitting, so haven't felt the need for tyresavers, but during the last lockdown I didn't use it for a six week period. If we should have a prolonged harsh winter spell of weather then I can see this happening again and possibly for longer.  I would be interested to know if anyone can answer @Greg | ValetPro's question about how long tyres can stand before they start deforming. 

[[New Product] Lotus OE Tyre Savers]

Any idea of the price @Bibs?

[Is electric really the answer?]

Thanks for that link @Bibs, interesting reading. For pure EV towing vehicles the choice will be limited and much more expensive than people are used to.

[Is electric really the answer?]

Will I be able to have a towbar on my Evija? This could be a deal-breaker.

[Is electric really the answer?]

In the this mad scramble to go all electric, what are the implications for the thousands of people who have caravans, boats or trailers?  Are EVs any good at towing, are we going to see motor burn outs, battery fires, brake failures and "range anxiety " take on a whole new meaning?

I have not seen this mentioned or discussed anywhere and was wondering if any of the good folk on here had any ideas?

[Formula One]

Christian Horner obviously ordered Perez in for a late tyre change in order to enable him to set the fastest lap and deny Hamilton that extra point.  In doing this, he sacrificed at least one point for the Red Bull team in the Constructors Championship. 

In F1 it's all about the points. I shall laugh if this petulant gesture comes back to bite Horner in the *rse.

[Evora prices post Emira launch]

If the Emira is a global success, which it should be, and interest/awareness of Lotus as a marque, and the Evora as the hand- built analogue precursor to the Emira rises accordingly,  then I can see a lot of Evoras being snapped up and disappearing overseas. 

But there again, what do I know?

[Lotus Emira]

I like it lots, but those boomerang bonnet vents?  I need to  see one up close.

[Lotus Emira Superfans - Get involved with the LIVE Emira launch on the 6th July!]

Not long now!

[Lotus Emira Superfans - Get involved with the LIVE Emira launch on the 6th July!]

Just got home after doing an evening maintenance inspection of some broadcast antennas 150ft up a mast, 2 1/2 hours away and my invite has arrived. Yesss!

Thanks Bibs.