Sam Downey

Hey Rupert, Unfortunately this forum is pretty much dead for Club Lotus NZ. All activity is on Facebook. I don't actually use FB, so cannot tell if there is anything around, but if you are, see if you can post on the CLNZ FB page asking around. I see there is only one on Trademe: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/lotus/esprit/listing/5153106544 When i was looking for Elises in the past, I set up TradeMe notifications for new Lotus for sale. There is obviously not many in general so you don't get too much spam, and this is the quickest way to keep up to date with the market imo. GL with the hunt! 👍

No sorry bud. IMO the factory 7 spoke forged wheel from Exige's and Elise Sports Racers was by far the best looking and light too. A bit fragile though. But no doubt very expensive if you can even find a set. Depending on use case (track work?) these cast Ethos wheels might be good for a wider fitment: https://www.inokinetic.com/eliseexige/ethos-wheels-xxl5h?category=Wheels Shipping/import duties will be brutal obviously for anything that isn't local.

Ok so that will be who did my alignment then I guess. I did wonder that, I assume it's probably now on factory numbers, and was probably out to begin with, but for 100% road driving on our narrow bumpy poorly surfaced twisty roads when you can open it up a little, I would prefer more straight line and yes, braking stability. I accidentally overcooked some braking into a blind dipping bed on Gentle Annie and ended up taking up both mine and the oncoming lane with the car squirreling around under brakes and it scared me...if something have been coming the other way..... Driver error of course but the car builds speed so easily it's easy to do. And more straight line stability just makes the car more relaxing on a regular highway cruise of which I'm forced to do plenty of before I even get to any twisties. Yes I got Cup2's in 295's on the back as they had 25% off and didn't have any 285's in stock. Next time around I'd love to try a Pilot Sport S5S or whatever it is (or will be) called the 4S replacement, but there was nothing around at the time. On the road I don't really have the skill or confidence to push the Cup2's up to and and beyond the limit!

Many thanks Paul! and hey Jason! I found your old geo sheet from i think 2021 so wasn't sure how up to date it was, but that's great info thanks. I now need to compare those to stock out of interest, but at work right now. I had wondered if you have removed a lot of toe in from the rear, but perhaps not if you saying those rear settings are close to stock. I will check anyway. The biggest change looks the front camber. @Exigo Actually I'm not heading to the track anytime soon Jason, I'm still too poor and scared to put this thing on track but when I had new rears fitted and an alignment done recently, I haven't liked the feeling since (that was by McLaren btw). It's lost a lot of straight line stability and was pretty scary on a recent club run at times. And I just saw a recent video of Paul's on youtube the other day and although he was pushing hard and the car looked far from beginner friendly it looked really well setup, the best I've seen on yt, hence me spamming him for his golden settings! So I will get a geo done again soon, but it will be nearly all for road, but I was thinking that if the only real change needed for a really good track setup like Paul's is front camber and damper settings, I could factor that in, in case I grow some balls and head to the track without needing to change geo again! I suspect running a little neg camber on the front with a smidge of tow in would probably still be fine for straight line stability, and also give the front more corning grip for track.

Hi Paul, Sam here from our youtube comment chat. Thanks for the heads up :) Ok there is a lot to go through here! Interested to check up your setup as that car handles fantastically. Really impressive laps of Silverstone too. Great stuff!

I never gave it a moment's thought and just whatever the garage put on it, OEM I assume. That was an aftermarket supercharged 2zz-ge.

Did you ever end up getting anything Rudi? I know a few guys in CLNZ use them. I would check with Brian, as he has something, and would know what others use also. For context for others, our national speed limit here is 62mph, and I believe you can enjoy a court appearance and on the spot license loss for doing 87mph+. Hence these madly expensive detectors required if you want to enjoy your car in the middle of nowhere when no one else is around for miles.

Hi Rudi! I saw your car at Southwards Cars and Coffee yesterday! Looked great! Shame I didn't get to say hello, you must have been about, there was plenty to see. The 550 Marcello, Morgan, TR6, Honda S600 and Diablo were highlights for me. I had a quick word with the chap in the red Emira who was parked next to you, and suggested he join the club. Do you know him at all? Are you able to put him in touch with this forum? I'm wanting to organize a little morning run soon and gathering numbers down here in Wellington area. I assume you were just visiting? But if you were around down here the next 2-3 weekends let me know. Sam

That looks great! Is the grey a wrap you have done or did it come like that? Yes I know what you mean. I've never driven an M3 of any generation, but have always liked drivers cars. But the first time I drive my old Elise through a roundabout I couldn't believe the sensation of each individual contact patch loading up and unloading. Here are some pics in return of the recent CLNZ Gentle Annie run. The white Exige in front of the old building is mine.

Hi Rudi! Congrats on the Emira! pics welcome if you like?! As you can see, this forum is dead. I think Club Lotus NZ are active on Facebook, but I'm not a face booker myself so couldn't point you in the right direction, but the CLNZ website would surely have a link or something. So you are only a few days into Lotus ownership?! How are you finding the Emira?

Hi Mark! That's great! Although I bet shipping is expensive these days. I'm up the Kapiti Coast with an Elise (for sale 😢) and Exige. I think there is a red Excel around but haven't seen the Eclat or M100. I've seen one or two M100's over the year's locally but don't remember a white one, probably a BRG and red? I'm talking years ago. Are you with Club Lotus NZ? There is about 8-9 members in the lower North Island. Most of the membership is in and around Auckland. There are 2 Elan's (originals) around and obviously a few Elise's about too.

Ha! That's everything though isn't it, cheaper in the US. This really isn't common knowledge AFAIK. The fact that you supposedly couldn't get these tyres was even influencing my decision to hold on to the car. I think also in general, a 111R or similar is a good bet for parts going forward because they were the ones that were sold in the states and have a following over there. There is a whole little industry over there for supporting the cars. I think the price you're paying is less than i've paid in the past, when the best deal i could get was personally importing through demon tweaks in the UK, so it's still very good imo. Great stuff, thanks for the info.

Wow! That is the best news I've had in ages! Thanks so much for posting this mate. I agree on all points about feel and age etc. Thanks for the contact details! This is definitely the route I'll take as soon as I can afford it.

Hi Macca. If true this is of huge use! I agree, fitting wider front tyres reduces the steering feedback which I don't want to do if I can help it. Who/what is "Hypertyre"? I know there is Hyper Drive/Hyper Tyres.co.nz and I ordered my last set of AD07's through them years ago but it is not even possible to search for AD07s on their website any more. What country are you based in? i.e. are those landed and delivered costs representative of NZ?

I knew this car was going to look great! The best things come to those who wait! Are the yellow stripes factory? Did you get it ppf'd? Sorry to hear you got the covid Jason, take car and hope you back running it in soon! I need a noise button! Great to hear that all the NZ cars have worked no issues with ECUs or anything.