Exige Sport 410 - how good? Part 2

[Chris Onelevenr]

So after the more than 3 month wait for the car and finally collecting it on 11/1/2019 what are the first impressions? Firstly, I am so pleased I stumped the extra pounds for the Liquid Yellow paint. See the pics in the part 1 thread (more to follow). Equally pleased I asked Hoffman's to get the black stripes added. In my opinion the car looks absolutely stunning. The pics so far actually make the car look a bit darker than it really is. Maybe I will get @GFWilliams to take some.

i've only covered 270 miles so far so lots of running in miles to do. Using upto around 4500rpm on medium throttle and it already feels quick. I can definitely feel the extra weight compared to my 111R and there is a slight sense of brute force compared to the delicacy of the Elise. With the hugely increased torque levels the Exige is somewhat reminiscent of my RS Megane 265 daily in the power delivery from lower revs.

On the day after collection I.e. a week ago yesterday, I took my son out for a first proper run minus roof. The heater works really well. Unfortunately, about 15 miles later a pheasant committed suicide in the passenger side front grill and destroyed it. Apart blood, feathers and bits of bird over that corner of the car the only other damage was a small tear in the ppf. Hugely annoying but could have been worse. That will get fixed at the 600 mile service along with a couple of other items.

One specific issue I have reported to Hoffman's is a very slight but noticeable vibration through the chassis a erm... slightly  above 70mph. Can't feel it through the steering wheel but it is as if the road has very small ripples. Passengers can feel it too. 

Having the option to open the exhaust valve at will is very nice but I have to say how (relatively) civilised it is with the exhaust closed. High speed cruising is going to be so much more relaxed than the 111R.

Off to do a few more miles late this morning. Cheers all.

[Forkhandles]

I’m considering a 410 so I’m following your posts. Is the 410 any more track friendly than my lovely 380?

i spoke to asalesman at one of the well known dealerships on Friday and he’s trying to tell me the 410 and 430 cup can get on most uk circuits without a problem mmmmm! I think he’s wrong .

cheers

Richard

 

[Tex]

3 hours ago, Forkhandles said:

I’m considering a 410 so I’m following your posts. Is the 410 any more track friendly than my lovely 380?

i spoke to asalesman at one of the well known dealerships on Friday and he’s trying to tell me the 410 and 430 cup can get on most uk circuits without a problem mmmmm! I think he’s wrong .

cheers

Richard

 

None of the 380’s, 410’s or 430’s can pass static tests as they will all hit over 105db with or without a TI exhaust but if it’s is a drive by test then thats another matter.

Most circuits operate a noise meter around circuit and you can short shift where they are and doesn’t really detract from your enjoyment!!

[Chris Onelevenr]

Nice drive this afternoon. Re- the viration mentioned previously, I can actually feel it through the steering so maybe a wheel balance issue. Anyway, here are some pics.

[Chris Onelevenr]

First wash of the car yesterday. I really don't like that part of car ownership but thought that I'd better maker an effort as the car was absolutely filthy. Invested in a mitt, shampoo and wheel brush. An hour or so later the car looks magic again. The 600 mile service is booked for next Monday with a few items on the list to be sorted out. One slightly weird observation is that the car somehow seems quicker with the exhaust closed (<4500) as the speed picks up really quickly but with almost no apparent effort. 

[JayEmm]

I also experienced the same sensation of "car quicker with exhaust quiet" - perhaps it was just a placebo as you hear all the other noises that much more?

[Chris Onelevenr]

Indeed. I am sure it is no faster but the absence of exhaust roar makes it feel so easy.

[Stewie177]

Chris - do you have a 'clunk' on the rear suspension when going over a small pothole? Apparently all 410s do it, but I have it and a demonstrator at Silverstone has it, but I cannot find anyone else and I am becoming concerned, I am being fobbed off!

[Forkhandles]

1 hour ago, Stewie177 said:

Chris - do you have a 'clunk' on the rear suspension when going over a small pothole? Apparently all 410s do it, but I have it and a demonstrator at Silverstone has it, but I cannot find anyone else and I am becoming concerned, I am being fobbed off!

Hi Stewart,

did you demo the cyan blue one at silverstone?

[Chris Onelevenr]

12 hours ago, Stewie177 said:

Chris - do you have a 'clunk' on the rear suspension when going over a small pothole? Apparently all 410s do it, but I have it and a demonstrator at Silverstone has it, but I cannot find anyone else and I am becoming concerned, I am being fobbed off!

I've not noticed a clonk on my car. Did you have the vibration issue I have described?

[Stewie177]

35 minutes ago, Chris Onelevenr said:

I've not noticed a clonk on my car. Did you have the vibration issue I have described?

Nothing on the vibration, even at post-run in speeds. I think it's likely a wheel balance, mine feels very stable

[k20Rob]

19 hours ago, Stewie177 said:

Chris - do you have a 'clunk' on the rear suspension when going over a small pothole? Apparently all 410s do it, but I have it and a demonstrator at Silverstone has it, but I cannot find anyone else and I am becoming concerned, I am being fobbed off!

My 380 Cup is doing this, only up to 260 miles at present, it has done it since leaving the show room. It has the nitron 2 ways. What does your 410 have? My 350 Sport didn't do this.

[k20Rob]

PS Mine is when the shock extends to drop in to the hole or a large join in the road. Not on compression. 

[Tex]

21 minutes ago, k20Rob said:

PS Mine is when the shock extends to drop in to the hole or a large join in the road. Not on compression. 

Had this on mine and dealer looked at it . Couldn’t find anything wrong and after a few hundred miles it disappeared 👻.

The foibles of owning a Lotus 

[Stewie177]

18 hours ago, k20Rob said:

My 380 Cup is doing this, only up to 260 miles at present, it has done it since leaving the show room. It has the nitron 2 ways. What does your 410 have? My 350 Sport didn't do this.

I am on the 3 ways

15 hours ago, Tex said:

Had this on mine and dealer looked at it . Couldn’t find anything wrong and after a few hundred miles it disappeared 👻.

The foibles of owning a Lotus 

I wish mine would disappear, it goes strongly against my fixer personality...

(I bet you don't see 'foibles' used in many other car forums - yet another nice part of Lotus ownership)

16 hours ago, k20Rob said:

PS Mine is when the shock extends to drop in to the hole or a large join in the road. Not on compression. 

Having thought about it, mine may do this - I will have a listen on the way home (pending snow)

[Akajak]

Glad you’re enjoying the car, can you clarify the 600 mile service? Is this where you pay for consumables and dealer the labour?

cheers

Dealer the labour costs

[Chris Onelevenr]

As Lotus are now offering 3 years free servicing I'm not expecting to pay but I've not check the detail. However, I'm having a repair job done plus some additional ppf fitted so It'll cost me plenty.

[k20Rob]

It is the posting running in service on a new car where they change the oil and give it a once over. You pay and it covers the labour and service items such as the oil.

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

1 hour ago, Chris Onelevenr said:

As Lotus are now offering 3 years free servicing I'm not expecting to pay but I've not check the detail. However, I'm having a repair job done plus some additional ppf fitted so It'll cost me plenty.

Repair job and ppf? Did you catch it on something? 

[Chris Onelevenr]

26 minutes ago, RoflOnMyWaffle said:

Repair job and ppf? Did you catch it on something? 

Read the first post on the thread.

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

40 minutes ago, Chris Onelevenr said:

Read the first post on the thread.

I had read it when it was posted, forgot! My apologies.

[k20Rob]

3 hours ago, Chris Onelevenr said:

As Lotus are now offering 3 years free servicing I'm not expecting to pay but I've not check the detail. However, I'm having a repair job done plus some additional ppf fitted so It'll cost me plenty.

Mine is on the three years free servicing and I asked when buying and I was told it would be included. Ive not checked anything in writing though.

 

[edwatters]

Worth checking as I’m on the 3 year deal but was offered the 1st service free after having a few issues with my car 🤔

[Akajak]

On 31/01/2019 at 12:33, k20Rob said:

It is the posting running in service on a new car where they change the oil and give it a once over. You pay and it covers the labour and service items such as the oil.

isnt this at 1000 miles rather than 600?

[k20Rob]

I thought 1000 also but the dealer said to me anything past 600 really 🤷‍♂️