TLF Evora Sport 410 Club

[Edmundo2]

Yes I had pondered that + figured that it would be good on the basis that it evens up any historic wear too + allows me to still drive the car if the seat goes away for longer when it gets fixed..A small amount of black fabric tape will be a temp tidy until then..

[jep]

Congratulations on the Sport 410 Evora. I loved mine, shared with a pal. Weekend car is best, as seats are tricky if your waist is over 34". I was fine, so was my pal but most passengers didn't approve. They are a bargain car, £40k cheaper than 430 and rarer. 430 is special but Sport 410 should not be £40k less.

Seat: we made a removable suede 'sock' to protect the bolster. Perhaps ask a trimmer to make similar with some fixings, do both seats so they match. It will cover the damage already done and protect from further wear.

My Esprit S300 had bolster seat protectors from new by the original owner. Great job.

Justin 

[C8RKH]

@jep my waist is considerably more than 34" and the seats are fine. The issue is the size of your pelvic bone/hips I think and mine are not too bad so i find the carbon seats really comfortable even though I weigh the same as the car!

I also agree that the Sport 410's are an absolute steel at the price they are right now. The 430 is a superb car, but not worth £40k more than, however, the market sets the price.

[Edmundo2]

Yes looking forward to it..

I seemed to fit in the seat ok but will have to see how comfortable I find them on longer runs. I'm reasonably slim hipped, ( as the beer just seems to make my stomach grow?! ), and tbh thought the seats could do with being a bit more hugging Around the ribs..

Will see..

 

Edited April 7, 2023 by Edmundo2

[Edmundo2]

Another quick question...Does anyone know the wheel centre cap badge size for a Sport 410 and know where the best place to buy replacement gel/dome type adhesive replacements from at sensible money?

Cheers 

[jep]

Seats: hips are the issue. A blast is fine but long trips 100,200+ miles for touring is not comfortable for some.

I loved them but I actually didn't do more than 230 miles in a day with mine. Sometimes I do 500+ with the NA. So comfy.

Off topic. Let's stick to market watch now.

Justin 

[Edmundo2]

Hi. As some of you may have read I've paid a deposit on a Sport 410 that I'm collecting next week so will no doubt have a few questions to ask on here..

So,

Does anyone know the wheel centre cap badge size for a Sport 410 and know where the best place to buy replacement gel/dome type adhesive replacements from at sensible money?

Cheers, Ed

[Rambo]

I've just done 250 miles in my LE Evora with replacement hips. No problems 👍

[mg4lotus]

@Edmundo2 With regard to your damaged seat in another thread. I have a friend with a Z3 who had his seats recovered by Sheffield Trimming Co. I have no connection to them but can confirm they did a good job at a good price. It's a bit nearer to your location in Leeds than some other suggested options. When you decide to get it sorted you could give them a call for nothing.

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

@Edmundo2 Are the wheel centre caps different to other Evora models? They used to be prone to falling out under certain circumstances or discolouring, so many will have been replaced over the years. In fact I keep a spare one in the boot of my Evora. Lotus Silverstone always had them in stock when I needed them.

[Edmundo2]

Hi. I'm not sure tbh hence the question. I've booked the wheels in for refurb, ( keen I know but there was a lead time ), so figured I'd replace the badges whilst at it as they are originals and faded. I didn't want to order the wrong size if there's a difference between sizes etc..

Cheers 

[jep]

Pictures please when you get your new steed. 

[Edmundo2]

So the deed is done...I collected my Evora Sport 410 today and have just driven it a few hours home..Have to say I'm really really happy with it. It performed faultlessly and seems great on motorway and B roads.The last few miles on familiar B roads as the sun was setting were great!

As for the car it's a 2018, ( 17 plate ), Sport 410 in motorsport black with silver wheels. Bought privately via a forum lead from a chap who's expecting an Emira.. 24k miles, one owner..Has aircon and stereo so not quite the absolute lightest but my preferred spec.. It needs two wheels refurbing due to very minor grazes, the roof needs re-laquering, the seat bolster re stitching and a thorough clean/detail. All fairly minor really and I quite like the fact there's a few bit's to do to bring it right up to scratch, ( I think I paid the right money for it to allow for the jobs ).

After the first 4 hours of driving my observations are,

- The carbon buckets are pretty good and i deffo wouldn't want to sit higher. Has spacers under the front so tilt is pretty good.. That said I think an extra bit of lumbar support might help and perhaps a softer main back pad for long journeys? 

- Noticed some transmission noise after a few hours when taking up drive at crawling speeds..Not sure if it was there all along and only noticed it as I became more acclimatised. Dissapears when you come off throttle or build speed. Sounds a bit like the diff meshing or straight cut gears? Don't think it's anything to worry about and have heard similar noises in other cars i think?

- Ride is about perfect for what I'm after. I was wondering if the slightly softer 400 was what I wanted but as a weekend blatting machine it feels spot on.

- Handling/steering - everything I hoped it would be and I've not even scratched the surface yet!

- Performance - lovely and pretty much ideal i think. Clearly it could travel really quickly and I will rarely be ringing it out in the higher gears but the envelope in mid to high revs between 2nd and 4th feels like plenty and it cruises really well, ( even without an arm rest ). As for the noise..does anyone ever drive them without the exhaust on!? That will never get old..

So there you go. A happy new owner and one that's looking  forward to tinkering with it..Hopefully it doesn't throw up any major issues but so far so good..

I'll stick future posts in the other relevant chats but thought I'd let you know I'm in..

Cheers, Ed

( PS only got time for one pic when I arrived home. Filthy and in it's cave but will share more in due course )

 

 

[C8RKH]

Lovely, maybe you change your forum name "the Batman"! @Edmundo2.

I wouldn't worry too much about a softer back cushion. As the seats are lightweight carbon I find that the back section of the seat acts like it is sprung, so it moves gently, with the car, over bumps etc. No harsh movements, just a soft, well damped movement that takes a lot of the "shock" out of your back, even on long drives. I rarely go out in my car for less than 2 hours at a time - nowhere to go, no destinaion in mind, just driving for the sake of it on God's own (empty) roads up here in Scotland. My usual goal is to start with a full tank of fuel with the aim of just driving till I'm about to run out, filling up a few miles from home to put it back in the garage with a full tank for the next drive!

I really don't understand why the Sport 410 is so "unloved" by the market. Was speaking to @blindside (Sport 410 then GT430 owner) about it earlier this week when I was over in Belfast, and IIRC we came to the conclusion that the carbon seats were just too much for many of the old farts who buy Evora's as they preferred the softer padding of the Sparco's. I think we summarised that as why some of the better looking GT430's took longer to sell, carbon seats over Sparco's. I guess the old farts just couldn't bend down enough for the low carbon seats and struggled with their piles without the cushioning of the Sparco seat 

Excellent choice of car and I wish you many, many many, miles of fun with it. She looks great. I real "back beauty". The GRP rear lights would look superb..... Just saying.

[Rambo]

Very close to the walls either side in the Batcave. How on earth do you get in and out? Do the doors open wide enough?

[Edmundo2]

Thanks. Re the garage I think the photo is a bit deceptive..it is narrow but I got out fine, ( although its tight passing through the doorway ). 

 

[C8RKH]

No way my arse would makie it through the gap in that garage. It makes a Kardashians ass look ultra thin.

[Rambo]

Remember to close your mirrors in. If its like my Evora you pull the window switch towards the rear to close. Opposite for open.

[thealastair34]

Looks great Ed enjoy!

[Bibs]

Congratulations, very nice

It's easier to get in and out with the window down in a garage, just saying! 

[mcdonaa]

14 hours ago, Edmundo2 said:

- Noticed some transmission noise after a few hours when taking up drive at crawling speeds..Not sure if it was there all along and only noticed it as I became more acclimatised. Dissapears when you come off throttle or build speed. Sounds a bit like the diff meshing or straight cut gears? Don't think it's anything to worry about and have heard similar noises in other cars i think?

Yes, I think this is pretty normal from what I've read. Even my early LE does it...it's only on take up of the clutch , and then for a second or so in first gear. 👍

[Edmundo2]

Great thanks and sounds the same so hopefully i can rest easy..Cheers 

[Cemil Tacir]

 

New Sport 410 Automatic owner over here🙏. Been watching this car for over 2 years. 2017, odometer is at 3500 miles. I prefer manual for sure but Lotus Turkey bought all their cars Automatic🤐🤐. Tracked my sport 350 in Istanbul and shocked by its performance. Stock to stock, my lap times were faster than 991.2 carrera S and same with the 458 italia's. So I bought this one too. How would be the performance difference? Our track has a layout with high speed braking and one triple chicane with 95 mph speed overall. 

[Gadzooks]

Nice.  The 410 Sport is quicker around Hethel than an Exige 350.  I find that I can usually out brake Exiges on track. Cornering speed is about the same (unless they have coil overs). They seem to pull a little quicker out of the corners but the 410 vs 350 means you catch them on the straight.  Overall the 410 is about the same as an Exige 360 cup but (unsurprisingly) slower than the Exige 410.  I also find the Evora a more composed ride on track due to the wider track and hydraulic steering.  It’s not as manic as driving and Exige

[Rambo]

Yesterday at the Jim Clark celebrations at Duns Castle