Living with a Lotus Exige | 18 month update

[@BritishRacingGreens]

If you're watching this I know you'll love my weekly newsletter! I share 5 automotive highlights ranging from curious cars for sale to scintillating social posts, can't miss KZbin content to events. Sign up for free britishracinggreens.beehiiv.com

[@markhill120]

I also wondered when your next video would drop! All very useful and honest info. I got my S2 Exige in Feb and I love it. Nothing has gone wrong yet apart from battery issues if I leave it too long. Totally get the non jealousy thing - I tend to get waves of appreciation or kids shouting "nice car mate!". Will do a road trip sometime if I can get it past the missus, and want to try it on a track next year so I can safely test the limits (before I run out of talent hopefully!). Look forward to your Euro trip vid.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

Congrats on the purchase! 🤞 you remain lucky and don't run into any issues, keep enjoying it and thanks for the support!

[@Little6]

I love it that you’re keeping the car.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

So do I!

[@TheBrigalo]

I wondered where you got to buddy. Glad to see you've still got the Exige. Since your last post I got rid of my JCW Mini and got myself An Exige S3 LF1. Only had it 4wks and it's a weekend toy but can't stop looking at it, and the noise from it is pretty awesome. Like you said, it's almost like driving a racing car through the streets with people pointing and taking photo's. Look forward to your next update.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

Love to hear it! 18 months in and I still can't stop looking at it, so I hope you get the same joy from yours. Thanks for the support.

[@heshelk22]

❤and it's getting more valuable over time

[@BritishRacingGreens]

I hope you’re right about that, I tend to agree.

[@hippy420]

Looks like your roof linings gone too...mine too (apparently theres a spray glue that sorts it)😅👍 good to see another video

[@BritishRacingGreens]

Good spot! A summer project that I didn't get around to, I do have the spray glue though so I'll try to get it done over the next couple of months 👍.

[@hansbambach4854]

Point to note re speed bumps…. I owned a couple of exiges in my time your approach can make a difference, for example instead of straight on come at it from a slight angle and put your right wheel on first and over slightly followed by the left. Not full proof but can help and certainly absolutely creep up the bump.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

This is true, I try my best to adjust the angle to help with this. This in combination with going very slowly usually does the trick.

[@hahaha123]

Definitely want to see the Euro Trip!

[@BritishRacingGreens]

Appreciate the support! It was a beautiful drive and I got a few vids so will see what I can do.

[@johnbeloe]

Nice vid! Also living with a lotus in London. Any tips on the nearby specialist you mentioned much appreciated! Thanks

[@BritishRacingGreens]

Not super local, but I use Back On Track Motorsport in Guildford - they’re brilliant, I’d highly recommend them.

[@johnbeloe]

​@@BritishRacingGreensahh thanks a lot, they were on my radar actually so good to knoe youve had a good experience with them

[@JimEstallOnLotus]

Your air con doesn't work properly or as you suggest leaks. Mine in an S2 Exige was as cold as they get when I owned it.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

Currently in the garage getting fixed 👌🏻

[@lamelessness]

have you thought about getting a set of custom coilovers that increases the suspension travel and has softer spring for the street? Maybe intrax or nitron?

[@BritishRacingGreens]

It has nitrons fitted, they’re adjustable and I had it lifted a little when I first bought it. The reality is though, with a car like this I’ll always have a few struggles in London, I’m used to it now but I still feel an obligation to share my true ownership experience.

[@Munch997]

Everything mentioned in the video i can relate to! And most in the last week…. 😅 VERY hot in there with good working AC. Drove into london for the first time in it and caught on the first bump. It is fun. It is impractical but hard to find better for the same money

[@BritishRacingGreens]

Glad to hear that what I share resonates with other owners, I try to reflect the true ownership experience. The traffic in London + the recent weather certainly makes for a HOT driving experience!

[@vice4134]

You should install a front (nose) lift. That would help to solve speed bump issue.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

That would be a dream! I think it would be too expensive and heavy. For now, I’m happy enough to just avoid the bigger bumps and complain about it later.

[@drew699]

Elise/Exige have very small cabins, so heat up quicker than other larger cars, perhaps. Radiator exit ducts over the top of the bonnet, so no hot air should make it to the cabin. Take the roof off, never use my hood & it never gets hot. You can’t blame the car for the owners choice of tyres! Soft bags behind the seats, takes loads of camping gear and also the full hood bag, fits behind the seats too. Never had a problem with my standard S1 lights. I’ve never had any problems with the front clam over speed bumps & it’s a S1 with S2 Bilsteins that lower the car slightly from stock, so perhaps your car is lowered? Pleased you aren’t selling.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

There are quite a few threads in the forums around air ducting picking up heat on the way to the cabin, I couldn't remember the detail in the video but there are solutions so I might look to solve that over the winter. Unfortunately, there's nowhere to store the roof on an Exige when you're on a roadtrip from country to country, so that wasn't an option - I was very jealous of people with the roof off! Mine has been lowered on Nitrons, which is why I suffer more than most, living in London also means that any journey I take involves a LOT of speedbumps, so I probably feel the pain more than most. I still love the car though! I really like the S1, I hope you're enjoying owning yours as much as I enjoy mine.

[@Chico.00]

What tires you running?

[@BritishRacingGreens]

After scouring various forum posts, I went for Toyo Proxes TR1s. For road driving, they've served me well. It had Toyo R888R's on it when I bought it.

[@Chico.00]

@@BritishRacingGreens Got a Civic EK4, they do run small tire sizes, was curious to know what Lotus Owners run for "daily" use. Every lotus I see is on semi slicks. Nice whip

[@johnbeloe]

​@@BritishRacingGreensI'm trying to find cup 2 rears in 285 for my Exige. Let's just say it ain't easy!

[@texastaterbug5395]

Thanks for this! I'm in the same situation where I don't really need a daily vehicle (at least not to get to work 2 km away from home). Looking forward to having an Elise by the end of the month. Out of curiosity, do you think you and your significant other have enjoyed a topless Elise on your roadtrip more than the Exige?

[@BritishRacingGreens]

In this particular instance, it would have been a dream. Generally speaking though, I’m glad for the hardtop.

[@anthonywebb4068]

unfortunately it looks like your car is parked on the road, otherwise you should kept it on a battery conditioner/charger and youll never get issues. Running costs are very low for a car with its potential performance and off course what a great looking car and the right size for B road blasting, in that respect better than an S3 Exige. I have to say I've had mine for years and its been utterly reliable, of course they do require a bit more attention/preventative maintenance than a normal car but its worth it. The bonus is values still remain strong even with a dip in the market so for me its a win win situation and I would recommend an S2 Exige to anyone.

[@BritishRacingGreens]

I wish I could keep it on a trickle charger, it would make my life a lot easier! It’s been a lot better since the battery connection got sorted out and I put a new, bigger battery in.

[@analfyck9408]

Hardcore Exige S2 owner here. I love it. 😊 Try a battery disconnection switch, if u can't use a charger. There are many different types to buy on the internet. Of course, a garage including a socket is the best way to have a Lotus, but not everyone has a garage. 😮