Elan M100 Roofs.....!

[Temperate]

Hi all,

I was tempted a while ago by an Elan S2 at a local dealer. I'm trying to find something as enjoyable as my mk1 MX-5, but faster, better at cruising, with more space and practicality.

I went along to look at it, but as the salesman was away the manager gave me the keys and told me to have a look. It has been raining constantly for virtually 3 weeks.

As my partner opened the passenger door, she was covered by a couple of pints of water rolling off the sill. There was mould on the glovebox and seat sides, and the carpets resembled a swamp; so to cut the story, I didn't buy it. Which is a shame, because the extra speed, FWD security, and legendary handling are pretty much what I'm after; with the big bonus being that there's still popup headlights and a soft top!

However, they've now chopped the price a bit, and if I could get them to do something with the roof or replace it myself I'm tempted again.

So does anyone know if there's any method to make an Elan S2 *genuinely* rainproof?? I'm in the armed forces; I move around so much there's no guarantee of a garage being available when I first pitch up somewhere. How much are new/aftermarket hoods, and do they improve things?

Thanks in advance for anyone's help

[douglasr]

quote:Hi all,

I was tempted a while ago by an Elan S2 at a local dealer. I'm trying to find something as enjoyable as my mk1 MX-5, but faster, better at cruising, with more space and practicality.

I went along to look at it, but as the salesman was away the manager gave me the keys and told me to have a look. It has been raining constantly for virtually 3 weeks.

As my partner opened the passenger door, she was covered by a couple of pints of water rolling off the sill. There was mould on the glovebox and seat sides, and the carpets resembled a swamp; so to cut the story, I didn't buy it. Which is a shame, because the extra speed, FWD security, and legendary handling are pretty much what I'm after; with the big bonus being that there's still popup headlights and a soft top!

However, they've now chopped the price a bit, and if I could get them to do something with the roof or replace it myself I'm tempted again.

So does anyone know if there's any method to make an Elan S2 *genuinely* rainproof?? I'm in the armed forces; I move around so much there's no guarantee of a garage being available when I first pitch up somewhere. How much are new/aftermarket hoods, and do they improve things?

Thanks in advance for anyone's help

My collleague at work has an S2 - he said it leaked all the time, but only a little bit - I'll ask him tommorrow...

[Temperate]

Thanks! I'm after a more relaxed time than the MX-5 on long motorway journies, and a more relaxed time in the hacking rain. I think a constant shower onto my right leg might not be too helpful........

[smeagol]

Common mistake with the roofs was to not put it up correctly. (this sounds obvious but so many people do it wrong). To raise the roof you first lower both windows, then put roof up then put windows back up. This helps with the seals all around. Often the people that complain of it leaking actually have the roof sitting on the windows.

Having said that you do get a little ingress, (all convertables get this if there is lots of rain), but not leg soaking. One tip is that it will leak at the corner of the windscreen/roof/window some owners put a little gaffer tape there to aid the seal.

I would say that the M100 roof was one of the best I've used and I drove it all year round come rain, snow, sun etc. for 4.5 years and had no problems. My roof was new after a year cos some scrote damaged it trying to steal it. BUT it wasn't leaking before it was changed.

A word of warning roofs are incredibly expensive and fitting is not easy. My dealer took 2 attempts to get it right. So if they are going to do it make sure its included in the deal and check that it sits properly in the window sill/edge and it should be fine. It would not be a job I would tackle myself.

Hope that helps.

>> Edited by smeagol on Monday 8th July 22:56

[Temperate]

Thanks Smeagol. My MX-5 roof has never so much as let a drop in, so visiting this S2 to find it drenched on the inside was a bit of a let down.

[smeagol]

check above sorry forget the second bit so this post is a refresh.

[douglasr]

Asked my colleague at work - basically the roof leaks - in a downpour, the passenger footwell got wet. If on the move, there would be a steady drip in really heavy rain. He recommends checking the rood and window seals carefully - his were beginning to perish and split before he sold it (5 years old I think).

His solution was to buy a roof cover from Lotus (£80 ish). It stopped the leaks when the cars was sitting outside.

[dom_911]

Hi Temperate,

I was browsing through the Lotus chatroom and noticed that you were looking at getting an Elan to replace your MX-5. I have just bought an older 911 and am looking to sell my 1990 Elan SE.

If you would like more info or to see the car, feel free to contact me. I live in Warwick in the Midlands.

Regards,

Dom

[Captain Muppet]

I've got a mk1 MR2 T-Bar which used to get wet inside even from heavy dew in the morning. A light coat of silicon grease on all the seals totaly stopped the leaks.