Lotus Hardtops S2 replacement front clamo
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I recently put my S2 into the garage for a service. I was put out to say the least when they told me that one of the mechanics had taken it out for the check run and had crashed it.
The front clam is completely destroyed along with carbon aero parts and damaged wheels.
The garages insurance assessor has told me about replacement clams made by Lotus Hardtops. Whenever I hear the words aftermarket panels, I get the shivers. Are these clams as good as they claim? The car had a recently changed original and I think I should be getting an original replacement.
Any Thoughts or experience of these clams guys?
Cheers
Simon
I recently put my S2 into the garage for a service. I was put out to say the least when they told me that one of the mechanics had taken it out for the check run and had crashed it.
The front clam is completely destroyed along with carbon aero parts and damaged wheels.
The garages insurance assessor has told me about replacement clams made by Lotus Hardtops. Whenever I hear the words aftermarket panels, I get the shivers. Are these clams as good as they claim? The car had a recently changed original and I think I should be getting an original replacement.
Any Thoughts or experience of these clams guys?
Cheers
Simon
Edited by hethel8 on Tuesday 6th January 21:56
I think there's a long wait for an original I seem to remember a problem something to do with a dispute between Lotus and the contractor that was making them, so it may be your only option if you want the car back in a hurry, at least that was the situation a while ago.
As for a test run, why if it was only a service? Assuming there wasn't a problem with the car when you took it in why would they need to drive it? And the old chestnut of "bedding in the brakes" is a load of bks. A jolly for the grease monkey more like. I know I'd be seriously pissed off.
As for a test run, why if it was only a service? Assuming there wasn't a problem with the car when you took it in why would they need to drive it? And the old chestnut of "bedding in the brakes" is a load of bks. A jolly for the grease monkey more like. I know I'd be seriously pissed off.
Check what the waiting list from Lotus is for a real one. It's hugely erratic; when I needed a new one a few years ago I only had to wait two weeks but some people have waited months.
If the lights need replacing (which they probably will if the car went head-on into something), the repair will be the best part of £10k (mine was over £7k a few years ago for just the clam, lights, painting and geo) so depending on what type of S2 it is, they might even decide to write it off if you insist they use a genuine Lotus clam. Whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing rather depends on your attitude to repaired cars, I suppose.
If the lights need replacing (which they probably will if the car went head-on into something), the repair will be the best part of £10k (mine was over £7k a few years ago for just the clam, lights, painting and geo) so depending on what type of S2 it is, they might even decide to write it off if you insist they use a genuine Lotus clam. Whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing rather depends on your attitude to repaired cars, I suppose.
Sorry I've only just seen this. Let me know if you struggle with the clam from Lotus I think the delivery times are a bit hit and miss at the moment. We can deliver within a few days.
As for crash protection given that the clams we make are a lot stronger than the flimsy original ones I dont think thats an issue.
We dont reproduce crash boxes for this reason and would always recommend an OEM.
As for crash protection given that the clams we make are a lot stronger than the flimsy original ones I dont think thats an issue.
We dont reproduce crash boxes for this reason and would always recommend an OEM.
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