TOO low

[dragstar]

hi guys,

when i bought my elise i was very impressed with the suspension system. the seller had recently bought a full lotus sport suspension kit and the ride is fantastic and the car looks better lowered.

however where i live, we have a record number of speed bumps and the licence plate catches every time, even at snails pace. any suggestions? i really dont want a sticky number plate over the top of the car, because i think they are "naff".

cheers

[sjg]

Remove front plate, keep it in the car, when you get stopped just say that it fell off ("all these speed bumps, officer") and you're going to reattach it when you get home.

Or on possibly dodgy ground, you could get a plate made up with slightly smaller characters, giving a thinner plate and a bit more clearance. If it's not ridiculously small and sticks to standard font/spacing you should be OK.

[Bonce]

LSS is adjustable isn't it? so you could get a specialist to raise the ride height by a few mm. Alternatively, either remove your front plate or reposition it a bit higher. The latter two options might solve the problem of the plate catching but take away your front clam's early warning and protection system!

Or if you want, I'll take your LSS off your hands, you can swap it with my standard suspension...?

[dragstar]

um not sure about swapping

but how do i remove the plate (the whole holding plate).

sorry if i sound really naive, but im still learning!!

[Bonce]

To remove the front plate (don't ask how I know this because mine fell off, officer) you need to get unscrew the two metal screws holding the plate to the holder, then unscrew/maim/destroy the six crap plastic panel trim screws holding the holder to the clam. I had to destroy three of mine because the thread was knackered - replacements are easily found in Halfords for about £1 should you want to put the plate back on again.

In my opinion, no front plate is better than an illegally small front plate because:
1. You're immune from front firing speed cameras/radar traps
2. with a small front plate you're blatantly taking the piss, with no front plate, the "I'm sorry, it fell off" gives you a chance.

No front plate is a non-endorseable offence which means you can get a £30 fine max for it, and no points. Small price to pay IMHO.

[dragstar]

cheers bonce

[onedsla]

I've had the same problem on a standard ride-hight car - personally I think it's a nice warning before you ground the front bumper!

[Elise4me]

I don't run front plates on either of my cars (here in Virginia, USA), but keep them inside and set them on the dash whenever I park on a public street. You'll definitely get a ticket from the parking patrol (without a visible front plate), but traffic cops generally leave you alone. Same rules here- no front plate is not a "moving violation", so no points on your record. Haven't had a (plate-related) ticket ever.