rust problem

[XBOX]

Hi Guys,Im a huge fan of lotus(but not owned one yet),I would like to hear some experience/knowlege from you.
As I know, latest lotus are made of platic fibre/aluminum chasis, in uk, expecially in winter the road is spread with heavy salt(like this year, unbelievable), how is the rust to be an issue for lotus? as i owned a classic mini, the rust is almost the number 1 killer for the mini.

How many and what are the parts of the lotus are made of steel and usually get rusted? is that easy to be get solved?(not like the mini, u need trip the whole panel to get it done in many cases?).

because im thinking that in uk's salty road condition, if lotus have much less rust/easy job fixing rust problem, it will be a very great investment of owning one.

thank you very much for all your advice.

[fredd1e]

This thread should give you a few clues, Note other metals corrode too....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... S1 over-winter Refresh

[TIPPER]

Basically you're looking at the subframe that holds the engine - it is, however galvanised.
As far as I'm aware no issues have been commonly seen. Its worth bearing in mind that (other than the very earliest cars) the underside is completely protected by removable undertrays - the Elise is flat bottomed.
George (Esprit) is basically doing a restoration job on his car and it will be better than factory fresh when complete.

[Mark Benson]

The wishbones on my S2 Exige got quite bad for rust. I removed them, cleaned them up and had them coated which seemed to cure it - it only seems to badly affect cars that have been stored outside (which mine was before I bought it) and as most get a garage, it's relatively rare I'm told.

Incidentally a good way to spot a car that's been stored outside is under the window seal at the top of the door panel (just behind the door mirror), if it looks bubbled then it's an outside stored car (there's a metal part that corrodes on cars where moisture runs down the window and under the rubber).

[Gooby]

Mark Benson said:

Incidentally a good way to spot a car that's been stored outside is under the window seal at the top of the door panel (just behind the door mirror), if it looks bubbled then it's an outside stored car (there's a metal part that corrodes on cars where moisture runs down the window and under the rubber).

Mine is kept in a garage and it has gone there.
The wishbones are ferrous so is the rear subframe. The towing bracket also has a habit of rusting (can be replaced for 20 quid or so). Rear sub frames are galvanised so are not a problem and some owners remove the wishbones and hammerite them.

There are no real rust issues commonly encountered. I think the chassis has done a simulated 100 years with no sign of failure.