Hi from an ex Caterham and new Lotus owner

[Birtyboy]

Hello, 

just taken delivery of my Evora GT430 in Olive green and I have to say I’m over the moon with it so far.

Having owned a Caterham for the past 4 years I’d had some great drives but felt it was time for a change.  I started looking for something equally as interesting and exciting but also maintained the rawness and back to basics I’d become accustomed to.  Also wanted something a little larger with a better level of security to allow for more everyday usability. 

Continuing with the theme of a British built specialist car I dropped in to the local showroom and saw this. And it just felt right. 

Anyway, looking forward to getting some decent driving in over the coming months and hopefully get to meet up with a few like minded peoples.

 

[TAR]

Hi and welcome. What a lovely colour that is. Looks superb. 🙂

[exeterjeep]

Congrats on this car, it is probably the most special version of the evora to date. I was a bit disappointed with mine for a while until I had a full alignment and changed the tyres. Mine is the other one in olive green.

[Birtyboy]

27 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

Congrats on this car, it is probably the most special version of the evora to date. I was a bit disappointed with mine for a while until I had a full alignment and changed the tyres. Mine is the other one in olive green.

Is that official that there’s only the 2 in this colour? I’m having the full PPF and ceramic treatment applied this week which will protect and preserve the wonderful colour. Why was you disappointed? To be fair I’ve not had a proper drive in it yet which I’m hoping to once the above is done.

[Birtyboy]

40 minutes ago, TAR said:

Hi and welcome. What a lovely colour that is. Looks superb. 🙂

Thanks, don’t see many cars in green especially in this solid colour finish. 

[jep]

Fab lookin' motor.

Not much can top Evora for driver involvement and enjoyment, coupled with a stunning design. Certainly not at the price and low running costs.

Justin 

 

[exeterjeep]

6 hours ago, Birtyboy said:

Is that official that there’s only the 2 in this colour? I’m having the full PPF and ceramic treatment applied this week which will protect and preserve the wonderful colour. Why was you disappointed? To be fair I’ve not had a proper drive in it yet which I’m hoping to once the above is done.

I just assume that there are 2 in olive green in the UK as there are only a handful of this model registered in the UK. On the test drive I was taking it easy and over roads I did not know, When I started on my local roads I felt it did not drive as well as my previous evora S. Now that the car has had a full alignment it feels much better, plus changing the tyres.

[Bravo73]

12 hours ago, Birtyboy said:

Is that official that there’s only the 2 in this colour?

Welcome to TLF. 👋 What a great entry into (proper) Lotus ownership. 

Regarding the number of olive green GT430s, the Certificate of Provenance for your car will confirm it. Lotus recently upgraded this package but I think the most cost effective method of getting one would be to upgrade your Forum Membership to Gold level. Have a word with@Bibsif you’re interested in this. 

[Bibs]

Welcome to TLF and congrats on the new car! 

We can help with a CoP, here's a video with what you get (and me starring!)...

 

[Birtyboy]

15 hours ago, exeterjeep said:

I just assume that there are 2 in olive green in the UK as there are only a handful of this model registered in the UK. On the test drive I was taking it easy and over roads I did not know, When I started on my local roads I felt it did not drive as well as my previous evora S. Now that the car has had a full alignment it feels much better, plus changing the tyres.

 

I’ve only managed a short drive to the detailers so far but have to say first thing I’ve noticed is its a very stiff and firm ride. Might have to play about with the damper settings see how that changes the ride.  Will also look at the alignment as well 👍 Very exciting times though and very much looking forward to some quality time with it. 

9 hours ago, Bravo73 said:

Welcome to TLF. 👋 What a great entry into (proper) Lotus ownership. 

Regarding the number of olive green GT430s, the Certificate of Provenance for your car will confirm it. Lotus recently upgraded this package but I think the most cost effective method of getting one would be to upgrade your Forum Membership to Gold level. Have a word with@Bibsif you’re interested in this. 

Thanks for that, will have a look at upgrading as it’d be nice to know the facts and figures etc. 

[Birtyboy]

9 hours ago, Bibs said:

Welcome to TLF and congrats on the new car! 

We can help with a CoP, here's a video with what you get (and me starring!)...

 

Yep great video Bibs, I’m def sold on this and interested in knowing more about the car. Just had a look in the membership area and can’t see anywhere to upgrade my current subscription as the only option seems to be to purchase new. Any ideas if an upgrade is at all possible? 

[Bibs]

1 hour ago, Birtyboy said:

Any ideas if an upgrade is at all possible?

Will be back in the office on Friday morning and will pop you a PM with details

 

[jep]

Interesting @Birtyboy your comment about the firm ride. I was rather surprised when I drove a 410 as to how stiff and unforgiving the ride was. It rather put me off - but I do like a supple chassis, which most Lotus have. 

I am hoping to learn that 410 and 430 can be spec'd with softer set up - or easily modified without taking away from the essence.

Justin 

 

[Bravo73]

2 hours ago, Birtyboy said:

I’ve only managed a short drive to the detailers so far but have to say first thing I’ve noticed is its a very stiff and firm ride. Might have to play about with the damper settings see how that changes the ride.  

If you want to take your Ohlins suspension to 'the next level', you could think about getting the Mechatronics system installed (so it is selectable from inside the car):

Ask @TheKevlarKidabout the details. That photo above is from his car (a GTE, but the same suspension).

 

 

[Birtyboy]

21 minutes ago, Bravo73 said:

If you want to take your Ohlins suspension to 'the next level', you could think about getting the Mechatronics system installed (so it is selectable from inside the car):

Ask @TheKevlarKidabout the details. That photo above is from his car (a GTE, but the same suspension).

 

 

Wow that’s interesting. Just had a quick search and seems to be popular in the motor bike world. Think I’ll make contact with @thekevlarkid see what he’s done.

44 minutes ago, Bibs said:

Will be back in the office on Friday morning and will pop you a PM with details

 

Excellent thank you 👍

[exeterjeep]

On 02/12/2020 at 19:07, Birtyboy said:

I’ve only managed a short drive to the detailers so far but have to say first thing I’ve noticed is its a very stiff and firm ride. Might have to play about with the damper settings see how that changes the ride.  Will also look at the alignment as well

I had a similar experience and SWLC have made some changes, the spec from the factory for the gt430 is much stiffer set up than the gt410, they have adjusted by 2 clicks softer all round (on both dials per corner) and it is still pretty hard, and does not seem much different from before. May have to adjust by a few more clicks when the weather gets better. It is a lot stiffer than my evora s, which was better than my mgzs180 v6 which have owned for over 16 years.

[Birtyboy]

On 10/12/2020 at 08:41, exeterjeep said:

I had a similar experience and SWLC have made some changes, the spec from the factory for the gt430 is much stiffer set up than the gt410, they have adjusted by 2 clicks softer all round (on both dials per corner) and it is still pretty hard, and does not seem much different from before. May have to adjust by a few more clicks when the weather gets better. It is a lot stiffer than my evora s, which was better than my mgzs180 v6 which have owned for over 16 years.

Managed my first proper run out in the car Friday and have to say so far I absolutely love it.  It didn’t feel as firm as I initially thought on the early morning country road short 1mile trip to the detailer last week. This drive was more A roads with plenty of twists and turns and I started to feel really at home after an hour. Although saying that I did find I had to place my rolled up jacket behind me for a bit of lumber support as I started to get the usual nagging pain I find without something there.  Looking forward to the next outing now.

[exeterjeep]

26 minutes ago, Birtyboy said:

Although saying that I did find I had to place my rolled up jacket behind me for a bit of lumber support as I started to get the usual nagging pain I find without something there.  

I have found the seats more comfortable than expected, the S seemed to have an bar across under the seat that I could feel when sitting in a certain position, so I had to slide down an inch or so.

I see there is mention in the thread about adjusting the suspension from inside the car,(I had a read thru the other thread) .- sounds a bit pricey if its £7.5k ish.? Although it would be interesting to change settings easily.

[Birtyboy]

Seating position does feel high but I was expecting that based on various posts and comments I’d read. Got used to that straight away. Lots of sliding the seat and wheel around to get the most comfortable position so it was only the lumber support which i need to address long term. I do find this a lots in cars so have to fine tune to get just right.

When the weather warms up next year I’ll change the dampers about but can’t say I’d be spending over £7k for the convenience of doing it from the cockpit. Do you drive yours all through the year? I’d like to but don’t know how they weather especially with salted roads. The underside does look very well protected though with a huge aluminium plate across the whole lot keeping the elements out.

[Bravo73]

39 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

.- sounds a bit pricey if its £7.5k ish.?

IIRC, that’s not the price of the Mechatronics controller. That’s the price of Ohlins AND Mechatronics. 

I think that the Mechatronics bit is £1-2k, IIRC. You are best asking either @TheKevlarKid or, ideally, Russ @ MGR. He’s the gent who specced and tested your suspension in the first place. 

[exeterjeep]

16 minutes ago, Birtyboy said:

Do you drive yours all through the year? I’d like to but don’t know how they weather especially with salted roads

Used the previous evora during the winter time for the odd local trip etc, will try and use the gt430 in the same way - even the odd trip to the diy shops. As I live in Devon we only have serious snow every few years and not too much road salt etc. So on those few days will stay at home or use the wife's RR

 

15 minutes ago, Bravo73 said:

I think that the Mechatronics bit is £1-2k,

That sounds a lot better, would have to bypass the wife for this though.... I see that MGR is base in Barnsley, may be i will  contact them next week. I wonder if they could ship what is required to south west lotus centre and see if they could fit. Could then be slipped in alongside its next service and first MOT.

[Birtyboy]

22 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

Used the previous evora during the winter time for the odd local trip etc, will try and use the gt430 in the same way - even the odd trip to the diy shops. As I live in Devon we only have serious snow every few years and not too much road salt etc. So on those few days will stay at home or use the wife's RR

 

That sounds a lot better, would have to bypass the wife for this though.... I see that MGR is base in Barnsley, may be i will  contact them next week. I wonder if they could ship what is required to south west lotus centre and see if they could fit. Could then be slipped in alongside its next service and first MOT.

£1-2k sounds much better and so much easier to justify. Will be interesting to hear what they say next week if you do ask them. 

 

[exeterjeep]

On 12/12/2020 at 19:46, Birtyboy said:

£1-2k sounds much better and so much easier to justify. Will be interesting to hear what they say next week if you do ask them. 

Sent them an email this morning so will be interesting to see what the reply says.

[Bibs]

Might be worth a try seeing if he'll do a deal for a group buy?

[Birtyboy]

19 hours ago, Bibs said:

Might be worth a try seeing if he'll do a deal for a group buy?

Yes might be a good opportunity 👍