Door sill protection

[Stuno1]

what do people use (if anything) to protect their door sills? More concerned with the wife's side with her heals and boots. I know some American cars have a medal plate there but this doesn't seem to be the case over here. 

 

Are they expensive to have re-trimmed when needed?

stu

[Al]

Do you worry about absolutely everything in life like you worry about your cars?   How do you sleep at night?   You haven't even got it yet!

I've had 4 cars now over 6 years both with the fine leather and the man made version.  Never been an issue apart from a wipe with a damp cloth and back to new.  Car is used daily when I'm home in all weathers so no garage queen and SWMBO hates getting in and out of it - so for that read drags her heels regularly over her side and tells me it is my own fault for buying a stupid car.  (Que the excuse for a 400!)  Only issue I have ever had was when a screw on the underside of passenger door was not screwed fully home when in garage and it was bent over as it scratched the surface for about 1". Even then with enough force to bend screw the leather didn't rip and heat helped restore along with leather restorer juice and it would only be seen if looking for it say when buying.  Somebody jumping in and out probably wouldn't comment. Never heard of a re-trim for damage or for that matter taste.

Next worry? 

[Stuno1]

You sound like my wife!!! Lol

i am very protective over my cars. Maybe too much but can't seem to help it :)

[C8RKH]

Why not just buy the car, wash it, polish it, put a cover over it and just take it out to have a look at it from time to time. That way you don't even need to worry about wear and tear! Alternatively, keep an old towel in the car and place that over the sills when you /  a pax wants to get in or out!

If you do decide to use it, then brand new sill trims in leather to match can be bought here:

http://www.deroure.com/diagrams.asp?TBL=5567&MAK=1&MDL=20&SMA=0&SMO=0&ST=&SC=0

They are £200 each side. You can get them with or without the metal plates too. I guess a re-trimmer would charge a similar amount for one, but would be cheaper for both at the same time. 

[Stuno1]

...

[C8RKH]

First part was in response to your, erm, concerns re using the car might incur some marks etc. Come on Stu, you are coming out as being pretty paranoid / precious so should expect some ribbing! Apologies if offended.

I want my car to be nice and well looked after too, but they are meant to be driven and used and this will naturally generate wear and tear. However, I honestly doubt Lotus would have been so silly as to put a covering on a wide, hard to access easily sill, that was just going to fall apart / get ripped to shreds during normal careful use. Of course, if you abuse something it will get damaged quickly, but trust that Lotus would have researched and built for fair use at least?

However, if you do find adequate protection, I'm sure people will be interested in hearing more. 

 

 

[Colin G]

You'll never get the ones with the plates, even though Deroure list them, I really wanted them for my first Evora. Really pleased to have them in my new one.

 

[Stuno1]

37 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

issue with the app and this is the only way I can reply to this one! No offence taken. It was early and I hadn't woken up properly/strapped on my balls yet. Useful links of I do need replacements. Have you paid £10 to charity yet given I am buying a evora and not a 911 ?

 

[C8RKH]

Good reminder, had forgotten about that "bet" Stu - £10 donation to "Help for Heroes" just made Sir.

 

Colin - I always thoughts the "plates" would be more likely to get scratched than the leather as aren't they a softish metal?  Obviously if stainless or similar they would wear better.

[Stuno1]

Top Banana. 

 

Those plates do look good.

[Colin G]

Not sure on their durability to be fair Andy, but I'm lucky in that the one previous owner of my car has been careful to keep them mint and I'll do my best to do the same. They look really smart, shame they were only in the cars for a short period.

[C8RKH]

I agree Colin. I'd be tempted to find some quality clear "vinyl" type material and cut to shape to fit over. That would provide good clear protection and easy and cheap to replace at any time it got damaged.

It does really lift the interior, indeed, I do think Lotus really stepped up the interior with the whole SR package. I thought about a full re-trim for my 2010 but now got SR seats, got the MY12 leather door pulls (leather top and bottom) and the MY12 leather door pockets on order. Next will be a new SR Alcantara facia and central panel and sides. It's working out about the same to get OEM parts than get a retrim!

[Colin G]

Oh I totally agree Andy, I think the S1 (still loving that!) SR interior is the best Lotus have done, better than the 400. I'll ignore the stupid button placements for that statement though......

Be sure to post before and after pics when you're done!

[PaulCP]

If you want a cheaper alternative to OEM Topgaitors do the sill covers (amongst other items) with contrast stitching at £120/pair.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=391081534223&globalID=EBAY-GB 

I doubt that they would fit over the existing leather though. The quality of their product is fine, I used some items on my previous VX.

other alternative is have a trimmer make up a protective cover for the sill if you are really concerned. I'm with others on this, I like my car to look good but accept that it needs to be used and hence will get the odd blemish at some point.

[C8RKH]

I'd seen these on ebay Paul but was weary re the quality - they certainly are a good price and I will look at these (leather and red stitching) to replace my NA cloth ones. Well worth a look if you have used before and think the quality is good. Thanks for this.

Just seen that they say it needs to be "glued" over your original trim, so I am assuming the best method would be double sided carpet tape so as not to ruin the finish of the OEM product underneath.

[Bibs]

We had a guy on here a while back who kept the plastic film on his car over various parts of interior trim. He said it was to keep it nice for the next owner!! Mental!! 

[PaulCP]

Andy, the quality of the VX parts was ok. I don't think they mean that you glue it over the existing leather, could be wrong though.

The parts I used for the VX I had a local trimmer of classic cars fit for me. He used scrim cloth underneath and some thin neoprene to give it that nicely padded feel.

[internets]

Is that like not sleeping with your girlfriend to make her more desirable to her next partner  

[Stuno1]

Certainly not worried about the next owner. Just very particular about my cars.

[r3nault]

Probably a stupid question, but is there any danger of damaging the sill (or tub) by using it to get in and out, i.e. by putting a hand on it for balance? I would assume the extruded aluminium underneath doesn't care for such a small loading?

[EGTE]

No chance at all.

[exeterjeep]

1 hour ago, r3nault said:

by using it to get in and out, i.e. by putting a hand on it for balance? I

Think this is the only way I could get out..