[europa73]

these stone chips in front of the rear wheels are driving me nuts. i only have 600 miles on the car and i already have several chips on either side. i'm always very careful when driving on roads with rocks on them. i avoid any stones i see in the road, but no matter what i do i get new chips almost everytime i drive the car. i guess it's inevitable, but i hate it! i do not have the starshield on my car. i took an earlier car than the one i ordered and it did not have the starshield installed. it has the smaller plastic shield. has anyone had chips touched up? i was thinking about getting the paint touched up and then having the starshield installed. any opinions?

 

[Stan]

I think you should have the film applied after some touch up. And that side film will need to be replaced from time to time. The Elise needs the film on the side more than it does on the front.

Here's is a PIC taken with the camera at the side scoop about midway up. The side of the car acts like a mudflap for the debris kicked up by the front tire.

A larger mudflap would help immensely.

 

[DCNSX]

For non-Starshield equipped cars, Lotus provides a film. My boss' car was delivered with it uninstalled. It was in the trunk. Now I've gotta check that area for chips. I'll get it installed at the 1500 mile service. and avoid stones in the meantime!

 

[z06fun]

I agree a large mud flap would help a lot. Maybe one of our local after market specialist could come up with something, Shinoo

 

[Barney Jr]

FWIW, and probably hard to agree with as a new owner, but IMHO an Elise looks at it's absolute best when it is 'battle-scarred'

 

[CAErven]

I've seen a black stone guard in fron of the rear wheels often on pics of European cars - I don't think that looks too bad - better than stone chips - I may get a pair - SELOC can help I'm sure.

Crash Test Dummy uses LOTS of painter's tape for Autocross - looks like crap but works for cone scuffs (not that he ever hits one)

 

[Stan]

>>>looks like crap but works for cone scuffs <<<

In general it's easier to get cone scuffs off of paint than it is off of the paint protection film.

 

[Barney Jr]

http://www.armourfend.com/ and check 'view examples'

 

[europa73]

I think I saw those black plastic stone guards on an Exige. They looked OK. Actually, they would pretty cool being that my car is silver. I want to do something before all the paint is gone. I wish I felt the way you do Barney about the "battle scars". I remember the old Star Wars toys..."battle damaged x-wing fighter". It was cool then, but they didn't cost 50k. The more I get the less it will bother me I suppose. Thank God I don't drive a Lamborghini...I'd kill myself. (but I'd take on anyway)

 

[Barney Jr]

I wish I felt the way you do Barney about the "battle scars".

Don't worry it'll get to you Whether it's because you get tired of removing stone chips (the elise is a stone magnet ) or the first time you end up in the gravel trap

 

[Rawr]

Heh, trust me, give it six months and you won't give a monkey's arse how stone chipped it is (unless you're a hideous GJOB).

I've been driving around for over a year with a sizeable chunk of my front clam missing.

 

[europa73]

you're probably right...it's just because it's new. I don't like driving around being so cautious...I want to have fun with it. I take it, RAWR, that you don't hold back when enjoying your Elise. That's where I want to be!

 

[master]

Rawr

Ya but how do ya feel about that new black baby?

 

[Rawr]

There's only one way to drive an Elise. Balls out, everywhere, all the time with a complete disregard for other motorists and your surroundings.

If you can grenade the engine in the first 10,000 miles you're a god amongst men.

 

[Rawr]

Re: Rawr

Ya but how do ya feel about that new black baby?

It'll get the spanking of it's life.

The filthy bitch.

 

[peck555]

isn't it likely that LSS cars are experiencing more of the problem than the LTS cars due to the stickier tires?

 

[Rawr]

isn't it likely that LSS cars are experiencing more of the problem than the LTS cars due to the stickier tires?

Nah, you could run the Elise with a 500mm ride height and the front clam would still look like it had herpes after 500 miles.

 

[Rawr]

Ok, I lied, sometimes I do clean the car (YCRTA: Get someone else to clean it)...

 

[Rawr]

I wasn't lying about the spanking though...

Download me!

 

[Barney Jr]

Nah, you could run the Elise with a 500mm ride height and the front clam would still look like it had herpes after 500 miles.

mmc Are these people even aware of the general abuse your front clam endures? flies, stones, garage doors etc?