Falling Pillar Seal Question

[tweetdriver63]

I'm wanting to replace the falling pillar seals on my car, but I have a bit of a problem. There are two sets listed. One starts with the letter "A," and says for vin up to M 8161, and the other starts with a "C," and says for vin from M 8161.

Does anybody know the difference between the two seals?
Will either work?
What do I look for in the vin to determine which I'm supposed to use?

The ones that start with "C" are significantly less costly than the others.

[Coupeboy]

I'm in a similar boat - rubbish seals but no stock anywhere. To determine which seal you need simply lift the hood and read the last 4 numbers of the VIN - these are the numbers refered to in the seal selection criteria. Unfortunately I need the later seal which I think is the more expensive (£70) but I don't know the difference between them. I have superglued my seal into the rail and covered it in black insulation tape which makes it look a bit more presentable and fulfils its function. I've been waiting for nearly 18 months for these to become available again. I did buy the mid upper seal but when I was fitting it it pulled apart between my fingers - utter rubbish - so ended up putting the old one back on. I'm going to trawl some scrap yards for seals and see what's available. I'm sure somebody mentioned the Honda CRX for the A posts. The seals on my 15 year old toyota are perfect (as is everything else) and the falling pillar seal (for the frameless windows is similar (I feel a plan coming on).

[dapinky]

Im pretty sure that where you see the common Lotus Elan abreviation "From VIN M8161" just read it as being "S2"

(but I stand to be corrected)

[Coupeboy]

Please stand corrected - mine is a Nov '91ish (S1) with VIN 8404.

[dapinky]

Please stand corrected - mine is a Nov '91ish (S1) with VIN 8404.

I was wrong!!!!!

(don't know where that incorrect bit of info came from )

To clarify, it is the 'M' bit (10th digit of the VIN) which refers to the Model Year of 1991.

S2's started with a 10th digit in the VIN of 'R', indicating a MY of 1994, and the last 4 would be starting at 8000. (the last 3 digits being the same as the limited edition number, in general)

as such (and this system wasn't in being when the Elan first went into production, but commenced in 1991), there will be more than 1 elan with the same final 4 digits, and you also need to refer to the Model Year to specify a particular car.

[Coupeboy]

Thanks for the info dapinky - I wonder if Paul Matty has been asking me the wrong question regarding which seal to buy. He should be asking what is the date year and last 4 digits. Anyway, I'm going to persue alternatives to the rubbish Lotus seals for silly money.