ALL CARS ON EBAY.

[Rambo]

I reckon he paid £2.5-£3k max for that M200 as a trade in against a motorbike. So ~£4-4.5k profit

Only problem is it wont sell anywhere near his vastly inflated expectations

[Matt2000]

Hi All,

I'm seriously considering swapping my Tesla for an Elan. I got the EV last year before 'the event' and barely drive it, so it's an expensive paperweight. It's very fast but not much fun on tight roads, it's just too wide. I previously had a Smart Roadster, loved it but it was pretty unreliable, so I'm turning to a 30-year old Lotus for something better built. Wait, what?

Anyway, I've been ogling this car on eBay. Search doesn't find the plate on here and I can't find mention of it so far in this thread but it's at South West Lotus, am I right in thinking there's a connection with someone on here? Seals look a bit funny and there's a strange scuff on the back of the passenger seat, otherwise it suits what I want. Don't like the odd front and rear tyres very much and alarms with dibbers always concern me because they involve chopping up the loom.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304050552609

MOTs look clean and it hasn't been far recently, just expired a few days ago. It might be a 'daily driver' a couple of days a week but would be garaged at home and in an indoor car park at work. Would SW Lotus put it on a ramp for me to have a good nosey underneath?

What's the verdict? I expect it's overpriced but I'm ideally after a turn-key example, I'm not scared of work but my '90 LR Discovery already demands my attention enough.

Cheers!

[MPx]

South West Lotus is a specialist garage on the Devon / Cornwall border owned and run by the Webb family. Eldest son James Webb occasionally posts on here as "SWLC" - and has also owned for personal use a red SE for several years although I think that may now have been sold on as he's loved up with his Esprit S4s. They've looked after my S2 for the last 10 years or so and I've gotten to know them a little. I'm still going there so clearly I'm being looked after well. I'd suggest calling to speak to James - he handles most of the car sales - but really, you need to go and see it to see if its what you are after. Everything looks OK in photos! I was down there for their open day a couple of weeks back and I think they had two or three M100s for sale. Best of luck...

[Rambo]

MOT looks very clean up to expiry recently. You would want a full MOT carried out as part of the deal if you were interested.

The scuff on the rear of the passenger seat is on the metal seat protector. This prevents damage to the seat from the hood frame if the seat has been pushed back too far. This is a simple job for a quick tart up. The seats are part leather/part tartan cloth so not everyones cup of tea

Other points I noticed....clear front and side indicator covers fitted. Painted front calipers (although they might be yellow HiSpecs???) Look to be new ignition leads? Replacement header tank cap at some point. The seals....well, they're all kind of like that after 30 years unless Jamie has waved his magic wand. The car has been well looked after by Paul Matty, a highly reputable Lotus dealer. Check when cambelt, water pump and associated parts were last changed. Also check jacking points (×4) outrigger/inner cill repairs. Tyres can be changed ad and when required although check the DOT stamp marks on the sidewall

There shouldn't be a problem putting it on their ramps and being allowed to check the underside, chassis, suspension etc....

In the past the owners wife has had an M100. This may be hers?

Personally, I think it looks to be a good car so get down there, inspect and ask the questions, have a test drive and kick that Tesla into touch

[Matt2000]

Thanks both of you, very reassuring advice and information!

I noticed the indicator lenses, I think they look good and I understand that originals are expensive. I also specifically want half-leather seats as full leather seats always give me a sweaty back (the Tesla vegan leather seats are awful for it) and the tartan/BRG combo really appeals to me. I really don't like the leather Elan seats with yellow stripes as they all look baggy now.

Need to make my mind up and talk to Jamie then, the only snag is that the car is at least 4 hours away from me. I'm not all that far from Paul Matty though so would happily have it serviced there, I used to drive my Smart from the Midlands to Watford to use a top-notch company there. Regarding the engine thanks for pointing out new items, I'd definitely like to know the state of the cam angle sensor so would ask for SWLC to check it and do the timing.

[Rambo]

Cam angle sensors (CAS) rarely fail but a few have had to replace the Hall Effect Sensor (HES) Should this ever be required many of us bought the HES from the Lotus Aftersales list for 20 quid or so and there will be many gathering dust and cobwebs in spares boxes all over the country

You might want to check the condition of both O rings though. After 30 years or so the runner can get a bit brittle. Easy fix though, especially when Dapinky does it for you

The amber side indicator lenses are very cheap to source new - under a tenner max. The amber/clear OEM front lenses are more difficult to source and tend to go for a hefty price on the likes of EBay. Personally, I think the clear lenses give the car a much more modern look

[MPx]

In the past the owners wife has had an M100. This may be hers?

Original owner Phil (Dad) has had several M100s (don't know if they were his or wife Kathy's, but she's certainly not had one for many years) - the most famous of which was the "new" yellow and green one they built about 6 years ago using a new chassis and parts they had in stock - the retail cost of which saw it advertised for silly money for its first year or so. The red one I mentioned James owning was nominally his wife Ellie's. Ellie's now got a BMW. There's a gradual changing of the guard taking place with Phil and Kath taking more of a back seat and James and mechanic son Ben taking on more of the running of the business. Not much Phil doesn't know about working on various Lotus...

[Rambo]

SWL have just sold a lovely metallic azure blue S2 for good money. Low mileage and what I would expect to pay for such a decent example from a dealer

The BRG is still for sale and, to me, looks a good buy

No affiliation to SWL but, if I lived down that part of England, they would be looking after mine. I particularly like family businesses as there is continuity and standards to uphold

[EdwardW]

That blue S2 is now up for sale again on C&C by Guy Munday, he is selling it for the same price that SWL were asking. Guess he did a deal with SWL and thought he could do better getting the £13,995.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1389137

[Rambo]

Guy Munday always buys good stock. He has presented the car better than SWL and given mucb more useful information

[Matt2000]

I find it strange that they haven't fixed the rear Elan badge on that car, it's the only bad thing about it but it stands out like a sore thumb. If it wasn't full leather I would definitely be going to see it.

I intend to call SWL about the green car later, I've noticed that it has no tax or MOT though so test driving it may be a challenge.

[MPx]

I've noticed that it has no tax or MOT though so test driving it may be a challenge.

No problem, they'll use or lend you their trade plates.

[Matt2000]

No problem, they'll use or lend you their trade plates.

Excellent, I did wonder if that was possible but I'm not familiar with what you can/can't do with trade plates. Thanks for the lightning fast reply!

Edit: They've taken a deposit on the BRG car but Jamie said he can let me know if it falls through and when they get other cars in.

[Rambo]

If you deliberate and wait too long the good cars will go. Believe me, I know through bitter experience.

When you see a good car with good recommendations you need go move fast

[david924s]

Two Elans for sale left over from the October auction at Mathewsons in Thornton Le Dale both Pacific blue or similar anyway I think, one 1990 SE (55k miles) £9000 one 1994 S2 (77k miles) £12000 currently on buy it now as they were left and don't seem to be in the November auction.

Both look very nice from the pictures with the S2 looking familiar from this site with white leather seats.

link to auction site https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/car-catego ... iltering=1

Nothing to do with me just saw them while looking at what was coming up in their next auction,

[exeterjeep]

Anyone know anything about this one for sale
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165182716795 ... 1438.l2649,

H108SPW ad says it was Cat c some years ago, is for sale from some sort of trader in Yorkshire. Not really too worried about the cat c, I have bought 3 MG's that were cat c and repaired them.

[clemo]

Anyone know anything about this one for sale
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165182716795 ... 1438.l2649,

H108SPW ad says it was Cat c some years ago, is for sale from some sort of trader in Yorkshire. Not really too worried about the cat c, I have bought 3 MG's that were cat c and repaired them.

The only thing that jumps out at me is that it has an early number plate cover and water bottle sticker and a later SE set of seats and door cards ... only an observation , not a down point .

[TrevorK]

I went to have a look at this car yesterday. Interestingly, it was parked outside so one could see how well the seals worked. The passenger side looked good with no sign of rain getting in but there was a small entry point above the driver's door, some water on the driver's door window and the rear window had a lot of condensation inside. (We had a lot of rain the day before.) Carpets didn't feel wet. It was cold so I couldn't tell if they were damp or just cold. I didn't try jacking up under the jacking points to see if they were sound. Boot was dry and contained a photocopy of the service noted in a box file with the jack, wheel brace and spare wheel.
Hood was nice. The rear window looked clear although it was fogged up. Seats were good with a little wear on the driver's bolster. It had floor mats which protected the carpets.
The left-hand window switch was broken so I couldn't tell whether the window worked. I couldn't hear the fan on speed 1 but I don't know if that's normal or not. The hazards worked but the indicator light on the dash didn't. However, it did when the turn signals were on. The boot light was disconnected. All the other electrics seemed to work OK but I didn't check the radio.
Wheels were unscuffed and tyres seemed to have plenty of tread.
Car drove really well. Seemed fast and brakes were good. No rattles.
I was told that it had been a company car and then the person whose company car it was bought it off the company. He traded it in against a TVR at this garage a while ago. They sold it to a guy who hardly used it, just polished it. He traded it in for a Corvette. It certainly looked well polished without any signs of fading or laquer lift. There is a folder of paperwork with the car.
It's a nice car, worth looking at if you are in the market but above my budget.
I have not connection to the garage selling it. I just thought it would be useful information for someone who was wondering whether it would be worth travelling to see it or not. If you do, don't forget to check it properly. I may have missed things.

[Saltire]

Looks a nice car. I suspect the boot light had been disconnected to avoid flattening the battery as the switch is improperly adjusted - not uncommon!

My hazard switch also only operates the warning light on the switch, not the warning light on the dash, so “yours” sounds normal.

I can’t hear my fan on low speed either.

If you liked the car, might have been worth a cheeky offer inside your budget. It’s the depths of winter, a bad time to be selling a sports car, and people have little money after Christmas. If you’re on the forecourt with cash in your hand (metaphorically speaking), the seller might just accept. Hard cash now is often better than the possibility of more cash sometime later

[Rambo]

And another thing, those seats have been retrimmed and re-stuffed. No one gets to 85k miles with seats in that good condition. Looks like they have been done well.

Cambelt/water pump - last replaced????

Go for it, life's too short