Faded Bonnet Bits

mrbennybennett · Post by **mrbennybennett** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:59 pm

For some reason the plastic trim on the bonnet on my 06 111r has faded really badly - particularly the left hand side

Couple of questions - would you get this replaced under warranty or just get a bit of "back to black" on it (also would you think the warranty would cover this???)

Also is it a clam off job to replace?? as the clam will be off in a couple of weeks at Steve Walkers so it could be replaced then?

Cheers

Anthony

woody · Post by **woody** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:14 pm

Back to black or bumper gel is never very permenant, so my first port of call would be Murrays. That pretty poor for any year old car.

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:18 pm

That's not great at all mate. First off, get on to MMC and try it on warranty, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope. They'll fob you off with some suggestion you may have used an abrasive whilst washing, or left it in direct sunlight for too long

Replacement might be a good idea if you can get hold of a spare from a binned one (I presume K series and 'yota engined cars have the same vents by the inspection panel). I wouldn't buy an official part unless you really have to - we all know how much they hurt the wallet.

That leaves 'back to black'.. Oohh, AC/DC anyone

Best of luck

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:31 pm

You could always get them colour coded to match the clam...

then stick on a set of Exige style side vents, colour coded of course...

just a thought.

There was a web page that showed how you convert them to exige style mesh bits... chances of me finding it again would be slim.

mac · Post by **mac** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:36 pm

Think it's beyond Peanut butter.

Mac

Mr Momo · Post by **Mr Momo** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:39 pm

Go for colour coding and let me know how your getting on (my vents are OK and car is outside 24/7)

Shouldn't be a clam off jb, but, no doubt it'll be a b*stard to take out.

Post by **simon** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:42 pm

Mr Momo wrote:Shouldn't be a clam off jb, but, no doubt it'll be a b*stard to take out.

If you define a b*stard of a job as one allen bolt then yes but for most people it's less than a 1 minute task

I'm sure they're different from the K series cars so if you do buy spares, make sure they're off a Toyota car.

mrbennybennett · Post by **mrbennybennett** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:12 pm

Will try and get the car to MMC this week and see what they say

greyrigg · Post by **greyrigg** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:27 pm

never mind the trim on the bonnet.........have you seen the seats

Malcolm

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:53 pm

simon wrote: I'm sure they're different from the K series cars so if you do buy spares, make sure they're off a Toyota car.

They're definitely different. The ones on the Toyota car go all the way under and meet in the middle. The middle section in the clam is higher and thinner on the Toyota engined cars.

I'd be interested to hear what Lotus charge for an official replacement. Considering they charge £330 + VAT for a headlight cover, which is also just a bit of plastic, I'm sure replacing these bits will also be in the hundreds.

If you end up not getting replacements, then I highly recommend the Autoglym bumper care stuff. Makes mine nice and black. Not sure if it's as good as Mac's peanut butter though!

mrbennybennett · Post by **mrbennybennett** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:27 pm

Took the car in to MMC today and thnkfully they have seen this problem before so they are going to replace both grilles next week

Result

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:25 pm

Some of the "Back to Blacks" seem to make this effect worse as they don't seem to be very UV stable.

However yours certanly looks to be a manufacturing defect even if you've been in the south of France for 12 months