26 replies to this topic

[siztenboots]

Apart from light damage and repairable, what is the long term prospects like for getting the clams?

[slindborg]

I read on seloc that the supplier is only making vx clams on an order basis only.... for the lovely cost of something like £2.3K +vat.

[jasvxt]

Pretty poor i should imagine, as lotus aren't really interested, and Vauxhall want rid of the Vx parts problem altogether, perhaps some one will have the foresight to do after market clams in carbon or grp Or maybe the french company that make them ( the name escapes me at the moment ), will continue to manufacture them, and make them available through a sole UK/European distributor. Just to give you an idea its taking on average 8/14 weeks to get new clams in, and most that were in the UK have already been used at Luton due to warranty issues, and then there's the normal accident claims. We live in hope Jas

[CocoPops]

I thought that there was an EU regulation that states parts must be readily available for "at least 10years after the last car rolls off the production line"?

[jasvxt]

I read on seloc that the supplier is only making vx clams on an order basis only.... for the lovely cost of something like £2.3K +vat.

That sounds about right

[cyberface]

I'm interested in this as well. I've noticed that with even boggo 1144 pads and R888 tyres, my car will stop harder than anything I've run before (including Porsches which IMO have the best brakes of any manufacturer). And since a vandal debadged my car for me, I suffer a LOT in the congested south east with people driving right on my rear clam trying to work out what the hell it is. It's only a matter of time before I have to anchor down and some prick behind stuffs a 'people carrier' or similar into the back of my car. And I've even had my hairdresser in Sevenoaks say that she's almost twatted it in the car park several times because I park right on the end (in full view of the cameras) and it's lower than any car parked in front of it !!!!!! It's bright fcuking yellow FFS!!!! I'm insured and the usual response is 'look on the bright side, cars are repairable but people are not' - but if 'repairable' means 6 months off the road with a Corsa or similar whilst a new clam is sourced, then that is a serious dent in my motoring enjoyment. I thought there was some legal requirement for manufacturers to make replacement parts available for discontinued cars for a certain number of years after production ceased... however if there's always a 6 month lead time to get a new clam, and they're expensive, then it's a problem. This VXT is the only car I've ever had where I am paranoid about it being written off, since I actually have fallen in love with the thing and the only viable replacement is not a standard car and more than twice the price (Audi engined Exige, if you must know, closest in spirit to the VXT IMO)... My other car was made in lower quantities than the VXT and (with the special engine) even rarer - but has normal metal body panels from a larger-production car and would be easier to repair with typical front or back damage. But a big clout on the VXT often requires an entire clam. I've already got a big scuff on the front where someone's parked into it

[jasvxt]

I thought that there was an EU regulation that states parts must be readily available for "at least 10years after the last car rolls off the production line"?

This is true, but to define readily available is it ? a 12 week wait for parts, or "Its available Sir you've just got to wait for us to make it"

Edited by jasvxt, 26 September 2007 - 10:38 AM.

[cyberface]

Pretty poor i should imagine, as lotus aren't really interested, and Vauxhall want rid of the Vx parts problem altogether, perhaps some one will have the foresight to do after market clams in carbon or grp

OK to look on the bright side after my depressed previous post. I've heard it claimed that the major reason for why the VX is heavier than the Elise is because the clams are heavier. If an aftermarket supplier were to start supplying the clams with lighter material or carbon... then surely we'd end up with VXs that weigh the same as Elises. And that's when the fun starts. The *only* disadvantage of the VX gone in one fell swoop.

[covert ops]

Have a read of this thread.

http://www.vx220.org...opic=34458&st=0

Seems like our european owners are already making steps towards lightweight GF clams, so even if the official supply drys up there should be something available.
I've heard many time people talking about making clams but nothing ever came of it .

Andy

[slindborg]

I thought that there was an EU regulation that states parts must be readily available for "at least 10years after the last car rolls off the production line"?

This is true, but to define readily available is it ? a 12 week wait for parts, or "Its available Sir you've just got to wait us to make it"

I gave up waiting on rear tie rod assemblys for the N/A after waiting for 3 months!!!!!! had to get the elise uniball kit ffs.

[robfenn]

Have a read of this thread.

http://www.vx220.org...opic=34458&st=0

Seems like our european owners are already making steps towards lightweight GF clams, so even if the official supply drys up there should be something available.
I've heard many time people talking about making clams but nothing ever came of it .

Andy

As good as that sounds, if you have an incident and go through your insurance are they going to take our recommendations on where to get a clam from? I imagine it will still be a long wait.

[ratboiler]

I think Thorney is in the best position to answer that one!

[Ricardo]

This has been the topic of a few threads in differing guises. As said before I am surprised no ne has taken up the manufacture of clams, especially as there are a few racing now - surely they will require quick ands immediate replacements? Maybe the reason no-one has taken it up is copyright?

[TonyKL]

Dont worry, we'll just have to start fitting Elise S2 clams instead.

[TangoAlpha]

Dont worry, we'll just have to start fitting Elise S2 clams instead.

They don't fit do they?

[jasvxt]

Would be really funny if they did

[TangoAlpha]

[Ricardo]

or even Europa?

[siztenboots]

Dont worry, we'll just have to start fitting Elise S2 clams instead.

They don't fit do they?

From a cursory glance, ( not like I was going to enter into LoTRDC or anything ) , the front of the VX is much more S1, than S2. A bit of pick of mix might work.

[willow]

i tried to ask the question somewhere before about legalities of reproducing after market clams came.... but not sure if anyone had teh definitive answer.......... anyway, i was going to take my car to a friend of mine over here to have him look at the possibility of developing a replacement clam would come from...... also going to ask tehm to do other bits.......... im getting pretty scared of driving my car around so having it in a garage for "development" for 6 months wouldnt really be too painful (especially as i cant drive it between november and april anyway for weather reasons, NO not your 1 inch of slush a year...... the average of 3m of snow i get per winter in my driveway!)