24 replies to this topic

[Retset]

Searching shows that there is the TMS/forum cover at about £76, the Brooke Kensington Elise one at £35 or this one from ebay at £90. All plus P&P.

Mine is permanently parked outside. It leaks a little but I haven't yet had chance to fabsil/glue seals/adjust windows so I guess I can reduce it somewhat. Even so engine bay exposed.

Has anybody here used one of these covers on a permanent basis outside for a few months and if so what are your thoughts?

My concerns are ease of fitting and, more so, scratches to the car.

My other option is an all over cover with lining but SWMBO would flip at the sight of it - hence shower cover only

[mandarinvx]

I like the look of the 'Mafe' one, but can't see how it's fastened down at the back I have the 'Elemental' one (which doesn't cover the engine bay) - it's been great, but can flap around a bit if it's windy - so a larger cover must be worse! No scratch hazard with the Elemental as it's made of very light weight material

[vxwanabee]

I got a cover for mine from cover-systems. It is tailored to fit the VX and cost £35 including delivery. It covers the top of the car from winscreen to the back of the engine cover. However i dont use it much as the only thing to hold it on the windscreen is the wiper and the elasticated straps around the wing mirrors. If its a bit windy the wiper is not really strong enough to hold onto it and it gets lifetd up to expose part of the windscreen. Add some extra straps at the front tho and it would be fine

[slindborg]

want to borrow mine for a month, see how you get on with it? No idea what make it is, I got it from a user on here. My car is outside all the time and never gets effected really.

[Retset]

That's a very kind offer - I'd love to Are you saying you don't even use it at the moment?

[slindborg]

That's a very kind offer - I'd love to Are you saying you don't even use it at the moment?

correct. CBA with faffing about waiting for the car to cool in the evenings, then faff about taking the cover off in the mornings only for the car to get soaked at work lol.
I fit it if its going to be bad weather and I'm not using it for a week bare minimum.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

That's a very kind offer - I'd love to Are you saying you don't even use it at the moment?

correct. CBA with faffing about waiting for the car to cool in the evenings, then faff about taking the cover off in the mornings only for the car to get soaked at work lol.
I fit it if its going to be bad weather and I'm not using it for a week bare minimum.

Same here. I've got the full size one... OEM I'm sure the previous owner said, but not sure. Only ever used it once when I went on holiday. Really can't be arsed with it. It'll only attract attention.

[forgotmepassword]

I like the look of the 'Mafe' one, but can't see how it's fastened down at the back

I have the 'Elemental' one (which doesn't cover the engine bay) - it's been great, but can flap around a bit if it's windy - so a larger cover must be worse!

No scratch hazard with the Elemental as it's made of very light weight material

I have one of these too. And its great. The chap who makes them lives near my folks.

Its also handy in the summer to carry around when the roof is off in case you just want to whip it on.

[Blue One]

I like the look of the 'Mafe' one, but can't see how it's fastened down at the back

I have the 'Elemental' one (which doesn't cover the engine bay) - it's been great, but can flap around a bit if it's windy - so a larger cover must be worse!

No scratch hazard with the Elemental as it's made of very light weight material

I have one of these too. And its great. The chap who makes them lives near my folks.

Its also handy in the summer to carry around when the roof is off in case you just want to whip it on.

I've got one of the TMS ones and use it everyday. Certainly a good investment and very easy to get on/off

[Retset]

Blue One: Any scratching?

[robfenn]

Mine thread seems to have been deleted for some reason...

I have a classic additions one. Fits perfect and has been fine in these very strong winds.

[Retset]

Robfen: Which one is that? Been on their website and they have Waterproof half outdoor car cover - Size (Extra Small) £31.77 which I found when I searched under "Lotus Elise" - this it?

I really love the colour of your car BTW

[robfenn]

You're very kind. Yes it is the Elise one. I also have their full weather one which is awesome but since my car was resprayed for some reason i can't put a cover over the paint for 12 months. If i knew the shower cap was going to be so good i probably wouldn't of bothered with the full on one. It is very lightweight and thin, yet leaks are virtually zero even in monsoon style rain. It also takes about 10 secs to put on which is handy.

[Retset]

Thanks very much. It works out at £42 delivered which seems excellent value. Does it keep the engine bay dry?

[robfenn]

The rear is quite well designed, because the straps are pulling down on the fabric which covers the engine bay. I can't say i've ever opened the hatch to check for rainwater but generally, yes, the cover keeps the engine bay protected. I am concious of that part of the car. I tend to have the car the other way round against the house so there's less chance of strong winds getting underneath the rear part of the cover...

[Retset]

I think this is what I'm going to get as it is well priced and easy to fit.

Now you explain that your car is resprayed I start to think that's why the colour really grabbed me - I'm guessing it's non-standard?

@ slindborg: I'm very grateful for the offer but I think I'll simply buy the classic additions one. I like your hint about not fitting till engine cooled - I'd have forgotten It's not a daily driver and can do a week between drives so I think this cover will be worthwhile.

[slindborg]

no probs. Rob, have you got a different aerial? as there dosent look to be a cutout for it on that cover.

[Baz]

The rear is quite well designed, because the straps are pulling down on the fabric which covers the engine bay. I can't say i've ever opened the hatch to check for rainwater but generally, yes, the cover keeps the engine bay protected.

I am concious of that part of the car. I tend to have the car the other way round against the house so there's less chance of strong winds getting underneath the rear part of the cover...

I notice the straps are over the paintwork, what material are they and is there a scratching hazard?

Barry.

[Retset]

She flipped today when I mentioned the cover as she hates them - lowers the tone or some such ... Anyway, I've managed to steal the garage tonight as the roof is drying in the dining room from a damn good scrub (wow - it's black after all!) Fabsil tomorrow. I'm wondering what the chances are of keeping it in there? Probably not high as she was, and still is, against the VX I've said "cover or garage - your choice" so we'll see If it's cover it'll be classic additions. I'll probably just take the aerial off as the stereo is a pointless addition to the car IMHO. Wish the first owner had invested that £300 in a VSE or even central locking ...

[Blue One]

Blue One: Any scratching?

I put some Armourfend on the endges of the rear wings just to make sure there easn't. So no scratches