Lotus white?

Post Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:31 am

I'd prefer darker leather [grey/black etc], but who here got the lotus white leather interior on their M'sort cab? Is it a bitch to keep looking good, what with people scuffing their feet on the back of the front seats as they getting into the back?!

And do all Motorsprt cabs that got the white leather seats also have the same colour centre consol/door cards etc? Or can you get white seats, black trim?

Cheers guys.

Post Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:48 pm

No-one got a light coloured leather interior then?

Post Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:55 pm

on my motorsport cab i got lotus white leather with the centre console also in lotus white leather,most of the cabs ive seen with lotus white interior have all got the white centre section aswell,and as of cleaning the interior,i totally agree it is a basta*d to clean.

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:34 am

Motorsport cabs generally have all seats door cards and centre section trimmed in leather as part of the motorsport option.
Got the Lotus White in mine and have just restored the leather back to as new again.
You do need to clean and feed it regularly to keep it looking good, but mine is used very rarely now. However it looks very good though with the Mauritius Blue IMO.
Couple of pics:

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:56 am

Yeah, the M'sport I'm looking at just like your motorsport. Though I'd be using mine everyday [12,000 miles a year], till I move to Worcester in about a year. Wouldn't mind getting to professionaly cleaned once a year though.

Have you owned/driven a manual M'sport cab before motorsport? How does it compare to your auto?

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:11 am

Never driven a manual motorsport cab but had 3 manual 325i sports. Manual box in a coupe is superb, although i prefer the auto in a cab for the relaxed cruise value. Although switchable auto can be great fun once your on the move and selecting gears yourself, not so good from the lights etc. Don't like hammering the car though.
Andy

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:29 am

On another thread, I been asking about the 0-60 times of 325's. Someone mentioned 10.5secs for the auto M'sport cab...you reckon its that slow from standstill [and about 8 for the manual]?

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:42 am

It's actually 10.2, and it does feel like that too. It's down to the fact the auto transfers the power a little slower from low revs at standstill, most autos do. However the 1/4 mile is the same. Once moving 1st gear on the auto will almost make 50-60mph and in sports mode you can change instantly without the chance of messing up on the clutch, so when you are already moving in slow traffic (say 15-20mph) you can kick right down to 1st and then you will see a slight advantage of the auto box as it flys to near 60 without the need to change up. Lots of Pros and cons but if you are more concerned with 0-60 and racing from the lights then the auto isn't the one you want. If you like fast entertaining driving then the auto does it too. Selecting your own gears when in sports mode is almost like tiptronic response. Cruising in auto is really nice too when you just want a relaxing drive.
Everyone to their own. Although i've also got a pretty quick manual Mitsubishi and a bike for gear changing fun as alternatives so it's not my only ride. If it was as much as i love the auto/switchable option i may have sourced a manual.

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:12 am

Nah, 0-60 aint that important to me - more mid-range punch for overtaking is what I want. Plus a drop-top is made for cruising, get the tunes on, chillin' in the sun [the small amount we have]!!

Cheers for answering all my questions Andy; just one more [maybe] - is there a big difference in fuel consumption between auto and manual? I'll be driving about 40 miles a day you see - if I had a manual I do usually rev quite high, I'm just that type of driver! Though as you said, the auto hitting 50+ in first gotta be using a ton on fuel innit?

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:30 am

Uses a bit more fuel but hardly gonna break the bank losing a couple of mpg is it. Great for overtaking, seems to be what you want.
Andy

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:34 am

My girlfriend has a motorsport cab with Lotus White leather, it's very hard to keep clean. The worst part is the light coloured stitching as it holds the dirt and looks messy.

Here are some pics (click the link)

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=13862

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:41 am

Looks so so good though!!

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:03 am

hey motorsport how much did it cost you to get it recon'd?

Post Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:08 am

Done it myself using leather magic products. Massively labour intensive but well worth it. No cracks or creases at all now and colour is as fresh as new. Must get a digi camera sorted.
Andy