Project 2011 Brabus Roadster

[Moge]

So, a year after I sold my first Roadster, I came across this 2011 Roadster 2.5 with a custom Brabus interior upgrade. Apparently one of only two delivered to Norway with the bespoke interior. The car has seen very little use over the last years, and also close to zero maintenance. I was originally looking for a Sport, but the interior and spec won me over

The car has the updated stereo with back-up camera, OVMS from Fasttech, Italian 18" wheels in the front and 19" in the rear (original wheels are used with winter tires), hardtop and a long list of things that needs service:

- The car doesn't charge when the battery is cold (but the cabin heater works)
- Both rear shocks needs replacing
- The booth doesn't open
- The radiator is damaged
- The front right wheel baring needs replacing
- The left seat belt doesn't work properly
- A full brake and caliper overhaul is long overdue
- The left window seal is deteriorating
- The interior has seen zero TLC

The plan is to bring the car back to it's former glory and to do some minor upgrades!

Not being a mechanic myself, I'll have to rely on my local shop, TSC and tips from this forum!

 

[Moge]

First batch of salvage parts arrived today. SC couldn't take my car before the 26th of January, and at the price the yard were willing to sell the parts for, I just ordered whatever they had that I was looking for.

Rear shocks turned out to be from a Sport (nice surprise, but now I probably have to source adjustable front shocks as well), the wheel bearing looks ok, the battery heat control unit seems to have had a bit of a rough departure from the donor car and the seat belt works just fine. The donor car had only 30.000km on the clock.

 

[X.l.r.8]

Have you thought about tackling some of the work yourself. If you can change the rear wheel you can definatly change the rear shock. You undo 2 bolts and slide the old one out, you don’t need to support the wheel once jacked up, the new one simply fits in its place and you replace the 2 bolts. If I remember correctly a 17mm spanner and a10mm Allen key is all you need.

 

[Moge]

Have you thought about tackling some of the work yourself. If you can change the rear wheel you can definatly change the rear shock. You undo 2 bolts and slide the old one out, you don’t need to support the wheel once jacked up, the new one simply fits in its place and you replace the 2 bolts. If I remember correctly a 17mm spanner and a10mm Allen key is all you need.

I will probably do a bit of work my self, it's actually more about finding time right now

 

[X.l.r.8]

I kid you not, removing the wheel takes longer than swapping the shock.

 

[Moge]

First thing tomorrow is getting the wheels sent off to powder coating. I'm going for a black shiny look, before I send the calipers off to the UK and Brake Caliper Refurbishment homepage giving them a full refurb and coat of paint. I've selected the Ford RS orange metallic for the calippers . Should look good with the black wheels and cognac leather interior!?

I haven't been able to find the correct brake discs from EBC yet, but I'm probably going for a EBC USR and Greenstuff pads setup. we'll start refurbishing the salvage wheel bearing as well.

 

[X.l.r.8]

Love the orange. But I love orange roadsters too. I have EBC reds and yellows, pretty much no dust and I can ABS from cold, just changing the original pad/rotor combination does wonders. Either the rotors or the pads. The red/yellow works great and that’s with stock discs, I have yet to put my titanium and aluminium brake rotors on yet.

 

[X.l.r.8]

I can get you part numbers on the EBC but the price is the same for the very popular carbontechs
I keep notes on all parts I look into. Here’s my brake notes

Bobcat 1521 lotus Elise 2005-8

AX6 runs hotter ct109l fr ct419l re

G-loc GS-1 same as bobcat with backing

QTY Description Price Extended Price

1 ITEM: Carbotech Bobcat 1521 Front Elise/Exige (CT109L-1521) $133.00 $133.00

1 ITEM: Carbotech Bobcat 1521 Rear Elise/Exige (CT491L-1521) $135.00 $135.00

EBC red or yellow.

2005-2008 lotus Elise

Sector 111 video says blue Loctite, 33 ft lbs. The wheels are 77 ft lbs.

 

[Moge]

Today's little DIY:

I'm 6"4 and struggle with poor visibility. I have removed the sun visors, but the gigantic rear view mirror needs to go as well. I was originally looking for the Raceview Mirror from Inokinetic, but they have been discontinued (due to increased pricing and no one willing to pay for them apparently).

So I found this neat little upgrade: Way Smaller Rearview Mirror - $30 mod! - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community

Found the VW Beetle mirror on Hot shop AS - Speil innvendig 68- and will show up tomorrow. Should be a fun little upgrade

 

[Oricle]

Today's little DIY:

I'm 6"4 and struggle with poor visibility. I have removed the sun visors, but the gigantic rear view mirror needs to go as well. I was originally looking for the Raceview Mirror from Inokinetic, but they have been discontinued (due to increased pricing and no one willing to pay for them apparently).

So I found this neat little upgrade: Way Smaller Rearview Mirror - $30 mod! - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community

Found the VW Beetle mirror on Hot shop AS - Speil innvendig 68- and will show up tomorrow. Should be a fun little upgrade

I'm 6'5" and in the same boat as you. I run the stock mirror upside down to gain a little bit more visibility, I may go with this smaller mirror option though. Thanks.

On a side note, i've found it more comfortable to put my left foot behind the dead pedal on the left, that way both my knees arent up by the steering wheel

 

[slcasner]

On a side note, i've found it more comfortable to put my left foot behind the dead pedal on the left, that way both my knees arent up by the steering wheel

I'm only 5'7" so my knees have much more room, but I also found it more comfortable to put my left foot behind the dead pedal because otherwise I put too much pressure on just the left half of my left foot because the dead pedal is narrow, causing pain after a while.

 

[RobsJester]

I’m 6’4 - hmmm...
What’s with exceptionally tall people driving tiny Roadsters?

 

[backmost]

I’m 6’4 - hmmm...
What’s with exceptionally tall people driving tiny Roadsters?

I'm 6 feet tall... Maybe we just like the challenge

 

[da2ny]

I'm 6' and I think it's a great exercise program.

 

[Roadrunner13]

Today's little DIY:
... I was originally looking for the Raceview Mirror from Inokinetic, but they have been discontinued (due to increased pricing and no one willing to pay for them apparently)...

You mean this little guy is discontinued?
microMIRROR

That's a shame, although 150$ is 3x your other option, that's what I have now and like a lot.
It doesn't have night mode but it's just wide enough to cover the field of view we have between the two headrests...so it's size is 'just righ'

 

[Oricle]

Found the VW Beetle mirror on Hot shop AS - Speil innvendig 68- and will show up tomorrow. Should be a fun little upgrade

For those of us in the US, I found the same mirror from RockAuto for $28
IAP 113857511L Inside Rear View Mirror | RockAuto

 

[Moge]

While waiting for the rear view mirror to arrive I need to decide which color I want for my rims, black or silver? I kinda like the old silver look, but with orange calipers the black might look even better. Thoughts?

 

[ICON]

While waiting for the rear view mirror to arrive I need to decide which color I want for my rims, black or silver? I kinda like the old silver look, but with orange calipers the black might look even better. Thoughts?
View attachment 340616

I really like black or dark grey wheels especially on your colour car.
Silver actually works really well on a silver car.
Black or Gun Metal Grey wheels look good if the rest of the car has all no silver alloy bits. I also think a White car would look good with black wheels or with bold bright "Smartie" colours (Burnt Orange, Solar Yellow, Isoptope Green, etc.)

I've seen some amazing exotic cars here with black wheels, and a black rear under-tray. You could also black the charge door.

 

[X.l.r.8]

At first glance to me the silver looks like in belongs in an Aston Martin Catalogue where the black looks like next years corvette. Depends what look your going for. I too think gunmetal would look better but I am totally biased.

 

[Moge]

Today's little DIY:

I'm 6"4 and struggle with poor visibility. I have removed the sun visors, but the gigantic rear view mirror needs to go as well. I was originally looking for the Raceview Mirror from Inokinetic, but they have been discontinued (due to increased pricing and no one willing to pay for them apparently).

So I found this neat little upgrade: Way Smaller Rearview Mirror - $30 mod! - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community

Found the VW Beetle mirror on Hot shop AS - Speil innvendig 68- and will show up tomorrow. Should be a fun little upgrade

Got my mirror today, and it turnes out that the Roadster and the Elise does not share rear view mirrors. If I'd checked my car better I would of course have seen that the ball mount is in different locations. The old VW mirror has the mount on top and the Roadster in the middle of the back side. The window mount was very easy to remove, just needed to slide it upwards. So now the search for another smaller mirror continues.