Black wheels for US release?

clrodrick · #1 (**permalink**) 07-16-2004, 02:26 AM

Hi all,

It seems that Lotus is not offering the black wheels for the US release of the Elise based on my conversations with the dealer. Wanted to check in with you all to see if anyone had heard differently. Is anyone scheduled to get the first wave of Elise's getting black wheels, or is it the normal one's. Also, does Lotus even make black wheels in the double spoked variety for the LSS version? Looking at all the pics, I like the OZ black wheels.

If it's true that black wheels are not a factory option, that would be a real shame. I think the sinister black (as others have named it) looks wicked.

**mason** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-16-2004, 08:12 AM

You are correct, currently black wheels are not an option. I've been told that black may be an option in the future but for the time being Lotus has tried to streamline some of the options to make car production easier.

In the short term powder coating a set of wheels black is not a very difficult proposition and doesn't usually cost much. Most cities have a few local powder coaters who should be able to coat a wheel with any color that you'd like for $25-50 a wheel.

If you like the OZ wheels you could probably find them on Ebay UK and the aftermarket will also soon have many options for the Elise.

**mapes** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-16-2004, 07:11 PM

I'm partial to black wheels as well. I'm going to put them on my CO car. Lotus has shown a black LSS wheel on a new Exige at a recent car show in the UK. Very cool.

The OZ rear wheel has a different offset. It is about 15mm less than the fed car rear wheel.

clrodrick · #4 (**permalink**) 07-19-2004, 01:14 PM

Ah, so I guess the OZ wheels are out of the running for the time being.

Thanks for the suggestion about powder coating to get that look. I've got to look into that to see how good the results are.

Sounds like the general consensus here is that the non-LSS Lotus will be easier to customize wheel wise. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards cancelling the LSS option on my order. Given the fact the tire wear is much more rapid on the A048's compared to the AD07, plus I heard the A048's are much less forgiving in terms of giving warning of a slide, etc. I'm not nearly the expert track driver that some are so this is an issue for me. Plus, I honestly can't say I'll even be taking it out on the track too often.

Thanks for the input...

genieman17 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-19-2004, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clrodrick
Ah, so I guess the OZ wheels are out of the running for the time being.

Thanks for the suggestion about powder coating to get that look. I've got to look into that to see how good the results are.

Sounds like the general consensus here is that the non-LSS Lotus will be easier to customize wheel wise. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards cancelling the LSS option on my order. Given the fact the tire wear is much more rapid on the A048's compared to the AD07, plus I heard the A048's are much less forgiving in terms of giving warning of a slide, etc. I'm not nearly the expert track driver that some are so this is an issue for me. Plus, I honestly can't say I'll even be taking it out on the track too often.

Thanks for the input...

What i was thinking was if someone gets an LSS car, to then go and get the SSR competitions which are less weight and put the a048s on the SSRs. Then get all-season tires for the LSS wheels. That way the LSS can be the bad weather rims, and the SSRs can be the summer/performance/track wheels.