Are any i4 owners considering an oil change after running in?

[Andy H]

I saw quite a few V6 owners have or plan to get the oil changed at ~1,000 miles. It's not an official service and they didn't mention it at collection. Given the AMG 2.0 is quite an exotic engine, is anyone considering it for peace of mind? It would be outside the 3 year service plan and judging by the servicing costs I'm guessing it wouldn't be cheap to have it done by Lotus!

 

[Medic518]

I am planning on a 500mi change. Following advice from a lubricant expert formerly of Gibbs Racing. He suggests a change on a new car after a few hundred miles, but anything less than 500 sounded to overly cautious. Have a friend with several lifts, so I'm just going to ask to borrow some lift time and do the change myself..

 

[Andy H]

It's definitely a more attractive option if you can make use of some lifts. I suspect the oil drain is under the aluminium panels so there's also that work to consider too.

 

[Medic518]

It's definitely a more attractive option if you can make use of some lifts. I suspect the oil drain is under the aluminium panels so there's also that work to consider too.

Agreed, I am assuming that there will be similar access to the drain and plug as with the V6. However, I have not seen a view of the i4 with the panels removed. I have been trying to get a feel for the location by looking at A45 photos/videos - not sure it will help, but you never know..

 

[Neil D.]

Hi, currently waiting for a 4 cyl car. I agree on an early oil change, but how do you drain the oil cooling radiator ? or is it simply a case of gravity ?
Thank you
Neil

 

[lynchy73]

I did an oil change at 1800km. Oil was pretty black looking, so I’m happy I had it done.

 

[Blackthought_]

Why not spend a few hundred bucks for piece of mind? These are expensive cars and you the more you can do to keep the engine fresh you should do

 

[Medic518]

I did an oil change at 1800km. Oil was pretty black looking, so I’m happy I had it done.

Any reference shots for the the filter location? drain plug seems easy enough..

 

[lynchy73]

Any reference shots for the the filter location? drain plug seems easy enough..

Sorry, that’s all the photos I was forwarded. I don’t think there is too much work involved.

 

[Andy H]

I don't fancy my chances doing this on the drive or taking it to my local garage as they'll never have seen an Emira before for sure! I have a way to go to reach 1,000 miles so I'll give the Lotus dealer a ring to see how much they want for it. Maybe there's a deal to be done if I can at least supply my own oil.

 

[Superman]

I am absolutely planning a first oil change at around 1,000 miles. Whilst I could do it myself at home, time is too precious, so will prob take it to dealer to do, assuming they don't quote a ridiculous price.

 

[Andy H]

FYI for people thinking of getting Lotus to do the oil change - I just got quoted by Bell and Colvill in Surrey: £430.

Not the cheapest but comparable with BMW M and Audi RS prices. The 6L of oil only made up £74 which looks to be a good price so no value in providing your own.

I plan to get mine booked in for peace of mind.

 

[JimH]

FYI for people thinking of getting Lotus to do the oil change - I just got quoted by Bell and Colvill in Surrey: £430.

Not the cheapest but comparable with BMW M and Audi RS prices. The 6L of oil only made up £74 which looks to be a good price so no value in providing your own.

I plan to get mine booked in for peace of mind.

That’s the standard/fixed UK 1st service price for a V6…..

Excitement beyond the ordinary. The official website of Lotus Cars. Revolutionary automotive technology and design with racing pedigree. Born in Hethel, England.

Excitement beyond the ordinary. The official website of Lotus Cars. Revolutionary automotive technology and design with racing pedigree. Born in Hethel, England.

www.lotuscars.com

 

[Andy H]

That’s the standard/fixed UK 1st service price for a V6

I guess that makes sense assuming that the 1st service on the V6 just consists of an oil & filter change. Perhaps even good value given the i4 servicing prices quoted on here seem to be significantly higher than the V6.

 

[JimH]

I guess that makes sense assuming that the 1st service on the V6 just consists of an oil & filter change. Perhaps even good value given the i4 servicing prices quoted on here seem to be significantly higher than the V6.

And all firmware updates, SatNav map update, and any rectifications/recalls outstanding (e.g. HVAC water shielding) - mines booked in for 1st annual service in July…..

 

[drummingj]

I recently bought the i4 version from Lotus Kent and the rep said there's no need to change the engine oil after 500/1000 miles as AMG Merc run-in the engine in their factory so when it goes into the Emira, its already done 400 miles of breaking in and has fresh oil added.. so not required on the engine side... but I suppose there are other oils to consider that I'm not thinking of perhaps?

 

[Andy H]

I recently bought the i4 version from Lotus Kent

Hi & congrats on your new i4. I wasn't sure if it was strictly needed either but there were some posts above suggesting that the oil had become a bit manky after run in so I figured it was a small cost from the overall ownership perspective. I did inquire with Bell and Colvill who they recommended it and said other i4 owners had also had it done. I intend to keep the car for a long time so it was a worthy insurance policy for me.

Also, it took me a while to reach 1,000 miles which meant I benefitted from some recent software updates too. Not sure I could actually tell precisely what difference they made but it was an added benefit to be up to date.

 

[Eagle7]

Just FYI, on my V6 which I just did the oil change after the break-in mileage, here's a zoomed in picture of what was in the bottom of the oil drain pan after removing most of the oil from it: those aren't flecks of gold.

 

[drummingj]

Hi & congrats on your new i4. I wasn't sure if it was strictly needed either but there were some posts above suggesting that the oil had become a bit manky after run in so I figured it was a small cost from the overall ownership perspective. I did inquire with Bell and Colvill who they recommended it and said other i4 owners had also had it done. I intend to keep the car for a long time so it was a worthy insurance policy for me.

Also, it took me a while to reach 1,000 miles which meant I benefitted from some recent software updates too. Not sure I could actually tell precisely what difference they made but it was an added benefit to be up to date.

yeah, sounds super sensible.

thanks for the tip about Bell and Colvill. could be a nice drive to head across and get the oils refreshed - do they use all the good quality ones?

also, do you know if there's any way to update the software yourself from home?

 

[drummingj]

Just FYI, on my V6 which I just did the oil change after the break-in mileage, here's a zoomed in picture of what was in the bottom of the oil drain pan after removing most of the oil from it: those aren't flecks of gold.

View attachment 48757

so what are the gold bits?!