Auto100 - UK Trader in Sutton in Ashfield

[Orchardbike]

I’m surprised given the extent of the repairs that Lotus haven’t just bought it back and written it off. Surely they are spending more in parts and labour than its currently worth?

To be honest, that would probably be the best scenario for me as well.

 

[RafP]

To be honest, that would probably be the best scenario for me as well.

Have you not considered rejecting the car under the consumer Rights act?

You offered the supplying dealer opportunity to repair, they declined and referred you to lotus.

They are unable to repair the car within a reasonable period. If you have any sort of legal cover with house insurance I’d be contacting them and formally rejecting car with auto100.

Offer them the chance to repair one more time as pretty sure they need 2 opportunities and when the don’t / can’t you are legally entitled to a refund.

 

[Emira-i4-uk]

OK, it’s now been over two months since my car disappeared into Lotus Colchester, so it’s time for an update. So grab your popcorn and strap yourself in……

What’s been removed from the car:
Battery
Tailgate
Rear clamshell
Engine
Clutch
Gearbox
Both seats
Dashboard
Carpets
Front bonnet
Front clamshell
Front fuse box
Front loom
Both doors

What’s been replaced (so far):
Front loom
Front fuse box
Clutch release bearing
Clutch plates
Flywheel

Once the engine work is completed and the installed, all other items will then be refitted to the car and the HVAC shroud and front fuse box seal are to be fitted as/when the car is rebuilt. It will then get a new battery and the software will be updated. Then the failed drivers side mirror motor will be looked at as well. The new doors will still need to be fitted, when they arrive from Lotus and then repainted.

However…..The clutch was rebuilt this week and reattached to the gearbox and the gearbox refitted to the engine. This engine assembly was then refitted into the car and fired up. Apparently there’s now “a different noise coming from the gearbox”……..so now another prior authority (PA) request has gone into Lotus for a brand new gearbox! The engine, clutch and gearbox now need to come back out of the car again!. So I’m now waiting again, for Lotus to approve the PA and then send out a new gearbox, before any further work can take place.

So the 430 mile car, that I had for just 6 days has been with Lotus for over two months and I still don’t know when I’ll get it back, but it’s not going to be anytime soon.

Every bit of loyalty/love/admiration I had for the brand has been destroyed.

You got a nightmare Emira for sure. The cost to Lotus must be astronomical they should just give you a replacement Emira as they have so many sitting around but I suspect they will keep going until its fixed.

The gearbox in out alone is a lot of time & money for doing that twice (is it a symptom of it not being done properly the first time though as doubt many have needed to do this before perhaps they forgot something & have to start again........).

I still would not let it put you off they are great cars you just did not get a working one & Lotus are not as customer focused as they once were....perhaps send a polite letter to Hethel HQ send to the MD directly via registered post sure they might be able to help you that way if they are aware of the issues to begin with......!

 

[Beachbum]

Have they provided a courtesy car during all this? If so what?

 

[Orchardbike]

Have they provided a courtesy car during all this? If so what?

Yes they have. But it’s a diesel VW Tiguan…

 

[Beachbum]

Yes they have. But it’s a diesel VW Tiguan…

Yikes !!! I'd have expected a Lotus of some description

 

[MiamiBlue]

At least you're saving on fuel and the VW should be pretty bombproof!

 

[JClem]

Yes they have. But it’s a diesel VW Tiguan…

That’s even worse than the diesel E Class I got!!

 

[Man.v.Cars]

For me, it wasn’t about ‘feeling’ second rate, I was literally told by Lotus’s CC that because I didn’t buy the car from them, they couldn’t escalate my issues. Over two months now and still haven’t seen my car.

I'm now getting a bit of pushback because of not buying direct from Lotus, they don't quite understand litigation either.

 

[Man.v.Cars]

OK, it’s now been over two months since my car disappeared into Lotus Colchester, so it’s time for an update. So grab your popcorn and strap yourself in……

What’s been removed from the car:
Battery
Tailgate
Rear clamshell
Engine
Clutch
Gearbox
Both seats
Dashboard
Carpets
Front bonnet
Front clamshell
Front fuse box
Front loom
Both doors

What’s been replaced (so far):
Front loom
Front fuse box
Clutch release bearing
Clutch plates
Flywheel

Once the engine work is completed and the installed, all other items will then be refitted to the car and the HVAC shroud and front fuse box seal are to be fitted as/when the car is rebuilt. It will then get a new battery and the software will be updated. Then the failed drivers side mirror motor will be looked at as well. The new doors will still need to be fitted, when they arrive from Lotus and then repainted.

However…..The clutch was rebuilt this week and reattached to the gearbox and the gearbox refitted to the engine. This engine assembly was then refitted into the car and fired up. Apparently there’s now “a different noise coming from the gearbox”……..so now another prior authority (PA) request has gone into Lotus for a brand new gearbox! The engine, clutch and gearbox now need to come back out of the car again!. So I’m now waiting again, for Lotus to approve the PA and then send out a new gearbox, before any further work can take place.

So the 430 mile car, that I had for just 6 days has been with Lotus for over two months and I still don’t know when I’ll get it back, but it’s not going to be anytime soon.

Every bit of loyalty/love/admiration I had for the brand has been destroyed.

Not had any of the clutch/gearbox problems you have, but taillight, brake pads, wiper motors, seat belts, reversing camera, engine ECU, engine wiring loom, plugs, coil packs, HVAC resistor, armrest USB, main screen and currently in for both doors replacing and painting.

All told approximately 4 months at the dealers with another 3 months unable to drive waiting for parts eg brake pads.

Lotus gave me a 'complimentary' first service for my troubles.

 

[Beardedbradley]

I'm now getting a bit of pushback because of not buying direct from Lotus, they don't quite understand litigation either.

So they sell the vehicles to a third party you buy said vehicle and they don’t like it……bloody marvellous, they must have department making this nonsense up.

 

[Orchardbike]

Not had any of the clutch/gearbox problems you have, but taillight, brake pads, wiper motors, seat belts, reversing camera, engine ECU, engine wiring loom, plugs, coil packs, HVAC resistor, armrest USB, main screen and currently in for both doors replacing and painting.

All told approximately 4 months at the dealers with another 3 months unable to drive waiting for parts eg brake pads.

Lotus gave me a 'complimentary' first service for my troubles.

After Lotus CC said they couldn’t escalate my issue due to the fact that I’d bought it through a 3rd party, I kept ringing and emailing them. Finally I blew my top when I was told that the gearbox now needed replacing and that it’d be another week before they start working on the car again. I rang Lotus CC and demanded to speak to a manager. They claimed they couldn’t escalate find one(!), but that they’d pass my details on. I thought that was a waste of time, butI’ve had an email this morning from the escalations team, stating that they’re looking into the case.

 

[Beachbum]

If I was in your position, I'd drive to Hethel and tell them I wasnt leaving until someone in authority saw me

 

[Man.v.Cars]

If I was in your position, I'd drive to Hethel and tell them I wasnt leaving until someone in authority saw me

He might have difficulty driving there.

 

[Beachbum]

He might have difficulty driving there.

Thats deepfake, cant be his car, has far too many seats

 

[Beachbum]

@Orchardbike Any update? Hoping any news is good news for you

 

[Orchardbike]

Hi @Beachbum, no, not really. I’m not sure where I was up to with the tale! They’ve now decided the whole gearbox is knackered and it took 2 weeks to get it approved and delivered. It went back in the garage this Monday to have it installed. IF that works (that’s now a new clutch, new thrust bearing, new flywheel, new gearbox, new fuse box and new front loom so far), then they’ll move on to the other issues, like blistered paint (both doors), new battery, new drivers side door mirror motor, HVAC waterproof shroud, fusebox seal and software updates (I think that’s everything!).
I sent a letter to Matt Windle complaining at the speed and that Lotus Colchester will only look at one issue at a time, but he couldn’t be bothered to reply.

 

[Beachbum]

Hi @Beachbum, no, not really. I’m not sure where I was up to with the tale! They’ve now decided the whole gearbox is knackered and it took 2 weeks to get it approved and delivered. It went back in the garage this Monday to have it installed. IF that works (that’s now a new clutch, new thrust bearing, new flywheel, new gearbox, new fuse box and new front loom so far), then they’ll move on to the other issues, like blistered paint (both doors), new battery, new drivers side door mirror motor, HVAC waterproof shroud, fusebox seal and software updates (I think that’s everything!).
I sent a letter to Matt Windle complaining at the speed and that Lotus Colchester will only look at one issue at a time, but he couldn’t be bothered to reply.

Sorry to hear all this mate, I really do hope things start to improve and quickly
I think you're only real option is to start being awkward with Lotus. Registered letters and possibly a Sit in at the MDs office until they see and talk to you

 

[Orchardbike]

Sorry to hear all this mate, I really do hope things start to improve and quickly
I think you're only real option is to start being awkward with Lotus. Registered letters and possibly a Sit in at the MDs office until they see and talk to you

I guess on the bright side, I’ll have the lowest mileage Emira in existence!

 

[Beachbum]

Once you get it back on the road, maybe we should all meet up somewhere central to celebrate
Beat that 34 Emira gathering in China