📓 Journals JClem's Magma V6

[JClem]

Hi, I had my V6 Auto service and software updates and I also noticed a subtle improvement, but didn't think much off it until I read this.

It was just a 10 minute drive and I'll take it for a longer drive in a few days but it definitely felt sharper going up and down the gears with the paddles

 

[Toomanyloti]

Mine is down at Central now for first service (done 4000m).
Has wiper motor recall and suspected fuel level sensor (U/S since collecting from factory).
I will report back once i have driven it back.
Shifts and sound is fantastic as it is .
The worst part of the car is the seats. Excellent quality just hopeless for a car like this. Missed the mark by miles

 

[JClem]

Testing out the new GoPro

 

[nelly111s]

Testing out the new GoPro

What settings did you use on the GoPro?

 

[JClem]

Hero 12 black
16:9 4k 30fps
Linear digital lens
Hypersmooth on

 

[JClem]

Off it goes for god knows how long. Just as the weather improved too.

It’s overheating in slow moving traffic. I’m hoping it’s just software related but was told it won’t be looked at until 10th July!

 

[JClem]

Update from Bell & Colvill and it’s not good news.

They initially found a few error codes for EVAP, other sensors and the AC which had been temperamental. They checked the sensors and found nothing wrong so cleared the codes and took it for a test drive. During the drive things started out ok but the AC started playing up again and the engine overheated.

Further investigation found corrosion of the wiring harness terminal in front of the drivers side and will require a complete strip of the car and replacement of both harnesses. This is a 25 hour job and the 3/4 harness (the bigger one) is not in stock.

So we’re talking weeks and potentially months with an E-Class replacement!!! That’s potentially the LDC event at Silverstone festival and Lotus hosting hospitality at Donington British GT4 that I’ll be turning up in a Merc. Highly embarrassing!

Hats off to B&C though who made it a priority and looked at it the same day it was delivered to them.

They also said I’m only the second one they’ve seen with water ingress to the terminal, which obviously shouldn’t happen.

 

[JClem]

I find myself thinking about a 718 GTS or a V8 F-type which is worrying.

 

[Foxy87]

My dad just bought a new F-Type R. While it is really quick - dont do it, its not even close to the experience the Emira delivers (except the sound)

 

[JClem]

My dad just bought a new F-Type R. While it is really quick - dont do it, its not even close to the experience the Emira delivers (except the sound)

Shame as it's a good looking car and sounds fantastic. But you're right almost any car I get in now has been ruined by having an Emira!

Driving the Merc E-class courtesy car I feel so detached from the road.

 

[JClem]

Update:

The situation is evolving but ultimately no one can tell me how long it is going to take to repair. It's possible that 3 months down the line I'm still in the courtesy car with no repair in sight. Given that some owners are still waiting for replacement doors ordered in December I don't have much hope on parts turning up anytime soon. I've been in touch with Lotus CC and its now going to involve the escalation team. I brought up replacing it/rejecting it which seems to have provoked the escalation.

Watch this space.

 

[Lego Man]

Update from Bell & Colvill and it’s not good news.

They initially found a few error codes for EVAP, other sensors and the AC which had been temperamental. They checked the sensors and found nothing wrong so cleared the codes and took it for a test drive. During the drive things started out ok but the AC started playing up again and the engine overheated.

Further investigation found corrosion of the wiring harness terminal in front of the drivers side and will require a complete strip of the car and replacement of both harnesses. This is a 25 hour job and the 3/4 harness (the bigger one) is not in stock.

So we’re talking weeks and potentially months with an E-Class replacement!!! That’s potentially the LDC event at Silverstone festival and Lotus hosting hospitality at Donington British GT4 that I’ll be turning up in a Merc. Highly embarrassing!

Hats off to B&C though who made it a priority and looked at it the same day it was delivered to them.

They also said I’m only the second one they’ve seen with water ingress to the terminal, which obviously shouldn’t happen.

Hi sorry to read this, I also have a V6 Auto collected May 2023 which had water in the wiring terminal exactly as you describe. The problems occurred almost immediately after delivery. My car went back to Hethel for 7 weeks over the summer last year to be repaired.
To add insult to injury I now have paint blistering on the doors which will need to be replaced the work is booked in for the end of August.
When did you collect your car ?

 

[JClem]

Hi sorry to read this, I also have a V6 Auto collected May 2023 which had water in the wiring terminal exactly as you describe. The problems occurred almost immediately after delivery. My car went back to Hethel for 7 weeks over the summer last year to be repaired.
To add insult to injury I now have paint blistering on the doors which will need to be replaced the work is booked in for the end of August.
When did you collect your car ?

It is an April 23 build collected In July 23. Did you get an answer from Lotus about how water got in to the terminal and whether they solved it so that it won’t happen again?

I’m reluctant to take it back if it does the same thing every 6 months! I also have blistering on my passenger door.

4 weeks without it and there is no end in sight

 

[Lego Man]

It is an April 23 build collected In July 23. Did you get an answer from Lotus about how water got in to the terminal and whether they solved it so that it won’t happen again?

I’m reluctant to take it back if it does the same thing every 6 months! I also have blistering on my passenger door.

4 weeks without it and there is no end in sight

That would tie in with mine, being April build - May collection.
The engineer said the water was in the terminal box from install it must have been as the car was never driven in the wet, the electrical faults appeared within weeks of getting the car, so there was no chance of rain etc getting in, it was also a sealed box so must have been there when it was sealed, I never got an answer how this could have happened.
Lotus did a great job replacing the wiring loom etc and it has run perfectly since. I got it back last September I'm nearly at 10k. with only a faulty oxygen sensor coming on from time to time, which needs to be replaced.
I am aware of at least three other cars that have had the same issue a couple I'm sure are on this forum.
I'm really disappointed that the blistering has occurred which seems to be an inherent issue in the early production run cars, it should have been picked up and cars recalled rather than waiting for customers cars to blister and then complain. It sours the experience of a brilliant car.

 

[JClem]

Christ, dealing with Lotus CC has been painful.

After 4 weeks of almost daily phone calls with them I've got nowhere. No one I have dealt with has been able to tell me what the cause of water ingress to the harness terminal was or whether it would happen again. I "politely" pointed out to them that if this happens every 6 months because of a design/manufacturing issue it makes the car worthless. The repair is not trivial at 35 hours of labour and stripping the car down. They finally came back today with a valuation for my Emira as part exchange for a new one. Needless to say I wasn't happy with it, particularly as I was offering to buy a new car to resolve the situation. To be honest, given the financial hit to me of not having the car for what would be 6 weeks, I felt like they were taking the piss.

HOWEVER, I called B&C (who are brilliant) to discuss the technical ins and outs of the issue and discovered that there is now a recall for this which is linked to the water getting into the HVAC as discussed at length elsewhere. I have also had the HVAC resistor replaced because of water ingress last year. I strongly recommend that any of you who have had the HVAC failure and replacement to get the terminal assessed for corrosion.

It is so frustrating that Lotus CC could have told me that there was a fix and recall in place at the start of this. I've been chasing them almost every day which has been an enormous waste of time. At no point did anyone say that this is a known issue, it is not a one off, and that a fix is coming or already issued. I'm torn on whether this is due to incompetency or dishonesty.

So rather than being fair with me and selling a new (probably orphaned) car, they will now be spending thousands on the hire car they've given me.

 

[JClem]

Current state of my Emira.

 

[Beardedbradley]

You should have been offered an Emira courtesy car whilst wait.

 

[JClem]

You should have been offered an Emira courtesy car whilst wait.

Should have, but I got an E-class Merc!

 

[JClem]

She’s back and the new additions look great. Happy days. Only for a month though before she goes back in for a new door!

 

[JClem]

Well it lasted 7 days!

This morning it wouldn’t start. Initially it showed the “key not in car” error. Subsequent attempts showed no error messages but pressing start did nothing. No amount getting out, locking, unlocking and starting again would resolve it. The dash and central screen came on when I opened the door and CarPlay started, ignition mode 0. However, holding the start button for 5 seconds did nothing. So it won’t go into the different ignition mode 1, 2 or start the engine.

I tried with both keys which unlock and lock the car and I had been using it every day as well as putting it on trickle charge on Saturday. It has started first time since getting it back 7 days ago and then all of a sudden nothing. The battery was at 12.8v this morning. I also waited 3 mins between attempts as per the handbook.

I have had the intermittent starting issue before but I was able to change ignition modes and locking/unlocking always resolved it.

Anyone had anything similar?