Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[kitkat]

The bumpers are GRP??

 

[Yas.totti10]

I am still waiting to hear back from Lotus Silverstone with regards to my door. Last update was that they haven't decided how to resolve the matter as of yet?

 

[petermal57]

I am still waiting to hear back from Lotus Silverstone with regards to my door. Last update was that they haven't decided how to resolve the matter as of yet?

Do you have PPf ?

 

[Yas.totti10]

Do you have PPf ?

No

It only has ceramic coating which was done by the lotus dealer when I bought the car.

PPF was the first question they asked me when I reported the issue to Lotus Silverstone
 

 

[Yas.totti10]

Interesting update from Lotus Silverstone today.

I dropped off my car this morning for a software update and naturally enquired about how the paint blistering would be resolved.

To my suprise, I was informed they still had not reached a resolution with Lotus HQ in how this matter should be sorted??

He confessed to me that Lotus HQ was disputing the cost of having specialist body shop respraying the door!?

Surely, the logical solution to this would be to replace the door panel with a brand new painted door panel from factory??

My concern in that the paint blisters could return if the door panel is defected.

What would be your next steps.... its been 2 months now

I would appreciate any thoughts on this matter.

 

[Porter]

It's not a paint defect, it's a door material defect. The fact that they are treating it like a paint error is in itself concerning.

 

[Yas.totti10]

It's not a paint defect, it's a door material defect. The fact that they are treating it like a paint error is in itself concerning.

My thoughts exactly...!!!

I think I'm guna kick off tomorrow....! There's no way I think it's acceptable to sand down the blisters and the paint bubble and spray over it.

I will be absolutely buggered if the paint blisters again in the same area in the future if the warranty has expired.

 

[scoates]

I heard back from my dealer/bodyshop in the last couple of weeks, Lotus have approved a replacement door for my car under warranty and it is due to arrive in the coming weeks, booked into the bodyshop for mid-November!

The bodyshop told me as soon as they saw it that similar has been seen on other cars with similar materials and just sanding and respraying isn't enough, then went in straight away with saying it needed full replacement and from the sounds of it had little pushback from the dealer or Lotus themselves, but I don't know all the ins and outs on their end. Just happy to have it sorted soon!

For reference I first sent pictures to the dealer to start the process on 5th of May, so just over 6 months from start to (hopeful) finish.

 

[Yas.totti10]

I heard back from my dealer/bodyshop in the last couple of weeks, Lotus have approved a replacement door for my car under warranty and it is due to arrive in the coming weeks, booked into the bodyshop for mid-November!

The bodyshop told me as soon as they saw it that similar has been seen on other cars with similar materials and just sanding and respraying isn't enough, then went in straight away with saying it needed full replacement and from the sounds of it had little pushback from the dealer or Lotus themselves, but I don't know all the ins and outs on their end. Just happy to have it sorted soon!

For reference I first sent pictures to the dealer to start the process on 5th of May, so just over 6 months from start to (hopeful) finish.

That's good news!

That's a great resolution except for the wait time.

Lotus Solverstone have asked me to wait till they hear back from Lotus and take it from there.

Atleast I know what kinda time frames I am dealing with.

 

[Yas.totti10]

Quick update from Lotus Silverstone.

Picked up my car post service and software update.

Interestingly I was informed that Lotus HQ was disputing the cost of Lotus Silverstones' warranty claim.

Silverstone have requested for a new door panel as they deem it to be defected. Then paint on the new door would have to blended at a specialist body shop.

 

[Porter]

Quick update from Lotus Silverstone.

Picked up my car post service and software update.

Interestingly I was informed that Lotus HQ was disputing the cost of Lotus Silverstones' warranty claim.

Silverstone have requested for a new door panel as they deem it to be defected. Then paint on the new door would have to blended at a specialist body shop.

Seems like if Lotus were that concerned about the cost, they should bring the car to Hethel and resolve it there.

 

[BeHappy]

Oh dear

 

[Yas.totti10]

Oh dear

Oh dear!!!!

This is exactly the kind of experience that I am having with Lotus.

It's such a shame to have such poor customer service from Lotus HQ.

I am in a good mind to to get an automotive lawyer involved if they cannot approve my warranty claim for replacing my door.

I'm giving them 7 days to do what is right.

It's such a shame given we love their car and in return they should atleast be good to their customers that's all.

 

[scoates]

Oh dear

Just watched that video, while I agree that the customer service leaves a lot to be desired, I also think to an extent he has been a little unreasonable. Near the start they told him to take the car into the dealer so they can look at it, which for an issue that requires a repair as major as a door replacement I feel is a reasonable request, and it was his refusal that slowed the whole process. He also stated that Lotus came to pick the car up and offered a courtesy car which is a hell of a lot more than I've got, despite living even further from a dealer!

My experience with the same door issue was that I reported it to my dealer (not Lotus Customer Care, the less you deal with them the better IMO!) then I took it in to get checked soon after, was put in touch with a top rated local bodyshop who stated the door needs replaced, at which point it was ordered and now the car is in there getting the door replaced as we speak. Very simple (other than the 3h each way journey to the dealer) and straightforward process.

In my experience once your car is delivered just deal with the closest Lotus Agent you can for any issue, you should get it resolved quicker and easier. Let them deal with Lotus themselves!

 

[Yas.totti10]

Just watched that video, while I agree that the customer service leaves a lot to be desired, I also think to an extent he has been a little unreasonable. Near the start they told him to take the car into the dealer so they can look at it, which for an issue that requires a repair as major as a door replacement I feel is a reasonable request, and it was his refusal that slowed the whole process. He also stated that Lotus came to pick the car up and offered a courtesy car which is a hell of a lot more than I've got, despite living even further from a dealer!

My experience with the same door issue was that I reported it to my dealer (not Lotus Customer Care, the less you deal with them the better IMO!) then I took it in to get checked soon after, was put in touch with a top rated local bodyshop who stated the door needs replaced, at which point it was ordered and now the car is in there getting the door replaced as we speak. Very simple (other than the 3h each way journey to the dealer) and straightforward process.

In my experience once your car is delivered just deal with the closest Lotus Agent you can for any issue, you should get it resolved quicker and easier. Let them deal with Lotus themselves!

Very good points and I wholeheartedly agree with you.

But....

There seems to be a disparity in how efficiently Lotus dealers are able to get a warranty claim approved from Lotus HQ.

Lotus Silverstone put in a warranty claim for my door to be replaced nearly 3 months ago! All they seem to be doing between themselves is disputing the cost.

Furthermore... Lotus Silverstone has contacted me this Monday to ask me to contact Lotus HQ myself to put pressure on them???

Why is this process smooth for some and a pain for others?

 

[FlashingBlade]

I spoke too soon with mine. Cleaned the car yesterday and noticed blistering on the drivers door

I also noticed the rear bumper is out of alignment

They're picking up a week tomorrow to look at the aircon issues so I'm just going to compile a snagging list and then start the arguments between Lotus dealer and Lotus HQ....

 

[Wonza]

I spoke too soon with mine. Cleaned the car yesterday and noticed blistering on the drivers door View attachment 33749
I also noticed the rear bumper is out of alignmentView attachment 33750




































They're picking up a week tomorrow to look at the aircon issues so I'm just going to compile a snagging list and then start the arguments between Lotus dealer and Lotus HQ....

Good luck and you will need plenty of patience. I had the same on both doors and the rear bumper being out of alignment (but not as bad as yours). For the Lotus diehards, It doesn’t really hit hard until it happens to you. It’s pretty upsetting spending all that money with so many issues.

I’m certain, it will happen on the other door too so you might want to wait or fix one of them at a time.

 

[Wonza]

Very good points and I wholeheartedly agree with you.

But....

There seems to be a disparity in how efficiently Lotus dealers are able to get a warranty claim approved from Lotus HQ.

Lotus Silverstone put in a warranty claim for my door to be replaced nearly 3 months ago! All they seem to be doing between themselves is disputing the cost.

Furthermore... Lotus Silverstone has contacted me this Monday to ask me to contact Lotus HQ myself to put pressure on them???

Why is this process smooth for some and a pain for others?

The dealers want to change the door which is the right thing to do in case it resurfaces in future (after the warranty ends). However, Lotus want to cheap out and get it repaired instead (quick fix), (also due to lack of stock). Earlier ones like myself got the door changed (but still isn’t perfect), however, going forward it may be a different story. Its all down to costs!!!

 

[Yas.totti10]

I spoke too soon with mine. Cleaned the car yesterday and noticed blistering on the drivers door View attachment 33749
I also noticed the rear bumper is out of alignmentView attachment 33750




































They're picking up a week tomorrow to look at the aircon issues so I'm just going to compile a snagging list and then start the arguments between Lotus dealer and Lotus HQ....

I'm wishing you the best.

Good luck and you will need plenty of patience. I had the same on both doors and the rear bumper being out of alignment (but not as bad as yours). For the Lotus diehards, It doesn’t really hit hard until it happens to you. It’s pretty upsetting spending all that money with so many issues.

I’m certain, it will happen on the other door too so you might want to wait or fix one of them at a time.

Good luck I have had to call HQ atleast 4 times last week.

The lack of accountability is the most frustrating thing tbh.

Like Wonza said it is cost that is the main factor to why they will drag their heels.

Keep us posted with how you get on.

The main issue I raised last was, if they aren't happy with the cost proposed by Lotus Silverstone. They should take the car to HQ and sort it there.

To be continued.........

 

[Nova]

Being a selfish individual... do we have a consensus if the paint bubbling issue was resolved on later production cars? What's the most recently produced car that still has this issue?