Lotus servicing around Newcastle/NE?

[Gogoplata]

My M100 needs a B service soon; can anybody recommend a garage to get this done? AFAIK F1 Newcastle is no longer a Lotus dealership and Silverlink doesn't do services or MOT's yet.

[SeanyD]

F1 Newcastle are still servicing Lotus
Newcastle Lotus / Silverlink are in the process of setting up a workshop
Roadboy is still servicing as an inde in the area.

[chad valley]

When I lived in the north east I used to have my 1990 M100 serviced by Revline at Whitley Bay. The proprietor was called Colin and had a real affinity with the older models. The premises were by no means slick but that meant no main dealer prices.

[peteA]

A little outside Newcastle but Hexham horseless carriages always have a few in when I'm there and they used to sell them

[Bingoej]

Another HHC fan here.

[ad243S]

As Sean said F1 is still an approved Lotus Service Centre at the minute

Use Revline in Whitley Bay once but never again.

[Gogoplata]

Thanks guys, I think I'll give F1 a try then.

I've already experienced Revline and I can't say I'd use them again.

[TameRacingDriver]

Try AK automotive in Rowlands gill, they're mx5 specialists, but have been doing work for the lotus garage in Dunston while they set up their servicing station. Very reasonable prices and good lads, highly recommended.

[SeanyD]

TameRacingDriver said:

Try AK automotive in Rowlands gill, they're mx5 specialists, but have been doing work for the lotus garage in Dunston while they set up their servicing station. Very reasonable prices and good lads, highly recommended.

That is roadboy who I mentioned, his SPS Automotive business is currently sharing with AK, good blokes all round

[TC5]

I'd recommend F1 Newcastle, used them for 9 years
You do pay a little more but at least they are experienced with lotus & know the niggles etc

I'm a little sceptical of our new dealer at present on how good they are going to be with some of the older Lotus and Elise when it comes to non routine stuff etc...& also preparing cars etc..they do look good in the showroom but how well prepared are they under the polish? They are new set up so not a lot of feedback around at the moment on buying & customer service etc..

Just for the record im not having a dig at any way just need a bit convincing when the service gets set up and who it's going to be doing the work and costs

Edited by TC5 on Tuesday 7th May 21:51

[SeanyD]

TC5 said:

I'd recommend F1 Newcastle, used them for 9 years
You do pay a little more but at least they are experienced with lotus & know the niggles etc

I would agree, very expensive and thorough, but they do know their stuff.

TC5 said:

(Newcastle Lotus...) need a bit convincing when the service gets set up and who it's going to be doing the work and costs

Also agree, there's a few of us watching this space to see who is going to be behind that side of the business, and what experience they have etc. On a positive note the sales guys there seem enthusiastic enough, even inviting me down to Croft at the weekend free of charge. Great stuff.

[marshalla]

SeanyD said:

Also agree, there's a few of us watching this space to see who is going to be behind that side of the business, and what experience they have etc. On a positive note the sales guys there seem enthusiastic enough, even inviting me down to Croft at the weekend free of charge. Great stuff.

Agreed. I'm running the Croft event and the team at Lotus Newcastle have been incredibly supportive. They really want to help the Lotus community where they can.

[TC5]

yeah the sales side of things has good vibes about it

[Inverted]

Just to echo the comments above. F1 servicing side were always very good when I had my Exige. Nice to be able to pop in swing through the back and ask Chris to take a look at something. Nothing ever a bother.

New Lotus dealer were kind enough to let me and the misses borrow a V6 Exige for a while so no complaints there.

[zebra]

Inverted said:

Just to echo the comments above. F1 servicing side were always very good when I had my Exige. Nice to be able to pop in swing through the back and ask Chris to take a look at something. Nothing ever a bother.

New Lotus dealer were kind enough to let me and the misses borrow a V6 Exige for a while so no complaints there.

I can echo your comments Ian. They really know their stuff; would not take my lotus any where else. Whilst they are not as cheap as a full indy, they have always looked after me.

[ad243S]

SeanyD said:

TC5 said:

I'd recommend F1 Newcastle, used them for 9 years
You do pay a little more but at least they are experienced with lotus & know the niggles etc

I would agree, very expensive and thorough, but they do know their stuff.

TC5 said:

(Newcastle Lotus...) need a bit convincing when the service gets set up and who it's going to be doing the work and costs

Also agree, there's a few of us watching this space to see who is going to be behind that side of the business, and what experience they have etc. On a positive note the sales guys there seem enthusiastic enough, even inviting me down to Croft at the weekend free of charge. Great stuff.

+1

[Inverted]

zebra said:

Inverted said:

Just to echo the comments above. F1 servicing side were always very good when I had my Exige. Nice to be able to pop in swing through the back and ask Chris to take a look at something. Nothing ever a bother.

New Lotus dealer were kind enough to let me and the misses borrow a V6 Exige for a while so no complaints there.

I can echo your comments Ian. They really know their stuff; would not take my lotus any where else. Whilst they are not as cheap as a full indy, they have always looked after me.

Hows things? Still running the two loti? Still miss my Exige.

[zebra]

Inverted said:

Hows things? Still running the two loti? Still miss my Exige.

Yeah, we still have both, still love them and they still get driven appropriately.

Loved your orange evil exige; used to look great next to Phil's banana exige.

Remember that day out in the rain with Hedgetrimmer in his R500 on those roads _ that was some drive.

Even though you miss the Exige, could you go back after the Porka?

[Inverted]

Yes I remember that day well. We had some great drives out. I think for the first couple of years I knew phil we didnt travel in a car together....went everywhere in the two exiges Probably just as well we sold them...saved our safety and the licence.

I did think about going back to Lotus, while I was waiting for the right RS I tried a V6 Exige but I couldn't get my head around the 60k price tag. No doubting how good it is. Great fun and if im honest more suitable for UK roads than the Pork. In the end solid values of an RS that had done its depreciating won over an unknown so to speak.
To answer your question no I dont think I would go back at the moment, certainly not as a replacement for the RS. But who knows...

[zebra]

Inverted said:

I think for the first couple of years I knew phil we didnt travel in a car together....went everywhere in the two exiges Probably just as well we sold them...saved our safety and the licence.

.