Panic!!! Help needed
Discussion
We are due to pick the S1 up on Saturday morning. The dealer has had the car for a week to prep and was left with the following list of items from myself after a test drive:
1. A noise from the rear suspension when going over hard bumps.
2. Play in the throttle cable.
3. Crack in the front runner of the softtop.
4. C Service (B&C)
As for no.1 - The mechanics have had the suspension apart and can find nothing wrong with any components. Bushes, arms, etc. have all been inspected ok. What could possibly cause the noise???
As for no.2 - He has told me that the throttle cable cannot be adjusted, I assume that it has stretched and there is no way of adjusting this. Is this true?
As for no.3 - 7 weeks for a Lotus Refurb. What can he do to speed this up?
I want to pick this car up and be happy. I would be willing to wait some more time before everything is done, but to do this, I need more information.
Any ideas.
Most appreciated.
1. A noise from the rear suspension when going over hard bumps.
2. Play in the throttle cable.
3. Crack in the front runner of the softtop.
4. C Service (B&C)
As for no.1 - The mechanics have had the suspension apart and can find nothing wrong with any components. Bushes, arms, etc. have all been inspected ok. What could possibly cause the noise???
As for no.2 - He has told me that the throttle cable cannot be adjusted, I assume that it has stretched and there is no way of adjusting this. Is this true?
As for no.3 - 7 weeks for a Lotus Refurb. What can he do to speed this up?
I want to pick this car up and be happy. I would be willing to wait some more time before everything is done, but to do this, I need more information.
Any ideas.
Most appreciated.
Hey James,
1. Could just be the normal noises you get from red Konis? Bit disconcerting at first, but you get used to it!
Could be a dry / seized toe link - but mechanics should have picked that up.
Something not sus' related - engine mounts, exhaust - worth checking.
2. Can't see what they would mean by cable not being adjustable - of course it is - otherwise how would you...eh...adjust it?
Done from the throttle body end - just a pinch bolt I think.
3. Not too sure where your mean? Do you mean the plastic strip that holds the front edge in place? I know some people broke this by folding the soft top length ways. I'm guessing a re-furb is the only option.
Have fun when you pick her up - but take it easy on these greasy roads.
Dunc
1. Could just be the normal noises you get from red Konis? Bit disconcerting at first, but you get used to it!
Could be a dry / seized toe link - but mechanics should have picked that up.
Something not sus' related - engine mounts, exhaust - worth checking.
2. Can't see what they would mean by cable not being adjustable - of course it is - otherwise how would you...eh...adjust it?
Done from the throttle body end - just a pinch bolt I think.
3. Not too sure where your mean? Do you mean the plastic strip that holds the front edge in place? I know some people broke this by folding the soft top length ways. I'm guessing a re-furb is the only option.
Have fun when you pick her up - but take it easy on these greasy roads.
Dunc
Sounds like a load of a*se to me. Bet they just parked it in the corner for a week and did s*d all.
1 - Could be a TADTS; drive another one and compare.
2 - The adjuster is in the footwell. Check bolts holding linkage bits together too as they come loose.
3 - Ask what it costs, and suggest you are prepared to collect the car now but will withold that part of the payment until they are in a position to do the work.
AdrianR
TADTS = "They all do that sir"
>> Edited by adrianr on Thursday 13th October 14:25
1 - Could be a TADTS; drive another one and compare.
2 - The adjuster is in the footwell. Check bolts holding linkage bits together too as they come loose.
3 - Ask what it costs, and suggest you are prepared to collect the car now but will withold that part of the payment until they are in a position to do the work.
AdrianR
TADTS = "They all do that sir"
>> Edited by adrianr on Thursday 13th October 14:25
Thanks guys, I just called the dealer and relayed the information to him. He is going to inspect the engine mounts. He is adamant that there is no way of adjusting the throttle cable. I have suggested that when he takes the roof to Bell and Colvill that he asks the service department how the adjustment is made. The roof is going back to Lotus for refurbishment.
Oh well. Not this weekend!!
Oh well. Not this weekend!!
The throttle cable play might be the pivot bush has or is about to fall apart.... this will explain it better than I can:
www.sandercock.com/elisebush.htm
The garage might rubbish the idea, however it is established fact that the bush is a load of crap. Technically this one is toucher than the Alli bar it is housed in so could then cause that to wear later on.
>> Edited by StuartB on Thursday 13th October 17:06
www.sandercock.com/elisebush.htm
The garage might rubbish the idea, however it is established fact that the bush is a load of crap. Technically this one is toucher than the Alli bar it is housed in so could then cause that to wear later on.
>> Edited by StuartB on Thursday 13th October 17:06
Is this dealer a Lotus one or a Specialist who specialises in Loti?
Sounds like a fair amount of BS being spouted here. If the rear suspension clunks it could be due to a number of things - did you point it out on the test drive?
As noted, the cable can be adjusted, and also the bush maybe the problem - can you perhaps elaborate more?
As for the roof, I think it's about £40-odd for a refurb and the time is about right to get fixed. Does it cause it to leak? If not then shouldn't be a problem. Just call Lotus and find out how much to repair and get it done when you can be bothered... knock the cost of the final price with dealer.
Some places like Sinclaires will lend you a roof (for a small fee) while this is being done so you don't lose the use of the car (or if you can't garage it).
Sounds like a fair amount of BS being spouted here. If the rear suspension clunks it could be due to a number of things - did you point it out on the test drive?
As noted, the cable can be adjusted, and also the bush maybe the problem - can you perhaps elaborate more?
As for the roof, I think it's about £40-odd for a refurb and the time is about right to get fixed. Does it cause it to leak? If not then shouldn't be a problem. Just call Lotus and find out how much to repair and get it done when you can be bothered... knock the cost of the final price with dealer.
Some places like Sinclaires will lend you a roof (for a small fee) while this is being done so you don't lose the use of the car (or if you can't garage it).
Noise from the rear suspension sounds like shockers, I had that and replaced them all ok now, the noise I had was even noticable at slow speeds over bumps especially after being driven for a bit and every thing warmed up. Another possible noise I have come across is lose inner wings they screw in at the bottom but the screws had dropped out of mine so they rattled, same can happen at the front.
Sorry chaps, tis not a Loti Dealer, not even a specialist. Maybe this may be seen as a bad thing. After driving and perusing many, I concluded that this one was the most correct and any concerns would be addressed by the dealer. They are local to Bell and Colvill and have been taking advice on all the above matters.
I live in hope.
I live in hope.
There's your answer then. Sounds like it's not worth paying a dealer premium if they can't get it right for sale. What else have they missed out?
Unless it's a really, really good deal, have you considered going to a proper specialist dealer who wouldn't even put a car that wasn't sorted on their forecourt? I doubt you'd be paying much more, if at all.
Unless it's a really, really good deal, have you considered going to a proper specialist dealer who wouldn't even put a car that wasn't sorted on their forecourt? I doubt you'd be paying much more, if at all.
S Works said:
There's your answer then. Sounds like it's not worth paying a dealer premium if they can't get it right for sale. What else have they missed out?
Unless it's a really, really good deal, have you considered going to a proper specialist dealer who wouldn't even put a car that wasn't sorted on their forecourt? I doubt you'd be paying much more, if at all.
I'm thinking along the same lines.
I really cannot see the value in purchasing a specialist car like an Elise from a non-specialist dealer.
You have IMHO no perceivable advantage over a private sale - aside from a part-ex facility.
apprentice
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