Main Lotus Dealers

[clanger]

Over the years I've owned a number of Lotus cars and have always carried out the servicing on them myself as in the past the quality of some of the dealers was well...questionable!

The Exige first service is now due and I'd prefer to take it to a main Lotus dealer - what are they like these days and can you be confident in their performance?? - I don't mind travelling for a good service (in fact would prefer to!). At the mo' intend to take it to Nick Whale - any other recommendations?????

Cheers

[NightFire]

Sinclaires at Gallows Corner, just off the A12 in Essex - Gidea Park. Just about everyone on the SELOC site swears by them and I've just had a bit of work done with them too - excellent.

[Bonce]

I'll second Sinclaires as being good, but they are not main dealers, they're independant.

Can't recommend a main dealer I'm afraid, the Cambridge one went bust last year.

> Edited to say I'm afraid I have no experience of any dealers in your neck of the woods. I've never been further North than Huntingdon.

>> Edited by Bonce (moderator) on Sunday 22 December 11:19

[cranep]

Mine's in at Chris Neils in Northwitch today. Will let you how I get on.. I have given them a list of bits that need sorting..

[oneelevens]

Not sure were you are based Clanger, but for a main dealer you won't go wrong with Bell & Colvill in Surrey.

[bogie]

I use Wilsons, Chadwell Heath (Essex) for my warranty stuff and Sinclaires for aftermarket stuff - both offer excellent service

[clanger]

Many thanks for your info. Am based in South Yorks but local main dealers do not inspire confidence ! Talked to Sinclaires at Stoneleigh - seemed a bunch of genuine Lotus turned-on guys (and gals) and v enthusiatic .

[JimboCam]

Avoid ALL main dealers like the plague. During the time I've owned my Elise the cost of an A service has gone from 100 quid to 360. They're just taking the piss. They also have a habit of returning your car to you in a worse state than they received it.

[dirtydevil]

I bought my Lotus from Gordon Lamb in Sheffield based on Pomona Street. Ask for David Wood They have been good so far. Their main tel no is 0114 262 5000 or parts on 0114 262 5050

www.lotuscars.co.uk lists all the dealers

>> Edited by dirtydevil on Tuesday 31st December 02:30

[TheLemming]

But please bear in mind that servicing the car outside the dealer network will invalidate any manufacturers warranty on the car, if any...

If your outside the warranty, no problem.

[JimboCam]

I think you'll find that European law states that provided the car has been serviced in line with the schedule then warranty claims are still valid. Besides which Lotus will do everything they can to get out of doing warranty work no matter where you've got it serviced - as I've found to my cost.

[clanger]

thanks all -dirtydevil Lambs are certainly nearest dealer to me - might well give 'em a go.

[fergusd]

JimboCam said: I think you'll find that European law states that provided the car has been serviced in line with the schedule then warranty claims are still valid. Besides which Lotus will do everything they can to get out of doing warranty work no matter where you've got it serviced - as I've found to my cost.

That's also my understanding.

[TheLemming]

JimboCam said: I think you'll find that European law states that provided the car has been serviced in line with the schedule then warranty claims are still valid.

Thats the theory anyway. In practise however, its a convenient get-out clause for a warranty claim.

To give an example of Ford warranty processes:

Vehicles serviced outside the dealer network will not be considered for a "goodwill" contribution towards any out of warranty repair costs.

Unless there is unequivocal evidence that a failure is due to mechanical defect then claims will often be refused if the vehicle does not have a main dealer service history.

The list goes on and this is fairly standard throughout the industry. Manufacturers want vehicles to be serviced through the franchised dealership network, and as such will do everything in their power to penalise those who do not do so.