My Lotus Extended Warranty + Mulholland Motor Sports = Fantastic! - LotusTalk

LARRY · 11-02-2009, 08:59 AM

When I bought my 2005 Lotus Elise at Southbay Lotus in Manhattan Beach in 2005, the salesman, after writing up my car, asked me three questions. First, did I want to buy Lojack for the car. I said "No." Then he asked, did I want a Stage Two Exhaust for the car. "You gotta have a Stage Two," he said. I said "Yes." And then he asked if I wanted an extended service warranty that would cover me for 7 years. "Good idea on a Lotus," he said. I thought about it. And I said "Yes." Turned out to be a very smart move.

My 2005 Lotus has 19600 miles. Not a lot.

My original warranty recently expired.

Two weeks ago, around 10/15/09, I had an engine warning light come on, so I took the Lotus to Mulholland Motor Sports, a LotusTalk site sponsor. They are located at 8630 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035. Their phone is (310) 360-0948.

Stephen is a remarkable Lotus mechanic who used to be with Lotus Beverly Hills. Julio is a wizard at Lotus paint.

Stephen told me that I would need a new radiator, as mine was leaking, and the engine warning light was showing a failed thermostat. He also said he heard the dreaded "clunk" of a failed steering mechanism.

That, plus a few other odds and ends, would cost around $3500 to repair, parts and labor.

I cringed, and then remembered that piece of paper in my drawer, the "extended warranty."

I showed it to Stephen, and he made the call to the insurance company.

The insurance man came out that day to look at my car.

After three days, the insurance company approved everything. They would pay for it all.

I asked Stephen to replace my brakes lines with Sector 111 braided hoses and my clutch line with a better hose. He would flush my brake fluid, which is an important Lotus thing, as well. I would pay for these myself for a couple hundred dollars with labor.

The work Stephen did was first rate. My cooling system is finally rock solid. A beautiful Sector 111 radiator. The broken thermostat turned out to have it's internal rubber gasket ruptured. The steering is now quick and precise. Even the required front alignment was covered by the extended warranty. My brakes are amazing. For the first time the pedal is rock hard. The car feels fantastic.

The Bottom Line? Get an extended warranty if you can for your Lotus. But I would have definitely paid these guys cash for the incredible job they did on my car.

LARRY · 11-02-2009, 09:47 AM

My Saffron Yellow Lotus in good hands.

LARRY · 11-02-2009, 11:58 AM

Julio will be at Motor 4 Toys on December 6, 2009 handing out coupons for 10% off all work, paint and service, at Mulholland Motor Sports.

Check out some of the Lotus cars they bring out for the event!

6TH ANNUAL MOTOR 4 TOYS! DECEMBER 6, 2009

LARRY · 11-03-2009, 12:30 PM

11/3/09

Julio tells me that he'll give you 10% off all prices immediately if you mention Lotus Talk!

The best L.A. Lotus service for your car!

LARRY · 11-03-2009, 12:44 PM

Have Stephen put these Sector 111 stainless steel brake lines on your car.

What a difference...

Stainless Steel Brake Lines for the Lotus Elise and Exige - Sector111.com

MikeG911 · 11-03-2009, 07:40 PM

who was the insurance company?

wallabyguy · 11-04-2009, 04:19 AM

JM&A is the carrier that partnered with Lotus. As of when I left the dealer network, they were the only company covering our cars. You can purchase the coverage from most dealers even after the sale up to the expiration of the standard warranty.

delise · 11-04-2009, 02:23 PM

Just picked up my car from MMS today, as usual they did awesome work !
I am loving my new HIDs ,and the new Venture shield they installed, it is way way clearer than the old Star shield and not as much orange peel or yellowing. Even if you live really far away it would be well worth the journey if you need any mechanical , mod or body work done ! 2

Those SS brake lines look tempting Larry, maybe next time I am in for service will get some ,I noticed the Lotus Challenge Mac Enthusiast car was in, great looking car !

MikeG911 · 11-04-2009, 03:42 PM

Thanks - do you have to buy it thru the dealer or can you buy direct?

LARRY · 11-04-2009, 03:54 PM

I would call that insurance company and ask them...probably ok to buy direct.

wallabyguy · 11-04-2009, 04:52 PM

JM&A were not selling directly last I checked. they required you to go through a dealer. Some Lotus dealers opted not to participate in the extend warranty program because of contractual conflicts with existing relationships they had or because they didn't see a lot of possible sales. I know the Sports and Specialists in Hopewell NJ was selling them up to a yar or so ago. Call and ask for Ed.

LARRY · 11-05-2009, 08:08 AM

There are other after-purchase car insurance companies advertising all over the place. They might be open to insuring a Lotus too...

MulhollandMotors · 11-05-2009, 09:38 AM

Larry's extended warranty is through Fidelity Warranty Services, INC. They were pretty cooperative with getting the repairs covered, but Larry does have the most expensive coverage available. I have a number here if anyone is interested.

mjf · 11-05-2009, 09:52 AM

What kind of price range is something like that? How does it compare to the cost of the repairs?

wallabyguy · 11-05-2009, 09:55 AM

Fidelity is the arm of JM&A the underwrites the lotus policies.

LARRY · 11-05-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjf

What kind of price range is something like that? How does it compare to the cost of the repairs?

Best to call and ask...things have changed in 5 years.

Let's put it this way...it MORE than paid for itself.

The original warranty is gone pretty quickly.

ageek2000 · 11-10-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MulhollandMotors

Larry's extended warranty is through Fidelity Warranty Services, INC. They were pretty cooperative with getting the repairs covered, but Larry does have the most expensive coverage available. I have a number here if anyone is interested.

I bought my '05 Elise in March from Sports and Specialists in Hopewell. I have this same warranty with the top level of coverage. I purchased it about a month after I bought the car. I think the price is very, very reasonable for a five-year term.

I sleep better at night. :-)

LARRY · 11-12-2009, 04:02 PM

The extended warranty is a big help.

But having a wonderful Lotus mechanic near Beverly Hills like Stephan at Mulholland Motor Sports is fantastic.

Finally the temperature gauge stays below 190 and the coolant doesn't disappear.

Thanks, Stephan.

Good work.

LARRY · 11-17-2009, 03:02 PM

Cool place to hang out with other Lotus owners too...

LARRY · 11-18-2009, 08:18 AM

11-18-09

There's a Lotus in the shop right now going full race...$11,000 of add-ons and improvements.

Stop in and take a look and get a coupon good for 10% off all future work!

11-02-2009, 08:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	My Lotus Extended Warranty + Mulholland Motor Sports = Fantastic! When I bought my 2005 Lotus Elise at Southbay Lotus in Manhattan Beach in 2005, the salesman, after writing up my car, asked me three questions. First, did I want to buy Lojack for the car. I said "No." Then he asked, did I want a Stage Two Exhaust for the car. "You gotta have a Stage Two," he said. I said "Yes." And then he asked if I wanted an extended service warranty that would cover me for 7 years. "Good idea on a Lotus," he said. I thought about it. And I said "Yes." Turned out to be a very smart move. My 2005 Lotus has 19600 miles. Not a lot. My original warranty recently expired. Two weeks ago, around 10/15/09, I had an engine warning light come on, so I took the Lotus to Mulholland Motor Sports, a LotusTalk site sponsor. They are located at 8630 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035. Their phone is (310) 360-0948. Stephen is a remarkable Lotus mechanic who used to be with Lotus Beverly Hills. Julio is a wizard at Lotus paint. Stephen told me that I would need a new radiator, as mine was leaking, and the engine warning light was showing a failed thermostat. He also said he heard the dreaded "clunk" of a failed steering mechanism. That, plus a few other odds and ends, would cost around $3500 to repair, parts and labor. I cringed, and then remembered that piece of paper in my drawer, the "extended warranty." I showed it to Stephen, and he made the call to the insurance company. The insurance man came out that day to look at my car. After three days, the insurance company approved everything. They would pay for it all. I asked Stephen to replace my brakes lines with Sector 111 braided hoses and my clutch line with a better hose. He would flush my brake fluid, which is an important Lotus thing, as well. I would pay for these myself for a couple hundred dollars with labor. The work Stephen did was first rate. My cooling system is finally rock solid. A beautiful Sector 111 radiator. The broken thermostat turned out to have it's internal rubber gasket ruptured. The steering is now quick and precise. Even the required front alignment was covered by the extended warranty. My brakes are amazing. For the first time the pedal is rock hard. The car feels fantastic. The Bottom Line? Get an extended warranty if you can for your Lotus. But I would have definitely paid these guys cash for the incredible job they did on my car. __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 11-03-2009 at 12:28 PM.

11-02-2009, 09:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	My Saffron Yellow Lotus in good hands. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-02-2009, 11:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	Julio will be at Motor 4 Toys on December 6, 2009 handing out coupons for 10% off all work, paint and service, at Mulholland Motor Sports. Check out some of the Lotus cars they bring out for the event! 6TH ANNUAL MOTOR 4 TOYS! DECEMBER 6, 2009 __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-03-2009, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	11/3/09 Julio tells me that he'll give you 10% off all prices immediately if you mention Lotus Talk! The best L.A. Lotus service for your car! __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-03-2009, 12:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	Have Stephen put these Sector 111 stainless steel brake lines on your car. What a difference... Stainless Steel Brake Lines for the Lotus Elise and Exige - Sector111.com Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-03-2009, 07:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
MikeG911 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 256	who was the insurance company? __________________ 07 CO Elise, ReVerie CF Side Scoops, ReVerie 3-Element CF Diffuser, ReVerie center console, ReVerie front splitter, 111 Tow Hook, 111 Boomerang Tow Hook, 111 Bootie, Redline Boot, BWR Key, V1. Planned R888, Larini Exhaust, CF Sills, Coil Overs of some kind...

11-04-2009, 04:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,897	JM&A is the carrier that partnered with Lotus. As of when I left the dealer network, they were the only company covering our cars. You can purchase the coverage from most dealers even after the sale up to the expiration of the standard warranty. __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

11-04-2009, 02:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
delise 2005 Ardent Red, Touring Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Beverly Hills Posts: 2,534	Just picked up my car from MMS today, as usual they did awesome work ! I am loving my new HIDs ,and the new Venture shield they installed, it is way way clearer than the old Star shield and not as much orange peel or yellowing. Even if you live really far away it would be well worth the journey if you need any mechanical , mod or body work done ! 2 Those SS brake lines look tempting Larry, maybe next time I am in for service will get some ,I noticed the Lotus Challenge Mac Enthusiast car was in, great looking car ! __________________ "You can run over an insect and know just from the messages coming through the wheel how many legs it had. Was it a beetle? Was it a spider? Hang on......... spider." Jeremy Clarkson - Top Gear

11-04-2009, 03:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
MikeG911 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 256	Thanks - do you have to buy it thru the dealer or can you buy direct? __________________ 07 CO Elise, ReVerie CF Side Scoops, ReVerie 3-Element CF Diffuser, ReVerie center console, ReVerie front splitter, 111 Tow Hook, 111 Boomerang Tow Hook, 111 Bootie, Redline Boot, BWR Key, V1. Planned R888, Larini Exhaust, CF Sills, Coil Overs of some kind...

11-04-2009, 03:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	I would call that insurance company and ask them...probably ok to buy direct. __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-04-2009, 04:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,897	JM&A were not selling directly last I checked. they required you to go through a dealer. Some Lotus dealers opted not to participate in the extend warranty program because of contractual conflicts with existing relationships they had or because they didn't see a lot of possible sales. I know the Sports and Specialists in Hopewell NJ was selling them up to a yar or so ago. Call and ask for Ed. __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

11-05-2009, 08:08 AM	#12 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	There are other after-purchase car insurance companies advertising all over the place. They might be open to insuring a Lotus too... __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-05-2009, 09:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
MulhollandMotors Elise Driver Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 104	Larry's extended warranty is through Fidelity Warranty Services, INC. They were pretty cooperative with getting the repairs covered, but Larry does have the most expensive coverage available. I have a number here if anyone is interested. __________________ Mulholland Motorsports - Specializing in Lotus service and performance uprades. 8630 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310)360-0948 www.mulhollandmotorsports.com

11-05-2009, 09:52 AM	#14 (permalink)
mjf elf Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,342	What kind of price range is something like that? How does it compare to the cost of the repairs? __________________ 2007 Elise Type 72D #6 of 50

11-05-2009, 09:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,897	Fidelity is the arm of JM&A the underwrites the lotus policies. __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

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11-12-2009, 04:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	The extended warranty is a big help. But having a wonderful Lotus mechanic near Beverly Hills like Stephan at Mulholland Motor Sports is fantastic. Finally the temperature gauge stays below 190 and the coolant doesn't disappear. Thanks, Stephan. Good work. __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-17-2009, 03:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	Cool place to hang out with other Lotus owners too... Attached Images __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

11-18-2009, 08:18 AM	#20 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,163	11-18-09 There's a Lotus in the shop right now going full race...$11,000 of add-ons and improvements. Stop in and take a look and get a coupon good for 10% off all future work! __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)