Stage 2 exhaust... - LotusTalk

pianomaniac · 08-27-2005, 06:39 PM

Background: I initially had a Stage 2 exhaust installed at the dealership at first service...1200 miles. The welds broke at 2400....it was replaced, warranty.

The welds broke on the second one at 3000 miles......it was tigg welded.

Different welds just broke at 9500 miles.

It's rattling sooooo loud, I can't drive the car. I pulled the diffuser and I can't visually see the broken welds as I believe they are the welds which attach the mounting brackets to the top of the muffler can.

The service dept is 2 hrs away. This is extremely frustrating to me, so I ask for advice.

1) Should I have this one welded again?
2) Should I ask for a refund for the stage 2 as well as a new diffuser and buy a new exhaust from Sector 111? ( This could be a fight since (I believe) the lemon law in CA states that if they can't fix it the third time(this will be the third time)......they must make restitution.
3) Should I destroy this one with a sledge hammer and post the video on Elisetalk as an art project........accept the loss and buy an exhaust from Sector 111?
4) Drive it the way it is and pretend I'm driving a 1963 Ford Falcon?
8) Other....you decide

PS... I'm not looking for sympathy......I'm searching for stratedgy!

Thanks for sharing

Ron

MethodX · 08-27-2005, 06:54 PM

I feel bad for ya Piano dude, man, sir. Best of luck with what ever you decide.

that sucks man.

Ancient Wedgie · 08-27-2005, 06:55 PM

Well the good news is you live in California.

You haven't had to drive it this way with your hardtop on.

Ancient Wedgie · 08-27-2005, 07:03 PM

OK. All kidding aside: you might want to start with Dave Simkin. As LCU's tech rep he may help you out. I'm not sure the lemon law applies to after market items even dealer installed. Probably subject to 90 day warranty.

Stormy320 · 08-27-2005, 07:07 PM

Ron,

That stinks.

I would hope the dealer assist you and your not out of pocket. You shouldn't have to pay a thing since this is a known problem.

According to a dealer I spoke to, Lotus has solved the problem on the 2006 Elise. Perhaps you could get the newer Stage II version.

Sorry to hear that.

Jason

soulmn · 08-27-2005, 07:15 PM

I would ask for a brand new exhaust. The weld breaks have happened to a small hand full of people. It sounds like you got the #1 lemon of them all. An entirely new stage II should fix all the problems. I think they would oblige you on this after all you have been through.

soulman

08-27-2005, 06:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
pianomaniac Elise #76 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,531	Stage 2 exhaust... Background: I initially had a Stage 2 exhaust installed at the dealership at first service...1200 miles. The welds broke at 2400....it was replaced, warranty. The welds broke on the second one at 3000 miles......it was tigg welded. Different welds just broke at 9500 miles. It's rattling sooooo loud, I can't drive the car. I pulled the diffuser and I can't visually see the broken welds as I believe they are the welds which attach the mounting brackets to the top of the muffler can. The service dept is 2 hrs away. This is extremely frustrating to me, so I ask for advice. 1) Should I have this one welded again? 2) Should I ask for a refund for the stage 2 as well as a new diffuser and buy a new exhaust from Sector 111? ( This could be a fight since (I believe) the lemon law in CA states that if they can't fix it the third time(this will be the third time)......they must make restitution. 3) Should I destroy this one with a sledge hammer and post the video on Elisetalk as an art project........accept the loss and buy an exhaust from Sector 111? 4) Drive it the way it is and pretend I'm driving a 1963 Ford Falcon? 8) Other....you decide PS... I'm not looking for sympathy......I'm searching for stratedgy! Thanks for sharing Ron __________________ Owner of '05 Elise S/T- touring- LSS-Stage 2 '07 Audi RS4 4.2L V-8 420 HP - 6 Sp..(sold) '07 Toyota Prius Last edited by pianomaniac : 08-27-2005 at 07:03 PM.

08-27-2005, 06:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
MethodX All You Need is Love Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 769	I feel bad for ya Piano dude, man, sir. Best of luck with what ever you decide. that sucks man. __________________ Poor is the man who's pleasures depend on the permission of another.

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08-27-2005, 06:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ancient Wedgie Spellbound by Laser Blue Join Date: May 2004 Location: Angelino Heights, CA Posts: 1,428	Well the good news is you live in California. You haven't had to drive it this way with your hardtop on.

08-27-2005, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ancient Wedgie Spellbound by Laser Blue Join Date: May 2004 Location: Angelino Heights, CA Posts: 1,428	OK. All kidding aside: you might want to start with Dave Simkin. As LCU's tech rep he may help you out. I'm not sure the lemon law applies to after market items even dealer installed. Probably subject to 90 day warranty.

08-27-2005, 07:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Stormy320 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 2,049	Ron, That stinks. I would hope the dealer assist you and your not out of pocket. You shouldn't have to pay a thing since this is a known problem. According to a dealer I spoke to, Lotus has solved the problem on the 2006 Elise. Perhaps you could get the newer Stage II version. Sorry to hear that. Jason

08-27-2005, 07:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
soulmn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 435	I would ask for a brand new exhaust. The weld breaks have happened to a small hand full of people. It sounds like you got the #1 lemon of them all. An entirely new stage II should fix all the problems. I think they would oblige you on this after all you have been through. soulman

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