Lotus -- Daily Driver Blog by Patrick Shim

[cbfischer]

I have followed this thread for a long time and feel really fortunate that i have had no problems with my 06 Elise with 9500 miles. I think that Patrick is the exception not the rule.

[tranquility]

Thanks to OP for this thread, it was quite entertaining. Unfortunate that you've experienced all those CEL prbs. Any developments yet (although I think you just wrote to Lotus USA?)?

I'm actually wondering what happened in those 161 miles when you bought your car. I'm not sure what the avg new Lotus car's odometer should read but that's pretty high to me and I wonder if that has anything to do w/ the CEL?

[LARRY]

Originally Posted by cbfischer

I have followed this thread for a long time and feel really fortunate that i have had no problems with my 06 Elise with 9500 miles. I think that Patrick is the exception not the rule.

Well, here's what I suggest from experience.

Check your brake pads often so you don't hurt your very expensive rotors by waiting too long to replace the pads.

When your clutch goes out, they have to drop the rear suspension. Have the mechanic check and tighten EVERYTHING back there. Especially check the exhaust for holes or broken parts.

When you get the front end noises (the dreaded clunk), have them checked immediately.

Keep your oil topped off and tires inflated properly.

It's a Lotus...and it's worth the effort.

[Bane]

Originally Posted by cbfischer

I have followed this thread for a long time and feel really fortunate that i have had no problems with my 06 Elise with 9500 miles. I think that Patrick is the exception not the rule.

I dunno... his experience hasn't been too far out of line for what I'd expect when one of these cars is driven as a DD for over 20k+ miles per year. They ARE fragile and don't seem to be designed for heavy street usage IMHO.

I think they need to rest in the garage or something between drives otherwise they get cranky. I had the P0420 code on my car twice and a plethora of other issues when I was daily driving it.

Now since she sits in the garage 3-4 days a week it hasn't given me a single problem in over a year *crosses fingers*

[LARRY]

They CAN BE fragile and the warranty runs out quickly...

Thank God for Qais in Los Angeles near Culver City. The only Lotus service currently in the area. And the best for non-warranty. He knows what a Lotus driver goes through to keep their cars running at their best. Qais is at 4875 Rosecrans Ave., Hawthorne, California. His shop phone number is 310-355-0922. The guy saves my ass on a regular basis.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Murix

As an inverse, I am pretty much problem free. I did have one major issue which was fixed and no more.

Similar here. I have had two problems - the plastic cover on the upper mount of the seat belt came apart and was replaced under warranty. One of the "chrome" tips came off my exhaust pipe - the dealer replaced the exhaust under warranty (couldn't replace just the tip as it was supposed to be welded on).

I'd have to say that my Elise (very early '05) has actually been my least problematic car I've bought new.

[Patricko]

Originally Posted by Bane

I dunno... his experience hasn't been too far out of line for what I'd expect when one of these cars is driven as a DD for over 20k+ miles per year. They ARE fragile and don't seem to be designed for heavy street usage IMHO.

I think they need to rest in the garage or something between drives otherwise they get cranky. I had the P0420 code on my car twice and a plethora of other issues when I was daily driving it.

Now since she sits in the garage 3-4 days a week it hasn't given me a single problem in over a year *crosses fingers*

I disagree, I did 15k miles in my 05 Elise and 18k miles in my 06 Exige and never had a CEL or any other problems to speak of.

His experience is very far from typical, I think even he would agree with that.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Patricko

...His experience is very far from typical, I think even he would agree with that.

Yep. I think my car is an unusual case.

Don't get me wrong. I love the car, the brand/history and the community. However, I am running out of patience now.

[Sleazy E]

you have a lot of patience. if I were in your shoes, that car would have been dropped off at the dealer and left there permanently. definitely have a lemon on your hands.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Today... after a couple months of no problem, the Check Engine Light is on AGAIN...



Now that Lotus Beverly Hills and Lotus Calabasas are close, I need to figure out a solution.

An email sent to Lotus USA ("DS", check your inbox. Thanks! )

[Service #12 Drop-off] November 12, 2008 - 23,824 documented miles

Another CEL/MIL issue... Now that Lotus Beverly Hills and Lotus Calabasas are out of business, I've decided to try Silver Star Lotus in Thousand Oaks. Dave with Lotus USA recommended Silver Star Lotus and Ritchie Wilson (Lotus tech at Silver Star).



[Service #12 Pick-up] November 14, 2008

According to Jason, the issue they’ve found was a faulty program in the ECU -- the “special ECU program” I got through Lotus Beverly Hills. The ECU was reprogrammed back to the stock. However, I don't think that is any cause of the problem.... We'll see what happens.

Thanks to Dave @ Lotus USA for helping out!


All the services since new

[Warranty Service Items]
- ECU (replaced) - LBH
- catalyst/downpipe (replaced 2x) - LBH
- camshafts (replaced) - LBH
- O2 Sensors (replaced) - LBH
- fuel injectors and coil packs (replaced) - LBH
- exhaust (Stage-II cracks, replaced 4x) - SMC/LBH/LC
- wiring Harnesses - LBH
- passenger-side rear turn-signal (replaced) - SMC
- front/right turn-signal housing (replaced) - LBH
- A/C relay (replaced) - LBH

[Warranty Accessory/Part Items]
- passenger-side clear-bra damaged (since new, repaired) - SMC
- soft-top (not supplied by dealer; delivered damaged; repaired) -SMC
- soft-top bars (not supplied by dealer) - SMC
- hard-top velcro covers (not supplied by dealer; delivered) - SMC
- passenger-side rear wheel (damaged by dealer; replaced) - NE
- blower motor resistor kit (update) - LBH
- headlight recall (addressed) - SMC
- sticking door-lock recall (addressed) - SMC
- car delivered new with improper allignment (addressed) - SMC

[Undocumented-Warranty Items]
- front/right turn-signal bulb (replaced) - LBH
- loose handbrake lever (repaired) - LBH
- passenger-side window making wind-noise (repaired) - LBH

[Non-Warranty Items]
- oil changes w/ Mobil Delvac Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 1,000mi, 7,000mi, 12,000mi) - SMC
- oil changes w/ Havoline Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 17,000mi) - LBH
- oil changes w/ Havoline Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 22,000mi) - LC
- rear tires Yokohama ADVAN A048 (replaced @ around 12,000mi, nail in tire and wear) - NE
- rear tires Yokohama ADVAN A048 (replaced @ around 17,000mi, nails in both tires) - LBH
- front brake pads (replaced @ around 18,000mi) - LBH
- "ECU Upgrade" with factory upgraded software (added then removed) - LBH (SSL)
- Lotus Cup/TRD airbox upgrade - LC
- new front clam and clearbra (Star Shield) - SCC

(*LC - Lotus Calabasas, *LBH - Lotus Beverly Hills, *SMC - Symbolic Motor Cars, *SSL -Silver Star Lotus, *NE - Newport European, *SCC - Specialty Car Craft)

[tranquility]

^Oh boy, I hope that it's finally solved. Just that every time you write about a fix, a few moments later it's "AARGGGHhhh!!!"

LOL, g/l dude.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by tranquility

^Oh boy, I hope that it's finally solved. Just that every time you write about a fix, a few moments later it's "AARGGGHhhh!!!"

LOL, g/l dude.

LOL. This has been an interesting experience.

Thanks!

[PatrickShim]

I was having a wonderful earning morning drive to work just now... The car felt good and the traffic was very mild (well, it was like 5am). As I was enjoying the drive, I saw a yellow light come on... Yes, another CEL/MIL.

I am very confused now. What can be the source of this problem? The one who can figure this out gets a hug from me.

Yes, it is P0420 code (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) again...

[Rob T]

Unbelievable.

[Sleazy E]

push your car off a cliff. it is giving you more trouble then anybody should ever deal with. seriously...

[foosh]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Similar here. I have had two problems - the plastic cover on the upper mount of the seat belt came apart and was replaced under warranty. One of the "chrome" tips came off my exhaust pipe - the dealer replaced the exhaust under warranty (couldn't replace just the tip as it was supposed to be welded on).

I'd have to say that my Elise (very early '05) has actually been my least problematic car I've bought new.

Ditto on an April 2004-built '05. I've only had one problem (bad HVAC fan motor) replaced under warranty 2 years ago. I've never seen a CEL or experienced any other problem.

[ajn507]

Just throwing something out there and it may not even apply to this car but I had a 99 Miata that had the same problem(I think it was the same code) and the dealer tried fixing it several times and couldn't.
I took the intake manifold off and cleaned the egr hole on the manifold. I had to do it twice but it finally kept the CEL off. Worked for over 10,000 more miles befor I sold the car.
Like I said I don't know if there is anyhting like that on the Lotus but it may be worth a shot.

Alan

[Wimbledon]

Hopefully this latest CEL will finally be the end of all the issues.

[Illumiloti]

Had to take my car in for it's 15,000 mile service. Decided, what the hell, I'll let them install my new carbon fiber undertray since they have to remove the oem one anyway.Now how do I transport it there??? Hmmm....

[polojcp]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

Had to take my car in for it's 15,000 mile service. Decided, what the hell, I'll let them install my new carbon fiber undertray since they have to remove the oem one anyway.Now how do I transport it there??? Hmmm....

Gee... that is why we always have stuff falling on our freeways.