Lotus -- Daily Driver Blog by Patrick Shim

[NomisR]

Man, how the hell do you make your AO48 last 12000 mi and 22000 mi? My fronts are basically heat cycled out at 5600 mi and rears were gone at 4000 and i'm on my 2nd set of rears already. Thinking about getting the R888s though, heard they handle heat cycling better.

Brake pads, I'd recommend the Pagid Blues, I have those on mine, much better than stock. But if you're not tracking your car, your stocks should last forever. And since your tires lasts that long, your brakes should still have at least 100k mile or more life left.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by NomisR

Man, how the hell do you make your AO48 last 12000 mi and 22000 mi? My fronts are basically heat cycled out at 5600 mi and rears were gone at 4000 and i'm on my 2nd set of rears already. Thinking about getting the R888s though, heard they handle heat cycling better.

Brake pads, I'd recommend the Pagid Blues, I have those on mine, much better than stock. But if you're not tracking your car, your stocks should last forever. And since your tires lasts that long, your brakes should still have at least 100k mile or more life left.

I wonder driving the car regularlly (almost daily) helps the tires to last longer....??? I don't know.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Lotusmotion

I run Pagid Blacks, but I would recommend Pagid Blues for street. Check with plastique...he uses Blues...about their streetability. I'll try them next once my Blacks toast. The Blacks are great, but they are noisy (groan and squeek) on the street until warmed up, then they yank the car down from speed like nothing else that I know of. I got the Blacks for track days, but the tanked economy has taken my track budget with it...so more street friendly pad are next for me.

I would expect the Blues to have similar stopping power but be less noisy. There are a number of other good choices...Ferodos, OEM (Lotus) pads are actually decent, etc.

Your thoughts on the OEM Brembo pads?

[NomisR]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Your thoughts on the OEM Brembo pads?

Pagid Blues > OEM, but they're way noisier. But as long as you bed them correctly, they stop on a dime!

[Man of Steel]

I'm VERY happy with my Pagid blues. A little squeeky but not as dusty as the stock pads. I don't know which made a bigger difference - fresh brake fluid or the Pagid pads, but after bedding in the brakes (following the instructions to the letter ) the difference was astounding.

It's really an easy do-it-yourself project with a little patience and a $75.00 investment in a brake system pressure bleeder.

[PatrickShim]

[Service #13] January 30, 2009 - 26,579 miles

The guys at Mulholland Motorsport did wonderful job with my car. It was great to see Stephan (formerly with Lotus Beverly Hills) at Mulholland Motorsport!



Julio and Stephan replaced my tires (Toyo Proxes T1R), brake pads (OEM pads), oil change, and some minor works (rethreading a couple of holes for the undertray screws).

They also helped me to install the Sector 111 Boomerang Rear Tow Hook on the car.

Great service!!! Highly recommend them!


A couple of pictures of my happy Lotus after a day at Mulholland Motorsport.








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
- oil changes w/ Castrol Syntec Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 26,500mi) - MM
- 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 & rear tires Toyo Proxes T1R (replaced @ around 26,500mi, nail in tire and wear) - MM
- front brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 18,000mi) - LBH
- rear brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 26,500) - MM
- "ECU Upgrade" with factory upgraded software (added then removed) - LBH (SSL)
- new front clam and clearbra (Star Shield) - SCC

[Accessories Added]
- Rear "Round" Lotus badge (Sector 111)
- Front Tow Hook (Sector 111)
- Rear Boomerang Tow Hook (Sector 111) - MM
- Lotus Cup/TRD airbox upgrade - LC

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

[jayhillgolf]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

[Service #13] January 30, 2009 - 26,579 miles

The guys at Mulholland Motorsport did wonderful job with my car. It was great to see Stephan (formerly with Lotus Beverly Hills) at Mulholland Motorsport!



Julio and Stephan replaced my tires (Toyo Proxes T1R), brake pads (OEM pads), oil change, and some minor works (rethreading a couple of holes for the undertray screws).

They also helped me to install the Sector 111 Boomerang Rear Tow Hook on the car.

Great service!!! Highly recommend them!


A couple of pictures of my happy Lotus after a day at Mulholland Motorsport.








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
- oil changes w/ Castrol Syntec Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 26,500mi) - MM
- 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 & rear tires Toyo Proxes T1R (replaced @ around 26,500mi, nail in tire and wear) - MM
- front brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 18,000mi) - LBH
- rear brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 26,500) - MM
- "ECU Upgrade" with factory upgraded software (added then removed) - LBH (SSL)
- new front clam and clearbra (Star Shield) - SCC

[Accessories Added]
- Rear "Round" Lotus badge (Sector 111)
- Front Tow Hook (Sector 111)
- Rear Boomerang Tow Hook (Sector 111) - MM
- Lotus Cup/TRD airbox upgrade - LC

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

Wow.... I had a 79 P. 911 turbo that was always in the shop... I teach golf on the PGA Tour. Full swing, short game and mental game..

You must read this every day..

Patience is the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties. Your good..

[PatrickShim]

- I was in West LA for a lunch yesterday, and parked on the street.
- I returned from the lunch, I noticed there is a black Merc. C300 parked in front of my car, just inches bumper to bumper.
- Talked to a security at the nearby business, and he said he saw the black Merc. hitting my car twice. No alarm.
- No noticeable damage on neither cars... not even a small chip. Looked fine.
- I drove off (the space behind me was empty, so it was easy for me to get out)
- I got on the street, and my left-side blinker fell out of the car, only attached by the wires...
- I drove back to the scene and looking carefully at my front clam, there was a very very fine crack under the starshield...

Now I'm pissed.

- I called the LAPD... well, the problem is the "LAPD" covers such a large area, I didn't know who to call.
- After Googling several different sites in my Blackberry, I found the main 800 #. (877-ASK-LAPD)
- I called and they patched me to the West LA division
- I told them about what happened, and they said they will send someone over "right away".
- I had to wait almost two hours... and also called them 4x. I know it's not an emergency, but it was quite ridiculous.
- The entire time, the black Merc was still there, no sight of the owner.

Finanlly the officer came out. He was a really nice guy, and who was really interested in learning about Lotus. He considered the case as "hit-and-run", as the owner of the black Merc. didn't leave me a note. He talked to the witness (the security guy) and spent a meaningful amount of time taking notes, taking pictures, etc.

I made it clear that I have NOTHING against the owner of the black Merc, and although it's technically a hit-and-run, I don't want the person to get in any trouble (misdemeanor?) I wanted to have the police report, only for the insurance purposes.

So yeah... that's the deal.... damaged front clam. time to get a new clam again...

[mikester]

Geeze, sorry to hear. I'm surprised and glad that the LAPD came out and took it seriously. I hope things turn out as best as they can. Very nice that you had a witness, at least.

Specialty Car Craft are good guys and do some really good work, you might consider bringing it to them. [EDIT: from the post above, sounds like you already know about them]

[Cali]

It definitely could have been worse... You could have been parked behind a 1980 Chevy Impala (with hydraulic suspension and a big LA Dodgers sticker) in downtown LA Good luck with the repair. I'm glad you had a witness too...

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

- I was in West LA for a lunch yesterday, and parked on the street.
- I returned from the lunch, I noticed there is a black Merc. C300 parked in front of my car, just inches bumper to bumper.
- Talked to a security at the nearby business, and he said he saw the black Merc. hitting my car twice. No alarm.
- No noticeable damage on neither cars... not even a small chip. Looked fine.
- I drove off (the space behind me was empty, so it was easy for me to get out)
- I got on the street, and my left-side blinker fell out of the car, only attached by the wires...
- I drove back to the scene and looking carefully at my front clam, there was a very very fine crack under the starshield...

Now I'm pissed.

- I called the LAPD... well, the problem is the "LAPD" covers such a large area, I didn't know who to call.
- After Googling several different sites in my Blackberry, I found the main 800 #. (877-ASK-LAPD)
- I called and they patched me to the West LA division
- I told them about what happened, and they said they will send someone over "right away".
- I had to wait almost two hours... and also called them 4x. I know it's not an emergency, but it was quite ridiculous.
- The entire time, the black Merc was still there, no sight of the owner.

Finanlly the officer came out. He was a really nice guy, and who was really interested in learning about Lotus. He considered the case as "hit-and-run", as the owner of the black Merc. didn't leave me a note. He talked to the witness (the security guy) and spent a meaningful amount of time taking notes, taking pictures, etc.

I made it clear that I have NOTHING against the owner of the black Merc, and although it's technically a hit-and-run, I don't want the person to get in any trouble (misdemeanor?) I wanted to have the police report, only for the insurance purposes.

So yeah... that's the deal.... damaged front clam. time to get a new clam again...

[PatrickShim]

[MM - Drop-off] - May 6, 2009

I dropped off my Lotus at Muholland Motorsports/Dent Werks to get my front clam replaced. This will be my second front clam replacement...

I got hit while parked on the street (read post above re. incident), and it caused a minor crack in the front clam behind the clear-bra.



I know Julio and Stephan at Mulholland Motorsports will take care the car well for me, and I am looking forward to picking up the car in a couple of weeks!



[MM - Pick Up] - June 1, 2009

The car is now done!!! I am so excited to get the car back! The car looks good, and the Venture Shield (instead of Star Shield) looks fantastic!



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
- oil changes w/ Castrol Syntec Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 26,500mi) - MM
- 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 & rear tires Toyo Proxes T1R (replaced @ around 26,500mi, nail in tire and wear) - MM
- front brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 18,000mi) - LBH
- rear brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 26,500) - MM
- "ECU Upgrade" with factory upgraded software (added then removed) - LBH (SSL)
- new front clam and clearbra (Star Shield) - SCC
- new front clam and clearbra (Venture Shield) - MM

[Accessories Added]
- rear "round" Lotus badge (Sector 111)
- front tow hook (Sector 111)
- rear boomerang tow hook (Sector 111) - MM
- Lotus Cup/TRD airbox upgrade - LC

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

[apk919]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

- I was in West LA for a lunch yesterday, and parked on the street...

Repeat after me:

I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
...




Just a Patrick, sorry to hear about the damage...

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by apk919

Repeat after me:

I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
...




Just a Patrick, sorry to hear about the damage...

HAHAHA!

I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus
I will not parallel park my Lotus

[plastique999]

Oh Patrick....replace the front clam with Knucklehead's GT3 clam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Illumiloti]

Originally Posted by plastique999

Oh Patrick....replace the front clam with Knucklehead's GT3 clam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was looking into this (after my off track at the last LCS event), but there's no
Openings for the oil coolers. He would have to ditch the oem coolers for something else.

[Sleazy E]

Saw your car the other day Patrick all lonely and tucked away in the corner ... i was at Mullholand Motorsport picking up a diffusor and putting on my eliminator kit

[PatrickShim]

[Service #14 Drop-off] June 18, 2009- 33,369 documented miles

The car is back to Silver Star Lotus in Thousand Oaks for P0420 issue. Hopefully Ritchie will figure it out.




[Service #14 Pick-up] June 29, 2009- 33,373 documented miles

I've asked the motor-mounts and throttle body to be replaced, but only thing they've replaced are the cat (3rd time) and the Stage-II exhaust (5th time)... I don't think this would do it. I'm getting tired of this.



All the services since new

[Warranty Service Items]
- ECU (replaced) - LBH
- catalyst/downpipe (replaced 3x) - LBH/SSL
- camshafts (replaced) - LBH
- O2 Sensors (replaced) - LBH
- fuel injectors and coil packs (replaced) - LBH
- exhaust (Stage-II cracks, replaced 5x) - SMC/LBH/LC/SSL
- 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
- oil changes w/ Castrol Syntec Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 26,500mi) - MM
- 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 & rear tires Toyo Proxes T1R (replaced @ around 26,500mi, nail in tire and wear) - MM
- front brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 18,000mi) - LBH
- rear brake pads w/ OEM parts (replaced @ around 26,500) - MM
- "ECU Upgrade" with factory upgraded software (added then removed/then added again) - LBH (SSL)
- new front clam and clearbra (Star Shield) - SCC
- new front clam and clearbra (Venture Shield) - MM

[Accessories Added]
- rear "round" Lotus badge (Sector 111)
- front tow hook (Sector 111)
- rear boomerang tow hook (Sector 111) - MM
- Lotus Cup/TRD airbox upgrade - LC

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

[PatrickShim]

July 4, 2009.... less than a week since the last service, P0420 code back on again. This is getting ridiculous....

[Demonized]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

July 4, 2009.... less than a week since the last service, P0420 code back on again. This is getting ridiculous....

Get a different Elise.

[Rob T]

I don't understand how this car would not fall within the Lemon Law.