Lotus -- Daily Driver Blog by Patrick Shim

[Murix]

It is nice out today. I went for a morning drive too.

[LotusLust]

9500 miles on A048s? wow i waste them in something like half that. going to try the toyo R888s in a month or so. love the southern cali snow pix

[PatrickShim]

My Lotus passed its 10,000-mile mark on Monday, Feb. 4th on the way home, after having some sushi with other Lotus owners in Westwood!





I think I could have passed 10,000-mile mark sooner, but due to the recent rainstrom in California, I wasn't able to drive the Lotus for a week (I'm still running on the original A048s and they are getting slick.)

[PatrickShim]

This morning I was looking at my Lotus and realized that one of the tires was sitting low... As I was looking at my rear driver-side tire, I've noticed that there was a screw through the tire...



As a quick fix, I drove (yeah, I shouldn't have done that...) the car slowly to the closest gas station and put some air in. The tire only had 10psi of air left...


Believe or not, I've logged 12,227 miles on the original Yokohama ADVAN A048s... I guess it is time to get a new set.

[PatrickShim]

[Service #5] March 17, 2008 - 12,272 documented miles

I went to Newport European in Newport Beach, CA to get my rear tires replaced. I got the OEM Yokohama Advan A048 225/45ZR17/Lts-compound tires -- they usually last only about 7,500, so it was more than time to replace them. The tires were $337.34 each so after taxes and labor, the total came out to be $834.11 for just two tires...




When I got home, I've found deep scratches on my rear passenger-side wheel in the center and in the edge. I am very upset about this and the dealership better fix this. The issue currently pending.

[Rob T]

Interesting. I just had my rear tires replaced at Newport European as well. No problems.

Looks like you need a new clutch too?

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Rob T

Interesting. I just had my rear tires replaced at Newport European as well. No problems.

Looks like you need a new clutch too?

Yeah, I'm going to get second opinion on the clutch issue...



*** UPDATE: the issue turned out to be a crack in the Stage-II exhaust, not the clutch. I can't believe Newport European said it's a clutch problem and quoted me $2,500+...

[PatrickShim]

March 18, 2008

*** Problem Resolved ***

I took my Lotus back to Newport European to get the issue resolved related to the damaged wheel.

I took it in, they looked at it, took a wheel off of a brand-new car (w/ new tire, new wheel), replaced the wheels. I was in/out in 20 minutes.

I'm happy now.

[loanshark]

Wow those are expensive. BRAND new set of 4 A048 is 900$. You paid 834 for just TWO?

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

[Service #6] March 24, 2008 - 130,015 documented miles

WOW 130K miles alread?!!!

[PatrickShim]

[Service #6 - Drop-off] March 24, 2008 - 13,015 documented miles

I took my Lotus to Symbolic Motors in San Diego, CA for the following issues.

1. High-pitch/whistling noise from the engine around 3,500RPM -- Newport European said it's a clutch issue...
2. Engine stalling issue + Engine cutting-off with A/C on
3. Clear-bra repair/touch-up on the passenger side

I am scheduled to pickup the car on Sat. March 29th during the Symbolic Motors Event at the Service & Restoration Facility. I will miss my Lotus for a week!


[Service #6 - Pick-up] March 29, 2008 - 13,024 documented miles



1. The high-pitched noise turned out to be cracked Stage-II exhaust. Symbolic Motors replaced the exhaust to a new one under warranty.
2. The stalling issue -- they couldn't replicate the issue...
3. Clear-bra repair -- Starshield took care of it with Lotus OEM clear-bra.

In addition to these, although I have 2,000+ miles left until the next oil change, I got an oil change done any way. The car is running like new!


The day I picked up the car from the service was Symbolic Motors' Annual Open House event.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by loanshark

Wow those are expensive. BRAND new set of 4 A048 is 900$. You paid 834 for just TWO?

Yeah, the dealerships are expensive... I've called Bev. Hills Lotus and Calabasas Lotus as well, and pretty much the same price. I couldn't get a slot for service at Bev. Hills Lotus (they were pretty busy), so I took it to Newport European.

Originally Posted by loanshark

WOW 130K miles alread?!!!

Oops! Typo. 13,015 miles...

(original post corrected)

[Rob T]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

March 18, 2008

*** Problem Resolved ***

I took my Lotus back to Newport European to get the issue resolved related to the damaged wheel.

I took it in, they looked at it, took a wheel off of a brand-new car (w/ new tire, new wheel), replaced the wheels. I was in/out in 20 minutes.

I'm happy now.

That's fantastic! Big props for that to Newport European.

[PatrickShim]

Only a couple days I picked up my Lotus from Symbolic Motors' service, I got another "Check Engine Light"... I stopped by at Lotus of Beverly Hills to get the code (P420 again...) and the ECU print out, reset the warning light and schedule a service. I am scheduled to get the issue taken care of on April 21st.

[PatrickShim]

The Porsche Club of America hosted California Festival of Speed. A friend of mine, Emil, entered his street Porsche 997 GT3 (#419) and did really well.



I'll have to track my Lotus soon!

[PatrickShim]

On May 16, 2008, I'll be tracking my Lotus for the first time!

The event, hosted by Speed Ventures, will use the full ROVAL (road/oval) course at the California Speedway in Fontana, CA.

[evilfij]

The AC cutting out issue is common. Search.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by evilfij

The AC cutting out issue is common. Search.

Yeah, Allen at Lotus Beverly Hills will take care of the issue, along with my Check-Engine Light problem.

[Murix]

I used to think I drive a lot.

Considering you put on as many miles as I did in one year in only a few months, any new thoughts and perceptions on the car as a daily driver?

You are my hero.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Murix

I used to think I drive a lot.

Considering you put on as many miles as I did in one year in only a few months, any new thoughts and perceptions on the car as a daily driver?

You are my hero.

The car has been a nightmare (Check Engine Light, funny noises, etc.) but I love it!!! It's like dating a super hot, but somewhat bitchy girl.

I detail (full wash, wax, etc.) the car weekly (my only weekly workout) so I keep the car clean, and I drive the car not too aggresively (except kicking in the second-cam time to time) I guess I would do the same with "super hot, but somewhat bitchy girl", too -- wash them and ride them aggresively occasionally.

Just FYI. I don't have sex with my Lotus.

[Bane]

Dang I have one of the early 05 cars and you caught and passed me in terms of mileage within the first few months!!

Have you thought about starting a blogspot page or something so you can keep track of your posts and stuff easier?