Lotus -- Daily Driver Blog by Patrick Shim

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Sleazy E

Patrick, it is odd seeing how enthusiastic you are about your car despite all the unfortunate issues you have been having to deal with. Curious, would you do it all again and buy the Elise if you could turn back time?

YES!

Despite all the problems, I love the car. I love the performance (esp. the handling), design and history/legacy behind the brand.

I don't think Lotus makes bad cars. I think I just got a one with one small problem we still haven't been able to fix.

After putting on the softtop on the car, I was super happy with it. Having a softtop, instead of the hardtop makes the car look completely different -- it's like having two cars!

The car goes into service again tomorrow. We are going to replace the entire wiring-harness this time. Hopefully that will fix all the problems.

Go Lotus!!!

[Sleazy E]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

YES!

Despite all the problems, I love the car. I love the performance (esp. the handling), design and history/legacy behind the brand.

I don't think Lotus makes bad cars. I think I just got a one with one small problem we still haven't been able to fix.

After putting on the softtop on the car, I was super happy with it. Having a softtop, instead of the hardtop makes the car look completely different -- it's like having two cars!

The car goes into service again tomorrow. We are going to replace the entire wiring-harness this time. Hopefully that will fix all the problems.

Go Lotus!!!

That is actually good to hear, both that you are getting the problem taken care of and that you also still do it all again despite everything

[PatrickShim]

[Service #9 Drop-off] July 7, 2008 - 18,689 documented miles

I dropped off the car today at Lotus Beverly Hills for the recurring Check-Engine Light issue. This time we will be replacing the entire wiring-harness.

I believe it is a major job. Allen and Stephen are taking the car apart...

Hopefully we'll get the all the issues resolved...



[Service #9 Pick-up] July 11, 2008 - 18,692 documented miles*

It was a major work (see the posts below).

All the wiring harnesses were replaced (hopefully this will take care of the recurring P0420 code), and since the car was in the service, we changed front brake pads as well.



All the services since new

[Warranty Service Items]
- ECU (replaced) - LBH
- catalyst/downpipe (replaced 2x) - LBH
- camshafts (replaced) - LBH
- O2 Sensors (replaced) - LBH
- exhaust (Stage-II cracks, replaced 2x) - SMC/LBH
- 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
- 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 <---------

(*LBH - Lotus Beverly Hills, *SMC - Symbolic Motor Cars, *NE - Newport European)

[Rob T]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

[Service #9 Drop-off] July 7, 2008 - 18,689 documented miles

I dropped off the car today at Lotus Beverly Hills for the recurring Check-Engine Light issue. This time we will be replacing the entire wiring-harness.

I believe it is a major job. Allen and Stephen are taking the car apart...

Hopefully we'll get the all the issues resolved...

Replacing the entire wiring harness is most definitely a major job! Did they give you a time estimate?

When the CEL comes on, what does the code say? Why do they think the car needs a new wiring harness?

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Rob T

Replacing the entire wiring harness is most definitely a major job! Did they give you a time estimate?

When the CEL comes on, what does the code say? Why do they think the car needs a new wiring harness?

Yeah, the car will be in several pieces.... As I was leaving the dealership, I saw the steering wheel and parts of the dash board coming out of the car. Allen was putting tapes all around the edges of the car, so I'm assuming the clams are coming off, too...

The code I'm getting over and over is P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold). We've replaced pretty much everything related -- new ECU, new O2 sensors, new cats (twice), new exhaust.... -- so everyone (including Lotus BH, Lotus USA and Lotus UK) are thinking it's an electrical problem.

Hopefully we'll get this resolved this time.

[Rob T]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Yeah, the car will be in several pieces.... As I was leaving the dealership, I saw the steering wheel and parts of the dash board coming out of the car. Allen was putting tapes all around the edges of the car, so I'm assuming the clams are coming off, too...

The code I'm getting over and over is P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold). We've replaced pretty much everything related -- new ECU, new O2 sensors, new cats (twice), new exhaust.... -- so everyone (including Lotus BH, Lotus USA and Lotus UK) are thinking it's an electrical problem.

Hopefully we'll get this resolved this time.

Wow, that's painful.

Good luck Patrick!

[Zen Dude]

Patrick, I had to go look at your car today. I was down in Beverly Hills waiting for my daughter so I took a walk over the BHL.

YIKES!!!



That baby was stripped down and gutted!!

What a job!! ...but Stefan was comforting and exuding confidence.

I wanna hear that this turns out for the best!!

- z

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Zen Dude

Patrick, I had to go look at your car today. I was down in Beverly Hills waiting for my daughter so I took a walk over the BHL.

YIKES!!!



That baby was stripped down and gutted!!

What a job!! ...but Stefan was comforting and exuding confidence.

I wanna hear that this turns out for the best!!

- z

LOL!!! Alan told me that yesterday, and now you're confirming this.

How striped down is it?! Down to the bare chasis? LOL!

I haven't seen the car since I left it there. Anyone with pics...?!

I have 110% confidence that he will get everything done perfect.

[Sleazy E]

jeesh thats like having somebody see your significant other naked

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Sleazy E

jeesh thats like having somebody see your significant other naked

or in an operating room with their gut all out in the open...

[Zen Dude]

I had planned to take some pics but I walked there and forgot my camera in the car.

The front clam was off, but the rear clam was on. The top was off and the interior was pretty much gone. ...stripped bare. The entire dash was also off exposing a bunch of unrecognizable guts. They had taped up a lot of the body edges on the doors and sides probably so they wouldn't get dinged by anything.

...it was very disturbing.

Stefan said he would have the wiring part done fairly soon since he had been working on it for about a day and half so far. He expected it to be a couple days to do the harness.

- z

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Zen Dude

...exposing a bunch of unrecognizable guts...

...it was very disturbing.

I might have to pay a visit tomorrow morning.

Thanks!

[Zen Dude]

I suggest staying away.

...until they make it more presentable.

[Godzila]

I was curious if you knew that your AlpineStar Gloves and Suit are for Karting ?

They are not fire retardant

[Chris Mackey]

Originally Posted by Zen Dude

The front clam was off, but the rear clam was on. The top was off and the interior was pretty much gone. ...stripped bare. The entire dash was also off exposing a bunch of unrecognizable guts. They had taped up a lot of the body edges on the doors and sides probably so they wouldn't get dinged by anything.

...it was very disturbing. - z

It sounds freaking cool to me. I'd go in there and ask someone to give me a tour of the guts of the car.

"What's that?"

"What happens if I do THIS!?"

"Is that where the supercharger goes?"

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Godzila

I was curious if you knew that your AlpineStar Gloves and Suit are for Karting ?

They are not fire retardant

Yeah... I found that out AFTER I bought them. I was wonderful why they were so much cheaper than others. I do like them very much though.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Zen Dude

I suggest staying away.

...until they make it more presentable.

I was so curious, I stopped by there this morning.

OH WOW...

I was told that, at least it isn't as bad as yesterday -- at least the parts of the interior were back in place.

Actually it was very cool to see my car this way. I was able to see what's under that clam... which I've been very curious about the whole time.

[polojcp]

I think I saw your car there when I took my car in for the 1k service the other day. I was wonder what happened to that car. I did not realize it was your car.

Patrick,
I keep on running into you on the street around my house too, but everytime I saw you, I am in my VW not my Elise. Last time I spotted you was at the intersection between 14 & Mt. I saw your car went by when I was waiting at the lights.

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

LOL!!! Alan told me that yesterday, and now you're confirming this.

How striped down is it?! Down to the bare chasis? LOL!

I haven't seen the car since I left it there. Anyone with pics...?!

I have 110% confidence that he will get everything done perfect.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by polojcp

I think I saw your car there when I took my car in for the 1k service the other day. I was wonder what happened to that car. I did not realize it was your car.

Patrick,
I keep on running into you on the street around my house too, but everytime I saw you, I am in my VW not my Elise. Last time I spotted you was at the intersection between 14 & Mt. I saw your car went by when I was waiting at the lights.

I got the car back on Friday, July 11th. The car is now 100% perfect! Stephen did an amazing job! I was worrying that the car would have rattles and noises after getting stripped down that much and put back, but there is ZERO rattles. I can't believe he put it all back together that well.

I have put about 700 miles since I got the car back, and there is now ZERO problem. Love it!



Hope to spot you in your Lotus sometime! Next time you see me, give me a honk!

[polojcp]

Great to hear that your car is all good now. Alan and Stephan are way cool. They also took care my A/C cutting off the ECU issue when I was there.