Maintenance costs $$$ - LotusTalk

Krug1 · 09-08-2009, 06:33 PM

I thought it would be a good idea to get the engine coolant changed in my car before winter, in addition to new oil and brake fluid. I am curious what a reasonable amount to pay for this is. I was quoted 4-500, which seems a bit much. Also, is there any additional maintenance I should be thinking about on an Elise with 31,000 miles.

Thank in advance.

Andy

RoadDad · 09-08-2009, 06:40 PM

IIRC the engine coolant flush/fill is $350 or so, add a brake bleed and oil change (which can be $300 by itself) and that quoted price seems about right for a dealership work order.

DeepAmpeg · 09-09-2009, 06:37 AM

How the hell does an oil change cost $300? Always done them myself on all my vehicles. Majority of maintainence really as I dont trust anyone but myself with my cars. But seriously $300? What makes it so much? The labor at a lotus dealer charge $250 per half hour?

CosmosMpower · 09-09-2009, 07:41 AM

You can do the oil change and brake fluid yourself for about $40 in parts and 1 hour of your time. I would probably let the dealer mess with the coolant so they can flush all the old stuff out, maybe $150 for that parts and labor? $400 sounds excessive.

RoadDad · 09-09-2009, 07:57 AM

Cosmos,

He's talking about $4-500 for a coolant change, oil change and brake bleed/fill.

TheViper · 09-09-2009, 08:07 AM

My Lotus dealer charged me $165 for an oil/filter and hydraulic fluid change, I supplied the materials.
Cheers,
Michael

RoadDad · 09-09-2009, 08:20 AM

This is where I got the $350 stuck in my head for the coolant swap: Coolant change using Stant tester - which adapter?

CosmosMpower · 09-09-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadDad

Cosmos,

He's talking about $4-500 for a coolant change, oil change and brake bleed/fill.

I know. You can pick up 5 quarts of Castrol Synthetic 5W40 from any VW dealer @ $5.XX per quart and an oil filter from Toyota for less than 5 bucks. A quart of DOT4 brake fluid from Autozone is $8 bucks. I can change the oil and flush the brakes with just hand tools, a helper and rhino ramps in an hour.

As for the coolant change, I'm sure that's a bit more work to actually flush all the old stuff out of the block the proper way etc.

RoadDad · 09-09-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

I know. You can pick up 5 quarts of Castrol Synthetic 5W40 from any VW dealer @ $5.XX per quart and an oil filter from Toyota for less than 5 bucks. A quart of DOT4 brake fluid from Autozone is $8 bucks. I can change the oil and flush the brakes with just hand tools, a helper and rhino ramps in an hour.

As for the coolant change, I'm sure that's a bit more work to actually flush all the old stuff out of the block the proper way etc.

I just reread you post

and see my misreading. Sorry about that.

Bill R · 09-09-2009, 10:58 AM

I changed my coolant for the price of a gallon of Havoline. I took my time (several days) to bleed the air out little-by-little. My only concern was in using Lotus' drain/refill procedure, I could only get about 2/3 of the old coolant out. I posted on this in July to see if others had the same or different result, but received no responses. Everything seems fine though (put as much back in as came out

).

09-08-2009, 06:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Krug1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 96	Maintenance costs $$$ I thought it would be a good idea to get the engine coolant changed in my car before winter, in addition to new oil and brake fluid. I am curious what a reasonable amount to pay for this is. I was quoted 4-500, which seems a bit much. Also, is there any additional maintenance I should be thinking about on an Elise with 31,000 miles. Thank in advance. Andy

09-08-2009, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,040	IIRC the engine coolant flush/fill is $350 or so, add a brake bleed and oil change (which can be $300 by itself) and that quoted price seems about right for a dealership work order. __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

09-09-2009, 07:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
CosmosMpower Cone Magnet Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,029	You can do the oil change and brake fluid yourself for about $40 in parts and 1 hour of your time. I would probably let the dealer mess with the coolant so they can flush all the old stuff out, maybe $150 for that parts and labor? $400 sounds excessive. __________________ 06 Canyon Red Elise LSS, Touring, SS, Stg 2, HID, BWR swaybar 09 Mini Cooper S 6MT 2000 Grand Prix White S2000

09-09-2009, 07:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,040	Cosmos, He's talking about $4-500 for a coolant change, oil change and brake bleed/fill. __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

09-09-2009, 08:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,205	My Lotus dealer charged me $165 for an oil/filter and hydraulic fluid change, I supplied the materials. Cheers, Michael __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005

09-09-2009, 06:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
DeepAmpeg Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Springfield, Vermont Posts: 93	How the hell does an oil change cost $300? Always done them myself on all my vehicles. Majority of maintainence really as I dont trust anyone but myself with my cars. But seriously $300? What makes it so much? The labor at a lotus dealer charge $250 per half hour?

09-09-2009, 08:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,040	This is where I got the $350 stuck in my head for the coolant swap: Coolant change using Stant tester - which adapter? __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

09-09-2009, 10:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
Bill R Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 28	I changed my coolant for the price of a gallon of Havoline. I took my time (several days) to bleed the air out little-by-little. My only concern was in using Lotus' drain/refill procedure, I could only get about 2/3 of the old coolant out. I posted on this in July to see if others had the same or different result, but received no responses. Everything seems fine though (put as much back in as came out ).

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