Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

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tenkfeet
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by tenkfeet » Sat Oct 13, 2018 9:20 am

Watching this thread with interest and slight apprehension in case the Exige 350 clutches are made out of chocolate.

I have had my share of issues in the past but everything has been fixed. It just takes so long for Lotus to get parts out. Neil Turner was quite good at getting things resolved but they were mostly stupid stuff that should never of left the factory in the first place. Murray's/ Leven were supportive and fixed everything promptly but were held back by parts delivery from Lotus.

Lotus's are emotional purchases and when things go wrong that are out with your control it's hard. Hope you get your car fixed and can get out there enjoying it asap.

(I thought Jayemm despite his awful shirts was a good embassador for the brand. Maybe he was not the right fit for the marketing department who's choice of Seb Rich yoof had me looking at f***ing Porsche's.🤣🤣🤣)
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Ferg
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by Ferg » Sat Oct 13, 2018 11:14 am

Good to hear sense has prevailed. Hope it gets fixed soon. Is it the uprated clutch they will replace it with?

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campbell
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by campbell » Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:07 pm

I imagine that'd be pushing one's luck

Or the computer says no
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rawsco
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:14 pm

There are stories on ‘tinterweb of the replacements being a different part number and latter models getting different part although Simons is pretty new and seems affected. But given how long the new stock sits around it’s actual build date could have been a while ago.

I will ask the specific question along with fitting a diff on Tuesday. Good opportunity to redeem themselves and recover a little cost by fitting a diff at reasonable prices.
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campbell
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by campbell » Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:39 pm

It doesn't have a diff? No wonder the clutch is fubar'd
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Simon82
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by Simon82 » Tue Oct 16, 2018 3:55 am

Glad to hear that things are moving in the right direction now, shame it got as messy as it did but fingers crossed they are obliging when it comes to adding in a diff for you. Only thing I would say on that front is that they will probably void any further warranty claims against clutch/box if you do fit an LSD, might be something to think about.
I’ll be touching base with them regarding mine over the next week so hopefully I don’t have to go through the same process to get it resolved!
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campbell
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by campbell » Tue Oct 16, 2018 6:15 am

Could always pick something up with WarrantyWise or similar instead? Looked seriously at that with the Evora.
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Ferg
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by Ferg » Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:10 am

It'll be interesting to see what they find when it comes apart. Most stories seem to point to a borked release bearing.

I keep a close eye on mine. No issues so far after 3.5k.

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rawsco
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:52 am

So, nothing much to add right now, parts seem scarce still no ETA on the bits required. I'm awaiting further update today. The man at Lotus that's been helping me is again checking into things in the background. Thats now 33 days its sat in the dealer and I'm not going to get it back until 2nd or 3rd of November at the earliest due to holidays. And then straight into hibernation.
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rawsco
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:54 pm

So turns out parts were ordered without a VOR (vehicle off road) notice and thus have longer lead times. The very nice man at Lotus has corrected this on behalf of the dealer and the parts are arriving tomorrow. Lotus are turning out to be very helpful in this saga so maybe things are changing back at Hethel which can only be a good thing.
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j2 lot
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by j2 lot » Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:06 pm

I have found Hethel have always been helpful in expediting parts once you make contact. My Elise repairs in the noughties was turned around in less than a week after months of waiting for the parts through the Lotus appointed repairer.
Good news that yours is progressing.
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rawsco
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Wed Oct 31, 2018 4:53 pm

So, big day tomorrow, collecting the car! Fingers crossed the brakes aren’t rust, battery isn’t dead and the paint isn’t covered in swirl marks...
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Ferg
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by Ferg » Wed Oct 31, 2018 9:20 pm

What parts did they fit in the end?

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campbell
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Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by campbell » Wed Oct 31, 2018 9:44 pm

Pattern ones

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rawsco
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Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Thu Nov 01, 2018 3:34 pm

The roller coaster of emotion continues... Clutch replacement has (I say subjectively as I've not driven the car for months) maybe improved it slightly but its still rolling forward when selecting gears and it still doesn't feel like the clutch is fully disengaging and thus gear shifts still don't feel great. Also something loose in engine bay sounds like a heat shield and parking sensors not working now. The saga goes on. I'm meditating (drinking whisky) over the weekend and I'll let my sub-conscience decide what to do next.

I've spoken to the dealer on the phone and let them know that I've stopped using the car whilst I contemplate my options, they are picking up with Lotus and the tech that did the work.
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