Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
I can’t afford to destroy clutches... Miniblonde’s relentless barrage of mysterious furniture and candle and soon to be art deliveries is much much much worse...
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
That wasn't the update I was expecting.
Can see why you're raging about that.
Can see why you're raging about that.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Wanted: Train.
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Ah wait. Did you let her drive itrawsco wrote:I can’t afford to destroy clutches... Miniblonde’s relentless barrage of mysterious furniture and candle and soon to be art deliveries is much much much worse...
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Dont worry, Laura is the same size as an 11 year old and can’t see over the dash nor reach the pedals with the seat right forward...
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Careful. James is 11. He can reach now.
She may have a booster seat stashed in the cargo net...
She may have a booster seat stashed in the cargo net...
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
I have just read through this thread and it’s clear to me that the issue is with the dealer and I wouldn’t hesitate to reject the car as not fit for purpose. For any fault to appear after such a low mileage under your ownership would point to the issue being present when you took possession, The dealer should be fighting Lotus over the wear/ fault argument but with so few miles done by you your not going to be the problem, just the ‘pass the parcel’ looser left holding the keys when the music stopped.
2015 Lotus Evora
2020 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline
2020 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Horrible news.
A no brainer its not your fault based on scenario which could hardly be simpler.
Much much more to run which is a shame for the pain and grief to come before it is finally sorted.
Sounds like get direct escalation to Lotus, start researching, taking on board people’s comments BUT get proper legal advice on your options from the people who really know your rights and how to use them appropriately.
A no brainer its not your fault based on scenario which could hardly be simpler.
Much much more to run which is a shame for the pain and grief to come before it is finally sorted.
Sounds like get direct escalation to Lotus, start researching, taking on board people’s comments BUT get proper legal advice on your options from the people who really know your rights and how to use them appropriately.
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Sorry to hear this. After 11k miles I struggle to see how the clutch going could be wear and tear. I must have over 33k on mine now on the original clutch and it's seen quite a few tracks.
One option for you would be to put the car to CMC as I'm sure Craig would do a clutch for a lot less than £3k. You could then use the legal route to reclaim your costs from the dealer. Ultimately it's for them to argue the toss with Lotus over who pays. Also once the bust clutch is out of the car it'll be a lot more obvious what's wrong with it - I assume they'll have done their diagnosis so far without stripping it down.
One option for you would be to put the car to CMC as I'm sure Craig would do a clutch for a lot less than £3k. You could then use the legal route to reclaim your costs from the dealer. Ultimately it's for them to argue the toss with Lotus over who pays. Also once the bust clutch is out of the car it'll be a lot more obvious what's wrong with it - I assume they'll have done their diagnosis so far without stripping it down.
Exige V6
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Thanks for the sympathetic comments folks.
I have since spoken to the legal team at Irwin Mitchel who manage the legal cover with my home policy and after a short consultation have given me the correct course of action to follow which culminates in a letter before action at which point they will take over if no resolution.
I have however been advised to give the dealer, then lotus both another opportunity to rectify the fault as this is A. My preferred course of action and B. Would stand in my favour if it got to court.
Anyways I’m still of the opinion that sense will ultimately prevail and we won’t need to go down this route.
Regarding the comments about diagnosis I don’t believe they have taken the car apart as yet which begs the question: how can they determine its wear as I was specifically told over the phone that they can’t determine wear vs defect without opening the car up. This was when they asked me to underwrite the cost of doing this in the event the issue turns out to be wear.
I have since spoken to the legal team at Irwin Mitchel who manage the legal cover with my home policy and after a short consultation have given me the correct course of action to follow which culminates in a letter before action at which point they will take over if no resolution.
I have however been advised to give the dealer, then lotus both another opportunity to rectify the fault as this is A. My preferred course of action and B. Would stand in my favour if it got to court.
Anyways I’m still of the opinion that sense will ultimately prevail and we won’t need to go down this route.
Regarding the comments about diagnosis I don’t believe they have taken the car apart as yet which begs the question: how can they determine its wear as I was specifically told over the phone that they can’t determine wear vs defect without opening the car up. This was when they asked me to underwrite the cost of doing this in the event the issue turns out to be wear.
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Best of luck Ross. I know how this feels...
If the issue turns out to be wear then why on earth would you pay for it having just bought the car?
Stewart
If the issue turns out to be wear then why on earth would you pay for it having just bought the car?
Stewart
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Update, no resolution yet sadly, however following my last communication the issue is being taken to the dealers MD today. Lotus have also been involved in the background and have been helpful and supportive. They are sticking with the wear argument tho, however will happily reassess once the clutch is out. They (Lotus) seem to be supporting the position that the clutch was worn prior to my ownership taking into account my low mileage and presumably the performance dump from the ECU. They have explained that the clutch should have have been replaced prior to sale and will / have communicated this to the dealer. This should serve to increase the pressure on the dealer to address the issue. I still have not yet involved the finance company, this will likely be the next stage and should again put more pressure on the dealer.
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
I was going to say that they should be able to check the history on the ECU to see what the last owner had done.They (Lotus) seem to be supporting the position that the clutch was worn prior to my ownership taking into account my low mileage and presumably the performance dump from the ECU
Fingers crossed for you.
"Here for a good time not a long time"
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Good job it wisnae Scotty
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Does the ECU dump give dates etc, I thought it just recorded top speeds and high rev launches. Anyways fingers crossed for the right result.
Octopus Energy Referral Code (£50 each!) share.octopus.energy/light-lynx-588
Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)
Ive spoken to the dealer rep again today and Ive been promised a decision on the outcome from the dealer tomorrow, which is good as I was going to start the process to escalate over the weekend. All still very reasonable and respectful on both sides and no toys have departed company from prams or buggies or car seats etc. Fingers crossed sense prevails and my car gets fixed next week and everyone can carry on as they were without further problems.
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410