Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Anything goes in here.....
User avatar
robin
Jedi Master
Posts: 10525
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:39 pm

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by robin » Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:16 pm

Pete, they probably logged on here and saw you were a vexatious litigant :-)
I is in your loomz nibblin ur wirez
#bemoretut

User avatar
DJ
Posts: 1409
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:11 pm
Location: East Lothian

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by DJ » Tue Aug 06, 2019 12:35 pm

pete wrote:
Sat Jul 20, 2019 11:19 pm
Eight months.

Amateur hour.

I chased my claim following a bodged engine install by a garage through my credit card.

The Financial Services OMbudsman are a very difficult organisation to deal with. At one point they gave me compensation for not giving me any updates. Then didn't give me any more updates. Then, when I complained, they said they would no longer reply to my emails.

I had been emailing them every 6-8 weeks.

I last heard from the organisation 3 months ago when they "hoped" to have an answer in a "few" weeks - this was in response to a letter from my MP.

The actual ombudsman, the person looking at my case, last got in touch in November.

The complaint is now into it's fourth YEAR.

(Glad you got a result)
The Motor Ombudsman isnt much better. I am 16 months into a claim (MINI dealership) and dealing with them is painful. Never yet received a pro-active update with just ongoing extensions every time I chase when the previous extension expires. I'll post up my case when it is finally complete - the evidence is so overwhelming it just has to be found in my favour - but the journey is unbelievably slow and painful.
'03 Elise 111S - Sold :(
'55 Boxster S - Sold :(
'08 Exige S 240PP - Sold :(
'10 Evora NA - Sold :(
'12 Cayman R :)

User avatar
rawsco
Posts: 938
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 2:23 pm
Location: Falkirk

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Tue Aug 06, 2019 4:14 pm

Agreed they don't move fast, in my case the bank hadn't concluded the complaint but I was within rights to refer in the time scales so I logged with the financial ombudsman anyway, it wasn't till some time later they stepped in whilst the bank were still working on it. I found them helpful and quite heavy handed with the Bank, as I prepared my case diligently. The Motor Ombudsman has no teeth and the retailers only listen to them when they rule in the retailers favour, it's purely voluntary. The advice I was given was to steer clear and go direct to Financial Ombudsman (through the Joint severally liable clause from the CCA).
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410

pete
Vexatious Litigant
Posts: 4704
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:23 pm
Location: Kilmarnock

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by pete » Sat Aug 10, 2019 8:16 am

My experience with the FSO is so good that my MP has offered to ask the minister responsible a question in parliament.

I am VERY pleased with this idea but we actually got a provisional judgement last week in our favour. Still no money though...
'99 - '03 Titanium S1 111S.
'03 - '10 Starlight Black S2 111S
'11 - '17 S2 135R
'17 - '19 S2 Exige S+
'23 - ?? Evora

finlay
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:47 pm

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by finlay » Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:45 am

Just read through this thread as I’ve been toying with changing my long term S2 260 for a V6. The clutch issue/extra complexity of the car does make me pause for thought though. I’ve had my S2 for years now and despite the miles getting higher it’s never given me any expensive bother or let me down. Not convinced about spending all the extra £ tbh.

Re your issues I take my hat off you were very patient and tenacious, I suspect most would have traded the car in elsewhere and got shot of the problem or else paid Craig to fix it out of their own pocket.

How do you like the M4 CP? I have a very high spec M4 non CP but a manual box daily driver which is fantastic - my 6th M car and by far the best all rounder.
Exige 410
911T
R300 Caterham

User avatar
rawsco
Posts: 938
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 2:23 pm
Location: Falkirk

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:53 pm

I don't think you should let my experience put you off a V6 it was more about the warranty support and the dealer than the car, they are epic and otherwise very reliable. I know the guy who eventually got mine and he's driven it hard done several track days in it now and I'ts fine since Craig sorted it, hasn't put a foot wrong. Would I swap an S2 260 for one, if it had all the packs forged wheels etc etc, possibly not now but I did enjoy the V6 in a different way to the S240.

Love the M4, had it out pottering about today to get some shopping in and it is a lovely thing to drive, almost as good as a lotus, needs better steering and the damping is a bit off on lumpy roads with Sport+ being over damped and Sport just lacking slightly but otherwise immensely quick. As an all rounder without having to worry about track days it's perfect.

Ive a plan to get in a Sport 410 when I'm done with the M4 in a couple more years but equally could swerve off and buy another S2, both epic and slightly different ways, so I'll be back in a lotus again. Simons V6 is up for sale I know his clutch has been done 🤪
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410

finlay
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:47 pm

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by finlay » Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:23 pm

Yea not sure what to do, think will wait a while
And see what the market (and especially prices) looks like post lockdown then make some decisions.
Exige 410
911T
R300 Caterham

User avatar
scott_e
Posts: 2166
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:13 pm
Location: Broughty ferry

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by scott_e » Sun Apr 26, 2020 7:00 am

Hi Finlay.

Just as a point of reference this Exige 350 @ Williams Automobiles:

- added to PH 26/11/19 @ 46995
- updated last week to @ 41995

Spec
-Exige 350
-2016 plate
-22K miles
-Open gate shifer
-Lotus Solar Yellow Paint
-17" Front 18" Matt Black Alloy wheels
-Black Leather Seats
-Leather Steering Wheel
-Silver Stitching on Interior Seats and Door Cards
-Air Conditioning
-Full Carpets
-Floor Mats
-Insulation
-Stereo with Bluetooth

Biggest drop in price I have seen from an approved dealer to date.

Thanks
Scott

ref:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... d/10206175

finlay
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:47 pm

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by finlay » Sun Apr 26, 2020 12:35 pm

Thanks Scott, seen that one on PH, the guy clearly used it given the miles! Nice car.
I think a massive consideration for buyers of non essential cars will be “where is the bottom of the market” post the country starting to go back to work. Buyers will be very cautious and many will prefer to have cash in the bank?
Using that logic I guess the more expensive the car the harder it will be to find a buyer, for example I suspect I could possibly offload my S2 easier as it would be a lot cheaper than that 350 say.
Strange times indeed and I’m not sure the rule book will be quite the same going forward?
Exige 410
911T
R300 Caterham

User avatar
scott_e
Posts: 2166
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:13 pm
Location: Broughty ferry

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by scott_e » Sun Apr 26, 2020 2:06 pm

I recall Graham Robertson telling me how the Lotus market was different to mass market cars back in 2008. The supply is certainly limited due small production runs, low mileage cars retain there value very well, write offs of older stock impact the supply more considerably too that other marques.

I am not expecting any massive change in prices to be honest. Sure the number of buyers will be lower for now and sure the dealers that have priced them too highly in the first place may need to move downwards if they want to shift stock, but really the volume is so limited if you are after a specific car really there is not a lot of choice.

finlay
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:47 pm

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by finlay » Sun Apr 26, 2020 2:26 pm

Aye you might be right, the other factor is that people will likely just hang onto their cars for the longer term in the hope/expectation things come back.
I suspect it’s going to be a different story potentially though for anyone who is forced to offload their car this year.....
Exige 410
911T
R300 Caterham

User avatar
Simon82
Posts: 597
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:19 pm
Location: East Kilbride

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by Simon82 » Sun Apr 26, 2020 10:26 pm

It could go either way. In China car dealers and car sales were well above average when they lifted the lock down so similar could happen in the UK. Some may adopt the "life is for living" approach after this and decide to buy the car they have always wanted......I live in hope that this is the case!
2014 Audi RS4 Avant
2019 Porsche 718 GT4
2018 VW Transporter T6 (bike shed :) )

User avatar
scott_e
Posts: 2166
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:13 pm
Location: Broughty ferry

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by scott_e » Mon Apr 27, 2020 6:47 am

Simon82 wrote:
Sun Apr 26, 2020 10:26 pm
I live in hope that this is the case!
I hope so too, for a sense of normality more than anything else :thumbsup

Love your Exige by the way Simon. The carbon seats, carbon front access panel and open gate stick really make the difference 8) most of the best bits from a 380 ! looks amazing. Best of luck with the sale , I am sure it will shift no problem.

User avatar
scott_e
Posts: 2166
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:13 pm
Location: Broughty ferry

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by scott_e » Thu May 14, 2020 6:21 am

In regards to:
scott_e wrote:
Sun Apr 26, 2020 2:06 pm
The supply is certainly limited due small production runs
See below:
Image

Ref:
https://carsalesbase.com/europe-lotus-exige/

User avatar
rawsco
Posts: 938
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 2:23 pm
Location: Falkirk

Re: Dreaded Clutch Problem (Sport350)

Post by rawsco » Thu May 14, 2020 10:36 am

scott_e wrote:
Mon Apr 27, 2020 6:47 am
Simon82 wrote:
Sun Apr 26, 2020 10:26 pm
I live in hope that this is the case!
I hope so too, for a sense of normality more than anything else :thumbsup

Love your Exige by the way Simon. The carbon seats, carbon front access panel and open gate stick really make the difference 8) most of the best bits from a 380 ! looks amazing. Best of luck with the sale , I am sure it will shift no problem.
It is a lovely thing... Swap for an M4? 😂
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410

Post Reply