Chair release, steering wheel and now door handle

[Nathan Pitman]

So first of all the chair release in my Evora 400 broke (poor quality plastic I'd guess - replacement on the way), then I noticed that the steering wheel leather is eroding (replacement also on the way!) and now today I've spotted that the passenger side interior door handle has broken and does not not return to it's normal position once released (I can nudge it back into position but I doubt it will last).

Now, at risk of stating the obvious (I am also waiting for a replacement wishbone to cure a clunking from the suspension), is this really normal for a Lotus? I was not expecting a garage visit free life with this car but this is the 4th issue which will require a garage visit in the first 7 weeks of ownership in a car that's only two years old. 😕

[tim_marra]

Can't comment on the 400, but my S1 has been a pleasure to own for almost 6 years now, with only minor/infrequent niggles of any type.

I hope you get yours sorted to your satisfaction as they are truly a great car 

[Nathan Pitman]

I love the car and I hope I'm just having a run of bad luck with it, hopefully I won't have to wait too long until a replacement handle comes in. I had planned to go away in the car in a few weeks time with my GF and I'm going to be gutted if I can't drive it because of a door handle. If I could have the internal mechanism replaced with aluminium pieces I would! ;D

[RichardC]

It's not just you. My 400 had a handful of small niggles from new or that developed soon after I took delivery: boot release button not working (replaced under warranty), broken seat back tilt release (fixed under warranty), boot lid latch sticking (fixed myself by adjusting), 400 badge flaking red paint (scratched the rest off so it's now silver), TPWS not working (magicallly fixed itself), low screen wash level warning light not working (not really bothered about getting it fixed). All minor stuff that didn't stop me from using the car or cause me to make a special trip to the dealer. Given that it's a hand built, low volume car then a handful of minor issues are probably to be expected. Otherwise I think that the car is fundamentally sound and reasonably well put together. At least Evoras aren't spontaneously combusting like certain other premium makes seem to like doing.

Edited July 9, 2018 by RichardC
typo

[EGTE]

Hopefully it's just a "sorting-out" phase and other makes can have far bigger (and far more expensive) problems.

(although I too have low screenwash level warning error - anyone know which part to order [non-Lotus])?

[Nathan Pitman]

Well I dropped my car off at Bell & Colvill yesterday and have had the chair release and door handle on the passenger side replaced/fixed so all is good again. Steering wheel is still on order and might take a while but I can live with that. They also replaced 'lots of significant stuff' to do with the rear suspension (wishbones?) and so now I also have no 'clunking' at low speeds on uneven surfaces. Hoorah!

The service guy pondered whether the rear suspension issues are specific to the IPS cars, he thinks he is seeing a bit of a pattern and wondered if it's something to do with how the torque is delivered compared to the manual boxes. I don't know enough about such things but thought I'd mention it here.

Side note: My courtesy car was a Nissan Juke. Never have I driven something so unenjoyable. 

[Techyd]

That’s an interesting take on the torque causing suspension issues, at least you have a baseline with them to monitor for recurrence and perhaps you could specifically ask them to check over the replaces parts for wear when it’s next in for a service...?

Glad it’s sorted though 🙂

[Spinney]

I hope the suspension issues aren't auto related as my Evora currently in build is an auto too. Can I ask how many miles your car has done please?

Those Nissan Jukes B & C have are errr......... searching for the right words here..............................nope can't find them. They are incredibly dull aren't they. When my car was in for a service a couple of weeks ago, Phil said he'd take me out to the courtesy car and I casually asked if they still had Fiestas. He looked at me with a half smile which was slightly unnerving, so I started to guess I wasn't going to like the answer. Ah well, said Phil as we walked up to the car, and he was obviously searching for something positive to say about it, I used one in the winter and it was good in the snow! That'll come in handy in todays temperatures of 30C + I thought.

[Nathan Pitman]

Mine has 17k on it now, two years old so it's has some decent use. All the work was done under warranty though, they replaced parts on both sides of the rear to be sure and the clunking has well and truly gone. Everything else was done under warranty too with no quibbles and I still have a completely new steering wheel to come too so I can't complain.

Yea, this was my first time needing a courtesy car and I foolishly thought maybe I'd get that old grey NA Evora they always seem to have sat out the back, but alas.. it was not to be.

10 minutes ago, Spinney said:

my Evora currently in build is an auto too.

What spec have you gone for? Col etc?

[Bruss]

Can you find out which rear suspension parts were replaced? It'd be good to know generally as things wear.

[Spinney]

GT410 Sport in a BMW colour called Estoril Blue, similar to Essex Blue, with tan leather interior and Recaros + upgraded head unit and speakers. Due at B & C sometime early August but had to delay pickup until September as the reg plate I've got for it is a 68. Much as I still love my Exige, I can't wait to get behind the wheel of my Evora.

[Nathan Pitman]

45 minutes ago, Bruss said:

Can you find out which rear suspension parts were replaced? It'd be good to know generally as things wear.

I will email Phil and ask him to confirm.

[C8RKH]

On 09/07/2018 at 16:30, Nathan Pitman said:

I love the car and I hope I'm just having a run of bad luck with it, hopefully I won't have to wait too long until a replacement handle comes in. I had planned to go away in the car in a few weeks time with my GF and I'm going to be gutted if I can't drive it because of a door handle. If I could have the internal mechanism replaced with aluminium pieces I would! ;D

Some of that surely depends on how the previous owner treated the car in the first 2 years?  Kids planning with the handles etc????  Who knows?