The day of reckoning......
Discussion
Hi guys, further to my email of a few months ago when I asked for some advice on my lotus elise rattle (thanks), I've now owned the car 8 months and it has been in the garage for investigation and subsequent possible 'repair' for a total of 21 days and the rattle is still there and doing my head in!!!!
I'm meeting with Lotus this week to discuss and I'd appreciate some advice as to how I should approach. They've previously seen and assessed the car and all the work the garage have done so far has been in response to their suggestions as to what the rattle could be and what needs to be repaired/replaced etc. etc., but I still have the rattle......
So, should I be a hard bitch and tell him to get it sorted or I want shot of the car, or, sort it out and if you can't then I want another car? Or, should I give them even more time and me be without by p**** wagon for even more days and still not be sure it's gonna be without rattle??!!
I am likening the situation to me buying a item (for much less money of course!)which is not working how it should and I take it back to the shop and complain and they say okay, your options are....
a) we can repair the item
b) we can replace the item
c) you can have your money back
Also, not also quite sure what my rights are on this one. Any thoughts guys?
>> Edited by slooptheloop on Monday 14th November 12:35
I'm meeting with Lotus this week to discuss and I'd appreciate some advice as to how I should approach. They've previously seen and assessed the car and all the work the garage have done so far has been in response to their suggestions as to what the rattle could be and what needs to be repaired/replaced etc. etc., but I still have the rattle......
So, should I be a hard bitch and tell him to get it sorted or I want shot of the car, or, sort it out and if you can't then I want another car? Or, should I give them even more time and me be without by p**** wagon for even more days and still not be sure it's gonna be without rattle??!!
I am likening the situation to me buying a item (for much less money of course!)which is not working how it should and I take it back to the shop and complain and they say okay, your options are....
a) we can repair the item
b) we can replace the item
c) you can have your money back
Also, not also quite sure what my rights are on this one. Any thoughts guys?
>> Edited by slooptheloop on Monday 14th November 12:35
Yeah, is on drivers side, somewhere behind seat about ear level(bearing in mind I'm only 5 3!) and it's a continuous rattle when motoring along and mega bad when I go over a bump in the road. It's almost a clanging sound.....
The garage have changed the door lock, put tie grips on the pipe work running along the sill and in the engine bay, had the door apart etc. etc.
The garage have changed the door lock, put tie grips on the pipe work running along the sill and in the engine bay, had the door apart etc. etc.
They have tried the heater pipe thing and that does not work. I'm not able to get out and do stuff to the car myself and have no bloke about the place so having to rely on the nice guys at the garage - who have been great - but she still has her rattle at the end of the day.
Be interested in anyones thoughts as to where I stand on this as fundamentally although the car is fab and I love her to bits, I need to get the rattle sorted if I am to keep her. I won't be able to sell her if she still has rattle so I'm stuffed either way.
Be interested in anyones thoughts as to where I stand on this as fundamentally although the car is fab and I love her to bits, I need to get the rattle sorted if I am to keep her. I won't be able to sell her if she still has rattle so I'm stuffed either way.
Have the garage checked the fit of the rear glass, just a thought ? I have heard that it is a very thin glass, could it have been previously smashed, and all the debris not hoovered out ? Regarding the complaints procedure, i would have guessed it was the same as for any purchase, if you have a problem then you must give them an opportunity to rectify it.If they cant, then its down to the supplier to act in the interest of the customer. Does your local radio station have a consumer prog ? If so try them. I think persistence in the end is the best policy, but always remain polite !
Met guy from Lotus yesterday. Got the car up on ramps and knew what noise was straight away. An hour or so later and took the car for a spin and the rattle is cured. Apparently, as he had previously identified, the water pipe from the rear to the front of the car, along the sill had not been taut enough and was knocking against the chassis of the car. So they've twisted the pipe to make it taut and knock is no more. Been offered a free service next time round for tall the inconveniene, so I'm happy with that. So, she's now on form and loving her even more than before!!
I am glad you have got that sorted. I do find it incredible you have found a decent lotus guy. I have found them always late, in need of glasses and if you lined them all up end to end they still wouldnt reach a decision.
I would like to seperate between Lotus and Dealer. In my experience the dealer has provided the service that should be provided and exceeded my expectations with ever visit. Lotus have failed at EVERY oppertunity. At the moment they continue to fail in a huge way.
I would like to seperate between Lotus and Dealer. In my experience the dealer has provided the service that should be provided and exceeded my expectations with ever visit. Lotus have failed at EVERY oppertunity. At the moment they continue to fail in a huge way.
I baught from a dealer. The lotus is a hand built, low volume car so I did not expect perfection. The issues I have had have been dealt with by the dealer in such a brilliant way and every contact with the dealer has left me VERY happy. When the issue needs to go to lotus then I have problems. As with all british companies they make a superb product that may need some aftercare. There intention is to sell more product not support thier existing customers. Most of the time the "slack" in this process is taken up by the dealer.
I must admit that so far when things have been taken to Lotus, in the end they do the right thing. Getting to the right decision is exasperating and time consuming. They seem to be unable to make a decision and because they leave it so long to make a decision they are shamed into giving in to the customers request.
I must admit that so far when things have been taken to Lotus, in the end they do the right thing. Getting to the right decision is exasperating and time consuming. They seem to be unable to make a decision and because they leave it so long to make a decision they are shamed into giving in to the customers request.
gooby said:
The lotus is a hand built, low volume car so I did not expect perfection.
Must say that I can’t agree with your Statement
As I’ve said on this forum before, if you’re in the Business of hand built low volume cars
It’s all the more reason to provide a perfect product or go bust spending time and money doing the rework for warranty claims.
From what I read on this forum and from problems experienced with my car most of the woe’s are not from a bad product.
But extremely poor quality control
Every problem with my car would have been evident and existed when it left the Factory.
They didn’t just appear magically on the way to the Dealer.
Poor Paint (visible flaws)….Cost Lotus a rear clam respray
Rattles and loose bits………More expense to Lotus
Every time my car is at the Dealers due to warranty claims
I choose the most expensive car to drive about in while mine if off the
road.
All charged back to Lotus
If the British want to keep Lotus
Sack the lazy useless quality control team
and loose the TADS attitude
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