Lotus Dealer Servicing Plan - value?
Discussion
I recently bought my Lotus from Lipscomb, a main dealer. One of the post-sale offers I've been given is a monthly payment plan that spreads the cost of the next three years' services on a monthly basis.
Now the supercharged car apparently needs new spark plugs every year (this seems extreme to me, given that many new engines don't need plugs changed until 60,000 miles or so...) but according to the documentation I have, this arrangement saves £250 or so over the cost of paying for each fixed-price service individually each year. I'm obviously paying up front but there's no interest (if there was, I wouldn't even be asking...)
I've spotted that the arrangement includes 17.5% VAT on the services so I should be able to renegotiate this down to the correct VAT rate.
Anyone here using one of these arrangements, and any opinions on whether they are good value for money or not, or whether there's a catch other than tying me into using Lipscomb for servicing? (as far as I'm aware, they don't have a bad reputation for servicing Lotuses, and the services are fixed-price). Comments welcome!
Now the supercharged car apparently needs new spark plugs every year (this seems extreme to me, given that many new engines don't need plugs changed until 60,000 miles or so...) but according to the documentation I have, this arrangement saves £250 or so over the cost of paying for each fixed-price service individually each year. I'm obviously paying up front but there's no interest (if there was, I wouldn't even be asking...)
I've spotted that the arrangement includes 17.5% VAT on the services so I should be able to renegotiate this down to the correct VAT rate.
Anyone here using one of these arrangements, and any opinions on whether they are good value for money or not, or whether there's a catch other than tying me into using Lipscomb for servicing? (as far as I'm aware, they don't have a bad reputation for servicing Lotuses, and the services are fixed-price). Comments welcome!
That only sounds even reasonable if youa re going to keep the car three years, if not then you are paying for something you don't need. I assume it also commits you to the dealer you bought from for three years? Is there interest and arrangement fees on the plan?
Doesn't sound good value to me, just pay for the services as you need them, even if you have a biggy at the main dealer its hardly going to break the bank and its a one off. Better that than a monthly credit for servicing.
Doesn't sound good value to me, just pay for the services as you need them, even if you have a biggy at the main dealer its hardly going to break the bank and its a one off. Better that than a monthly credit for servicing.
No interest - if this was a debt-style thing I wouldn't even give it a second glance. It appears to offer me £250 off the total cost of the three services in exchange for the dealer getting a steady monthly cashflow rather than yearly payments.
Whilst I'm likely to keep the car for 3 years (I absolutely love it, and though I've had a very promiscuous past with cars, I kept the VXT two years which was unheard of until then, and I love the Exige more than the VXT...) it's almost a given that I'll end up modifying it... I have a habit of wanting 'more' (though I don't need more power on track, just more skill - and perhaps monstrous brakes because I have a phobia due to a brake failure on track in the past).
One benefit it appears to offer is fixing the cost of the following 3 services *now*, at a slightly reduced rate. In other words, it's taking a position in terms of which way inflation / deflation will go. If, in three years time, Lipscomb up their fixed-price services due to rampant inflation, then I win, presumably...
To be honest, apart from the inflation hedge, the main appeal of this to me is that it locks me down to actually servicing the car regularly and on schedule, something that I'm terrible at (I usually have specialist cars, the 'best' servicing garages are usually many miles away, and I work in the City and commute by train, leaving no time to drop off / collect cars for servicing)...
Unless, of course, there is a very highly respected specialist who the Lotus community rate better than a main dealer, closer to me (north west Kent).
Whilst I'm likely to keep the car for 3 years (I absolutely love it, and though I've had a very promiscuous past with cars, I kept the VXT two years which was unheard of until then, and I love the Exige more than the VXT...) it's almost a given that I'll end up modifying it... I have a habit of wanting 'more' (though I don't need more power on track, just more skill - and perhaps monstrous brakes because I have a phobia due to a brake failure on track in the past).
One benefit it appears to offer is fixing the cost of the following 3 services *now*, at a slightly reduced rate. In other words, it's taking a position in terms of which way inflation / deflation will go. If, in three years time, Lipscomb up their fixed-price services due to rampant inflation, then I win, presumably...
To be honest, apart from the inflation hedge, the main appeal of this to me is that it locks me down to actually servicing the car regularly and on schedule, something that I'm terrible at (I usually have specialist cars, the 'best' servicing garages are usually many miles away, and I work in the City and commute by train, leaving no time to drop off / collect cars for servicing)...
Unless, of course, there is a very highly respected specialist who the Lotus community rate better than a main dealer, closer to me (north west Kent).
Why not ask Liscombes if they'll include collection and delivery of the car in lieu of a courtesy car? If you don't fancy the idea of being tie4d to one dealer for three years then its worth bearing in mind that Sinclairs are only 'just' over the river in Romford (a few minutes from the M25).
TIPPER said:
Why not ask Liscombes if they'll include collection and delivery of the car in lieu of a courtesy car? If you don't fancy the idea of being tie4d to one dealer for three years then its worth bearing in mind that Sinclairs are only 'just' over the river in Romford (a few minutes from the M25).
Yeah, that'd make sense - a courtesy car is of no use to me really, since I have another car and it's unlikely that the temporary courtesy car will be more interesting than my 'sensible family saloon' unless they're trying to persuade me to upgrade the Exige 
I can see how it's an essential for those who commute in their cars, but I don't - so even if they gave me a Fiat 500 Abarth to chuck about (which would be fun), I'd probably not use it much. And given Lipscomb are a Volvo dealer as well, I'd run the risk of getting a huge Volvo SUV 
if I pissed Paul off when he was instructing me on track 
I've heard Sinclaires are very good, but I'm always concerned it's taking the piss somewhat asking a dealer to drive down to collect and return my car if they're not reasonably close. Lipscomb are about 20 minutes away, I guess Sinclaires would be more than half an hour (worse if the tunnel / bridge is busy). And there's always the risk of accident in transit.
It's not as much of a problem now I've got the Lotus really - the main dealers and the good specialists tend to be open on Saturdays when I can drive down with the GF in tow in the growler and drop the Exige off. It was only previously when the specialists I wanted the car to be serviced by only worked Mon-Fri and I'd have to take the day off to drop off the car (I'm a freelance consultant, losing a day is expensive).
This is all storm-in-teacup stuff. I was more interested into whether there was any real benefit to this payment plan. I'm not so hard up that the fixed-price £400-ish services on the Exige are a problem in one month (if they were, then I'd have been stupid to buy the car in the first place), so spreading payments with zero interest isn't financially a massive help to me. What *does* interest me is that fact that it's an inflation hedge (given what I do for a living, I follow this sort of thing and have a view on it) - and was wondering if there were any people who'd had problems, or any reasons to steer well clear...
So long as you are happy paying Dealer labour rates when the car is out of waranty and if anything extra needs doing when its in for the service. Brakes, Tyres, Suspension, steering, etc. etc. will all be more at a main dealer.
Lipscombe are one of the few dealers i would consider taking my car to for a service but if it were just 30 mins away id take it to Sincs. I have been in there and seen how good their setup is and they are run by real enthusiasts Not that Parky isn't btw but Sincs are better VFM imho.
Lipscombe are one of the few dealers i would consider taking my car to for a service but if it were just 30 mins away id take it to Sincs. I have been in there and seen how good their setup is and they are run by real enthusiasts Not that Parky isn't btw but Sincs are better VFM imho.
I've used a couple of dealers in my time (before Lipscomb came around, as they're relatively new still), but have now used Lipscombs for perhaps 2 1/2 years - and my Exige S is the only place it's been taken.
Top blokes down there and I would have no hesitation at all to saying you will get your car serviced there for the next 3 years. The only question is will you keep your car for that long.
However, as far as the company themselves are concerned - I really do rate them, top blokes and I don't take my car anywhere else.
Oh PS: regarding the "outside warranty" point above. My car's had a fair bit of warranty work, when my standard factory warranty ended in May this year it was ~ £1000 for 2 years (can't remember exact figure, but about that). I ummed and urred, it was a lot of money in one hit. But boy am I glad I did. Now I simply drop it off with them and pick up a few days later. Perfect.
The only negative I'd give about them is that they no longer offer onward lifts if you drop off your car. I'm sure I'm not the only person whose Lotus is not their everyday car (and therefore don't want a courtesy car), and previously I would drop off my Exige and they would take me to work (15min drive away). Worked very well. Now they will ONLY take you to the local train station, which is a little troublesome but workable.
Hope that all helps!
T
Top blokes down there and I would have no hesitation at all to saying you will get your car serviced there for the next 3 years. The only question is will you keep your car for that long.
However, as far as the company themselves are concerned - I really do rate them, top blokes and I don't take my car anywhere else.
Oh PS: regarding the "outside warranty" point above. My car's had a fair bit of warranty work, when my standard factory warranty ended in May this year it was ~ £1000 for 2 years (can't remember exact figure, but about that). I ummed and urred, it was a lot of money in one hit. But boy am I glad I did. Now I simply drop it off with them and pick up a few days later. Perfect.
The only negative I'd give about them is that they no longer offer onward lifts if you drop off your car. I'm sure I'm not the only person whose Lotus is not their everyday car (and therefore don't want a courtesy car), and previously I would drop off my Exige and they would take me to work (15min drive away). Worked very well. Now they will ONLY take you to the local train station, which is a little troublesome but workable.
Hope that all helps!
T
Oh, I forgot to say; yup the serivicng is more expensive for the supercharged cars purely because the plugs are replaced every year. Apparently it's due to the higher running temperature in the combusion chamber which requires it, and I asked the same question at the time (confused why more expensive) and it was common agreement among many, so you're not being swindled 
Re: Independents - Sinclaires will pickup/drop you at Harold Green station (approx 25 mins from there into Liverpool St.
Why Lipscomb won't do the same to/from the station in Maidstone I can't understand. I'm sure if you ask Paul nicely something could be arranged.
Regarding the service plan, it seems like a reasonable arrangement to me. You'd pay the money anyway. Are there any lock-ins? i.e. once you agree to it are you tied in for the full 3 years?
Why Lipscomb won't do the same to/from the station in Maidstone I can't understand. I'm sure if you ask Paul nicely something could be arranged.
Regarding the service plan, it seems like a reasonable arrangement to me. You'd pay the money anyway. Are there any lock-ins? i.e. once you agree to it are you tied in for the full 3 years?
S Works said:
Why Lipscomb won't do the same to/from the station in Maidstone I can't understand. I'm sure if you ask Paul nicely something could be arranged.
In fairness to Lipscomb I seem to remember them offering something like that, but only to the station which is the oppostie direction for me and the completely wrong train line. But it could work for some, of course. (Actually, I thought I'd written that in my post above but it seems I didn't - weird?!)£400 sounds a lot for an oil and spark plug change. I'd have a word with Sinclaires and see what they would charge - in 5 services on my 111S the only additional item I've ever needed has been new tyres.
As Tim says - they'll drop you off at the station, I've turned up at 7:45 before and there's been someone there to help and the tunnel isn't as bad as you'd think most days, certainly at that time.
As Tim says - they'll drop you off at the station, I've turned up at 7:45 before and there's been someone there to help and the tunnel isn't as bad as you'd think most days, certainly at that time.
S Works said:
Regarding the service plan, it seems like a reasonable arrangement to me. You'd pay the money anyway. Are there any lock-ins? i.e. once you agree to it are you tied in for the full 3 years?
I signed up for a similar plan when I recently bought my Europa from Paul - the clincher for me was that I could pay £25 to end the service plan.Movano.
Redlake27 said:
It really depends on the cost per year. When Lotus cars have bog standard GM, Rover or Toyota engines there is no need to pay supercar prices.
My Elise 135 cost £60 per year for 5 years for minor services at HiQ. I went elsewhere for the cambelt service though.
I wouldn't buy a car that had a HI-Q service history but someone prolly would if its cheap enough. where does it got for other bits .. steering Suspension etc?My Elise 135 cost £60 per year for 5 years for minor services at HiQ. I went elsewhere for the cambelt service though.
miro said:
Redlake27 said:
It really depends on the cost per year. When Lotus cars have bog standard GM, Rover or Toyota engines there is no need to pay supercar prices.
My Elise 135 cost £60 per year for 5 years for minor services at HiQ. I went elsewhere for the cambelt service though.
I wouldn't buy a car that had a HI-Q service history but someone prolly would if its cheap enough. where does it got for other bits .. steering Suspension etc?My Elise 135 cost £60 per year for 5 years for minor services at HiQ. I went elsewhere for the cambelt service though.
My experience of Lotus main dealers varies considerably. The only one I trusted (Nick Whale) is not a main agent anymore. The other two I have used have very little knowledge of the differences in vehicle specifications. I have been told that my 135 Elise had VVC timing and my Europa had a supercharger by main dealers...........
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