West Yorkshire Lotus Garage?

[Cooper500]

My Dad has an Elise 111S, very low mileage for its age so it hasn't thrown many issues in its time but recently its had to have a few things done and he is still sending it to the dealer he bought it from for service and repairs. I'm not sure he's getting the most competitive quotes.

Can anyone suggest a West Yorkshire (he is Leeds based) garage that maybe specialise in Lotus' or one that you regularly send yours to? Not looking for a garage that is cheap and will compromise on doing jobs right.

Cheers,

Cooper500

[wacattack]

I'm based in Leeds and won't take mine anywhere but Phoenix Motorsport in accrington. It's only about a 40 minute drive across the penines but the service is impecible and very reasonably priced. I now go there due to the reputation they have established both on here and seloc

[Mr Overheads]

Try Pure Lotus in Wetherby

[doggydave]

Pure Lotus at Wetherby is the place for him to go. The mechanic is first class (ex JCT600 I think) and Jay is a nice guy. To give an example I had the cam belt changed on the S2 111s in April and it cost £280.

[Cooper500]

Thanks for those recommendations. Do Pure Lotus do the work on site or just supply parts? Phoenix Motorsport looks like a good shout.

[wcx375]

Chris Foulds in Huddersfield is highly regarded.

http://www.fouldsmotors.com

[chevronb37]

I use JCT plenty as mine is still under warranty. With NYLOC discount, prices aren't bad and the service is exceptional, even for a scruffy oik like me. Pure Lotus is also great though. Their technician is ex-JCT and they're very passionate about the cars.

[dunxS1]

I've used Chris Foulds for the last 8 years,never had a problem and sensible prices.I also know Phoenix have a good reputation and are highly regarded.
Dunx.

[doggydave]

Cooper500 said:

Thanks for those recommendations. Do Pure Lotus do the work on site or just supply parts? Phoenix Motorsport looks like a good shout.

They do all of the work on site.

[AMGexigeS]

wcx375 said:

Chris Foulds in Huddersfield is highly regarded.

http://www.fouldsmotors.com

Chris serviced my old Elise for 5 years, he is a great guy and earnestly cares about your car. Will be going back when my warranty runs out.

[wacattack]

chevronb37 said:

I use JCT plenty as mine is still under warranty. With NYLOC discount, prices aren't bad and the service is exceptional, even for a scruffy oik like me. Pure Lotus is also great though. Their technician is ex-JCT and they're very passionate about the cars.

even with nyloc discount they are ridiculously expensive. Besides, a specialist car like a lotus I'd much rather take it to a specialist who has built his reputation through providing good service and is passionate about the cars he works on. Somewhere like jct probably has some 16 year old trainee working on your car who doesn't have a clue or cares, but just follows a basic rule book (or am I just being cynical)

[Chadders]

Again in lancashire, But I live in West Yorks and use trackVroad www.trackvroad.co.uk

They are TVR and Lotus Specialist, and really know their stuff, nice garage and friendly staff.
There are cheaper specialists but I dont mind spending a little more there as I know they will do a good job. Still a LOT cheaper than the dealerships!

Need to book my service actually!!!

[Cooper500]

wacattack said:

chevronb37 said:

I use JCT plenty as mine is still under warranty. With NYLOC discount, prices aren't bad and the service is exceptional, even for a scruffy oik like me. Pure Lotus is also great though. Their technician is ex-JCT and they're very passionate about the cars.

even with nyloc discount they are ridiculously expensive. Besides, a specialist car like a lotus I'd much rather take it to a specialist who has built his reputation through providing good service and is passionate about the cars he works on. Somewhere like jct probably has some 16 year old trainee working on your car who doesn't have a clue or cares, but just follows a basic rule book (or am I just being cynical)

This is what he is coming up against, plus the warranty expired long ago. Wasn't sure if you are allowed to mention the dealer name but it is JCT and it does seem to be expensive for the work it has had done recently.

[wacattack]

To me, jct are a Ferrari/Aston dealer who also do lotus. As such, their service prices reflect that of a typical none lotus customer, £150 per hour is just outrageous.

Also, many specialists out there keep the manufacturers warranty when they do services so taking it to a main dealer isn't necessary

[Boonster]

Try using www.supercarhub.com they are service comparison portal, once you have registered (free and no catches) they are adding new service providers each week.

[Eat it up]

I feel i need to comment on this.!!.. As i don't normally post on here.
I am one of the 2 lotus technicians who works at jct 600 brooklands..
I am very very passionate about the lotus brand and customer satisfaction/Rectification of customers problems..
We are not £150p/h.. Where on earth did you come up with that figure.??. £85 p/h.Actually. Which is cheaper than audi/mercedes/porsche dealerships..To name a few other main dealers..
Re-pricing. We are also very competative regarding quote's for work from other specialists. Just ask.!!.
All i will say is that your lotus will be in very very capable hands..Combined 25yrs experience between me and the other lotus technician.!.
I understand that money is tight and fear/miss-representation on various internet forums can cloud judgement.
Just my 2p worth, for what it is worth.
As i know most of you regard dealerships as stealerships.!!.

Edited by Eat it up on Sunday 24th January 00:08

[djroadboy]

Eat it up said:

We are not £150p/h.. Where on earth did you come up with that figure.??. £85 p/h.Actually.

Re-pricing. We are also very competative regarding quote's for work from other specialists. Just ask.!!.

That's still more than double my labour rate though so I can't see how you can be competative. I know certain specialists down your way charge crazy labour rates too so I guess that makes it easier to be competative. The majority of the work I do is a long way from routine maintenance and repairs though so I don't really compete with dealers anyway.

I will say that you seem to have turned your reputation around over the past couple of years so well done for that. It's good to know that there are some people who are genuinely passionate about the cars working in dealerships.

Dan

[djroadboy]

doggydave said:

Pure Lotus at Wetherby is the place for him to go. The mechanic is first class (ex JCT600 I think) and Jay is a nice guy. To give an example I had the cam belt changed on the S2 111s in April and it cost £280.

Hi Dave, was that for a service and timing belts or just the belts?

Cheers

Dan

[Eat it up]

That would be just the cam belt's i would assume.

I fully understand that our labour rate is more than double that of some specialists.(yourself included dan.).
Good to see someone north of sinclaires offering an alternative supercharger kit.! Good on you.!!!

Rerices> Just ask > you might be supprised.! We are flexible.
Ultimately though i am just a lotus technician and do not have to ability to alter prices hense the reason why you need to ask the people that can.!.

Edited by Eat it up on Sunday 24th January 11:11

[djroadboy]

Hi Byron,

Yeah I understand that you're not in control of the rates etc. As I said though, it's good to see dealer techs wth a genuine enthusiasm for the marque. I have the advantage of keeping my overheads low and running the business how I want to, like having a month off over Christmas, Obviously with lower overheads I can keep my labour rate lower.

You never fancied setting up on your own?

If that price was just for belts it seems expensive to me for a specialist.

/2p

Dan

Edited by djroadboy on Sunday 24th January 11:57