Paint/panel problems....never ending problem?

[carl-johan]

I seems like Emiras having problems with their panels/paint (bliztering and bubbling) get their panels replaced under the warranty time. The question is does anyone know if I get a new warranty on the replaced parts, 3 years? Why I am asking this is because next time, if something happens to the new panels outside the warranty I assume that it could be very costly. Othervise it seems like this could be a costly never ending problem.

 

[virtualmacho]

Just hoping a third party will come out with more conventional materials for post-warranty (out of pocket) replacements. Carbon fiber door panels, anyone?

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I seems like Emiras having problems with their panels/paint (bliztering and bubbling) get their panels replaced under the warranty time. The question is does anyone know if I get a new warranty on the replaced parts, 3 years? Why I am asking this is because next time, if something happens to the new panels outside the warranty I assume that it could be very costly. Othervise it seems like this could be a costly never ending problem.

Costly, yes, but probably not never-ending. It seems likely that there are specific batches of panels produced by Teijin Automotive that have defective composite. So once you get rid of a defective set of doors (for example) there's no reason to assume the problem will return. There are many three year old Emiras that have had no issues with blistering.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

I seems like Emiras having problems with their panels/paint (bliztering and bubbling) get their panels replaced under the warranty time. The question is does anyone know if I get a new warranty on the replaced parts, 3 years? Why I am asking this is because next time, if something happens to the new panels outside the warranty I assume that it could be very costly. Othervise it seems like this could be a costly never ending problem.

Your warranty doesn’t extend anytime something is replaced under warranty. Catch any issues in the first 3 years

 

[luciddaydream]

I have it on my back panel near the lotus emblem. I don't want to give my car up for a month or whatever, especially since the dealerhship is 400 miles away and terrible to communicate with.

Anyone know how long the whole process takes?

I have been tempted to have a local shop just re-do it for 2-3 grand.

Is that a bad idea?

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I have it on my back panel near the lotus emblem. I don't want to give my car up for a month or whatever, especially since the dealerhship is 400 miles away and terrible to communicate with.

Anyone know how long the whole process takes?

I have been tempted to have a local shop just re-do it for 2-3 grand.

Is that a bad idea?

You want the panel replaced by Lotus under warranty, not just sanded back and repainted. If the composite is defective, then it will probably just happen again.

 

[Kimmax]

I have been tempted to have a local shop just re-do it

Look at it like this: If fixing it was even remotely an option Lotus would be doing that instead of replacing whole doors and panels

 

[geoffbland]

Anyone know how long the whole process takes?

In the UK the main delay seems to be the dealer getting the replacement panels which I've heard can take months. After that it just takes a few weeks as the dealers just use their local friendly body shop to spray the panel and blend in the surrounding panels. No use taking your car to the dealer until they have the replacement panel.