Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[SimonT]

Hello, Emira community. Quick introduction: I'm based in the US, and recently, got the chance to test drive an Emira. Absolutely loved it. Getting a deal together with the dealer. Then decided to check the forums, and here I am.

This is going to be a 4th car in the stable with a 911, so for the most part I can be tolerant of minor defects and warranty work - even if the car ends up being in the shop for a little while.

However, reading through this thread, the paint defect is one that worries me, because, it seems:
1) It is likely an inherent flaw in every car that has and will roll off the line, it's just a question of when it manifests, based on the amount of water exposure/ambient humidity.
2) It is not correctable, replacement panels are the same part made the same way by the same company with the same defect.
3) It's not containable, layering ceramic or PPF on top doesn't help because the moisture is bubbling through the inside.

Is it fair to say that's the consensus at the moment? I'm trying to talk myself into taking the risk, but it seems kind of absurd to buy new at the moment considering each temporary repair (a respray) diminishes the value of the car. On top of depreciation I'd just be lighting tens of thousands on fire.

So what do you guys say, if you were in my position? I'd be tempted to go used just to minimize the depreciation hit, or go to an Evora...

Id be looking at used with warranty that has had both doors replaced, all other known problems fixed and all software updates.

Once out of warranty panels will be resprayed and not replaced, look at literally every paint bubbling picture and they're in the same place so not random placed, ie top, around the handles and under the mirror with some along the bottom edge. The dealership paintshop manager told me Verdant Green was the hardest colour to match up, something to keep in mind.

Do you want the manual or the auto? The NA or SC? The 2.0l is looking like it has the greater promise of more power for less cash as time goes on. Have you tried all combinations?

The car is an event every time you drive it, it's a supercar in a smaller package, it turns heads like a Lambo/Ferrari/McClaren does as there are fewer on the road. Many say its underpowered and needs more for a lower 0-60 time, but the drive is not about that, much more and it would be like so many modern performances cars, zero fun unless on a track where they can 'stretch their legs'.

I've been ardent critic due to mine being undriveable for 7 months or so out of a 16 months period, doors/tailgate/brakes/engine/seat belt/HVAC/wiper motor/main screen/taillight/reversing camera/water ingress, but that aside the car really is superb to drive and puts a smile in your face every time you drive it.

Under warranty the dealer will sort it, after that any problems would be way cheaper done at a regular garage, though they won't have access to the diagnostics equipment Lotus dealers have.

 

[MiamiBlue]

I've been ardent critic due to mine being undriveable for 7 months or so out of a 16 months period, doors/tailgate/brakes/engine/seat belt/HVAC/wiper motor/main screen/taillight/reversing camera/water ingress, but that aside the car really is superb to drive and puts a smile in your face every time you drive it.

You're an extremely patient person. I would have long since lemoned the car and either bought another example, or dumped the brand and bought a Porsche from the trauma of it all!

 

[SimonT]

You're an extremely patient person. I would have long since lemoned the car and either bought another example, or dumped the brand and bought a Porsche from the trauma of it all!

I didn't buy it, I won it. I could have taken a cash alternative but thought it would be a great replacement for my, then, recently written off Cayman S. If I'd bought it it would have gone back within 5 weeks.

That you can now buy one for £56k with under 5k miles is crazy, same price as a 9 Yr old GT4 with 10k more miles (which I'd get to be honest).

 

[MiamiBlue]

I didn't buy it, I won it. I could have taken a cash alternative but thought it would be a great replacement for my, then, recently written off Cayman S. If I'd bought it it would have gone back within 5 weeks.

That you can now buy one for £56k with under 5k miles is crazy, same price as a 9 Yr old GT4 with 10k more miles (which I'd get to be honest).

Well do be fair you cannot argue with the value for money. Nice win!

 

[optimist]

Thanks for the perspectives everyone, I appreciate it. In the US, used prices are down to around 91-93K for cars that have MSRP in the 116-120K range - but it looks like a lot of those cars are sitting.

It seems like the smart move is to wait for the US market to adjust lower and then buy a car that's flat white, yellow or black. I don't think this defect is well known and I doubt it's priced in here yet.

 

[Rupes]

I don't think there's evidence to support this. It's more likely that certain batches of doors and rear panels contain manufacturing flaws.

@optimist - the blistering paint issue was my biggest concern too, and I definitely take steps to mitigate water ingress into the doors to try and prevent blisters. Though, in general, I agree with @Nick in Sydney and his statement above (at least I hope so).

There are plenty of cars in the UK that have been on the road for 3+ years , and left outside in wet conditions, that have not blistered. It seems early production cars faced higher defect rates. This doesn't mean you're in the clear by buying a newer car, but I don't think all doors will blister.

I'm just surprised the aftermarket hasn't figured out a way to create some carbon fiber doors so I can at least upgrade the doors if I need to replace them!

 

[Orchardbike]

I'm just surprised the aftermarket hasn't figured out a way to create some carbon fiber doors so I can at least upgrade the doors if I need to replace them!
[/QUOTE]
Yes please!

 

[optimist]

@optimist

There are plenty of cars in the UK that have been on the road for 3+ years , and left outside in wet conditions, that have not blistered. It seems early production cars faced higher defect rates. This doesn't mean you're in the clear by buying a newer car, but I don't think all doors will blister.

I'm just surprised the aftermarket hasn't figured out a way to create some carbon fiber doors so I can at least upgrade the doors if I need to replace them!

That is encouraging. And sign me up for those CF doors!

 

[geoffbland]

Count me in for CF doors too.

 

[Hobiedick]

@optimist - the blistering paint issue was my biggest concern too, and I definitely take steps to mitigate water egress into the doors to try and prevent blisters. Though, in general, I agree with @Nick in Sydney and his statement above (at least I hope so).

There are plenty of cars in the UK that have been on the road for 3+ years , and left outside in wet conditions, that have not blistered. It seems early production cars faced higher defect rates. This doesn't mean you're in the clear by buying a newer car, but I don't think all doors will blister.

I'm just surprised the aftermarket hasn't figured out a way to create some carbon fiber doors so I can at least upgrade the doors if I need to replace them!

The earliest cars were delivered in the UK November 2022 so none are 3 years old.

 

[sfsalrivas]

How long does Lotus warranty the paint?

 

[Beachbum]

How long does Lotus warranty the paint?

hmmm, tricky Q to answer
The original warranty as stated on the Lotus website was 5yrs, however in about August 2024, they amended the wording to only say 3yrs. People have spoken to Lotus about this and Lotus are stating that the 5yr duration was in error and it was only ever supposed to be 3yrs.
No one yet has gone past 3yrs and had paint issues, but it will be interesting to see goes, if Lotus decide to stick with the 3yrs for all cars, not just those post Aug 2024
My limited knowledge of UK consumer law makes me believe that Lotus do not have a leg to stand on and any car originally sold prior to the wording change, will get the 5yr duration, those after will get 3yrs. Will be interesting to see how it goes, although I think Lotus may just try to drag out legal proceedings to make it financially difficult for those that do try to take the legal route(Assuming it becomes necessary)

 

[Biggles of Norwich]

hmmm, tricky Q to answer
The original warranty as stated on the Lotus website was 5yrs, however in about August 2024, they amended the wording to only say 3yrs. People have spoken to Lotus about this and Lotus are stating that the 5yr duration was in error and it was only ever supposed to be 3yrs.
No one yet has gone past 3yrs and had paint issues, but it will be interesting to see goes, if Lotus decide to stick with the 3yrs for all cars, not just those post Aug 2024
My limited knowledge of UK consumer law makes me believe that Lotus do not have a leg to stand on and any car originally sold prior to the wording change, will get the 5yr duration, those after will get 3yrs. Will be interesting to see how it goes, although I think Lotus may just try to drag out legal proceedings to make it financially difficult for those that do try to take the legal route(Assuming it becomes necessary)

There's also the sale of goods act in the UK - the fact that it's now a known manufacturing defect, acknowledged by Lotus, should work in our favour, but it's probably going to need a test case beyond the 3 year warranty

 

[optimist]

FWIW I've been chatting with a US dealer on this and they concur with what I've seen written here, that the issue is moisture entrapment within the composite door and that the fix is a door replacement. The interesting comment I got back was that 'procedures were put in place at the supplier and the design was enhanced to prevent occurrences of blistering'. I'd be curious to know if others are hearing the same, and if anyone who got a replacement door also saw the issue reoccur (earlier in this thread, I think I saw someone saying they thought it would make no difference, but not sure if confirmed?)

 

[Beachbum]

FWIW I've been chatting with a US dealer on this and they concur with what I've seen written here, that the issue is moisture entrapment within the composite door and that the fix is a door replacement. The interesting comment I got back was that 'procedures were put in place at the supplier and the design was enhanced to prevent occurrences of blistering'. I'd be curious to know if others are hearing the same, and if anyone who got a replacement door also saw the issue reoccur (earlier in this thread, I think I saw someone saying they thought it would make no difference, but not sure if confirmed?)

The issue then becomes when were the new procedures put in place and how soon were those doors being sent out?
There have been reports of doors being replaced middle of this year, that has the issue reoccur, so either the new procedure is very new, old doors are still being used, or the new procedure has not fixed the issue

 

[optimist]

The issue then becomes when were the new procedures put in place and how soon were those doors being sent out?
There have been reports of doors being replaced middle of this year, that has the issue reoccur, so either the new procedure is very new, old doors are still being used, or the new procedure has not fixed the issue

For context, this is relayed to me by a salesman who is trying to help me decide to purchase a car.

My take is this. There is almost no way anything significant has changed in the manufacturing process for the doors. The car and the doors are already in volume manufacturing, and even for a well-financed company it is not trivial to change any aspect of that manufacturing process once it's locked in ... not to mention having to scrap whatever inventory of doors the supplier or Lotus themselves are already sitting on.

If I had to guess they probably did stuff like change policies and procedures to not leave the doors or unpainted chassis out in the rain at the supplier, in transit, or in the factory. The supplier may also have agreed to more closely inspect the doors for micro-cracks prior to shipping. Finally, Lotus may have added additional material in the doors during assembly to prevent water ingress. All speculation.

I was considering replying asking if they could be more specific about what fixes were put in place, but I don't really expect a satisfying answer.

 

[tankski]

When I had my doors replaced back in Feb I was told there was a delay in getting them. Reason was that the original replacement door part had been superseded by another part. AFAICT that means the doors have been "revised" in some capacity at least twice.

All this was information given to me by the technician dealing with my car. I was also told I had a 5 year paint warranty by them, so I suppose only time will tell how correct that info was.

 

[SJM]

Issued a warranty claim back in June 25. Didn’t hear anything after 3 months so dropped into Zagame Adelaide, was told person dealing with it was at Bathurst and will contact when back.
No phone call after 3 weeks so rang yesterday, at lunch will call back. No call came.
Either doors on back order and a delay (would like to be informed) or incompetence by service advisor.
Can only guess what bullshit I’ll have to go through for PPF replacement will be!