Potential Buyer Dilemma

[Lotuswills]

Hi all you knowledgeable EMIRA owners, I have a hard decision to reach over which Emira model to choose. Background is that as a previous Lotus owner over the past 20 years with varying models I pre Covid ordered the 2.0 AMG auto model but cancelled after 3 years of waiting. I am now hankering for either a 3.5 AUTO or a 2.0 AMG . Having read Road test reviews I am still undecided. The consensus is that the 3.5 Manual beats the 3.5 auto BUT it seems a draw beetween the 3,5manual & AMG auto.. I know the 3.5 auto was/is a limited market and the 6speed auto does not seem to match up to the Toyota engine as well as the 8 speed DCT box does to the 2.oltr engine.
My concern is the reported overheating issues with the AMG engine (is it as bad in the Emira as reported in the A class Merc's?). I am set on an auto and it will be a used purchase for either model. At the moment I am looking at just a £2k differential beetween both models (with similiar age/miles) the 2.0ltr AMG being the dearest with 2previous owners whilst the 3.5 has had just 1 owner.
Any help, comments to justify one over the other will be appreciated. FYI-It will be a third car and will be used mainly for European trips probably notching up some 5,ooo miles per annum. I also have a friend who has had the 3.5ltr MANUAL EMIRa for 3 years now and just LOVES it.
Thanks for reading, look forward to receiving some advice

 

[geoffbland]

I would say if it has to be an automatic - then the AMG for sure. It's way better than the V6 auto. I expect the Turbo SE would be even better compared to the UK i4 FE, I certainly want a test drive in a turbo SE.
V6M = i4 > V6A
I would also recommend you test drive them both to be sure.

Also before you ask - there's little difference between the sports and touring suspension and this can be changed later anyway to something you prefer.

If getting a second hand one it's also worth posting here to see if anyone knows anything about the car you are about to buy.

But it's not a problem you can make a bad decision with

Edit - the overheating/casting sand issue has affected just a handful of i4s - at least reported to this forum. I believe engine swap under warranty was the cure. If you get a second hand i4 check the radiator cap check for any sand trapped in it.

 

[ADC]

My tuppence based on your expected usage (touring) is probably: do you want it to sing like an angry angel and be cheaper to service (V6), or go a bit faster and have better mileage on a cruise (i4).

I switched camps from originally wanting the AMG to actually getting the V6 because the noise is such a big part of the experience for me, and I am super happy with that choice.

 

[Colin P]

I disagree that if you go auto this defaults to the AMG. I had an Evora 400 Auto for 6 years and preferred it to my manual Evora that I had before that, despite the fact I generally hate Autos.

My plan was always to get an i4, but having had an Alfa Giulia veloce and an Alpine A110 after the 400 the 8 and 7 speed gearboxes had me concerned that the 6 speed V6 would be a better drive. If you drive it in manual (which I do all the time) the 8 speed box is simply too many gears. The 6 speed box however has very similar ratios to the manual and as such your gear selection feels far more natural and the car drives more like a manual than an auto.
Sure enough when I was ready to buy I drove the cars back to back (v6 auto and Turbo SE) Despite at that point being used to the 7 speed DCT in the Alpine I still found that the V6 was a far better drive when selecting gears manually. 8 speeds is simply too many gears when driven this way.

 

[Colin P]

BTW. The Toyota Auto box does match the V6 and it matches well. It is the engine and gearbox that was always designed to be used together (in the US Camry). The V6 was never intended by Toyota to be used with a manual box and consequently (assuming nothing has changed since the Evora) has an adapter plate to make it fit.

 

[ADC]

Yeah, I think the V6 auto catches more hate than it deserves. I would still give it a fair audition if I was considering which auto to go with... especially if you aren't going to track it / drive it super hard, and are looking for something more GT-esque.

 

[Rayjoedef]

2.0 turbo with jb4 absolutely rips....zero heating issues, US car

 

[Orchardbike]

My Evora 400 was an IPS auto. It worked really well so I’d definitely audition it. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned however, and may or may not be a dealbreaker for you, was that I was told by Komotec and Hanger 111 that they didn’t really recommend any engine mods as the auto gear box was a bit fragile to torque. They said the ECU limited torque in 1st and 2nd due to this issue. They said they could mod the engine but you’d feel the improvement only in 3rd gear upwards. They also put a limit to about 430 bhp.

 

[MiamiBlue]

Test drive both. Then you will know.

 

[Lotuswills]

I would say if it has to be an automatic - then the AMG for sure. It's way better than the V6 auto. I expect the Turbo SE would be even better compared to the UK i4 FE, I certainly want a test drive in a turbo SE.
V6M = i4 > V6A
I would also recommend you test drive them both to be sure.

Also before you ask - there's little difference between the sports and touring suspension and this can be changed later anyway to something you prefer.

If getting a second hand one it's also worth posting here to see if anyone knows anything about the car you are about to buy.

But it's not a problem you can make a bad decision with

Edit - the overheating/casting sand issue has affected just a handful of i4s - at least reported to this forum. I believe engine swap under warranty was the cure. If you get a second hand i4 check the radiator cap check for any sand trapped in it.

Thank you very valid points raised-thanks for prompting the sports/touring scenario. It has to be used as other projects looming and it involves a Px. Yes i will be test driving both b4 reaching a decision. Will release identity of both on here when i get a firm offer and will check the radiator cap (glad i posted for advice)

 

[Lotuswills]

My tuppence based on your expected usage (touring) is probably: do you want it to sing like an angry angel and be cheaper to service (V6), or go a bit faster and have better mileage on a cruise (i4).

I switched camps from originally wanting the AMG to actually getting the V6 because the noise is such a big part of the experience for me, and I am super happy with that choice.

Thank you - interesting to note that you changed your mind, probably favouring the "angry angel" scenario (b4 test drives)

 

[Lotuswills]

I disagree that if you go auto this defaults to the AMG. I had an Evora 400 Auto for 6 years and preferred it to my manual Evora that I had before that, despite the fact I generally hate Autos.

My plan was always to get an i4, but having had an Alfa Giulia veloce and an Alpine A110 after the 400 the 8 and 7 speed gearboxes had me concerned that the 6 speed V6 would be a better drive. If you drive it in manual (which I do all the time) the 8 speed box is simply too many gears. The 6 speed box however has very similar ratios to the manual and as such your gear selection feels far more natural and the car drives more like a manual than an auto.
Sure enough when I was ready to buy I drove the cars back to back (v6 auto and Turbo SE) Despite at that point being used to the 7 speed DCT in the Alpine I still found that the V6 was a far better drive when selecting gears manually. 8 speeds is simply too many gears when driven this way.

Thank you - Noted and valid

 

[Lotuswills]

Yeah, I think the V6 auto catches more hate than it deserves. I would still give it a fair audition if I was considering which auto to go with... especially if you aren't going to track it / drive it super hard, and are looking for something more GT-esque.

Intersting-If i do end up doing some track days it will be very limited -yes it will be more of a GT esque scenario

 

[Lotuswills]

My Evora 400 was an IPS auto. It worked really well so I’d definitely audition it. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned however, and may or may not be a dealbreaker for you, was that I was told by Komotec and Hanger 111 that they didn’t really recommend any engine mods as the auto gear box was a bit fragile to torque. They said the ECU limited torque in 1st and 2nd due to this issue. They said they could mod the engine but you’d feel the improvement only in 3rd gear upwards. They also put a limit to about 430 bhp.

Thanks valid points-however i cant see me modifying at the moment (cash tight and just want to enjoy the car)

 

[Lotuswills]

Test drive both. Then you will know.

Sure will and will report back here my observations and will detail the Cars tested, mileage owners etc -just in case you guys may know some of their history -1st test drive Wednesday V6 auto

 

[Beachbum]

I have the 2.0 I4 Auto, and love it. Its my first auto, my previous Lotus was an Elise 111R, so obviously manual
I guess you need to ask yourself what you want from the car. I think someone recently summed it up brilliantly
V6 = the ocassion/the noise
I4 = the performance and economy.
TBH, the performance between them is nothing major for general road use, so you'd need to track them or drive like a nutter on public roads to notice anything between them

 

[Lotuswills]

I have the 2.0 I4 Auto, and love it. Its my first auto, my previous Lotus was an Elise 111R, so obviously manual
I guess you need to ask yourself what you want from the car. I think someone recently summed it up brilliantly
V6 = the ocassion/the noise
I4 = the performance and economy.
TBH, the performance between them is nothing major for general road use, so you'd need to track them or drive like a nutter on public roads to notice anything between them

Thanks-I used to be a serious manual only guy=however as time gone by I have switched to autos (but needs to have paddles) as I do drive a lot in manual mode (prempting auto change down as I can see whats ahead ). I note earlier commentts about shifting through 8 gears as opposed to six, hoever I have no issues with driving my GLC with 9 speed box as I really know which gear I should be in varying circumstances (I agree 6 is less to cope with and is probably sufficient). Time to check all this out now.

 

[ADC]

Thank you - interesting to note that you changed your mind, probably favouring the "angry angel" scenario (b4 test drives)

Despite your stated "no mods" policy, I'd dare anyone to disagree that a £300 3rd cat deletion on the V6 is completely worth it for what it adds to the aural experience, even if you do absolutely nothing else to the car. Be sure to pop the windows down briefly (cold weather be damned) and give it some welly in sport mode when you do your test drive

 

[Colin P]

Part of the benefit of the 6 gears is the range of each gear. What it avoids is multiple gear changes in overtakes and mid corner when pressing on and the ability to short shift when appropriate as you have greater overlap and still be in the “right” gear.

BTW. The turbo SE is noticeably quicker from low speeds as a consequence but you are very quickly into third.

I’d be more than happy with either, but I personally preferred the V6. Look forward to your thoughts once you’ve tried them both.

 

[Colin P]

Despite your stated "no mods" policy, I'd dare anyone to disagree that a £300 3rd cat deletion on the V6 is completely worth it for what it adds to the aural experience, even if you do absolutely nothing else to the car. Be sure to pop the windows down briefly (cold weather be damned) and give it some welly in sport mode when you do your test drive

Absolutely and it brings the sound back to Evora 400 levels. I’d definitely have done it to mine already if it were not illegal.