Reasons a clutch would go at less than 12k miles of normal driving?

[geoffbland]

What is "rack off"?

I'm guessing he's an Aussie - he's being polite - there's a less polite version used in the US/UK.

 

[me73]

I'm guessing he's an Aussie - he's being polite - there's a less polite version used in the US/UK.

I'm being obtuse to show that his post to complain about off-topic posting just contributes and has no value. To expect forum posts to stay on topic is naive at best and complaining about it is futile. The only reason I'm adding to it is because it's being recognized.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

Once Lotus become involved with stripping down and repairing the clutch issue, they can say whatever the like caused the problem. The only sure way to get a definitive reason/answer is to have an independent, neutral assessor involved, either engaged to carry out at least the strip down or, which I doubt Lotus would agree to, have that independent professional examine the parts as they are removed.
Expecting to get a favourable judgement after repairs take place, and solely by Lotus and based solely on what they say from their observations only, might be wishful thinking, sorry to say.
Perhaps it might be considered prudent to take a punt and engage an individual who knows what they are talking about before a dismantling bolt is even removed for repair, and have them assess what the underlying cause is likely to be.
Proving it, without being able to cross check parts etc as they are removed, is the hurdle to overcome.

 

[Yorkie]

If you’re paying for the work then Lotus can’t stop you having an independent professional on hand to examine the removed parts.

 

[Kentviking]

Once Lotus become involved with stripping down and repairing the clutch issue, they can say whatever the like caused the problem. The only sure way to get a definitive reason/answer is to have an independent, neutral assessor involved, either engaged to carry out at least the strip down or, which I doubt Lotus would agree to, have that independent professional examine the parts as they are removed.
Expecting to get a favourable judgement after repairs take place, and solely by Lotus and based solely on what they say from their observations only, might be wishful thinking, sorry to say.
Perhaps it might be considered prudent to take a punt and engage an individual who knows what they are talking about before a dismantling bolt is even removed for repair, and have them assess what the underlying cause is likely to be.
Proving it, without being able to cross check parts etc as they are removed, is the hurdle to overcome.

Thanks...it was a good suggestion, but alas it is too late now for anyone independent to be there for the strip down - The dealer had to strip it down to assess the damage before being able to determine if a warranty claim might be valid (to be fair they did say this was unlikely) and despite the dealer professing to be "on the side of the customer" it doesnt quite feel like that is the case. When we asked for them to help us with any possible reasons "other than driving style" that might have led to the issue the dealer would say nothing - according to them, there are apparently no potential mechanical reasons they could think of for such a failure. I'm tempted to go as far as saying we do feel somewhat judged as being in the wrong because of how they perceive we have driven the car. Having said that they have a software test and could tell that the car has never done a racing start in its life, and we have also offered our car tracker data as proof of our light usage, but this offer has thus far not been taken up. For us the issue suggests that there is either some as yet undiscovered issue or the autobrake issue is the main cause, and in any event the components are distinctly on the fragile side and not actually fit for purpose. Suffice to say if we don't get to a satisfactory understanding and resolution then I could not in good conscience continue to own the car knowing that normal driving will likely result in yet another £6k bill just a further 12k miles down the road.

We have now elevated the issue to the Lotus escalations team. Will follow up with final resolution when known.

 

[F1 SML8R]

You don't need an independent person to opine. I'm surprised no one has suggested it, but ask for or go and take pics of the disc and pressure plate assemblies as well as the connecting bearing assembly. It will almost always certainly tell you what went wrong. Manufacture defects will be obvious. Driving abuse will be obvious. Something in between, maybe not obvious but opens the door for a conversation with actual support to have it.

Certainly not implying the OP isn't being transparent, but this feels like the other recent thread with the transmission/warranty denied click bait title that clearly showed the guy flogged the crap out of the car and somehow still thought Lotus did him dirty by not covering it.

Just remember, "a pic is worth 1000 words..." In this case, it may even be the trigger to re-engage with Lotus. Receipts, always have them in hand.

 

[SoCal_R8]

this guys went out at 4k miles....

stories like your and videos like this don't give me the warm and fuzzies about this car

 

[Briggo]

May I ask which dealership you are using. I have had my Emira from new and covered 16k miles and the car is just 3 years old. I have had gear selection issues since purchase, which the dealer was unable to resolve by plate adjustments etc. At second service, the technician thought the clutch had an untypical bite point likely contributing to the gear selection issues. They recommended that the clutch be replaced under warranty but Lotus would not sign this off saying it was a "wear and tear" issue so not covered under warranty. My delaership thought it likely that the clutch had some faulty components or was fitted incorrectly. Despite support from the dealership Lotus CS declined the warrantly claim. I subsequently escalated a complaint which went backwards and forwards for months and was eventually declined once more! Lotus asked for vehicle data to review the claim which was provided and confirmed that there was no recorded issues with driving style or mistreatment. The clutch has not failed at this point, but I am now anxious that it may get worse. I was not prepared to pay the cost of Lotus stripping down to see if the components were faulty when there was no gurantee this work would be covered off by Lotus. Interestingly, like others, I have experienced the sticking parking brake on occasions. I am currently considering my options before deciding on next steps. I love the car but have had a hatful of issues since purchase which has taken the edge off ownership. Additionally, there was no information provided at time of purchase of likely cost of a replacement clutch requiring engine out and a £5/6k bill!! There appears to be evidence of a growing number of similar cases from recent research. Apologies to readers as I have commented on my experience previously but have summarised it again in the hope that it is helpful to Kentviking

 

[Kentviking]

May I ask which dealership you are using. I have had my Emira from new and covered 16k miles and the car is just 3 years old. I have had gear selection issues since purchase, which the dealer was unable to resolve by plate adjustments etc. At second service, the technician thought the clutch had an untypical bite point likely contributing to the gear selection issues. They recommended that the clutch be replaced under warranty but Lotus would not sign this off saying it was a "wear and tear" issue so not covered under warranty. My delaership thought it likely that the clutch had some faulty components or was fitted incorrectly. Despite support from the dealership Lotus CS declined the warrantly claim. I subsequently escalated a complaint which went backwards and forwards for months and was eventually declined once more! Lotus asked for vehicle data to review the claim which was provided and confirmed that there was no recorded issues with driving style or mistreatment. The clutch has not failed at this point, but I am now anxious that it may get worse. I was not prepared to pay the cost of Lotus stripping down to see if the components were faulty when there was no gurantee this work would be covered off by Lotus. Interestingly, like others, I have experienced the sticking parking brake on occasions. I am currently considering my options before deciding on next steps. I love the car but have had a hatful of issues since purchase which has taken the edge off ownership. Additionally, there was no information provided at time of purchase of likely cost of a replacement clutch requiring engine out and a £5/6k bill!! There appears to be evidence of a growing number of similar cases from recent research. Apologies to readers as I have commented on my experience previously but have summarised it again in the hope that it is helpful to Kentviking

Thanks Briggo. Sent you a dm. Prefer not to name in public while due process is ongoing.

 

[SoCal_R8]

does this seem to be a first year production issue???

anyone with a 2025 or newer with these clutch issues?

 

[EmiraDude]

this guys went out at 4k miles....

stories like your and videos like this don't give me the warm and fuzzies about this car

This guy bought this car used with 4k miles on it already. Little does he know that it was Galpin's demo car that they were letting people test drive. I test drove it myself and could tell it had some serious usage on it. Who knows what beatings it took in that 4k miles. Far from "new" as he claims.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

does this seem to be a first year production issue???

anyone with a 2025 or newer with these clutch issues?

That is a very good question and a good thought to pursue. Though not having a V6, I understand that the Engine/transmission setup is a carry over from previous Lotus models, pretty well ‘bullet proof’. So what’s changed?

 

[Ralph2025]

I’m sorry but that’s impossible to demonstrate. A clutch can be worn out easily in 12K if you had no regard for the time, money, hassle of the process. 3-4 track days, total disregard for the car, and it’s done. However, I do not think that’s the case here with the OP at all. Something must be amiss in their specific case because under normal, even very sporty driving a clutch should last considerably longer. I’ll admit I don’t know these cars but something is not right in this situation.
Also, I can’t speak for the court system in the UK but you’d be really hard pressed to even attempt to hold a manufacturer responsible for such a claim even in the overly litigious US. Maybe it’s different in the UK but you’d get absolutely nowhere trying to prove or hope for warranty coverage on a clutch here unless a tech could and would definitively say this was/is a defect. It’s the same for brakes, tires, many other wear items that leave too much room for error, abuse, unknowns.

It's very easy to demonstrate. You find a couple of qualified mechanics to write a statement saying when clutches wear out. Everyone knows they should last longer than 12k.

May I ask which dealership you are using. I have had my Emira from new and covered 16k miles and the car is just 3 years old. I have had gear selection issues since purchase, which the dealer was unable to resolve by plate adjustments etc. At second service, the technician thought the clutch had an untypical bite point likely contributing to the gear selection issues. They recommended that the clutch be replaced under warranty but Lotus would not sign this off saying it was a "wear and tear" issue so not covered under warranty. My delaership thought it likely that the clutch had some faulty components or was fitted incorrectly. Despite support from the dealership Lotus CS declined the warrantly claim. I subsequently escalated a complaint which went backwards and forwards for months and was eventually declined once more! Lotus asked for vehicle data to review the claim which was provided and confirmed that there was no recorded issues with driving style or mistreatment. The clutch has not failed at this point, but I am now anxious that it may get worse. I was not prepared to pay the cost of Lotus stripping down to see if the components were faulty when there was no gurantee this work would be covered off by Lotus. Interestingly, like others, I have experienced the sticking parking brake on occasions. I am currently considering my options before deciding on next steps. I love the car but have had a hatful of issues since purchase which has taken the edge off ownership. Additionally, there was no information provided at time of purchase of likely cost of a replacement clutch requiring engine out and a £5/6k bill!! There appears to be evidence of a growing number of similar cases from recent research. Apologies to readers as I have commented on my experience previously but have summarised it again in the hope that it is helpful to Kentviking

Get the quote from your dealer, and get it in writing that they think there's a fault with the clutch. Then do the work then claim it back via the small claims court. It's so easy. It's irrelevant whether lotus want to pay. The court will force them, including your expenses plus interest. It's so simple.

 

[Ralph2025]

I’m sorry but that’s impossible to demonstrate. A clutch can be worn out easily in 12K if you had no regard for the time, money, hassle of the process. 3-4 track days, total disregard for the car, and it’s done. However, I do not think that’s the case here with the OP at all. Something must be amiss in their specific case because under normal, even very sporty driving a clutch should last considerably longer. I’ll admit I don’t know these cars but something is not right in this situation.
Also, I can’t speak for the court system in the UK but you’d be really hard pressed to even attempt to hold a manufacturer responsible for such a claim even in the overly litigious US. Maybe it’s different in the UK but you’d get absolutely nowhere trying to prove or hope for warranty coverage on a clutch here unless a tech could and would definitively say this was/is a defect. It’s the same for brakes, tires, many other wear items that leave too much room for error, abuse, unknowns.

It's incredibly easy in the uk, I've been through the process several times and have a 100% success rate. You'll just need a witness statement form a mechanic that will state that clutches don't wear out at 12k unless there was a latent defect.

 

[767Driver]

It's incredibly easy in the uk, I've been through the process several times and have a 100% success rate. You'll just need a witness statement form a mechanic that will state that clutches don't wear out at 12k unless there was a latent defect.

Interesting for sure! Hard to imagine that ever occurring over here in the states. I certainly don’t know 100% and I suppose anything is possible, but I’d confidently say it’s extremely unlikely that would be the case here.

 

[SoCal_R8]

That is a very good question and a good thought to pursue. Though not having a V6, I understand that the Engine/transmission setup is a carry over from previous Lotus models, pretty well ‘bullet proof’. So what’s changed?

here is what a quick search said

Yes, the 6-speed manual transmission in the V6 Lotus Emira is fundamentally the same unit found in the Lotus Evora GT, featuring the same Toyota-derived 2GR-FE engine pairing. While they share the same base, the Emira features a revised shifting mechanism aimed at improving feel, often described as tighter than the Evora's.

YouTube +1
Key details regarding the transmission include:

• Identical Architecture: The manual gearbox and clutch setup on the V6 Emira is the same as the Evora, and in some cases, the same service procedures (like clutch replacements) apply.
• Improved Shifting: The Emira's manual shifter is designed for a tighter, "snickety-snick" action compared to the Evora 400/GT.
• Clutch Differences: Some users note that Lotus corrected a rev-hang issue in the Emira, allowing for better rev-matching and faster, smoother shifting than in the Evora GT.
• The "Same" Feel: Despite refinements, many drivers report that the overall driving experience of the manual transmission in the Emira is virtually identical to that of the late-model Evoras

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

If you’re paying for the work then Lotus can’t stop you having an independent professional on hand to examine the removed parts.

While in this case it is a bit late (Lotus have undertaken the removal and ‘inspection’) access by anyone to a company workshop is generally by invitation only, not a given right. We notice signs at the workshop entrances to the effect:
“Admittance to workshop by authorised personnel only!’
Particularly if Lotus smell a rat pointing to their product (the clutch) being faulty, I would be surprised if they welcome with open arms an independent assessor.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

Sorry, just a little further on this for anyone confronting a similar scenario.
Unless a claim (not just clutch failure) is accepted as a warranty issue, engaging an independent workshop to do the strip down/inspection may be preferable. An invitation to Lotus to have their representative present through the whole process may not only be prudent, but a wise course.
If Lotus reject the offer, it would be difficult, even in a small claims action, for them to produce any evidence supporting their standing, since they refused an invitation to make an inspection.
Notification of what will take place BEFORE it takes place is an important factor, along with their quote to strip out and repair.

 

[rowenofpts]

I’m not sure I understand the automatic parking brake thing you’re speaking of? What is the issue and why were you having to rev it while braked? I’ve never heard of this.

 

[tankski]

The e-parking brake needs a bit of clutch bite and gas input to disengage. Lots of people report that they need to put a lot of gas and clutch into it and that causes lots of unnecessary clutch wear.