Why Would I Ever Service the Emira at the Dealership?

[daSchtick]

So I am 4 months and 1900 miles into ownership, and I pondered this thought - Why Would I Ever Service the Emira at the Dealership? I have already changed the oil once myself at 1000 miles (fairly easy, especially with many resources on here), and plan to perform all other maintenance myself when the time comes. (I am retired, so I have nothing but time!) The only other reason I could see is to update the software. However, being a March 2025 build, it likely has most updates, and seeing the thread on the latest update altering track mode, it makes me question why I would ever need to do this as well as long as I am happy with everything as is.

My closest dealership is 2-1/2 hours away, and I struggle with what value this service really provides me beyond what I can do on my own. I personally rather not leave my car anywhere for service, and as far as records go, I keep all receipts and thorough documentation of service in a dedicated booklet for the car. Unless I run into an extreme issue under warranty, I don't plan to ever go back.

Convince me otherwise - GO!

 

[Nick in Sydney]

Well, you provided one answer yourself: software updates. They will keep coming in future years. A second reason is resale value. It doesn't matter what records you keep; many buyers will be reluctant to purchase an expensive car without evidence of a dealer service history. A third reason is that (in my experience) if something goes wrong with the car, dealers are much less likely to advocate with the manufacturer on your behalf to get warranty coverage when you've done the maintenance yourself.

 

[cyanmauve]

Software updates.

Documentation of any issues that you can’t resolve and want resolved under warranty.

TSB/recall issues.

I took my car in for service on an unrelated matter last year, and the rubber (or plastic or whatever) skirt was added under the front hood to help prevent water ingress/divert water away from sensitive components to prevent rust.

 

[geoffbland]

Whilst it may look like a "service" is just an oil change - the technicians do (or at least should) give the whole of the car a good check over to see if there are any other issues. That's what you are paying the £500 for - not just an oil change.

Software updates and recall issues can only be done at a dealer but should be done for free (I think?).

The main reason is to get that stamp in the log book for resale value (even if I never plan to sell the car) at least for the first 10 years.

As soon as mine is out of warranty I plan to have an independent Lotus shop do any work on my Emira - the independent shops are so much better in all aspects than the dealers (at least they have been for my Elise) - but still have the service done by a dealer.

 

[Beachbum]

Once mine is out of Warranty, my car will be seen by an independent. Thankfully I have 3 or 4 that are quite close to me
Most people buying Lotus's 2nd hand, know that an independent is a better option than a Dealership, for servicing and maintenance and the independent will still stamp the service book. Assuming you use one with decent rep, you'd be good to go

 

[geoffbland]

Most people buying Lotus's 2nd hand, know that an independent is a better option than a Dealership, for servicing and maintenance and the independent will still stamp the service book. Assuming you use one with decent rep, you'd be good to go

I'm still planning to get at least the first 6 services done by an official dealer before going independent. Unfortunately many prospective owners do not know that an service by an independent is likely better than one by a "official" dealer. So need to have that holographic sticker in the log book that you can only get from a dealer.

 

[zoomdaddy]

I drove mine 6 hours to a dealership from my remote home and had a great service experience.
It's an excuse to drive scenic roadways , devoid of traffic, with an abundance of twisty turns and breath taking landscape.
We spent a couple of nights in the city. Took my bride to dinner, visited friends, picked-up the car after updates & minor warranty tweaks. The dealer was surgically thorough in servicing the car.
The Emira driving experience makes the trip seem shorter.
Its been 1.5 years of ownership and 15k trouble free miles on the odometer. Getting behind the wheel makes us incredibly happy. Looking forward to the next drive for my 2 year service.
"Life is short, drive a Lotus."

 

[tritzenthaler]

I just had my first service at 1,000 miles, and I did take it to the dealer in New York City. While I know I can take it somewhere independent for far less money, I feel the dealer has far better knowledge of the Emira, and as others have said, can install software updates (which they did for this service), and corrected a couple of other minor issues I had with the passenger side window weather stripping, and the front driver side parking sensor. I also had the dealer install the PPF (they use a specific vendor) so that they will stand behind any issues I may experience with the PPF (but I will say I did a thorough inspection and the PPF install was flawless).

Other than the minor issues above, my Emira has run flawlessly.

 

[cyanmauve]

I think it’s a relatively small price to pay for peace of mind.

My dealer is about 2 hours from where I live. Both times I have taken the car in, it has been worth the inconvenience to have it serviced there.

The service manager has gone out of his way to make sure that anything that should be evaluated and addressed under warranty is. Sure, he is incentivized to do so, as warranty work pays the bills. But. There is still benefit to me, to customer, as an independent shop (1) likely does not have access to the same internal service memos as a dealership and (2) would have to charge to correct warranty items.

Also, I believe there is value to having a dealer that services a specific make and model all the time, and has been factory trained, doing the work. For services other than an oil change or a similarly simple maintenance appointment, the guy that has done something 10 times on the same car will likely do a better job than someone who did something one or two times in an independent shop.

This changes somewhat as the car ages and issues are more known and documented.

 

[tritzenthaler]

I wholeheartedly agree, my experience with Manhattan Motorcars (Lotus dealer) has been incredible, I cannot say enough about their professionalism, thoroughness and follow up to make sure everything is exactly as I expected. They have gone above and beyond in my opinion compared to any other dealer I have experienced.

 

[geoffbland]

Also, I believe there is value to having a dealer that services a specific make and model all the time, and has been factory trained, doing the work. For services other than an oil change or a similarly simple maintenance appointment, the guy that has done something 10 times on the same car will likely do a better job than someone who did something one or two times in an independent shop.

When we are talking about independents, we're talking about independent Lotus specialists in the UK. Like Lakeside Engineering, Rapid Mechanical Services, Hanger-111 (there's several others), these firms have a wealth of experience with Lotus Cars - usually far more knowledge of the cars than a dealership has. They usually have much better customer service and are considerably cheaper.

 

[djprov431]

2.5 hrs to nearest dealer for me as well, I fixed the oil pipe leak I had and have done 2 oil / filter changes in my 5800 miles. 3rd cat delete, valve controller, Hawk ceramics, GRP air filter & short shift in there as well -- the dealer is for if things really go wrong -- otherwise, hard pass for me 100%.

 

[kvb968]

My dealer is 2 hours away in Scottsdale, so I do my own maintenance unless it’s something serious. The oil change, 3rd cat delete and controller, and addition of Hertz, A-pillar tweeters, were all easy. 2,200 miles, zero problems, and a smile on my face every time I drive it.

 

[daSchtick]

Interesting replies - looks to be about half/half. I lean toward the side of skipping the dealership myself. Most of the replies revolve around software updates, resale value based upon dealership service stamps, and warranty support.

Software:
If someone can prove that a software update is indeed going to improve something that I will actually notice or will affect longevity, I might travel 2-1/2 hours each way for an update. However, many updates, especially at this point, are very minor and not an absolute requirement. If an update is severe, then I should receive a recall notice, and then I would make the trip.

Resale Value:
If someone has excellent documentation of regular maintenance, no matter where it was performed, this is far more valuable to me over a book of dealership stamps at every 10k miles. Some may feel otherwise, but I feel that many people looking at used Lotus cars are not basing values upon dealership service stamps in lieu of maintenance performed elsewhere. There is an understanding that Lotus dealerships are few and far between, and that many people will utilizing local service shops.

Warranty Support:
Over the 3 years of factory warranty, there is very little that could be denied due to lack of service performed at a dealership. If you look at the Maintenance Schedule, the only required maintenance is replacement of engine oil/filter every 10k miles, and changing pollen filter, air filter, and brake & clutch fluid at 20k miles. Everything else on the extensive list is simply 'checking', which any independent shop (or any good DIYer) can do as well as the dealership. As long as you have good records of actual performance of maintenance per the schedule, it would be fairly difficult to deny warranty service, especially for items that are completely unrelated to maintenance, such as HVAC, electrical, paint, etc. After 3 years, you are on your own anyway.

All of that said, if I had a local dealership, I might return for the 10k mile service. However, it's minimally a full day project to travel to my closest dealership and back - that is if they can complete everything while I wait.

 

[Steve24]

Well, you provided one answer yourself: software updates. They will keep coming in future years. A second reason is resale value. It doesn't matter what records you keep; many buyers will be reluctant to purchase an expensive car without evidence of a dealer service history. A third reason is that (in my experience) if something goes wrong with the car, dealers are much less likely to advocate with the manufacturer on your behalf to get warranty coverage when you've done the maintenance yourself.

Unfortunately can’t multi quote, but I’m writing this in the context of what the original poster posted directly above.

I agree 100% with Nick in Sydney*
Personally, while I admire people who can do their own spannering, there is no way I I would buy an expensive sports car from someone who had maintained a new $200k+ (here) car from home.
Stamps in the book say something that I like to see (at least up to the end of warranty, and after that a highly regarded independent is ok too).

*THAT SAID, the situation may be totally different in the US with the lack of dealers etc. so perhaps the attitude there to owner maintained cars is different.
In which case, fair enough.

 

[sixtyy]

software update? Initial i4 had non smooth transmission - this is fixed easily.