US Service Pricing

[TheBard]

Okay, so I've not posted in a while, and unfortunately the Lotus has been at the local dealer (Criswell in Gaithersburg, MD).  I just wondered what the rest of us pay for services, because however obviously a main Lotus dealer will charge a bit extra, I've never done this before so I want to have an idea of what I should or shouldn't be paying.<br><br>The story so far:  <br>30,000 mile service = $1200<br>New 02 Sensor + Belts = $800<br>New CAS + Ignition module = $1400<br><br>that is fully fitted, plus taxes, and I feel they are high, but within what you'd expect to pay at a main dealer.  <br><br>Typical that I get an error code 13 and an error code 41 within two weeks of owning the car, but at least it has kept it out of the snow!  <br><br>Are there any D.C. area owners getting their car serviced elsewhere? All advice greaftully received.<br>Thanks, Ian

[Doug]

Depends on how much you want to do yourself?<br><br>Some people could do all that at home for a fraction of the cost  ::)<br><br>Hell, you could research in the main site and Forum for references to the CAS, belt, ignition coils, etc. (part numbers for Isuzu dealer, ignition seller, and local parts store) and buy the parts yourself for half or less of what they will charge you.  Even that'd be a way to save a lot.<br><br>(example: Lotus dealer will charge you $150-200 [maybe more] for a CAS that you can order online and ship to you for less than $100, cam belt and other belts are similar . . . )<br><br>Furthermore, even a good all-around mechanic would have no problem doing those services to an Elan--they are no harder to work on than Hondas . . .

[TheBard]

Well the cost may have been more than expected  :o<br><br>but Criswell Lotus in Gaithersburg just called, and I can pick up the car whenever I like  ;D<br><br>Now where to go to "test" all is well... [smiley=biggrinjester.gif]

[Doug]

with the wallet THAT much lighter you should notice a significant improvement in acceleration!  [smiley=burnout.gif]

[rob]

Sorry for the numpty question but where is MD ??<br><br>Also why would you guys buy a car that was made in a cow shed 5000 miles away, that costs a fortune to run ;when you can buy an American car for half the price with twice the power.<br><br>Dont get me wrong, the M100 is a fab car but so is the mustang, corvett or the firebird and I would not buy any of these. Not over here any way.<br><br>Bert, signing off pissed and out of a job  :D

[Monty]

If u watch Top gear, there all power and shite at handling. But there not my comments thou  ;D

[rob]

and ours are all shite and good at handling.<br><br>not realy any use in a straight line though  :-/

[TheBard]

Answer to numpty question = Maryland, and a pronunciation tip from a Brit who has been out here eighteen months now, it is said "Murr-lund"  [smiley=aeh.gif]<br><br>Answer to second numpty question = Cos it is a Lotus Elan, and I'm a Brit living in America who has wanted one since he was about ten, and has now made the dream come true  ;D  <br><br>Oh, and Top Gear are right in their reviews, Yank Tanks are cheap, massive, and can look impressive, but they don't drive right.  This is why most cars on the road have Honda, Nissan or Toyota badges (or rebadges Acura Infinity etc) on them.  Trust me, my 1991 SE's interior plastics are better quality, and in better shape than the brand new Ford Mustang I test drove recently!<br><br>

[Jeff]

Instead of a Lotus dealer, you can often find a specialist that will do the work, for a fraction of the price.  Many of the dealers are starting to distance themselves from M100 servicing.<br><br>As to the other comments, the cars mentioned are pretty much shite all around.  I had an 89 mustang GT;went pretty fast in a straight line (zzzzzzz), but the minute I hit a twisty country road it would plow like a super tanker.

[TheBard]

Okay, just had the 36,000 mile 'B' service done.

Criswell's again in MD, as I'm not quite set for doing it myself just yet.

They quoted $360, they charged $345, and the car was ready ahead of schedule.

Then the drive back at 90mph plus on the Beltway was fabulous with the top down at 90 degrees in the sunshine