I’m looking for some advice on whats best to do, so i will welcome any comments you may have…
I noticed the 3rd gear grind when test driving an RGB and i was previously aware of this issue but had not experienced it in any other exige before. I ended up purchasing the said car and over the next month or so the problem seemed to get steadily worse and i was also having issues where the gearstick was fixing solid when pulling away in 1st which meant i had to double clutch to get into 2nd.
…So, after booking the car in with the Lotus dealership, a gearbox rebuild and clutch change was authorised and work completed. Upon driving away i noticed the grind was still there. Lotus advised that i put a good couple of hundred miles on it and see how it progresses.
No change at all in the 3rd gear syncro issue, so the car was booked in again and once driven by a chap in the Lotus warranty department, a gearbox oil change was authorised and MT90 oil was put in. The gearstick fixing solid problem had been solved by the clutch change.
The MT90 made a very slight difference but gearchanges from cold going up and down into 3rd are still terrible.
The car went back to the dealer yet again and was driven by a different chap from Lotus who noticed the grind. I have since spoken to this chap and at this current moment in time will not authorise a new gearbox as it may be the same or worse than what i currently have.
I do not agree with TADTS as the other exiges i have driven have been fine.
What should i do now and legally what position am i in?
Very annoying for you m8…
No easy fix for the box either really.
It seems that some people are lucky and have no crunching into 3rd and some not so lucky.
I notice on another thread that Trackclub are now using Kaaz gearsets and do report that the gearchanges are much improved.
Not sure on the legal position but you could ask if they would part fund this option?
Yes i initially felt the 3rd gear syncro on the test drive and the dealer said they would adjust the cables which did not make the slightest difference.
There was also a portion of TADTS
When the clutch change and gearbox rebuild was authorised i thought that would be the end of my worries but it was not so…
I had this exact issue and went through all the same processes as you this was nearly 5 years ago mind.
Basically to cut a long story short after a rebuild and new oil it was only slightly better but same as you a new box was not approved as was really only when cold. I ended up leaving it as it was after this as was too much hasstle and after about 5k it totally dissapeared and now it is totally fine
So if you do get nowhere with the dealer then fingers crossed it sorts itself after some miles.
Good post Mark , I suppose Syncro rings bed in like clutches do,I remember when I had the uprated clutch fitted it used to judder for a time until it had some use …
[quote=MarkS2s]I had this exact issue and went through all the same processes as you this was nearly 5 years ago mind.
Basically to cut a long story short after a rebuild and new oil it was only slightly better but same as you a new box was not approved as was really only when cold. I ended up leaving it as it was after this as was too much hasstle and after about 5k it totally dissapeared and now it is totally fine
So if you do get nowhere with the dealer then fingers crossed it sorts itself after some miles. [/quote]
It sounds like you had a good outcome Mark but i think it should be Lotus fixing it, I only have 9 months of warranty left and I am begining to panic a little. Why have warranty? and on a car that costs as much as it does, it should be right.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me, I hope I have a slick gear change like yours one day!
I do hope you get it sorted, and yes you are 100% right in that they should fix it! I can still remember taking people out back when it was new and it grinding. It would make that horrible noise and people would say whats up with your gears
Mine does this when cold, I have now learnt just not to use 3rd when the gearbox is cold, I really can’t be bothered to do anything about it and just drive around the problem. If the box has to come out for anything else I’m not convinced I would even bother to replace the syncro then.
I wish i could take your view Ade but after spending rather alot of money on my pride and joy its upto Lotus to fix it for me!
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If yours is still in warranty then I would pursue them for as long as it takes to get it sorted, it is a known fault and they should be able to rectify it.
