47 replies to this topic

[r1chard748]

What is the cause of this and why don't you hear about it on the lotus sites with their cars?

[Strugs]

Right.. I've had a reply from Vauxhall to my last letter, and guess what..? They're still refusing to sort it.. The key points.. 1) They say the bubbling is not covered by the anti-perf warranty, as that warranty covers corrosion and they state that non-metal materials cannot corrode; 2) They accept the problem exists and that it is osmosis; 3) They state that this problem would be covered by the paint warranty - which my car is out of; 4) They confirm they have replaced clams on VX220s for similar issues although they say in every case the issue was reported earlier in the vehicle's life, and the vehicle had been purchased prior to the warranty expiring. They won't comment on goodwill provided to other customers due to Data Protection; 5) They state the Sale of Goods Act only applies to where a vehicle fails to the point where it cannot be driven and a repair is not possible; 6) They say that as the bubbling was visible at the time of purchase, I should have paid a price reflective of the condition; 7) They say they are unable help with my vehicle's requirement for replacement clams. So.. they're saying that it is osmosis, that the problem is covered by the paint warranty, confirm the only cure is to replace the clams, and accept they have sorted other cars but only in certain circumstances. Oh joy.. Now going to forward all the correspondance to the SMMT and see what they have to say..

[james141]

Keep on at them, I think they are just trying to fob us off. I can see I am going to have fun trying to get mine done Worst comes to the worst I wll pay to get it done then try to take them to the small claims court to get the cash back.

Edited by james141, 27 April 2008 - 07:36 PM.

[A13X]

Strugs, how old is your car? And whos has actually inspected it? I take it you booked it into your local dealer, area warranty assessor inspected and refused the claim. You then wrote to Vxl and they still denied? Have your car met the warranty requirements for a claim? eg, still within 6yrs old, fsh? It really is crap service from Vxl and certainly makes you think twice about buying another one!! When i had my work done (replacement clams, door), the local garage couldnt of been more helpful. Shocking to see how much it can vary from region to region

[cheeky_chops]

Now going to forward all the correspondance to the SMMT and see what they have to say..

Also contact the RMIF Conciliation And Arbitration service

http://www.rmif.co.u...umers.aspx?id=0

[Strugs]

Strugs, how old is your car? And whos has actually inspected it?

I take it you booked it into your local dealer, area warranty assessor inspected and refused the claim. You then wrote to Vxl and they still denied?

Have your car met the warranty requirements for a claim? eg, still within 6yrs old, fsh?

It really is crap service from Vxl and certainly makes you think twice about buying another one!!
When i had my work done (replacement clams, door), the local garage couldnt of been more helpful. Shocking to see how much it can vary from region to region

The car's a 2003 NA with fsh but the issue is that Vauxhall are saying the osmosis is covered by the paintwork warranty (which has expired) and not the anti-perforation warranty. It was inspected by the Customer Care District Manager..

[Strugs]

Now going to forward all the correspondance to the SMMT and see what they have to say..

Also contact the RMIF Conciliation And Arbitration service

http://www.rmif.co.u...umers.aspx?id=0

Thanks for that Cheeky. Reading that site, they seem to imply they would be more relevent than the SMMT?

[A13X]

Ok, Ive just been through my correspondence with Vxl and one of the letters states that the replacement of "the rear clam shell and door under the anti-perforation warranty." This letter was typed on behalf of C W Parfitt, MD and Chris Allen, Customer District Care Manager. I trust that in the end Vxl will eventually back down, just a matter of pressure. If you require any more info just let me know

[RichardRower]

Ok, Ive just been through my correspondence with Vxl and one of the letters states that the replacement of "the rear clam shell and door under the anti-perforation warranty."
This letter was typed on behalf of C W Parfitt, MD and Chris Allen, Customer District Care Manager.

I trust that in the end Vxl will eventually back down, just a matter of pressure.

If you require any more info just let me know

With the name 'Parfitt' I'm not surprised he wanted to maintain the Status Quo.

[mayhew]

I noticed some bubbling on my door today, I hope I'm not going to get loads of grief too I've got an 04 tubby

[cheeky_chops]

Now going to forward all the correspondance to the SMMT and see what they have to say..

Also contact the RMIF Conciliation And Arbitration service

http://www.rmif.co.u...umers.aspx?id=0

Thanks for that Cheeky. Reading that site, they seem to imply they would be more relevent than the SMMT?

i used to work in their IT dept in rugby - their head of conciliation (stuart?) advised me on lack of parts (eg VXR wheels). Very helpful and lots of experience

[lizvx220]

I was reading about the paint problem with interest ,as I noticed the same bubbles in my rear clam,which is on a 54 turbo just in front of the rear spoiler we have also 2 other vx a 04 turbo and a 2.2 n/a (greedy I know) none of these cars have the bubbles ,when I first saw it I thought that looks like osmo as I have been a boater for 30 years.and have seen many different types of it ,this type appears to be what I would call nettle rash. On mine ,it has small blisters, I have seen cases on boats where there have been egg sized bubbles ,and delamination of the fibreglass has occoured ,in boats this has been associated with areas of uncured resin within the matting,which when submerged in water turns into an acidic type fluid in the blister,which due to its density is drawn towards the outside of the hull,and creates the bleb in the gelcoat, the remedy with boats is to burst them ,wash out the acidic fluid and fill them with a epoxy two pack,or to leave them ,however on our cars it is not acceptable to have these blisters showing,Having owned S1 and S2 I have not seen this in any Lotus,but the S1 is a thicker layup ,in some makes of boat it was put down to certain factorys not leaving heat on in the factory at night ,and so some resin remained uncured,and it was laid up by hand ,modern fiberglass tends to be a chopped sprayed on layer ,and should be far less likley to suffer ,so it is a strange one,in boats this would usually effect a boat that is 10 years old ,and bear in mind submerged for 10 months of the year,in a boat you would put it down to the manufacturing process .

Edited by lizvx220, 27 April 2008 - 10:19 PM.

[Richy]

6) They say that as the bubbling was visible at the time of purchase, I should have paid a price reflective of the condition;

I just thought i'd mention this in here, as the issue came up on a booze up with me mates [one of whom is a fibreglasser/ sprayer]

Unless the contaminated material is completely removed - repairing such defects ie - a re-spray [or acid treatment like liz said] will only hide the problem short term - Osmosis will re-occur within 18mnths to 3yrs [sometimes quicker] He's worked on a few elises that must have once had 'bad' touch up work on stone chips, later leaving them with bubbling - he went on to say the only real way to repair is to replace.

No wonder vauxhall are refusing to do it.

Edited by Richy, 27 April 2008 - 10:18 PM.

[Strugs]

Ok, Ive just been through my correspondence with Vxl and one of the letters states that the replacement of "the rear clam shell and door under the anti-perforation warranty."
This letter was typed on behalf of C W Parfitt, MD and Chris Allen, Customer District Care Manager.

I trust that in the end Vxl will eventually back down, just a matter of pressure.

If you require any more info just let me know

Expect a PM!

[lizvx220]

6) They say that as the bubbling was visible at the time of purchase, I should have paid a price reflective of the condition;

I just thought i'd mention this in here, as the issue came up on a booze up with me mates [one of whom is a fibreglasser/ sprayer]

Unless the contaminated material is completely removed - repairing such defects ie - a re-spray [or acid treatment like liz said] will only hide the problem short term - Osmosis will re-occur within 18mnths to 3yrs [sometimes quicker] He's worked on a few elises that must have once had 'bad' touch up work on stone chips, later leaving them with bubbling - he went on to say the only real way to repair is to replace.

No wonder vauxhall are refusing to do it.

[Strugs]

i used to work in their IT dept in rugby - their head of conciliation (stuart?) advised me on lack of parts (eg VXR wheels). Very helpful and lots of experience

Nice one, thank you..

[Strugs]

I was reading about the paint problem with interest ,as I noticed the same bubbles in my rear clam,which is on a 54 turbo just in front of the rear spoiler we have also 2 other vx a 04 turbo and a 2.2 n/a (greedy I know) none of these cars have the bubbles ,when I first saw it I thought that looks like osmo as I have been a boater for 30 years.and have seen many different types of it ,this type appears to be what I would call nettle rash.
On mine ,it has small blisters, I have seen cases on boats where there have been egg sized bubbles ,and delamination of the fibreglass has occoured ,in boats this has been associated with areas of uncured resin within the matting,which when submerged in water turns into an acidic type fluid in the blister,which due to its density is drawn towards the outside of the hull,and creates the bleb in the gelcoat,
the remedy with boats is to burst them ,wash out the acidic fluid and fill them with a epoxy two pack,or to leave them ,however on our cars it is not acceptable to have these blisters showing,Having owned S1 and S2 I have not seen this in any Lotus,but the S1 is a thicker layup ,in some makes of boat it was put down to certain factorys not leaving heat on in the factory at night ,and so some resin remained uncured,and it was laid up by hand ,modern fiberglass tends to be a chopped sprayed on layer ,and should be far less likley to suffer ,so it is a strange one,in boats this would usually effect a boat that is 10 years old ,and bear in mind submerged for 10 months of the year,in a boat you would put it down to the manufacturing process .

Thanks for this Liz - a lot of the basic research I've done on this kind of problem has been related to the marine industry..

[Strugs]

..he went on to say the only real way to repair is to replace.

Exactly what Vauxhall allude to in their letter.. If this doen't come off, I'll be hoping that Munchers replacement clam idea ends up working out!

[A13X]

Expect a PM!

Il reply to your PM Monday afternoon,

[carl1977]

Strugs, how old is your car? And whos has actually inspected it?

I take it you booked it into your local dealer, area warranty assessor inspected and refused the claim. You then wrote to Vxl and they still denied?

Have your car met the warranty requirements for a claim? eg, still within 6yrs old, fsh?

It really is crap service from Vxl and certainly makes you think twice about buying another one!!
When i had my work done (replacement clams, door), the local garage couldnt of been more helpful. Shocking to see how much it can vary from region to region

The car's a 2003 NA with fsh but the issue is that Vauxhall are saying the osmosis is covered by the paintwork warranty (which has expired) and not the anti-perforation warranty. It was inspected by the Customer Care District Manager..

Well mines currently at luton getting the clams done, and mine is a June 2002 car, and i bought it in december 2007, so technically if they have a problem with your car, then they should have had a problem with mine, but mine sailed through the inspection, has been away 2 weeks now and im missing her!