Where to take my Evora for a service?

[Timbotucker]

Searching the site for some feedback regarding good garages with no joy, so need a little help.

My GT410 needs a “C” service, air con check/re gas and possibly tyres, due to my location (North West Wales) I don’t have much choice but to travel, I’m thinking of taking it to Silverstone, I can see Birmingham has Rybrook. I’m not a fan of Rybrook and have had some negative experience, all be it with Land Rover, so could be completely ok but still just a big multi dealer company with no regard to customer satisfaction.

The car has a full service history with Hanger 111 and I believe there an independent with a good reputation so would be nice to use them but being over 300 miles away, maybe 7 hours drive, it’s not really ideal.

Any recommendations in the North West or Midlands, or will I be in good hands with Silverstone?

 

[Jovver]

I can certainly recommend HPE Automotive in Bromsgrove, but I suspect Dan is a bit snowed under at the moment…

https://www.hpeauto.co.uk

[Bravo73]

I recently took my Evora to Silverstone for a ‘C’ service (if that is plugs etc). 

After my experience, I will never go back there. YMMV. 

[Gothmog]

Been using Oakmere in Cheshire for my servicing/mending for the last 7 years, no issues at all.

[jep]

Birmingham Rybrook are superb on McLaren servicing - a total joy and really seem to care. I take a day off work to use them rather than Ascot, who are snobs. Bell and Colvill great but Birmingham engineer is more experienced. 

So don't dismiss them for Lotus, my Lotus are too old to use Rybrook. I think the Lotus servicing is the same location as McLaren.

You don't have to use a main dealer even if under warranty - but perhaps best to especially if you're selling in the medium term. 

Justin 

 

[Timbotucker]

@Bravo73 can you elaborate on your experience a little more?

@jep Birmingham works for me because my daughter lives about 30 mins away, my phone call to them didn’t fill me with confidence but then it’s not the guy on the desk doing the work……yes it is the same location as McLaren, Blythe park.

Will checkout Oakmere and HPE, thanks everyone.

[jep]

Yes, a good engineer who cares is the key - possible at main dealer, certainly true at Birmingham McLaren. Hopefully Birmingham Rybrook Lotus too! 

I got lucky at Birmingham Rybrook, the engineer just loves his job and my car - he even emails me direct and sometimes when he's on holiday!

It really adds to the joy of ownership to interact with those servicing your car. 

Justin 

[Bibs]

There is a Lotus specialist in Llandudno...

https://m.facebook.com/NorthWalesLotusSpecialists

That said, their website seems to have disappeared so perhaps best to call first. 

[Timbotucker]

Not there anymore, was attached to the Honda dealer who moved.

[exeterjeep]

not too long ago, were mentioned on...

https://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/lotus-cars-news/lotus-offers-uk-owners-mot-support-to-keep-you-on-the-road-for-less/

 

I think Rybrook Bristol are more interested in Lotus from the Emira and newer, they never seem to have any listed for sale. Birmingham seem a bit more Lotus active.

Maybe Bristol are still trying to set themselves up to take the customers from the old  dealer/service agent  - Williams.

Just goes to show that the lack of dealers may be a hindrance in ownership around the UK.

[PaulLee]

I would recommend Williams in Chipping Sodbury. Although no longer a Lotus Dealer they have years of experience on servicing these cars. I use them for both my Exige and Evora with no issues.

[Rambo]

1 hour ago, exeterjeep said:

Just goes to show that the lack of dealers may be a hindrance in ownership around the UK.

Very true, especially the newer cars.

[Spanky3]

I'm also interested in @Bravo73 comments about Silverstone. My C service was done by them last year and afaik all good, though they did leave the nearside tailgate prop bracket loose  which I guess was removed to get to the airbox.

 

[Timbotucker]

Just an update to my original post.

I had my Lotus serviced last week at PJS Sports Cars, Burton Upon Trent. Extremely happy with all aspects and will gladly recommend them to all, nice I’ve now found an honest, reliable service agent for my Lotus. Paul was helpful, extremely knowledgeable and more than happy to listen and give impartial advise to any questions I threw at him with regards to my Evora and Esprit.

 

[a7esk]

This year I booked my Evora into Central Lotus .

Fantastic experience, full heath check carried out first before the main service continued.

Ive now used 2 main dealership.

Silverstone Lotus .

Central Lotus.

both get my approval 10 out 10 .

 

[Roobarb]

For Northwest England / North Wales I can't recommend Phoenix just outside Accrington too highly, Ollie has looked after my Lotus cars for last 16+ years, he's ex-F1 and runs an Evora himself and is a true enthusiast. Contact info here  https://www.phoenixmotorsports.co.uk 

[OakMan]

Looks like you have a fair distance to go to many of the official or independent specialists.  I have known and used Chris Foulds at CJ Foulds Motors near Huddersfield for a great number of years.  He looks after my classic Elan, S1 Elise and GT430 Evora.  He doesn't find unnecessary work or costs and is always impartial with advice.

They can't do some of the diagnostics on the Evora, apparently it's a bit different to the earlier Evora's which they can do.  If it requires diagnostic work I take it to Central at Nottingham.  Though Central are one of the newer generation of dealers their background is they own and ran the successful Le Mans Evora and campaigned it for Lotus.  I've been very satisfied with them too.

[MrBlueSky]

Just had my GT410 serviced at Craig Moncrieff in Edinburgh.

Real pleasure to deal with and will certainly be using him from now on.

[Ericski]

I've used Lotus Silverstone for all my Lotii servicing since 2012 (and even went to the dealership's opening event).  Can't fault them at all.  And, whenever I've needed a courtesy car, they've made sure that one was available; most recently an Elise, but also had an Evora and a V6 Exige in the past!

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Wow get you! I always ended up with their ageing Audi A4 with a thimble full of fuel in the tank! 

[C8RKH]

That because @Ericski had the decent loaner each time. Maybe the two of you should coordinate services so you avoid him and get the better loaner?

Edited November 29, 2023 by Bravo73

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

To be honest I just hang around in their nice new waiting area, log onto their Wi-Fi and do some work nowadays, so never ask for a courtesy car.

[C8RKH]

I'm the same with the Merc daily driver. The Mercedes Dundee facility has a dedicated "work" lounge/area with excellent free coffee, quality biscuits and snacks, super fast wifi and comfy chairs. In fact, if I could, I'd make it my daily work location lol.... If my wife knew how good it was she'd probably try to get me to move there.

[Phaeton91]

Thought I’d add some of my experience here. 

Since buying mine in 2022, I’ve used Lotus at Silverstone for a service, a health check report and some warranty work that came from it.  On the 3 occasions I went there the treatment me and my car received was top notch.  I’ve also used them to buy parts (carbon tailgate and trimmings plus other parts). Again, every member of the team is super helpful, knowledgable and professional.  The only thing for me though is that it effectively means half a days holiday for me. Whilst I use their lounge area and WiFi its not the same as being in the office. 
 

So when I needed a tie rod end replacing I booked into Steve Williams in Maidenhead.  They are not a main dealer but for me they certainly know their stuff and from that experience, and some tips that Steve game me when I called him on another matter, I’ve booked in for my next service too.  I’m confident my car will get the TLC it needs from a team with donkeys years of experience and what I would call an old school specialist garage.

[jerzybondov]

I can echo these experiences and recommendations for both Lotus Silverstone and Steve Williams 👍