GTS-MC Shift: 1st service, findings so far

[Dan!]

So the time has come for the beasty to have it's first service....

Booked in yesterday, dropped it off this morning at the Meridian sales centre, got a lift home from Glenn and then got a phone call this afternoon from Navtrac telling me my car was on the move, shortly followed by a call from Meridian service centre with a report of the findings. So pretty efficient process so far.

Findings:
*Exhaust valve solenoid sticky and needs replacement - warranty
*Parking sensor fault recorded, not repeating after resetting, replacment not required
*Centre console/Sat-Nav, no fault recorded after freezing and resetting itself the other day
*Front tyres worn on inside edge to the point of nearly through to the canvass, loads of tread left on the rest of the tyre, premature failiure, requires replacement - cost to me
*Geo out and needing to be re-done - cost to me
*Front near side wheel scuffed, to be repaired (thanks to last year's x-mas party) - cost to me
*Rear near side wheel scuffed, to be repaired (thanks to not knowing the size of the car on the day I picked it up!) - cost to me
*"Clicking" drive shaft, to be removed and inspected findings to be advised - warranty
*Clutch 25% worn, average for 12,000 miles
*1st service - cost to me

 

[NickP]

Sounds pretty normal, nothing nasty which is good news.

 

[Parisien]

Yup, not so bad, good clutch really......pity the tyre wear is still a nuisance though!


P

 

[Simon]

Yup, not so bad, good clutch really......pity the tyre wear is still a nuisance though!


P

Won't that be due to the geo being out? Wht do these cars (QP's included) loose there geo settings so easily?

 

[dem maser]

It will be down to the geo.....

 

[conaero]

I dunno, all the Italian beauties I have had have worn their inner edges, surely they all cannot be out of geo???

I must admit Dan I noticed your propshaft making a right old racket at the last meet, when you were reversing, loads of drivtrain shunt, I was too polite to say anything.

 

[Dan!]

Matt, the propshaft racket has always been there in reverse. I'm guessing it's play in the idler gear as the clutch engages and disengages?
I don't think that's the noise they're referring to, I'll find out tomorrow and will ask about the shunt in reverse.

 

[conaero]

Ok good to know.

If they are doing a front and rear alloy (that will be done at Ross Packards in the New Forest) get them to put the refurbed alloys on the same side (if already not). That way there won't be any paint match issues.

I would also push them on things like the geo as you can say it was obviously not right from the factory.

The clutch is great news suppose the newer system is working better than the 4200's

 

[bigbob]

All GT service prices include a full geometry check IIRC.

How long did it take you to do the 12.5k miles and did you get an annual service or the two year service?

Happy to mention cost?

 

[Maser Sod]

I would also push them on things like the geo as you can say it was obviously not right from the factory.

I would argue that also, although the dealership might counter with the fact that two wheels have clearly been clouted and 12K miles done. Worth a try, nonetheless.

 

[BJL]

I had the same problem with excessive tyre wear on the inside fronts and outside of the rears. Had it regeoed in Italy and was no different. Went to a local tyre place who had an active screen showing in real time a cartoon like picture of 'toe in' 'camber' the other one I can't think of but it's the fore and aft setting. Anyway he set up the rears with max negative camber, that sorted that out then set the fronts with neutral toe in and a bit of negative camber and now all tyres wear absolutely flat across the tread. The Meridien mechanic told me they all wear badly on the inside edge of the fronts and the outside edge of the rears but they can only set it up as per factory spec. I regularly check wear patterns as a way of keeping an eye on the geo.

 

[Maser Sod]

An aftermarket performance option is actually to have the toe-in adjusted to somewhere between one and two degrees for better handling - this is something I have been considering if/when I get my GS lowered.

 

[conaero]

So there you go then Dan, dont bother getting them to charge you £250 for the tracking as its not going to make any difference.

 

[Dan!]

All interesting stuff.
I didn't speak to them today, but if the wheels have gone somewhere for refurb they won't have done the geo yet, so I'll give 'em a bell tomorrow and tell them not to bother and then take it to the specialists that set up my Lotus as they will set it to whatever is required to give the correct handling and look after the tyre wear.
Matt, fortunately the scuffed wheels were both on the same side, which is handy. Tbh I didn't even think of the paint maybe not matching, so its a very good point that you made!

 

[Dan!]

All GT service prices include a full geometry check IIRC.

How long did it take you to do the 12.5k miles and did you get an annual service or the two year service?

Happy to mention cost?

I took delivery of the car in July 2010, so miles done in 15 months give or take.
The requirement is a service every 2 years or every 12,000 miles, which ever is sooner.

Estimate currently at £2.5k Inc vat for the list above.

I'll ask them about the included geo check, it's probably foc until they pick up a spanner and then it incurs a £250 charge...?

 

[Simon]

The geo check is not included with any QP service, the main dealer I used last charged about 500-700 for a geo check and set.

 

[Dan!]

Holy cow, change your dealer!
Meridian quoted £250, and I thought that was steep.

 

[Andyk]

Go to a specialist for that as surely its cheaper....Or saying that Dan 250 sounds pretty good....

 

[BJL]

Christchurch Tyres in Christchurch Dorset have a great guy there who sets up cars for track and road plus knows all about potential tram lining etc. Cost about £60 if I remember correctly. Plus 'Alloy Magic' in Poole behind Pro Tyres are the best wheel refurb place around. After hitting a massive pothole on the Futa Pass my front wheels looked like thrupenny bits (remember them) but they put them in the oven and then on the centrefugue and with the help of a bloody great big rubber hammer, hey presto and all at £45 a wheel.

 

[conaero]

Dan, before you go you will need to see if you need shims to do the job an order it.

If I were you, I would take it up to Grimaldi as they have the Hunter system or Emblem in Poole.

They will set it up so as not to wear the inner edges I am sure, and being Maser indies, they will have all the shims in stock.