Nissan 370Z Forum  

[Beware] Lotus Autobody (Richmond, BC)

So today my front lip flew off my Z on the highway while going 120km/h.. My car was low so the lip wasn't able to get underneath my bumper, which

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Regions > Canada


Like Tree4Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-20-2013, 04:04 AM   #1 (permalink)
.c2
Enthusiast Member
 
.c2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 414
Drives: 09 370z MB 6MT
Rep Power: 12
.c2 is on a distinguished road
Default [Beware] Lotus Autobody (Richmond, BC)

So today my front lip flew off my Z on the highway while going 120km/h.. My car was low so the lip wasn't able to get underneath my bumper, which prevented it from being run over thankfully. However, instead it was on the floor and pushed by my car for a fair distance before I was able to stop. The lip now has a huge hole in the corner where the material is completely gone.

It was a shine auto front lip, and was installed very poorly by Andrew @ Lotus Autobody in Richmond, BC over on Olafson and Bridgeport road. If you guys had originally considered this bodyshop before, I'd suggest you look elsewhere. Price is tempting but you really get what you pay for. He installed the lip with only two screws in total and two pieces of 3m tape about 15cm long, both pieces did not stick properly and left a noticeable 1-2cm gap in some places between the bumper and lip. I even brought the lip over to the shop to get it checked to see if the mounting was still okay a few weeks prior to the lip falling off, and they said it was completely fine. I had my entire lip kit installed there and the entire lip kit was installed poorly.


I posted the full story on another forum, but it's pretty long. If you want to read it, I'll spoiler it below. Basic summary;

-Entire lip kit was installed fairly badly by Lotus Autobody
-Front lip was only held on by 1 screw on each side, and 2 pieces of 3m tape 15cm long
-Front lip was on for 1.5 months before scraping it caused the 2 screws to start coming loose
-Brought back to shop to get inspected and fixed, but shop assured me that the lip was fine and that it was not a problem. They told me to come back only when the 2 screws are completely off, then they'll redrill new holes and mount new screws for me.
-Asked the if they could just screw it back in on the spot or fix it, they said no because it will crack the lip (pretty bull..)
-Lip flies off the car on the highway a few weeks later
-Lip brought back to the shop to be inspected, shop says it's not their fault but that it could be the fault of 3m for making bad tape, and the fact that the car was daily driven. But it was mounted 'properly' in their eyes and nothing could have been done to save the lip
-Shop also said it was not their fault because it took 3 months for the lip to fly off the car, and that if it fell off 1-2 days after install then it would have been their fault


Sorry, summary is still kind of long. Full story below


( Click to show/hide )

So around August 2012, I bought a lip kit and brought it over to Andrew @ Lotus Autobody to get it painted (just the rear piece) and the whole kit installed because my friend said he had a good experience getting his front lip painted and installed there. Paint was good, but install was terrible. Didn't want to say anything until now but if anyone has considered bringing it to this shop on Olafson and Bridgeport, I'd suggest reconsidering..

The day I went to go pick up my car after the kit had been installed, I noticed things wrong with every single piece.

Starting off with the biggest problem, the front lip.

If you notice very closely, you can see the bumper on the driver side by the fang has been scratched by the lip and the paint has faded. The install was done terribly, it only had two screws on the entire lip and two pieces of double sided tape approx 15cm long per side. That was it. Fitment was not perfect, and there was a very visible gap in between the lip and the bumper on the front edges. The tape was already peeling and there was a good 1-2cm gap on the curve of the bumper and lip, you can see the tape was sagging and completely useless there. The tape was about 1/4 of the lip? The rest of the weight was held on by one screw on each side. I asked Andrew if this was okay, and if he was sure. He said "Yeah of course it's fine". So I leave, and 1.5 months later I went back to the shop. By this time I had scraped the lip pretty badly because of my ride height, and the two screws were half out and also angled now instead of being parallel to the ground like it was before. I bought it to him to ask if he could remount it to make sure it stayed on. He took a look at it, tried to shake the lip, and then he said "No I can't do that because if I thread the screws in it will crack the lip. Wait for the screws to fall out and I will redrill a hole for you to mount a new screw in. I can't do that until it falls out". I asked if he was completely sure that it would hold, and he just said "Yeah of course". I was retarded and believed him. The car was garaged 2 weeks later (no more scraping now because I had gotten used to the height), and taken out just a week ago. Again, no scrapes. Today, on the highway, I was just about to take an exit and going about 120km/h I hear a sudden pop and a HUGE scraping sound. I immediately stop and pull over, walk around my car and find out my front lip had fallen off. It completely fell off and was no longer attached to the car, but because my car was so low it wouldn't clear underneath my bumper so my bumper simply pushed the lip forward and it kept dragging on ground. This is the result of dragging 120km/h -> 0km/h, doesn't look as bad as it does in person in these pictures. The bottom half is separated from the rest of the lip, and is no longer one sturdy piece. It just flaps now..

The other side was sanded down by the concrete but it didn't completely sheer off yet, so it's still in one piece thankfully..

I took it back to Andrew and didn't mention anything, just that it fell off while driving on the highway. He looks at it and says it's not repairable because it's completely carbon fiber. I ask how it fell off and he said he had no idea. Both screws were missing on each side and the tape snapped in two, half on the bumper and half on the lip. He said he had no idea how the screws could have fallen out, and that someone must have tried to steal my front lip. I told him that I had just retorqued my lugs this morning because I recently put on spacers about 100km ago. The screw was still in there. My friend even made a comment a couple of days ago about how stupid the installer was because there was marks on my bumper and the screw holding the lip in was sticking out, though I did correct him saying that the scraping of the lip is what caused the screw to stick out. Even though I wanted to put the screw back in, Andrew specifically told me not to and to just leave it the way it is until it does fall out. However, I just ******* realized that when the screw falls out, so will the lip. Because all it's held on by other than the screws, are two short pieces of 3m tape that was not even really holding on in the first place.

I asked him why it happened, and if it was an install mistake and if it could have been installed better. Andrew replies with "No not at all. If it was my mistake then the rest of your kit should have fallen off too because it was also done by me." This is complete ******** because for one, the front lip takes most of the wind resistance when driving compared to the sides and rear. The sides at least had 5 or so bolts on each side, and the rear was siliconed to stay on. The front only had tape and 2 screws in total.

I also mentioned that I noticed and pointed out to him that the tape was already peeling the day that it was installed. He then says well that's not his fault, but is 3m's fault for making bad tape or if he used a defective roll. Wtf? In my opinion, it should be the body shop's responsibility for the products they use. If they don't expect the product to hold up the lip properly, why would they even use it? Shouldn't a proper bodyshop expect all of their work to actually last more than 3 months of usage without falling off?

He then says that it might have also fallen off because I drive it everyday. At this point I'm just like :rukidding: No **** I drive my car everyday, it's a freaking car. I told him that he should have expected cars to be driven... and that should not be an issue for a properly installed lip. He then says that if it was his fault, it should have fallen off the day of the install or the day after. But the fact that it took 3 months to fall off means that it was not the installers fault. I just can't believe it at this point. What kind of body shop installs a lip and says "oh well if it lasts more than one day on this car then my job is done"? I told him that I think that is a pretty big problem if a lip can't last on the car for a mere 3 months. Could it not have been mounted better? He again says 3 months of daily driving. He cannot take any responsibility for this at all.

He also asked me more than 3 times where the screws were in the half hour conversation we had. I told him that I don't know, obviously because the lip ******* flew off on the highway. The screws were probably somewhere on the highway. He says that doesn't make sense because screws can't simply fall off. I tell him that I saw the screws on the lip this morning, and he says again that someone probably took it off to try to steal the lip. I drove non stop today before the lip fell off, except to get gas and I was by my car the entire time. I told him this and that no one could have taken it off. He then says well there's no other option except someone trying to steal it. And that he can't say anything else about where the screws could have went because he could not see the screws. In my head I was thinking; well if you could see the ******* screws then my lip would still be on the car..

I understand that it could have been my fault for scraping the lip in the first place causing the screws to start to fall off, but I brought it back to Andrew because of this to make sure that it was okay. I wanted it to be remounted if needed, but he said it was completely fine and that it did not have to be fixed, touched up, or anything. Wait for the screws to fall off before he can redrill a new hole and mount a new screw? Well the screw fell off. So did my lip.

He said he can't repair it, but I showed my friend and he said he could help me. We're now going to try to use fiberglass to fix the hole and put a **** load of resin on there, then sadly have to paint the bottom of the lip black. We're also going to put clear cf resin on the cracks of the lip that are still intact... If anyone else has any opinions on how to add onto the fix please share. The lip was about $550, and being a student working two part time jobs it's really hard for me to just throw it away having it on for less than half a year.

My bumper now that the lip has fallen off..



The bumper was in perfect shape in those areas before the lip install. The lip was installed badly and loose since the very beginning, so it kept moving up and down since there were only 1 bolt on each side, and scraping against my bumper. I pointed this out to Andrew as well, and his response: "Oh that'll polish out". Yeah, so who's going to polish that out for me? -_-



The sideblades;

They were flimsy. Very flimsy. I understand it can be because of the way it was made, but install was an issue here imo... He installed the sideblades with about 4 bolts and nuts that came with the part, and 3-4 of his own screws, which had different heads. He did not use any double sided tape, which made it seem very flimsy in between the bolts. My sideblades always rattles against the car whenever someone's shoe or pants accident brush against it. This may be the case with a lot of these kind of parts, but I'm pretty sure it could have been a lot better if it were taped on so the parts in between the bolts are atleast connected to the car. I brought this up to Andrew and he said it's fine. He could have taped it but he thought the bolts were okay. I was obviously unhappy about it, but after the install of course he did not want to simply unbolt it just to add tape to reinforce it.


The rear lip was also installed pretty badly. There were gaps everywhere and the tape was peeling off already when I went to go pick up the car. I asked Andrew if he could install it any better and he said no. One corner of the lip was COMPLETELY off the car, the tape was there but could not hold it so the corner was just in the air. I showed this to Andrew, and he just pushed it back down and the tape held on for 2 seconds before the edge came flying up. He just shrugs and says "Well, bad fitment. What can you do". I told him to silicone it so it'll stay, there's no way I can accept that kind of install when the lip is already falling off. He said fine, come pick it up again in half an hour. I am also sure that the lip could have been fitted with no gaps, because I've seen a lot worse fitment on the rear lips of my previous Civic and the cheap shop that I brought it to installed it perfectly with only double sided tape and screws, no gaps at all. This one didn't even seem that bad.

Everything was also test fitted prior to install/paint, and Andrew said everything was okay. Clearly looking at it now, it's not.

Sorry for the long post, was just really choked today for almost destroying my $550 front lip... Sharing this in hopes that it won't happen to anyone else reading this. If any of you guys think your lip kit was installed badly and flimsy, take it to the shop right away and have them look at it and fix it. If they refuse to fix it like Lotus, then take it to another shop. Don't be stupid like me. And beware of this shop for lip kit installs. My friend who referred me said that his bumper was also similar to mine because the lip kept rubbing against it due to the install, which shouldn't be happening..


So if you guys see me the next little while, you will know why my car looks so retarded with almost everything on the exterior done but with a stock bumper :/
__________________

Instagram // Build Thread
Amuse / Mines / Bride / Momo / KW / Hotchkis / Motordyne / Invidia / Injen
.c2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2013, 11:08 AM   #2 (permalink)
Track Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada BC
Posts: 501
Drives: 10 370z M6 40th
Rep Power: 15
nismo 1234 is on a distinguished road
Default

that sucks man....
at least it didnt go under the car and damage anything else!


what are you gonna do about the front now?
nismo 1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2013, 11:59 AM   #3 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 93
Drives: Nissan
Rep Power: 13
Gurps is on a distinguished road
Default

Damn, I took your earlier advise and had them install paint and install my rear spats and side blades.

Any issues with those so far? Andrew seemed like a fair guy. He glued my rear spats as he said the 3m tape and screws would not be strong enough.
Gurps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2013, 09:32 PM   #4 (permalink)
Ire
Track Member
 
Ire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Toronto
Posts: 785
Drives: 09 MB
Rep Power: 16
Ire has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond reputeIre has a reputation beyond repute
Default

let this be a lesson. if you're unhappy how they do it, don't leave it. have it rectified asap.
that said, my Z is MB also and even looking at your pics hurts me lol
id be furious if my carbon lip broke off on the highway.
to be fair tho, a lot of lips are held on by little more than 3M tape usually so its not THAT wierd that yours is held together with just two screws plus a little tape. If i was to go that route i might have put on another two screws/mounting points (if you're ok with making more holes in your bumper of course)

oh man, im clutching my chest just looking at those scratches. hope you get it resolved asap bro
Ire is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 02:48 AM   #5 (permalink)
.c2
Enthusiast Member
 
.c2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 414
Drives: 09 370z MB 6MT
Rep Power: 12
.c2 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nismo 1234 View Post
that sucks man....
at least it didnt go under the car and damage anything else!


what are you gonna do about the front now?
Yeah I agree. My friend is helping me fix it up, he just finished fiberglassing the hole and we're going to go sand it tomorrow and maybe paint the bottom part.. Not sure, haven't exactly decided yet but thankfully it looks like I can save this lip even though the shop said it's unfixable

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gurps View Post
Damn, I took your earlier advise and had them install paint and install my rear spats and side blades.

Any issues with those so far? Andrew seemed like a fair guy. He glued my rear spats as he said the 3m tape and screws would not be strong enough.
Sideblades are flimsy. Lol the rear spats he just taped for me and it was peeling off when I got there, I had to tell him to glue it before he did so he glued one side. It's been holding on fine so far, because the wind doesn't hit it the way it hits the front lip. I'll admit their paint matching is pretty good, just install and their service isn't horrible if anything comes up. Installation is pretty **** but for the sides and rear it should be okay... Sorry for referring you, I didn't know they would have been like this

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ire View Post
let this be a lesson. if you're unhappy how they do it, don't leave it. have it rectified asap.
that said, my Z is MB also and even looking at your pics hurts me lol
id be furious if my carbon lip broke off on the highway.
to be fair tho, a lot of lips are held on by little more than 3M tape usually so its not THAT wierd that yours is held together with just two screws plus a little tape. If i was to go that route i might have put on another two screws/mounting points (if you're ok with making more holes in your bumper of course)

oh man, im clutching my chest just looking at those scratches. hope you get it resolved asap bro
Definitely a lesson learned the hard way. Yes I know that's the way it's usually held on, but I was honestly shocked to see just one screw per side. I asked him to put at least one more screw on and he just said he couldn't. I would rather have more holes in my bumper than breaking a $550 lip

Fiberglass filled the hole, thankfully. Looking good so far... I hope it turns out okay
__________________

Instagram // Build Thread
Amuse / Mines / Bride / Momo / KW / Hotchkis / Motordyne / Invidia / Injen
.c2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 10:15 AM   #6 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Jasonle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 3,509
Drives: 09 370z
Rep Power: 25
Jasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond reputeJasonle has a reputation beyond repute
Default

That is expensive..but how much is costing to get it fixed? I would try to sell this..and get a new one. I had a lip on my g35 did that to me...but it was urethane..Man that **** is strong. But anyways hope that can be fixed.
__________________
2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van
Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast
Jasonle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 11:52 AM   #7 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 93
Drives: Nissan
Rep Power: 13
Gurps is on a distinguished road
Default

Hey C2, no worries on the refer all. Form what I can tell the side blades and rear spat install and paint he did seems okay so I am happy with it.
However what happened to you is not acceptable, hopefully it works out.
Gurps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2013, 03:05 PM   #8 (permalink)
.c2
Enthusiast Member
 
.c2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 414
Drives: 09 370z MB 6MT
Rep Power: 12
.c2 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasonle View Post
That is expensive..but how much is costing to get it fixed? I would try to sell this..and get a new one. I had a lip on my g35 did that to me...but it was urethane..Man that **** is strong. But anyways hope that can be fixed.
Well my friend is fixing it with me, it's not at a shop so I'm only paying for materials which have been around $18 so far for the fiberglass resin. I don't think I can sell this lip for a lot if it's been repaired haha, I don't know... Probably just going to put it back on my car, I like the way that this lip looks and I juuust finished putting on my wheels and getting the exterior done. I'm dying to see the car look finished again. Yeah, poly urethane is strong and flexible which is great. That would have held better on my car :/ Thanks man

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gurps View Post
Hey C2, no worries on the refer all. Form what I can tell the side blades and rear spat install and paint he did seems okay so I am happy with it.
However what happened to you is not acceptable, hopefully it works out.
Thats good, thanks man. Hope to see your car around sometime!
__________________

Instagram // Build Thread
Amuse / Mines / Bride / Momo / KW / Hotchkis / Motordyne / Invidia / Injen
.c2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2013, 05:51 PM   #9 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Cafiax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Canada - Richmond
Posts: 291
Drives: 10 Nissan 370z PW A7
Rep Power: 14
Cafiax is on a distinguished road
Default

man that sucks... I got my shine auto kit installed there also. I should take it to a reputable shop to get it checked. I noticed that my kit would slide down ~3mm after driving due to the downforce. My side skirts are not properly installed too. The bolts were not on correctly. one was angled.
__________________
2010-PW-370z Fast Intentions CBE 18" res + HFC, K&N Typhoons Intakes(Gen 3 Stillen soon), 20mm H&R Front - 25mm H&R Back, Shine Auto(Sunline)
Cafiax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2013, 03:52 AM   #10 (permalink)
.c2
Enthusiast Member
 
.c2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 414
Drives: 09 370z MB 6MT
Rep Power: 12
.c2 is on a distinguished road
Default

Ah, yeah get it checked if you can asap. I would hate for this to happen to someone else :s
__________________

Instagram // Build Thread
Amuse / Mines / Bride / Momo / KW / Hotchkis / Motordyne / Invidia / Injen
.c2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 09:00 PM   #11 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Cafiax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Canada - Richmond
Posts: 291
Drives: 10 Nissan 370z PW A7
Rep Power: 14
Cafiax is on a distinguished road
Default

Dropped the car off at the bodyshop. getting a bracket made so it's more securely fastened.
__________________
2010-PW-370z Fast Intentions CBE 18" res + HFC, K&N Typhoons Intakes(Gen 3 Stillen soon), 20mm H&R Front - 25mm H&R Back, Shine Auto(Sunline)
Cafiax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 09:07 PM   #12 (permalink)
Track Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada BC
Posts: 501
Drives: 10 370z M6 40th
Rep Power: 15
nismo 1234 is on a distinguished road
Default

which body shop did you take it to?
nismo 1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 04:37 AM   #13 (permalink)
.c2
Enthusiast Member
 
.c2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 414
Drives: 09 370z MB 6MT
Rep Power: 12
.c2 is on a distinguished road
Default

Hope everything goes well Cafiax!
__________________

Instagram // Build Thread
Amuse / Mines / Bride / Momo / KW / Hotchkis / Motordyne / Invidia / Injen
.c2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 10:41 AM   #14 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Bking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 298
Drives: 40th Z
Rep Power: 14
Bking is on a distinguished road
Default

You should xpost this on revscene (if you haven't already).

That sucks...I'm glad you are able to fix it though.
Bking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 02:03 PM   #15 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
TheGreatOne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Montreal, Canada
Age: 46
Posts: 1,980
Drives: E60 BMW M5
Rep Power: 21
TheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond reputeTheGreatOne has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Sorry to hear that man, that sucks indeed. As everyone else said, happy you didn't run over it. Sure it wasnt' a good feeling.

2 screws and 3m tape, depending on the lip might be enough but like you I wuld have preferred 2 more.

I installed my Carbon Fiber Side Blades myself and I think I used 8 Self Taping screws PER side lol. I sooner a shop overcompensate than cut corners.
__________________
2017 SUBARU STI
2008 E60 M5 - SOLD
2010 40th Anniversary 370Z - SOLD (and missing her)
TheGreatOne is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
autobody work velvethammer Canada 4 06-23-2011 07:37 PM
Richmond VA? feelzpwr91 Mid-Atlantic Region 4 05-06-2010 06:20 PM
TNT Autobody Sacramento Grand Re-Opening BBQ freshnikez Northern California Region 1 04-28-2010 03:15 PM
D&V Autobody Annual Meet pauley Mid-Atlantic Region 85 04-21-2010 06:01 AM
Boardwalk Lotus Invites You to Preview the All-New Lotus Evora on Dec 9th AK370Z Nissan 370Z General Discussions 1 12-06-2009 08:52 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2