2020 LOTUS EXIGE

Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi

Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise from supercharger under boost, Loss of boost pressure, Metal shavings in supercharger oil, Check engine light with lean codes

Fix: Supercharger rebuild or replacement required, typically 8-12 hours labor. The Eaton M62 or Harrop unit needs oil changes every 25k mi but many owners skip this. Bearings fail, contaminate the intake with metal, sometimes ingested into cylinders causing engine damage. Preventive oil changes take 1 hour.

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Knocking noise on cold start that disappears when warm, Metallic rattle at idle, Oil pressure fluctuation, Sudden catastrophic engine failure if ignored

Fix: The 2ZZ rod bearings are undersized for high-RPM boosted applications. Track use accelerates wear. Requires engine removal, teardown, bearing replacement with upgraded aftermarket units, careful clearance checking. 20-30 hours labor. Many owners do full engine rebuild at this point. Engine-out on Exige is tight work.

Estimated cost: $5,000-9,000

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Oil contamination in coolant reservoir, Rough idle and misfires, Overheating under hard driving

Fix: The stock head gasket isn't ideal for sustained high boost. Failure between cylinders or into coolant passages is common on tracked cars. Requires engine removal (12 hours), head gasket replacement with MLS upgrade, head resurfacing, ARP studs recommended. Total 18-25 hours. Often find warped head requiring machine work.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping from underbody, Burnt transmission smell after spirited driving, Difficult shifting when hot, Low fluid warning if equipped

Fix: Hard lines and connections to the transmission cooler crack from heat cycling and vibration. The 6-speed manual runs hot under track conditions. Replacement involves dropping undertray, replacing lines and fittings, refilling with proper MTF. 3-5 hours labor depending on extent of damage. Preventive inspection recommended.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500

Symptoms: Hard starting when engine is hot, Stumbling or cutting out after hard driving then stopping, Rough running at idle after track sessions, Fuel pressure loss visible on gauge

Fix: Mid-engine layout puts fuel tank and pump near the supercharged engine bay. Heat soak causes vapor lock and fuel pump failures, especially on hot days or after spirited driving. Fuel filter also clogs faster with ethanol fuels. Pump replacement requires tank drop, 4-6 hours. Upgraded pump and heat shielding recommended for track use. Fuel filter replacement 1 hour every 30k mi.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200

Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive engine movement visible during hard acceleration, Clunking when shifting or engaging clutch, Vibration through chassis at idle, Difficulty getting into gear

Fix: High torque and track use destroy the OEM rubber mounts quickly. Transmission mount is particularly prone to tearing. Upgraded polyurethane or solid mounts recommended but increase NVH. Replacement requires supporting powertrain, 3-5 hours total for engine and trans mounts. Do both at once.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400