Calling all Lotus Esprit owners

Do a search. I'd asked the question about the V8s before, as have others.

Plenty of replies in those threads.

 

Here you go:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67518&highlight=lotus+esprit

 

Michael,

I own a 1998 Lotus V8 in Toledo. I bought it sight unseen over the internet, even had delivery of taken car of by my parents. Everything one should never do.

I have no real issues with the car. Car had 5K when I bought it almost 2 years ago and now its around 15K.

The biggest concern is the liner seals on the cylinders. I read thousands of posts on the subject and it seems the adhesive fails on the lines. It was believed to be early cars pre 2000 but even then some post cars have failed. Replacement by Lotus is $$$$$$$. I have a 98 that has never had it done. I have heard that in some cases an dose of Barrs Leak can fix it. Is this a smart method or not who knows. But if mine starts to got I'll spend 5 dollars on Barrs Leak before 12K on a rebuild. The reasons for the failure have been stated from everything to wrong spec of adhesive, wrong set up time of adhesive, incorrect qty of adhesive , and of course heat. Its not Lotus is forthcoming on what ever info they have so its a crap shoot

The V8s have the usual cam belt concern as the ferrari owners here do. The belt check is due every 18months / 12K miles. The tension adjustment is around 250 by Auto Europe in Michigan...to replace the belts will cost ~ 5-700. My car is on its 3rd set of belts. It sits alot since I live in Asia for work. I figure if I am paying 250 for an adjustment ...might as well just double it and replace them too. ( I am going from memory on the costs so I could be off a few dollars ). Engine stays in for both operations. The workable area is almost non existent. Pay some one else to bust their knuckles. V8 belts are set by vibration Hz not by tension NM so a special tool is need anyway

The V8s I guess have a tendency to eat alternators. I have heard several reasons why...everything from heat to charging draw of a low charge battery from a car sitting around. They cross over to a Isuzu rodeo or something. Mine still works 200-600 for one

The rubber suspension bushings are made of rubber that has the properties of paper. Especially on the lower rear suspension. Replacement is 300ish I think for OEMs - 2 bushings or Poly ones are available through some sources for 400 dollars. The next time mine go they are going to poly and heim joints. Lotus rubber is horrible.

Clutches all depend on drivers. Some people get 12K miles some get 40K+ parts are 1500-2000. If you have ever done a clutch on any car this is not a major hassle to do yourself.

Other common thing is the exhaust falls apart. Cats melt ,rattle then fall apart some times choking the exhaust and causing the engine to die. Mufflers fall apart. I run 2003 style center exhaust with straight pipes. Its not loud at all. Exhaust is easily accessed

I love the car. Handles great, looks great, drives great. Great deal for the money. Wathc out for the pot holes in Detroit....I doubt it can handle those bomb holes. I refuse to drive mine in East Michgan other then to take in for service. MDOT kills me.

Ray

 

This Website should answer most of your questions.

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/

I had a 98 TT and a 93SE. Enjoyed them both and neither of them cause me much trouble.

Week points are:

Renault transmission - had wear in 2nd. gear which Lotus covered under warranty

Clutch wear - A lot of speed starts will wear it out fast.

Mine had an exhaust tip fall off...bad weld - lotus fixed it under warranty. I eventually went to a straight pipe set up by Quicksilver out of the UK. BTW, if you buy one, I will sell u my stock unit real cheap, like 50$ plus shipping.

A trick to make them go faster.

In neutral, rev the engine to 5K RPM's
Engage in gear,
Take off and hold on

This is how they get the 0 to 62 times...puts the ECU in test mode and increases the boost.

MB

 

Here's another useful site:

http://www.espritfactfile.com/

FYI model year 2003 was the last legal year for sale in California. Some other states had 2004 models. Amusingly in California these showed up as "2003-1/2" models. They were called by the factory the "Esprit Final Run" and had revised suspension, a new seat leather pattern, new interior door design, shorter gear-lever with Lotus emblem, Elise-style dash switches, the "E" award emblem (now seen on Elise rear windows), and revised rear valence. If you're going for one of the last Esprits, look for a "Final Run", as it will probably attain collector/premium status eventually.

Another interesting site is Coterie Press, as they have some gorgeous Lotus books for sale, including concerning the Esprit (new comprehensive Esprit book coming out this March ... email them for info on it if it's not yet on the website).

http://www.coteriepress.com