Esprit V8-SE - 1999 - What do i need to know?
Discussion
I've been offered this vehicle, its done 30k and always been serviced with good dealers. Its Titanium Grey with Black and Red Leather and its also got the standard Saturn Alloys fitted. (I'd rather have the other GT wheels) What should i look for? The cambelt was changed at 26k and i've not driven it yet as i'm only making enquiries to see if its a goer.
It all looks good, its had the American Sports Exhuast system fitted so the pipes sit in the middle with the perforated grille. Its the nads, but before i stick my c##k on the block and buy it, i just want to make sure i'm not getting my shirt lifted for a heap of trouble.
I'm planning to use the vehicle everyday and cover about 8k miles a year in her with my daily journey being about 10 miles each way with some cracking stretches of road, so it'll get used.
Any comments please?
>>> Edited by DodgeyRog on Monday 27th September 17:57
Any record of an engine rebuilt, if it has then thats good news, if not tread with caution.
check out www.lotusespritworld.com for more info
check out www.lotusespritworld.com for more info
mustard said:
Any record of an engine rebuilt, if it has then thats good news, if not tread with caution.
check out www.lotusespritworld.com for more info
Oh yeah, i've already had a look there, its got to be the oracle for all things Esprit. Definately joining up if i get it. I knew some things about Esprits but there's absolutely everything on there. The more i read the owners articles on V8's, the more i want one!!! Thanks mustard.
Rog - you can search the forums here for lots of info on buying a v8.
Other things to check: cats - these are expensive and can fail, check you've got a recent emissions check (or recent mot).
Clutch is expensive, normally lasts 25-40k miles depending on driver, you might like to find if this one is on original or not - might be due soon for replacement.
2nd gear syncro can suffer if driver is abusive, check you can change smoothly up and down the box without grinding.
Check the aircon works.
Biggest thing though is as per mustards comment - a rebuilt engine will be safer bet than one that is pre 2000 and has not yet had a re-build.
www.lotusespritworld.com/ETechnical/V8_Liner_Problems.html
cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT
Other things to check: cats - these are expensive and can fail, check you've got a recent emissions check (or recent mot).
Clutch is expensive, normally lasts 25-40k miles depending on driver, you might like to find if this one is on original or not - might be due soon for replacement.
2nd gear syncro can suffer if driver is abusive, check you can change smoothly up and down the box without grinding.
Check the aircon works.
Biggest thing though is as per mustards comment - a rebuilt engine will be safer bet than one that is pre 2000 and has not yet had a re-build.
www.lotusespritworld.com/ETechnical/V8_Liner_Problems.html
cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT
Well, actually, i've just spoken to the guy who's selling it and the cambelt was changed at 26k, its now done 30k. The exhuast is the yanky version, not sure about the cats but he has a new one which was never fitted so i should be ble to get my hands on that. IS there any way of finding out if the engine has been re-built, do Lotus keep a service log?
The gearbox is apparently silk, obviously i'll drive it to see. The clutch seemed ok, do the you get a slight grind when changing down into say 3rd quickly if the synchro's are shot? I will look for this if this is the case.
I've spoken to a Lotus Service dealer who has told me that a factory clutch is about £700, but there is another alternative as its an AP Racing twin plate clutch, you can probably source this elsewhere, what do you know about this?
I really appreciate your feed-back and who would you recommend for servicing, i've heard Sinclaires in Romford are quite good, they service my brothers, ahem, Elise...........
The gearbox is apparently silk, obviously i'll drive it to see. The clutch seemed ok, do the you get a slight grind when changing down into say 3rd quickly if the synchro's are shot? I will look for this if this is the case.
I've spoken to a Lotus Service dealer who has told me that a factory clutch is about £700, but there is another alternative as its an AP Racing twin plate clutch, you can probably source this elsewhere, what do you know about this?
I really appreciate your feed-back and who would you recommend for servicing, i've heard Sinclaires in Romford are quite good, they service my brothers, ahem, Elise...........
you're sister in law is round tonight 
DodgeyRog said:
Well, actually, i've just spoken to the guy who's selling it and the cambelt was changed at 26k, its now done 30k. The exhuast is the yanky version, not sure about the cats but he has a new one which was never fitted so i should be ble to get my hands on that. IS there any way of finding out if the engine has been re-built, do Lotus keep a service log?
The gearbox is apparently silk, obviously i'll drive it to see. The clutch seemed ok, do the you get a slight grind when changing down into say 3rd quickly if the synchro's are shot? I will look for this if this is the case.
I've spoken to a Lotus Service dealer who has told me that a factory clutch is about £700, but there is another alternative as its an AP Racing twin plate clutch, you can probably source this elsewhere, what do you know about this?
I really appreciate your feed-back and who would you recommend for servicing, i've heard Sinclaires in Romford are quite good, they service my brothers, ahem, Elise...........
Cambelt changes are due every 24k so that was a bit late but that won't be a problem.
That new cat is 800 quid from lotus, so thats a good thing to have. They are "handed" unfortunatley but its still good to have one spare.
Lotus keep records of all the cars that have had re-builds within warranty. Worth checking with them. If its been done outside warranty or outside the dealer network then they won't have records.
Yes - changing down the box is a good way to check the syncros.
Clutch is more like 800 quid and that is PLUS vat and PLUS fitting. You're looking at 1200-1300 fitted at a dealer. Specialist may work out cheaper or you may be able to do it yourself but the part is lotus only. The AP clutch is not a generic AP unit, its lotus specific and AP are contracturally prohibited from selling that part direct - only source is your lotus dealer unfortunately.
As for servicing - can't help you there. Suggest you join up on the esprit yahoo group and post there for some feedback. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/UKLotusEsprit/
cheers
Rob
rob.e said:
Clutch is more like 800 quid and that is PLUS vat and PLUS fitting. You're looking at 1200-1300 fitted at a dealer. Specialist may work out cheaper or you may be able to do it yourself but the part is lotus only. The AP clutch is not a generic AP unit, its lotus specific and AP are contracturally prohibited from selling that part direct - only source is your lotus dealer unfortunately.
cheers
Rob
I will find out about that, my specialist told me that he had a guy who found one cheaper because he was an engineer and managed to work out which part was "Lotus Specialist", i will ask again and let you know as its better than forking out £1200. I'm slightly worried about this engine seal problem as its going to be horrendous i know, to the tune of about £3-£4k. I will just have to get hold of the service history and go through it proper like.
Thanks for the pointers.
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