V8 buying advice please
Discussion
Hi everybody!
I'm currently thinking about buying a 1998 Esprit V8 with 30.000 miles on the clock and would appreciate some good advice as to what to look out for.
I've been told that Lotus changed the design of the cam belt tensioners to a much better specification for the 98 model with potentially much better reliability. Does anyone have any info at which VIN these were introduced?
Also I'm a bit worried about the issue of leaking piston liners which I think affected some -98 Esprits. Is this likely to be a problem or maybe it should have manifested itself already after 30.000 miles?
I'm located in Sweden and the cars I'm looking at buying are abroad. So I'm definately not going to be able to pop around to the dealer (not easily, anyway!) if something happens.
My other option is a S4s, 14.000 miles and absolutely mint condition, for less money than the V8. Maybe this is a safer bet?
I know this whole "V8 or S4s or GT3" topic has been covered before but my concern is that if I go for the S4s I might start regretting not opting for a V8 a year down the line. Any thoughts on this from people who has driven both?
It's going to be a weekend car so stuff like insurance cost and fuel consumption doesn't matter.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
/Magnus
>>> Edited by esprit87 on Friday 28th March 15:19
I'm currently thinking about buying a 1998 Esprit V8 with 30.000 miles on the clock and would appreciate some good advice as to what to look out for.
I've been told that Lotus changed the design of the cam belt tensioners to a much better specification for the 98 model with potentially much better reliability. Does anyone have any info at which VIN these were introduced?
Also I'm a bit worried about the issue of leaking piston liners which I think affected some -98 Esprits. Is this likely to be a problem or maybe it should have manifested itself already after 30.000 miles?
I'm located in Sweden and the cars I'm looking at buying are abroad. So I'm definately not going to be able to pop around to the dealer (not easily, anyway!) if something happens.
My other option is a S4s, 14.000 miles and absolutely mint condition, for less money than the V8. Maybe this is a safer bet?
I know this whole "V8 or S4s or GT3" topic has been covered before but my concern is that if I go for the S4s I might start regretting not opting for a V8 a year down the line. Any thoughts on this from people who has driven both?
It's going to be a weekend car so stuff like insurance cost and fuel consumption doesn't matter.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
/Magnus
>>> Edited by esprit87 on Friday 28th March 15:19
Hi everybody!
I'm currently thinking about buying a 1998 Esprit V8 with 30.000 miles on the clock and would appreciate some good advice as to what to look out for.
I've been told that Lotus changed the design of the cam belt tensioners to a much better specification for the 98 model with potentially much better reliability. Does anyone have any info at which VIN these were introduced?
Sorry don't know that, but if it is of any use, my tensioners were replaced at my 48k (cambelt) service as they were worn.
Also I'm a bit worried about the issue of leaking piston liners which I think affected some -98 Esprits. Is this likely to be a problem or maybe it should have manifested itself already after 30.000 miles?
Probably, but not necessarily. I had a problem with my car at 52,000 miles.
I'm located in Sweden and the cars I'm looking at buying are abroad. So I'm definately not going to be able to pop around to the dealer (not easily, anyway!) if something happens.
My other option is a S4s, 14.000 miles and absolutely mint condition, for less money than the V8. Maybe this is a safer bet?
I know this whole "V8 or S4s or GT3" topic has been covered before but my concern is that if I go for the S4s I might start regretting not opting for a V8 a year down the line. Any thoughts on this from people who has driven both?
It's going to be a weekend car so stuff like insurance cost and fuel consumption doesn't matter.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
/Magnus
>>> Edited by esprit87 on Friday 28th March 15:19
I just had a guy mail me with exactly the same question this morning, so here you go (cut, paste)!
_______________________________________________
I have run both gt3 and v8 so I’m probably in a good position to help you out.
The coolant loss problem did not affect all v8s. I guess I was just unlucky. I think if the problem is most likely to have been rectified on most if not all cars by now. Unfortunately there isnt really a way to tell if the car you are looking at has the problem or not, only that the car uses coolant. Best safety strategy is buy a car you know the history of or buy from a dealer with a warranty/exchange option if you are not happy.
The total cost of my rebuild was 6k, but as the coolant problem is a “known” problem lotus cars helped out with £1500 contribution to the costs. In fact the cost of just replacing the (one) damaged piston and liner could have been done much cheaper – my bill includes lots of additional items that are not related to the coolant loss problem at all, but made sense to do given the mileage of the car and the fact that the engine and gearbox were out of the car. Ie new clutch 800, piston rings all round etc. Bear in mind also that this was at main dealer rates – again, doing the work yourself or using a specialst would mean that it could be much less.
As with buying any used car, there’s always a risk of buying a dog. Unfortunately with the esprit this can mean that its VERY expensive to put right, but buy well and there is no reason to fear an early v8. History is absolutely essential, but also check the general condition of the car and ask the seller pertinant questions – e.g. last cambelt change, last clutch change, are the cats original or have they been replaced if so when, check condition of the exhaust etc. if the car is visibly tatty and /or the owner doesnot know the answers to what I would consider basic questions then walk away. There are some dogs out there, but there are also some very well cared for (read: pampered!) cars – buy one of these and you’ll be fine. Oh, and drive LOTS of cars before you make a choice – with the esprit I know of several guys who’ve bought the first one they’ve looked at (it’s a little like falling in love) ie temporary insanity that makes you oblivious to some obvious problems. Try to resist the first one and you’ll probably be ok, but believe me its very difficult to stay un-emotional when you have your first test drive.
If all the above scares you a bit, remember that my costs on pistonheads (if you’ve seen this) relate to me running the v8 as my only transport, ie 18-20k miles a year all weathers AND main dealer servicing prices. My v8 now has 64,000 miles on it. If your car is weekend only or low mileage commute and you use a specialst or do some work yourself then running costs can be much lower than I’ve had. Given the performance of the car, it isn’t really too bad – honest, but I guess it depends what you’re used to . A ferrari or lambo would be much more to maintain and hugely more to have something like and engine rebuild.
Other consideration: the GT3 is a VERY good car. Ok, a bit laggy and lacking low down torque when compared to the v8, and its clutch is a bit heavier than the v8 too, but it still a fantastic handler and a very fast car. You’d probably get a ‘mint’ gt3 for 20ish, where as this may only get you to ‘mediocre’ v8s.. maintenance (servicing etc) is about the same for both cars but should something go wrong then the v8 will be much more to fix (two turbos, two cats, 8 cylinders etc compared to one turbo/cat and 4 cylinders on the gt3).
IMO the 98-on cars have nicer interiors, but that’s just a personal preference.
Suggest you join up on the uklotusesprit yahoo group. Great bunch of guys, lots of good chat, advice etc. Good luck with your search.
Cheers
Rob
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