1994 S4 Reliability and Advise Requested
Discussion
I am in the market for a Lotus and have decided a 1994 S4 best fits my budget. I am seeking anyone who has experience with this particular model. I do NOT plan to race the car, but I do plan to drive it on nice days. Does anyone have reliability experience with this particular model? What should I budget for maintence on this car? Any pointers specifically from an S4 Lotus owner would be most appreciated and helpful.
Ryan...
Start with a visit to KFM's factfile
www.espritfactfile.com
One thing you may be interested in is that the '94 S4 used the OLD STYLE AC refrigerant that is becoming increasingly hard to find. The 95 S4s upgraded the AC to R134a and is (IMHO) a better overall vehicle (power, etc). When I was searching for mine, my early date cutoff was '95 ('course AC may be more important to me in Florida)
ErnestM
PS: Good luck. Hunting is half the fun (well maybe 1/4 the fun)
Start with a visit to KFM's factfile
www.espritfactfile.com
One thing you may be interested in is that the '94 S4 used the OLD STYLE AC refrigerant that is becoming increasingly hard to find. The 95 S4s upgraded the AC to R134a and is (IMHO) a better overall vehicle (power, etc). When I was searching for mine, my early date cutoff was '95 ('course AC may be more important to me in Florida)
ErnestM
PS: Good luck. Hunting is half the fun (well maybe 1/4 the fun)
Thanks for the information. I have looked at the '95 S4S but the prices are still a little higher than what I was hoping. The A/C info is VERY helpful, definitely a determining factor since this can be a real issue. Have you had good mechanical experience with your '95 S4S? Thanks...Ryan
I have a 1995 S4S and drive it often. I have put 12,000 on it in 18 mths. Great and very little problem. I have had to replace the turbocharger waterpump and the master and slave clutch units. Other than that the car has been great. It is important to drive these cars so the seals and moving parts are loose. Don't park, well if you get one you won't stay out of it.
>> Edited by nigelharrison1 on Friday 5th April 01:47
>> Edited by nigelharrison1 on Friday 5th April 01:47
quote:
Have you had good mechanical experience with your '95 S4S? Thanks...Ryan
Actually, 95 was the earliest year I was looking at, I ended up getting a 98 (photo in my profile) V8. It's the (as they say on this site) dog's danglies!
(and then some). Just thought I'd pass on some info that a gleaned during my 6 month search... Also Karl, the guy that runs the fact file, has a gorgeous Norfolk Mustard S4s and I have seen it up close and it is one hot vehicle. I don't believe that he has had any major problems to speak of.. You can actually reach him through the Yahoo group...
Cheers
ErnestM
>> Edited by ErnestM on Friday 5th April 02:21
>> Edited by ErnestM on Friday 5th April 02:23
>> Edited by ErnestM on Friday 5th April 03:10
Thanks for posting the info and sending me private e-mails, your help is greatly appreciated. I sincerely hope to own an Esprit by the end of the year. I am located in Osceola Mo, and would like to find anyone within a couple of hundred miles that would be willing to spend a day visiting with me about the technicalities of owning an Esprit. Thanks again for all your help. -Ryan
Hey Ryan,
I purchased a 1994 S4 With 20,000 miles on it about a month ago. I have put about 900 miles on it this last month trying to find the weak components LOL. I am getting ready to have my "C" Service done in about two weeks.
Problems I see in the near future are.
Clutch! Mine is very weak, and glazed quite bad the other night. Still functions properly but really does not seem to have the holding power for what I do with the car. Next is my particular cars brakes. I purchased the car knowing it had a brake problem. Even after it is fixed though I feel that the whole system could use some work.
As far as the day to day driveability, and reliability of the car, I am very pleased with it. I have been driving it about 4 times a week weather permitting, and on average about 50 miles a trip. I have nothing but the best things to say about it. I love it, it is way more addictive then I ever thought possible.
I think you will love the S4 if you decide to get one.
Price range was a major issue with me as well. That is why I decided on the S4 instead of the S4s even though it may be a slightly better car. I plan on upgradeing my turbo, and installing Andy Whittikars S4s chip to help some of the part throttle response, and to up the boost a hair. All in all a great car.
I purchased a 1994 S4 With 20,000 miles on it about a month ago. I have put about 900 miles on it this last month trying to find the weak components LOL. I am getting ready to have my "C" Service done in about two weeks.
Problems I see in the near future are.
Clutch! Mine is very weak, and glazed quite bad the other night. Still functions properly but really does not seem to have the holding power for what I do with the car. Next is my particular cars brakes. I purchased the car knowing it had a brake problem. Even after it is fixed though I feel that the whole system could use some work.
As far as the day to day driveability, and reliability of the car, I am very pleased with it. I have been driving it about 4 times a week weather permitting, and on average about 50 miles a trip. I have nothing but the best things to say about it. I love it, it is way more addictive then I ever thought possible.
I think you will love the S4 if you decide to get one.
Price range was a major issue with me as well. That is why I decided on the S4 instead of the S4s even though it may be a slightly better car. I plan on upgradeing my turbo, and installing Andy Whittikars S4s chip to help some of the part throttle response, and to up the boost a hair. All in all a great car.
quote:
Next is my particular cars brakes. I purchased the car knowing it had a brake problem. Even after it is fixed though I feel that the whole system could use some work.
From what I understand, all Esprits have a very light "bite" on the brakes. I have ordered some R4s poterfield pads from Hybimars. According to Larry from the extreme Esprit site, the R4s pads are the best thing for helping your "brake bite" without worrying about cross drilling, upgrading rotors etc.
Will let you know after they are fitted
ErnestM
I have heard a lot about clutch replacement in the Esprit. Is the clutch replaced frequently because it is an unreliable part of the car or is it because the car is being driven hard? I plan to drive mine like a baby like I do all of my cars and wanted to know if I can gain any reliability from this? Also, if this is an unreliable part of the car, is there an aftermarket 3rd party manufacturer that offers a more reliable upgrade?
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff