Late Esprit (S4 / S4S) ownership compared to an Elan?

[Artaban]

I think when you are buying an Esprit you need to be a little less optimistic about the problems. Everyone is different but I'd assume the worst on each of those issues and walk away. Owning Lotus's for over 30 years has knocked the optimism out of me when it comes to buying. If the problems could be solved by a good service I think most sellers would get it serviced to avoid any room for negotiation. Whenever I've had a seller downplay the problems as being easily fixed I've always wondered why they didn't get it done. I don't accept the "I didn't have time" excuse anymore because they've always turned out to be a pig of a job and thats why they never did it. You see it in M100 adverts; "also supplied new outer door to window seals but haven't had time to fit them".

However I appreciate your choice may be very limited. Have you contacted any Esprit specialists to get some idea of the likely cause and cost of fixing the problems? You'll find Pete at PNM helpful and he has a great reputation in rebuilding Esprit engines so you'll then have some legitimate figures to go back with and reduce the price. I don't know what the seller is asking but I would want to knock him down by the cost of a complete engine rebuild at the least. If you take the money in cash then very few sellers with a troublesome motor would be able to resist.
Hope it all works out.
Andy

[Giniw]

Thanks a lot.
The thing is, I intend to do all the services by myself. If I planned to let a mechanic do the work, I would have already run away, indeed
Still, I have asked a Lotus mechanics (garage dizier) for the price of a cam belt change (3000 euros), and a service to get it back to road (1000 euros).
The sellers asks 30000 euros, which is faaaaar too much for a car that doesn't rev well in my opinion (by around one third maybe?)
As for an engine rebuilt, I have found that website http://qedmotorsport.co.uk/qed-shop/lotus-907-/-910-/-911-/-912 and it seems that the parts are not that expensive (£70 for a nicosil coated liner for instance, excluding VAT).

[MPx]

I tend to agree with Andy's more pessimistic take, but may well come to a different conclusion and buy anyway! It all depends on what choices you have and your budget. If the body/chassis/interior are near mint, then in general any mechanical disorder should be sortable with cash and time. But...on the detailed points:

- old tyres (13 years old) — the front ones have less thread on the inside, is it normal for an Esprit?
For the G car tyres are a real issue as no longer available in the correct size (except occasionally a Pirelli which has no grip. Are tyres available in the right size? It shouldn't wear the inside edge so probably some suspension realignment needed.
- no heat from the heater (not at all — I have read that it could be a "dreadful" problem, how hard can that be to be sorted out?! Sometimes it seems that a good reverse flush of the system is enough to get it back working?) Is the heater matrix that hard to reach?
Yes the heater is hard to reach - dash out job - which can take ages and benefits from a contortionists help.
- the owner said the air conditioner doesn't work, but I tried it and I heard the pulley clutch so it probably needs a R134A refill? the car is post march 95 so unless I am wrong it's NOT an R12 system — forgot to inspect the valves)
Don't know but agree R134 more likely. However much more likely to have a hard to find leak than just needing a refill. Therefore factor in getting a new compressor and/or condenser and at least three refills to prove what's needed.
- strong petrol smell in the cabin (I have read it's easy to fix, just a hose to change)
- a strange broken translucent hose (?) on the side of the car between the LH person's head and the engine. I think it might be the hose between the petrol tank and the charcoal canister, so I suspect it's that hose that will fix the petrol smell I talked about in the previous item?)
Yes the broken intertank breather hose is a common issue and relatively easy fix. But could be that the tanks themselves have rusted through. They sit under the threequarter lights with a nice piece of sponge on top to hold the water for optimum rusting conditions. Tanks are available at a price, but an engine out job to replace them.
- oil pressure gauge doesn't work at all (except its backlight). The oil tell tale kept off while driving so I assume it's not that bad. Still a pity.
a pity indeed but probably repairable. As long as its not to mask a more serious pressure issue.
- engine doesn't run very smoothly at idle, but it's random. And it doesn't rev well when trying to drive faster (OK on neutral). It may be because of the two years old petrol and the old battery, it's hard to be sure.
- the engine compression is mostly OK, but a cylinder is a bit low: 8.8 bars (I have read the minimum should be 9.5. Maybe just the mechanical tappets... or worse ) IMO more likely to be the cylinder compression issue causing unevenness than just old petrol....though the petrol issue may have gummed up some of the fuel system
- lacks the front rubber lip (still available?) Don't know, but likely a close match will be available from Woolies-Trim
- only one key (and no lock remote control, is it normal? Since then I have read that the alarm is set by turning the key further than a simple door lock?!)
Should have at least 2 keys. Is it standard GM (for a blank) or a Lotus special like for the M100?

Good luck whatever.