CaptainBigleux

The Esprit is still very sexy nowadays. Carole...

Some fresh pictures of the WE with the Esprit. Saturday evening in a Parisian parking, spotted a very rare TVR in France, so quick photos : And this sunday morning, quick weekly unformal meeting with Lotuses and Caterham, but apparently first time an Esprit V8 showed up I know the car is very dirty, but last days around Paris weather was really bad... And under the dirt the car is clean lol

quick update. I changed quickly the plugs in december... the car worked fine... but only 24 hours lol. The leads which were very badly looking already probably finished to die lol. (I will put pictures of old plugs and leads later). The car was waiting for big service during many weeks at my favourite friendly local ind. workshop... and finally this week the service is done. So time belts, all filter, all fluids, check all pipes, wires... and coming back to the topic remove the plenum to change the leads ! Now the car is running perfectly, no more misfires, no more bumpy revving, no more engine stopping at red light, easier start up (cold & warm), goes smoothly but surely to7KRPM, apparently all the BHP back ! HAPPY

lovely car ! may be just too big wheels ? Esprit rules !

huuuuum 340R Welcome on board

CRAZY ! lol About looks, it's very personnal but as too small wheels I don't like oversized wheels (as mentionned above the hotwheels style ) The Esprit is a very natural low profile car (1m15) so it doesn't need big wheels to look nice. But my main concern is more technical, I would be scared to have a very bumpy car, high SUV ride,... and a bad balance rear/front because you won't get the 1" normal difference. Last but not least, what about the speedometer ?

at the end I took it from Ramspott & Brandt, as they have it in stock as well, and easier to pay in euro. I did ring SWLC, he was very kind on the phone, but he told me about 2 different bearings sizes depending on the engine.... And I could not know as the job hasn't started yet, and also confusing as there is only 1 lotus OEM part number. Can't wait to get my car back, because between holidays, parts missing (1st the leads, and now the tensioners), and the garage availability to work on my car... I haven't drove it for ages I'm sure I will get it back finally fully serviced and full power (all fluids inc gearbox, plugs, leads, timingbelt...) when it will start to snow in Paris lol.

Thank you very much !

V8 cambelt tensionners C918E0297J are back order at the factory... does anyone know which dealer or specialist have them in stock, or if the part is the same as another brand ?

Hello, My car is under service right now. Not a Lotus workshop, so I gave to the tech guy the free OBD tool and he could read P1103 Fuel Pump #2 Relay or Circuit Shorted. He will have a look to the relay and fuse link to fuel pump 2, thanks to parts catalog available on full member area. And if not enough he will look at the wires... But does anyone had the same code. What is the most common reason ? Only the relay (I hope so) ? Is it really a problem to drive like that for the moment ? Thanks mates.

K- Way !

Welcome on board. Good luck for the project

welcome on board.

Why do you want so much to go in official network. Sometimes a friendly/passionate independant specialist could be even better to service your car.

Lotus is growing again (even if very small figures), hiring... so it's good news for us. But after Bahar I'm still nervous what will be the strategy for next years. When will start to see a real project for a new elise, esprit...

Welcome, great car ! Rare car in Europe, must even more in Chile ! 6 trackdays and only 5000km... what a running in (breaking in, start-up, not sure of right sentence) period

the is like an horizontal electric window switch, so you can click on left to open left only, or right, or both.

Coming back to the original question I checked again on my 1996 V8 : I have fillers on both sides. Just the right panel mecanism is a bit "loose" and need some help to fully open. It was a indeed easier, but still difficult to reach 100% full.

For pure vintage design, exterior & interior, regardless cost & reliability, to me the S1 is the best ! Turbo Esprit (and even more the essex) is a close second. Not fan of Stevens cars, not vintage enough, not modern enough, bit inbetween... Love the external design of my early V8, with the futura wheels that's remind me wheels of an F40, and nice smooth rear spoiler (not fan of the S350 wing, neihter the SE wing attached to the trunk). But I would prefer the interior of a GT3 (sport seats, non woody dash...) or the late dashboard.

Too old to know... wrong spelling sorry.

Yes I will Rodolphe ! Want to be part of french team

I wrote an email to Lotus warrany dept, to ask if they had history on my 1996 V8 about a possible liners/engine job, but they answered it was to hold to know.

Go news, the brand definitely needs to increase the sales using those kind of markets.

Yes Rodolphe ! Had a great deal an the car, it's in very good condition ext/int/under, brakes, suspension... but not running a lot for last years so need a big refresh to be perfect. A small service + new catalytics in May by the previous owner at Lotus Paris dealer, and recent batteries too. And now major service in a small garage : fluid changes, all filters inc fuel filter, plugs, leads, timing belts + tensioners + some gear lever linkage... to have peace of mind in 2014 Can't wait to have it ready !

yes the issue seems quite obvious and classic : the left bank plugs are completely rusty, and leads really damaged. So hopefully changing all that should solve the issue. Now waiting for parts delivery (including timing belt and tensioner), can't wait to drive finally with full power.