UK S4 Inspection - Your thoughts

[JRSE]

I have been looking at buying an S4 and today the car was inspected.

It's a '93 "K" with 53,000 miles (fair amount of history).

The following were recorded:

- Leak from either the Rad or C/cooler
- Leak from the crank seal
- TCA Bushes worn
- Clutch heavily worn
- Exhaust Bypass valve seized solid (now rectified)
- Rear tyres down to 2mm (legal limit now 1.5mm)
- Rear pads 80% worn as discs heavily corroded

The original price settled was £14k on the basis no major faults were found. Would you pursue this car any further if the problems are rectified? Or would this be enough to put you off? Any idea of a ballpark figure to resolve?

Thanks,
James

[B16 RFF]

That's going to cost a lot to fix, even if you do the work yourself. Whether it puts you off or not is largely down to you. If it's a private sale, it suggests the owner knows it needs a lot spending on it and is trying to wash his hands of it. Which suggests to me he is not the kind of owner who looks after a car, so I would be tempted to just walk away. On the other hand, if the car is otherwise immaculate and looked after, it need not be the end of the deal. I'm no expert on S4 prices, but £14k seems on the cheaper side to me. Maybe the vendor has allowed for the condition in the price.

Overall, you must follow your gut feeling. Have you looked at any others? If this is the first one you have seen, I would walk away. If, having viewed others, you decide that it was a bargain, you can probably come back to it. It's obvious you have doubts, and for me, £14k is just too much to gamble with. If this is your first Lotus, it's so easy to get carried away and buy the wrong car.
Who inspected it? Might be worth getting one of the specialists to check it over.

Of all the cars I have bought in the past, the best ones have always been the ones that 'feel right' from the word go. The ones I have made allowances for (as you might in this case) are the ones I have been less happy with or regretted buying.
Sorry if this is a bit rambling, but there is no easy answer, especially not having seen the car.

[JRSE]

Thanks for the reply. I discussed the car with the owner when viewing and he has owned for 2 years. Since then it's not done a great deal of miles. The bodywork is original and has the odd blemish but a fair few stone chips to the front. 5 Owners to date.

I advised the seller before viewing I wanted an inspection and they were fine. In fact they booked the car into Sinclaires of London and have paid for this so far. So I would say they were unprepared for the findings... They have certainly been honest and genuine so far.

It would be my first Lotus and I don't want the fun being spoiled by big repair bills already! I'll await to dicuss the findings with the owner and see where we stand.

It's the first S4 I have looked at. Any decent ones seem to get snapped up quickly on A/Trader leaving poor maintained or over priced ones. Unfortunately even though I have my heart set on an Esprit I may end up going for something else as I've been without wheels for too long!

[mustard]

Have you been looking on www.lotusespritworld.com ? well worth a look, very valuable resource also try contacting Paul Matty of Paul Matty Sportscars a well respected independant www.paulmattysportscars.co.uk

[wipper]

James - I have a 95 S4 (norfolk mustard) which will be up for sale soon. I have a couple of things i want to sort out first, but i'm probably looking around the £15k mark. email me if it's of any interest and i'll tell you all i know.
gareth

[H2DCA]

Sounds like a very early S4 and I would suggest that he is asking quite a lot of money, there are Esprits about for much less money and in better conditions. I picked up my 94 up with 39k on the clock for 13k, needed some minor work though but nothing like your list. I would not touch the car but hang in there, buy a banger to run around and keep looking.
Best regards

[B16 RFF]

JRSE said:

Thanks for the reply. I discussed the car with the owner when viewing and he has owned for 2 years. Since then it's not done a great deal of miles. The bodywork is original and has the odd blemish but a fair few stone chips to the front. 5 Owners to date. I advised the seller before viewing I wanted an inspection and they were fine. In fact they booked the car into Sinclaires of London and have paid for this so far. So I would say they were unprepared for the findings... They have certainly been honest and genuine so far. It would be my first Lotus and I don't want the fun being spoiled by big repair bills already! I'll await to dicuss the findings with the owner and see where we stand. It's the first S4 I have looked at. Any decent ones seem to get snapped up quickly on A/Trader leaving poor maintained or over priced ones. Unfortunately even though I have my heart set on an Esprit I may end up going for something else as I've been without wheels for too long!

I would suggest you look at some others then. It's worth taking your time to find a car you are happy with, with this sort of dream-come-true purchase. Believe me, you will be so glad you did!
As someone else said, get a cheapie for transport until you find the right car. Prowl the Autotrader and other websites and be ready to pounce. Phone round the specialists, and let them know you are very keen to buy. It'll be worth it when you find the right car.

Best of luck.

Paul.
PS Let us know how you get on.

[igreenrover]

As the list you have is the result of an inspection, and could be taken to be 'reasonably' exhaustive then I would say it's not too bad. I think that a lot of potential sellers would be surprised of what is found on an inspection. The car is over 10 years old.

It would be worth finding out if it's the Engine Radiator or the C/Cooler Radiator that is leaking though, it could be flexible hoses on the C/Cooler that are leaking or the Alloy pipes leading to them as they corrode between the rubber and the Alloy at the ends.

A new Engine Radiator core will cost £212 inc Vat, if it's the C/Cooler one that is leaking then there is more chance of getting it fixed than the main one because of the construction.

I just had my SE clutch re-lined for £40 (@ 40,000 miles) and if it's the rear crank seal then it can be changed at the same time for small additional cost.

Tyres, well there is no point having good ones if they are older nad hard.

I would say the clutch is the only really costly job there, that's if you take it to a main dealer. In fact most of the cost on these jobs is just made up by the labour.

Gareth

[H2DCA]

Lunchtime so had a look for some cars for you results below

Yahoo (Autotrader)
1994 LOTUS ESPRIT S4, 1994, 50000
miles, Absoloutely Stunning, Pacific Blue with Cream Leather Interior, incredible sound system, alarm tracker and immobiliser, gorgeous 17 wheels, and fat 245, low profile tyres, lowered fully kitted, serious head turner, massive opportunity for you to own a Lotus Esprit Turbo for a quater of the price new (0-60 in 4.9 seconds), MOT, 2 owners, FLSH, (serviced every 6,000 miles), absoloute steel@, if you view you will buy. £13,495. Before 6pm.

Tel: [phone]
LOTUS Esprit 2.2 S4
2 Doors, Petrol, 40,000 miles, Red. 17" light alloy wheels, alarm class I, alarm remote controlled, bumper and mirror in color, central doorlocks with remote control, Full Service History, leather interior, power steering, radio/cassette, windows front electric. every british mans dream is to own a esprit and at this money it can be a reality. it brings with it the best endorsement possible, James Bond has got one. If its speed or the ladies your after then this is the car for you. it is rediculously fast and everybodies head will turn as you drive past. the car is in showroom condition and drives perfectly. why miss out on such a beautiful car. For More Of Our Quality Cars Click On Dealer Website £14,995.

And look here some very nice examples

www.lotusespritworld.com/Sale/Esprit%20for%20Sale.html


Good luck


>> Edited by H2DCA on Wednesday 12th May 12:52

[superdave]

Hi all, I posted on another forum about the pacific blue one for sale in the NW for somebody else. This sounds OK but I would check it properly.
As for the Red one from a trader in Bradford, a few people have already looked at it and walked because of the dodgy service history and tatty condition. This is only what I have heard third hand.

Cheers,



Dave Walters

[H2DCA]

The blue one does look rather nice, but agree an inspection is a must, did not know about the red one, did think about going to look at it but found my current S4. Esprit world is a must though.

[igreenrover]

If the Pacific blue S4 Dave mentioned is in Mossley, then my brother has been servicing this car in recent years.

I know its an S4 and just last weekend my brother told me it was going up for sale. If you were interested in it then I don't think he would have any objections to you viewing it on the ramps at his place, and would provide you with any other info you require.

[JRSE]

Thanks for all the replies!

The owner has adjusted their price and I'm away to phone the place that inspected the car. I want to see what price I'm looking at for the new clutch and crank seals fitted.

The blue S4 does look nice. If I have chance this afternoon I'll give him a call.

[JRSE]

The blue S4 has been sold. I phoned up and asked if "the car" was for sale and was told "both have been sold"... Must be trade ad.

So back to the inspected one. I phoned PNM and Pete was very helpful.

Clutch supplied and fitted - Approx £500

Cranks Seals whilst clutch being done and flywheel removed- £150.00

Chargecooler pump seal - £160.00 and fitted

Rear pads - £25.00

TCA Bushes - £120.00

With rear tyres to be bought to then I think it will be pushing close on £1,200!!

I think the owner will have to drop more than £500 to interest me with this one.

[B16 RFF]

JRSE said:

The blue S4 has been sold. I phoned up and asked if "the car" was for sale and was told "both have been sold"... Must be trade ad. So back to the inspected one. I phoned PNM and Pete was very helpful. Clutch supplied and fitted - Approx £500 Cranks Seals whilst clutch being done and flywheel removed- £150.00 Chargecooler pump seal - £160.00 and fitted Rear pads - £25.00 TCA Bushes - £120.00 With rear tyres to be bought to then I think it will be pushing close on £1,200!! I think the owner will have to drop more than £500 to interest me with this one.

Don't forget the radiator(s). !!

[JRSE]

... Well I got back late this evening and was all set to go and waste my money on an M3 flicking through the ads on Trader and given up on an Esprit... Peer pressure from friends probably as they are sick of driving me about!

The inspected Lotus may still be on - just in discussion of work required and a settlement price.

To be honest I started off looking for an M3, then a 911 and 3 months ago an Esprit. Don't why I never thought of it first as I've always liked them! I've been on the BMW & Porsche forums / club sites... The Lotus Esprit community has been the best.

I've had someone come out and look a car over with me... Spoken with an owner who offered advice and part worn tyres they have to help me out. Good advice from a specialist garage about the work involved, etc. Thanks all! I'm still hoping to be an owner.

[sledge]

James, my S4 is sadley going next week in part ex but if you wanted to take a look this weekend you are quite welcome, it has 73,000 miles red with magnolia, has just had a new manifold & rads... Its a 1993 with a private plate, would take £12000 ono, you can email me on [e-mail] there is a pic on my profile.

Andy...

[mustard]

1995 LOTUS ESPRIT S4, 1995, M
reg. 28000 miles, Black, Magnolia Leather, FLSH, full MOT & Tax, A/C, 6 CD, alarm/immobiliser, factory detachable sunroof, PAS, ABS,CL,EW, 1 previous owner, present owner 8 years, mint condition. £17,000 . 07792 268681. Tel: [phone]

found this whilst browsing autotrader sounds good, if a little pricey