Another new guy saying hello...
Discussion
Hey guys! I've been a lurker for a few months, but wanted to wait until I had taken possession of my dream before posting. I purchased a yellow 2001 Esprit a week ago from a gentleman in South Florida. It's been my dream car ever since I can remember and was fortunate enough to recently meet someone who wanted me to realize my dream. I promised myself at 16 years old that I would have an Esprit by the time I had reached a seasoned 25 years of age. 
Well I'm here to say that dreams can and do come true. 
Since the car is paid for, what mods would you suggest first and foremost? No payments = mod money(or should that read maintanence money?). The car now has 3100 miles.
The first mod I have planned is a set of HRE 545- or 546-series wheels. Or would one keep the factory OZ's? What's the opinion here? Understandably so, HRE isn't too keen on placing $5700 wheels on a vehicle at an owner's whim. Does anyone else on the board run HRE's? I was hoping to run a 19-inch rear and an 18-inch front. Again, has anyone tried this combination? TIA for any advice, warnings, etc.
As an auto enthusiast who appreciates all vehicles, I also have a red 2002 Ford Lightning that sees action in auto shows and the occasional drag race. It put 422 hp to the wheels and 519 ft./pds. of torque on a Dynojet dyno. It's also run a best of 12.23 @ 111.3mph at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.
I graduated from the Univ. of North Texas last December with a degree in History and Business Logistics. I'm currently in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but will relocate to Las Vegas on the 3rd of May.
Anyway, a big thanks for an informative site and forum and hopefully I'll get to meet others that are living their dreams as well. Thanks again.
If you see a red flash followed closely by a yellow streak in tow heading westbound I-40 through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, be sure to wave.
Laurence
Well I'm here to say that dreams can and do come true. Since the car is paid for, what mods would you suggest first and foremost? No payments = mod money(or should that read maintanence money?).
The car now has 3100 miles. The first mod I have planned is a set of HRE 545- or 546-series wheels. Or would one keep the factory OZ's? What's the opinion here? Understandably so, HRE isn't too keen on placing $5700 wheels on a vehicle at an owner's whim. Does anyone else on the board run HRE's? I was hoping to run a 19-inch rear and an 18-inch front. Again, has anyone tried this combination? TIA for any advice, warnings, etc.
As an auto enthusiast who appreciates all vehicles, I also have a red 2002 Ford Lightning that sees action in auto shows and the occasional drag race. It put 422 hp to the wheels and 519 ft./pds. of torque on a Dynojet dyno. It's also run a best of 12.23 @ 111.3mph at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.
I graduated from the Univ. of North Texas last December with a degree in History and Business Logistics. I'm currently in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but will relocate to Las Vegas on the 3rd of May.
Anyway, a big thanks for an informative site and forum and hopefully I'll get to meet others that are living their dreams as well. Thanks again.
If you see a red flash followed closely by a yellow streak in tow heading westbound I-40 through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, be sure to wave.
Laurence
Hey hello there big welcome 
Congrats for your new purchase. It is a dream come true. Mine came true last year so I am happy just like everyone else here.
Your OZ wheels are worth keeping if you have room to store them for if the time comes to reselling the car, its always good to have the originals to go with it. If you want to flick them regardless am sure you wont have too much trouble selling them here.
As for your new wheel sizes yes best wait for an answer from one of the guys before spending a whole heap of dough.
The other thing just enjoy your car for while before modifying everything first, just so you get the feel of it. I personally have a list of things I want to do too, but just easing into the feel of the car has made me re think about doing half of the things originally planned.
But hey everyone to their own, hope we see some pics of the car soon, oh and the red beast too!!
See ya
Kylie 89 Esp Turbo
Congrats for your new purchase. It is a dream come true. Mine came true last year so I am happy just like everyone else here.
Your OZ wheels are worth keeping if you have room to store them for if the time comes to reselling the car, its always good to have the originals to go with it. If you want to flick them regardless am sure you wont have too much trouble selling them here.
As for your new wheel sizes yes best wait for an answer from one of the guys before spending a whole heap of dough.
The other thing just enjoy your car for while before modifying everything first, just so you get the feel of it.
I personally have a list of things I want to do too, but just easing into the feel of the car has made me re think about doing half of the things originally planned. But hey everyone to their own, hope we see some pics of the car soon, oh and the red beast too!!
See ya
Kylie 89 Esp Turbo
Hi Laurence and Welcome...
1. I would advise keeping the OZ's. Also, be careful when making any mods to the suspension of the Esprit. Lotus engineers have done an outstanding job of setting the suspension on this car up and any changes can have noticeable effects.
2. First mod - check to see if the "hi-torque" software upgrade to the ECU has been done (just call in your VIN to Lotus Cars USA if you are unsure). This does not increase the power of the engine, but does make it more driveable in traffic and more enjoyable because the torque is available lower in the power band.
3. Drive it for a couple of months before deciding on mods. Get to know her first
ErnestM
1. I would advise keeping the OZ's. Also, be careful when making any mods to the suspension of the Esprit. Lotus engineers have done an outstanding job of setting the suspension on this car up and any changes can have noticeable effects.
2. First mod - check to see if the "hi-torque" software upgrade to the ECU has been done (just call in your VIN to Lotus Cars USA if you are unsure). This does not increase the power of the engine, but does make it more driveable in traffic and more enjoyable because the torque is available lower in the power band.
3. Drive it for a couple of months before deciding on mods. Get to know her first
ErnestM
Hi Yellow,
I have had two sets of HRE's on my esprit. In fact, Ihave had Hre on all my cars for the past 7 years. These wheels are great since they are true 3-piece. You will have to order them and they will take about 3 weeks to construct. If you want to see three piece fitments, e-mail me and I will send you some pics of mine. I have 19x10 and 18x8 on a s4. For the 2001, you can get extreme like 19x10.5 and 18x8.5. Just be careful in size to match the OD of the oem tire. Toyo make s some great tires, but unfortunately, the widest in 19 was a 275.
So whatever people say, I think custom rims look great and the esprit is a candidate for this type of cosmetic upgrade. Your ride will not change that much, just ask me and Andy Wheeler. HRE are light when you get the 440 series as I have. When you call them, ask for John Wallace. He set me up with 4'inch lips on the rear and most say that this is awesome. I do alot of high performance driving given that I have 4 cars. Two of them are well over 500HP. I use the Esprit as my daily driver and the others to buy a pack of cigerettes, Heh Heh. Well, congrats and cheers. I hope to see your car soon as I attend the SEMA Show in Las vegas every year.
Cheers,
Dindo
I have had two sets of HRE's on my esprit. In fact, Ihave had Hre on all my cars for the past 7 years. These wheels are great since they are true 3-piece. You will have to order them and they will take about 3 weeks to construct. If you want to see three piece fitments, e-mail me and I will send you some pics of mine. I have 19x10 and 18x8 on a s4. For the 2001, you can get extreme like 19x10.5 and 18x8.5. Just be careful in size to match the OD of the oem tire. Toyo make s some great tires, but unfortunately, the widest in 19 was a 275.
So whatever people say, I think custom rims look great and the esprit is a candidate for this type of cosmetic upgrade. Your ride will not change that much, just ask me and Andy Wheeler. HRE are light when you get the 440 series as I have. When you call them, ask for John Wallace. He set me up with 4'inch lips on the rear and most say that this is awesome. I do alot of high performance driving given that I have 4 cars. Two of them are well over 500HP. I use the Esprit as my daily driver and the others to buy a pack of cigerettes, Heh Heh. Well, congrats and cheers. I hope to see your car soon as I attend the SEMA Show in Las vegas every year.
Cheers,
Dindo
Dindo thank you! I was about to send an email to you regarding the wheels. Another list member was generous enough to send me an email instructing me to get in touch with you.
John Lingenfelter's son-in-law has a shop in Carrollton, Texas, called 21st Century MuscleCars. They are an HRE distributor and quoted me the same time frame for construction: about three weeks.
The more I stare at the car, the more I appreciate the factory OZ's. May I ask what your initial reaction was when you saw your car shod with HRE's? Did they have to 'grow' on you? I'm a huge fan of the HRE's, but the OZ's retain the clean factory look. I cannot fathom anything worse than buying wheels that, while on the shelf look killer, look terrible on the car.
I will send an email requesting any pics you may have time to send my way. Thanks in advance buddy!
John Lingenfelter's son-in-law has a shop in Carrollton, Texas, called 21st Century MuscleCars. They are an HRE distributor and quoted me the same time frame for construction: about three weeks.
The more I stare at the car, the more I appreciate the factory OZ's. May I ask what your initial reaction was when you saw your car shod with HRE's? Did they have to 'grow' on you? I'm a huge fan of the HRE's, but the OZ's retain the clean factory look. I cannot fathom anything worse than buying wheels that, while on the shelf look killer, look terrible on the car.
I will send an email requesting any pics you may have time to send my way. Thanks in advance buddy!
Since Andy's rims were mentioned, here is a pic of the HREs on his car:
Hope that helps. They do look great, and would look even better with big Brembo or AP slotted/drilled discs with painted calipers.
Mike (Still pimping his own website at www.metalasylum.com/evilyn )
Hope that helps. They do look great, and would look even better with big Brembo or AP slotted/drilled discs with painted calipers.
Mike (Still pimping his own website at www.metalasylum.com/evilyn
)
madmike said:
Hope that helps. They do look great, and would look even better with big Brembo or AP slotted/drilled discs with painted calipers.
Those wheels are sick (read: badass!). Damn! They appear to be 545's, but I have been fooled before! Wow! Thanks for the post bro!
Nice site you have there Mike! :tu:
>> Edited by VegasYellow2001 on Wednesday 23 April 18:57
They fit his Esprit very, very well. His is so aggressive looking and angry, what with the tinted windows and his meticulous detailing. With the engine newly powdercoated and all the internals polished, his is one of the finest looking cars in the land.
I can't wait to get out to some shows with him this year!
Anyway, good luck with the soul searching on the rim purchase.
Mike
I can't wait to get out to some shows with him this year!
Anyway, good luck with the soul searching on the rim purchase.
Mike
Karl Franz's Kinnesis wheels (another option) on his '95 S4s...
Interesting thing is - Karl custom made his Lotus logo wheel centres. Would you believe, nose badges?
ErnestM
>> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Wednesday 23 April 21:26
>> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Wednesday 23 April 21:28
Interesting thing is - Karl custom made his Lotus logo wheel centres. Would you believe, nose badges?
ErnestM
>> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Wednesday 23 April 21:26
>> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Wednesday 23 April 21:28
)Congratulations and Welcome Laurence!
As for wheels, here's a link for some more nice ones. I really like these.
www.certifiedwheels.com/
Good luck with your yellow 8.
Jim
As for wheels, here's a link for some more nice ones. I really like these.
www.certifiedwheels.com/
Good luck with your yellow 8.
Jim
Hi Laurence,
For the wheels to grow on me, it did not take much. The fit is perfect, the balance incredible, the size, monsterous. The wheels on Andy's car use to be on mine. He was very fortunate to purchase them from me since I was looking for the new straight contour lip that is available from hre.
On your car, I recommend the 440 series since they are lighter that the 540 series. If your car is yellow, the could do a grey anodize or charcoal paint center and this will set your car off in the supertuner mode. The centers for HRE are forged for all the series. So except for the price, the 440 and 540 are the same. I like the 440 because they are not bowed in the center. It matches the oem lines much like the OZ Futuras.
Well, let me now your progression and I can help you get a set. My friend just purchased a set of 840 for his new M5. In case you wondered, I do alot of marketing for HRE. In fact, when I engineered the first set of the 19, 18 application, they used my info for all their recommendations to Esprit customers.
Til then, do a search on Rytek Projektz and you will see some of my cars that General Motors tours around the country in the Autoshow circuit.
Cheers,
Dindo
For the wheels to grow on me, it did not take much. The fit is perfect, the balance incredible, the size, monsterous. The wheels on Andy's car use to be on mine. He was very fortunate to purchase them from me since I was looking for the new straight contour lip that is available from hre.
On your car, I recommend the 440 series since they are lighter that the 540 series. If your car is yellow, the could do a grey anodize or charcoal paint center and this will set your car off in the supertuner mode. The centers for HRE are forged for all the series. So except for the price, the 440 and 540 are the same. I like the 440 because they are not bowed in the center. It matches the oem lines much like the OZ Futuras.
Well, let me now your progression and I can help you get a set. My friend just purchased a set of 840 for his new M5. In case you wondered, I do alot of marketing for HRE. In fact, when I engineered the first set of the 19, 18 application, they used my info for all their recommendations to Esprit customers.
Til then, do a search on Rytek Projektz and you will see some of my cars that General Motors tours around the country in the Autoshow circuit.
Cheers,
Dindo
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