Your thoughts on Esprits 02/03 Front Spoiler
Discussion
Does anyone have experience with the 02/03 front spoiler on Esprits?
The spoiler on my 00 Esprit was trashed so I got the 02/03 spoiler. I have had the fiber part painted to match my car and installed it with out the lower rubber piece. It looks great.
If I add on the 3" rubber lower piece then the car will have about 2" of clearance. What happens on speed bumps and driveway entrances with the rubber piece constantly scraping the pavement?
If I leave the rubber piece off then the fiberglass part may get trashed, if I put the rubber part on then for sure I will scrap at every bump and driveway entrance.
What have your experiences been with this new front spoiler format?
The spoiler on my 00 Esprit was trashed so I got the 02/03 spoiler. I have had the fiber part painted to match my car and installed it with out the lower rubber piece. It looks great.
If I add on the 3" rubber lower piece then the car will have about 2" of clearance. What happens on speed bumps and driveway entrances with the rubber piece constantly scraping the pavement?
If I leave the rubber piece off then the fiberglass part may get trashed, if I put the rubber part on then for sure I will scrap at every bump and driveway entrance.
What have your experiences been with this new front spoiler format?
Why was your original spoiler trashed? If it was trashed by you and not by a previous owner, then you may not be the best candidate for the newer lip spoiler.
I replaced the lip spoiler on my S4s because I wanted to update the look. When I removed the older spoiler it still looked new after 7 years. Your driving style, how careful you are, where you drive, and the condition of the roads in your area affect the appearance of your spoiler.
Although the rubber piece does lower the front even more, it is not as drastic as you state. I just measured the front of my car from the floor to the bottom edge of the rubber lip and there is about 3.75 inches of clearance. With the older style (plastic) lip spoiler this was closer to 4.75 inches.
Finally, remember that the rubber piece is meant to be a sacrificial member. It helps protect the fiberglass part. It's better if it gets trashed intead of the nicely painted fiberglass piece. If it gets badly scraped up just remove it and put on a new one. Please note, however, that the rubber piece will not fully protect the front if you drive down a very steep driveway or tall speed bump. Ernie and I saw an 03MY in Mount Dora this year that had 1-inch cracks and chips in the fiberglass even with the rubber lip installed.
Cheers.
I replaced the lip spoiler on my S4s because I wanted to update the look. When I removed the older spoiler it still looked new after 7 years. Your driving style, how careful you are, where you drive, and the condition of the roads in your area affect the appearance of your spoiler.
Although the rubber piece does lower the front even more, it is not as drastic as you state. I just measured the front of my car from the floor to the bottom edge of the rubber lip and there is about 3.75 inches of clearance. With the older style (plastic) lip spoiler this was closer to 4.75 inches.
Finally, remember that the rubber piece is meant to be a sacrificial member. It helps protect the fiberglass part. It's better if it gets trashed intead of the nicely painted fiberglass piece. If it gets badly scraped up just remove it and put on a new one. Please note, however, that the rubber piece will not fully protect the front if you drive down a very steep driveway or tall speed bump. Ernie and I saw an 03MY in Mount Dora this year that had 1-inch cracks and chips in the fiberglass even with the rubber lip installed.
Cheers.
I measured my car and with just the fiberglass part it is 3.75 in from the ground. With 2 passengers it goes to 3.25 inches.
There is no way I will be installing the rubber part becuase it will be dragging to often. When I drive out of my driveway I have about 1 inch of clearance.
Since I am very careful I will leave the fiberglass one for now. But if it gets ruined I will go back to the plastic one. I'm thinking maybe the Dunlop tires on the 02/03 are a bitter taller than the Michelins on my car but since the sizes specified are the same I am not sure.
There is no way I will be installing the rubber part becuase it will be dragging to often. When I drive out of my driveway I have about 1 inch of clearance.
Since I am very careful I will leave the fiberglass one for now. But if it gets ruined I will go back to the plastic one. I'm thinking maybe the Dunlop tires on the 02/03 are a bitter taller than the Michelins on my car but since the sizes specified are the same I am not sure.
I must agree with karlfranz on this. If your 00 spoiler was trashed during your ownership, then I suggest not going with the 02/03 spoiler, as it will almost surely become trashed as well. But the rubber lip is designed to give way, so do not worry about scraping it.
I had my 02 Esprit less than one week when I misjudged a parking lot stop/berm and gently nudged it when pulling forward into a parking spot. My wife said it was the first time in our 20 years together that she heard me swear (yes, I'm that old, and yes, I was that upset). Result: some minor chips in the spoiler lower edge. Anyway, I haven't had a problem with the spoiler since. Mind you, my rubber lip does make contact: e.g., my office parking garage has a few speed bumps, and one of them always makes contact with the rubber lip, no matter what angle I approach. But the rubber lip is very flexible and "gives" (with minor dragging/scraping sound), and is none the worse for the wear.
My guess is that driving routes that were not a problem with the 00 spoiler will probably not be a problem with the 02/03 spoiler. If you cannot avoid routes that made road contact with the 00 spoiler, then you will probably have problems with the 02/03 spoiler. But the rubber lip does not exacerbate the clearance problem and is not disfigured with contact.
DaveH
California
I had my 02 Esprit less than one week when I misjudged a parking lot stop/berm and gently nudged it when pulling forward into a parking spot. My wife said it was the first time in our 20 years together that she heard me swear (yes, I'm that old, and yes, I was that upset). Result: some minor chips in the spoiler lower edge. Anyway, I haven't had a problem with the spoiler since. Mind you, my rubber lip does make contact: e.g., my office parking garage has a few speed bumps, and one of them always makes contact with the rubber lip, no matter what angle I approach. But the rubber lip is very flexible and "gives" (with minor dragging/scraping sound), and is none the worse for the wear.
My guess is that driving routes that were not a problem with the 00 spoiler will probably not be a problem with the 02/03 spoiler. If you cannot avoid routes that made road contact with the 00 spoiler, then you will probably have problems with the 02/03 spoiler. But the rubber lip does not exacerbate the clearance problem and is not disfigured with contact.
DaveH
California
I just installed the 02 upgrade on my 97. It has held up well and has not proved to be a problem. For those that have not looked at one the rubber is not attached to the glass part so it can flex without bending the glass part. I like the looks and it helps keep the cars nose down at high speed. I would recommend the factory parts as they are very sturdy and well designed to the task.
Dan
Dan
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