Most miles on a Lotus?

[Martin]

What is the most miles ever put on a Lotus? Just happen to be wondering about it and thought that someone on here might have a clue.

Doesn't Tony with the 3 S1's have a lot of miles on one, or am I mistaken?

[Brian Skeoch]

I know of a chap who bought a white 88 limited edition and he put 250 k on it before it went boom. I believe it was fuel related.

that car is at Hypersport Racing under a blue tarp.

thats the higest turned Esprit that I am aware of. when the motor wouldnt run he parked it outside.. for a long time..

Brian

[GregWO]

sad an 88 limited ed. :crying: motor went boom and burned or just boom?

[Brian Skeoch]

it didnt implode or anything.. noth catastrophic, just wouldnt run. owner parked it in the elements and the weather didnt do it any favors..

It is going ti get a V 8 in it when they have a moment. it currently has a blue tarp over it, but the car is inside.. thankfully.

[GregWO]

OH! I see said the blind man... thank you for clarifying :icon18:

[Al B]

250K, Wow. I thought I had a lot at 92k+. Should be back on the street shortly.

[Martin]

I know of a chap who bought a white 88 limited edition and he put 250 k on it before it went boom. I believe it was fuel related.

that car is at Hypersport Racing under a blue tarp.

thats the higest turned Esprit that I am aware of. when the motor wouldnt run he parked it outside.. for a long time..

Brian

Thats the one I'm thinking of.

To put 250K on an Esprit....man that would be great! :steeringwheel::thumbup:

[Esprit2]

I put 180k+ on my first Europa S2, then followed that up with 40k in the Twin Cam that followed it. That was over about 15 years total.

Later,
Tim Engel

[dpr59]

My Excel is about to pass 170K miles.

No fliud losses and good oil pressure.

[Mark B.]

There's a 1988 Stevens Turbo with 320,000 miles on the clock. Owned by a chap called Geoff, who's driven it all over Europe several times. The car's had 3 engine rebuilds and is maintained by Esprit Engineering in Salisbury.

There's another 1988 Stevens Turbo with 144,000 miles and no engine rebuild. The owner from Wales said the engine was blue printed.
Mine's got 97K on it, so like to think it's a low miler!

This is the car with 144k on the clock:

http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_Esprit_Turbo_White_Quater_Angle_Thum.jpg

[Martin]

Interesting info gentlemen. It does sond like engine rebuilds are enevitable after the 100K mark.

Wow, 3 engine rebuilds on that one Esprit......:ohmy:
That can't be cheap, what a usual rebuild go for these days?

[Mark B.]

Anything from a partial engine rebuild at £3k to a full engine rebuild at around £6k. Also depends which specialist you use and what they replace. I'm budgeting for about £6k and am expecting the rebuild some time in the next 10k miles. However my Mechanic recons the car could last another 20k.

Do you think it's worth getting it done now or waiting till it goes pop?

Will more damage be caused to the engine if you wait?

[WayneB]

If the engine has low oil pressure, is loosing coolant into the oil or cylinders and/ or has a ton of crankcase combustion gas blow by would be just cause do a rebuild now.

If she is running well or just using a bit more oil than it used to it would be OK to wait IMO.

Running an engine till it throws a rod and puts a big hole in the crankcase is always a bad idea though.

[Mark B.]

None of that so I'll leave it be, thanks :).

[Esprit2]

Wow, 3 engine rebuilds on that one Esprit......:ohmy:
That can't be cheap, what a usual rebuild go for these days?
If you're up to the task of rebuilding it yourself, the parts cost and machine shop services (if needed) may take you to US$5-6k. If you need to have it done for you, then plan to double that (Twin Cities shop rates).

Regards,
Tim Engel

[Steve C]

My 1990 Excel SE has 152k miles on it - the head has never been off and still pulls nicely to 7k!

A compression test a month ago revealed .. 210-220 accross all 4 cylinders - I'm happy with that! :thumbup:

I'd be much happier if half of the clear-coat hadn't decided to fall off :mad:

[WayneB]

Welcome to the forum Steve.:001_smile:

Do you use your Excel as a daily driver?

Long journeys or just around the corner stuff?

As for the paint, Lotus paint the cars in a very similar fashion to most refinish paint shops do, (manually in a downdraft booth) and the early base-clear systems were very time sensitive as to the ammount of time that the clear could be applied without problems after the base had been sprayed. Also the UV will break down the clear, make it brittle and it will flake (especially If subjected to the bombardment of a high pressure jet washer.)

Todays paint systems are much better for longevity and delamination is rarely encountered.

18 years from a factory paint job isnt bad though!

[Martin]

Was the Excel made of fiberglass as well?

[WayneB]

Yes Martin, the Elite/Eclat /Excel line of Lotus cars were all backbone chassised with fiberglass bodies (same as the Esprit):)

[Martin]

So that means it does cost a bit to get the right paint job on an Excel then. Not everyone has the know how to prep fiberglass to make the paint shine right.

[Brian Skeoch]

this thread should be re worded to say

The most SMILES on a lotus.. :)