1999 Esprit arrived today - Questions - LotusTalk

Zoomer602 · 08-23-2009, 03:18 PM

My red 99 tt arrived today and I am sure I will have plenty of questions after I check it out. It has 46K on it and the previous owner said his mechanic suggest the timing belt be done. Aston-Martin in Boston gets $136 an hour and quoted me $3,000 to do the job (replacing pulleys, et. all). They said $1800 in parts and $1200 in labor.
I have access to many very good mechanics at low dollars - I am a new partner to a used car dealership and some of the mechanics are pretty good. Still is this the kind of job you would only allow the dealer to do? Are there any really great Lotus places in New Hampshire/Massachusetts that would save me money?
Should I just buy the parts myself and have one of the regular mechanics do the job?

Thanks for any help!
Jon

lotus69f2 · 08-23-2009, 04:14 PM

I would not limit my options to a dealer, but I would want a mechanic with Lotus (and specifically V8) experience to do the job.

91MR2 · 08-23-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus69f2

I would not limit my options to a dealer, but I would want a mechanic with Lotus (and specifically V8) experience to do the job.

X2...

Don't screw around with cheap fixes right off the bat...

You're a new Lotus Esprit V8 TT owner...respect that, and respect the car...

Take it to someone who knows EXACTLY what they're doing with these cars...

lotus4s · 08-23-2009, 07:21 PM

I agree, especially since there are some Lotus specific tools required to do the job that even the best non Lotus mechanic is not going to have. And a screwed up timing belt is going to cost a whole lot more than 3K...

khamai · 08-23-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus4s

I agree, especially since there are some Lotus specific tools required to do the job that even the best non Lotus mechanic is not going to have. And a screwed up timing belt is going to cost a whole lot more than 3K...

+1
The job requires a Lotus specific tool to lock the cams in place. Without the tool there's a very HIGH likelihood that a cam will move which will lead to piston-valve interference = replacing many, if not all the valves = REALLY expensive.

Cheers,
Kiyoshi

Zoomer602 · 08-25-2009, 02:11 PM

Ok - so there is only ONE lotus dealer within 100 miles of me 03109 - no one even advertises Lotus as one of the cars they service...So I have to pay the $136 per hour for 12 hours and $1800 in parts?

lotus4s · 08-25-2009, 06:24 PM

If you're near Boston, there's an independent Lotus mechanic near you, Michael's Motorsports.

Michael's Motorsports - Lotus and Saab performance specialist

Chris Mackey · 08-25-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomer602

Ok - so there is only ONE lotus dealer within 100 miles of me 03109 - no one even advertises Lotus as one of the cars they service...So I have to pay the $136 per hour for 12 hours and $1800 in parts?

You seem surprised. I don't know why - the Esprits are notoriously expensive to maintain. Wait for the transmission to fail.

Zoomer602 · 08-30-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Mackey

You seem surprised. I don't know why - the Esprits are notoriously expensive to maintain. Wait for the transmission to fail.

I am not surprised on the expense...I am surprised that there are so few alternatives to the dealer. The inability to find a Lotus trained mechanic in the $85 per hour range is a bit surprising. I believe in proper service and want to get the timing belt changed asap. I am bringing the car in for an eletrical problem to Precision Imports up here tomorrow and will see how they do with that end of it...

Seb · 08-30-2009, 09:47 PM

3k for a timing belt job is retarded. I would either do it myself or find someone I trusted.

Or if your a little more financially able, then just do it.

Timing belts are something you really don't want to screw up (especially if this is an interference engine). With some older cars it isn't a big deal.

Snowphun · 09-02-2009, 07:00 PM

Synaptic3 might be happy to do it.

Keeper · 09-02-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowphun

Synaptic3 might be happy to do it.

Yes, but they charge for the learning curve. If it's their first service of this type and you're trying to save money then it may not work out.

Seb · 09-02-2009, 07:44 PM

If they do it wrong it's their problem.

Is the Esprit engine an interference engine? Meaning the valves occupy the same space as the pistons, so when out of time a collision is possible.

lotus4s · 09-02-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seb

If they do it wrong it's their problem.

Is the Esprit engine an interference engine? Meaning the valves occupy the same space as the pistons, so when out of time a collision is possible.

Yes

Keeper · 09-02-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seb

If they do it wrong it's their problem.

Who said they'd do it wrong?

stormexigeS · 09-05-2009, 07:41 PM

Michael at MM is definately the most experienced Esprit mechanic/owner/driver in the area... and a good guy.

Seb · 09-05-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keeper

Who said they'd do it wrong?

Didn't say they WOULD. But it is possible to miss a tooth or two.

JoshS · 09-05-2009, 09:25 PM

In this economy I can't see anyone turning down work. Offer them $2400 and see what they come back with. Everything is negotiable. Or they can just go out of business like 3/4's of all the Lotus dealerships in the LA area

Paul S · 09-06-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomer602

My red 99 tt arrived today and I am sure I will have plenty of questions after I check it out. It has 46K on it and the previous owner said his mechanic suggest the timing belt be done. Aston-Martin in Boston gets $136 an hour and quoted me $3,000 to do the job (replacing pulleys, et. all). They said $1800 in parts and $1200 in labor.
I have access to many very good mechanics at low dollars - I am a new partner to a used car dealership and some of the mechanics are pretty good. Still is this the kind of job you would only allow the dealer to do? Are there any really great Lotus places in New Hampshire/Massachusetts that would save me money?
Should I just buy the parts myself and have one of the regular mechanics do the job?

Thanks for any help!
Jon

I had my 02 done by a Lotus dealer who put an Elise mechanic on it and promptly screwed it up. They ended up pulling the engine and rebuilding both heads after they started the car with the timing belts installed wrong! Get someone who has the tools and exoerience to get it right the first time and avoid the potiential for a disaster!!!

RichS · 09-06-2009, 07:04 AM

Let me add, just because they are a Lotus dealer doesn't necessarily mean that they have experienced Lotus Esprit V8 mechanics on staff. Have you been able to question them about their techs experience levels?

08-23-2009, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zoomer602 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16	1999 Esprit arrived today - Questions My red 99 tt arrived today and I am sure I will have plenty of questions after I check it out. It has 46K on it and the previous owner said his mechanic suggest the timing belt be done. Aston-Martin in Boston gets $136 an hour and quoted me $3,000 to do the job (replacing pulleys, et. all). They said $1800 in parts and $1200 in labor. I have access to many very good mechanics at low dollars - I am a new partner to a used car dealership and some of the mechanics are pretty good. Still is this the kind of job you would only allow the dealer to do? Are there any really great Lotus places in New Hampshire/Massachusetts that would save me money? Should I just buy the parts myself and have one of the regular mechanics do the job? Thanks for any help! Jon

08-23-2009, 04:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
lotus69f2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bethel, PA Posts: 483	I would not limit my options to a dealer, but I would want a mechanic with Lotus (and specifically V8) experience to do the job. __________________ Kyle Kaulback '56 Mark VI '71 Type61mX '71 Type69 '72 Europa TC '74 Elan Plus2S 130/5 '91 M100 Elan '91 Type 106 Esprit X180R LotusSport 110 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/PhillyLotus/ http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f218...us-barn-75834/

08-23-2009, 07:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
lotus4s Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 83	I agree, especially since there are some Lotus specific tools required to do the job that even the best non Lotus mechanic is not going to have. And a screwed up timing belt is going to cost a whole lot more than 3K... __________________ 1995 S4s Visit my website: http://sites.google.com/site/jkesprit/

08-25-2009, 02:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zoomer602 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16	Ok - so there is only ONE lotus dealer within 100 miles of me 03109 - no one even advertises Lotus as one of the cars they service...So I have to pay the $136 per hour for 12 hours and $1800 in parts? __________________ current cars I have: 1999 Lotus Esprit V8 1996 Jaguar XJS (mint) 2009 Mercedes 300 Sport4matic 03 Camry XLE 1963 Corvair Greenbrier 2000 BMW 740IL 2002 T-Bird (two tone), 87 Omni Dragster(sleeper)

08-25-2009, 06:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
lotus4s Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 83	If you're near Boston, there's an independent Lotus mechanic near you, Michael's Motorsports. Michael's Motorsports - Lotus and Saab performance specialist __________________ 1995 S4s Visit my website: http://sites.google.com/site/jkesprit/

08-30-2009, 09:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
Seb <3 QR25DE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 753	3k for a timing belt job is retarded. I would either do it myself or find someone I trusted. Or if your a little more financially able, then just do it. Timing belts are something you really don't want to screw up (especially if this is an interference engine). With some older cars it isn't a big deal.

09-02-2009, 07:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
Snowphun All good Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: SE MA Posts: 177	Synaptic3 might be happy to do it.

09-02-2009, 07:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
Seb <3 QR25DE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 753	If they do it wrong it's their problem. Is the Esprit engine an interference engine? Meaning the valves occupy the same space as the pistons, so when out of time a collision is possible.

09-05-2009, 07:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
stormexigeS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1	Michael at MM is definately the most experienced Esprit mechanic/owner/driver in the area... and a good guy.

09-05-2009, 09:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
JoshS Come on down Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,966	In this economy I can't see anyone turning down work. Offer them $2400 and see what they come back with. Everything is negotiable. Or they can just go out of business like 3/4's of all the Lotus dealerships in the LA area __________________ '06 Elise Phantom Black, Touring, Starshield, Powder Coated Black Wheels, Bobble head IMUS

09-06-2009, 07:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	Let me add, just because they are a Lotus dealer doesn't necessarily mean that they have experienced Lotus Esprit V8 mechanics on staff. Have you been able to question them about their techs experience levels? __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode