[sleekgt]

Your 93.5 OEM sizes (15x7 and 16x8) are really limited in matched vendor sets. BFG T/A (H rated tires) may be the only choice. Even then, the availability is difficult. If you're willing to do BFG TA front and Pirelli/ Michelin in back, it may be possible but the handling may not optimal. 15 and 16 inch tires are simply too old/small of a market, hence the limited choices.

I started off with 15" BFG TA all around. Ok tire but nothing special. Just bought 17" S4s wheels that allow better choices of tires.
For 17" I'm going with a Dunlop Direzza DZ101

Upgrading wheels on Esprit is quite an adventure - search the Esprit forum for 'wheel' and there are a few threads on tire/wheel fitment on the older cars.

 

[sleekgt]

Check out this site for the various wheels/tire sizes used on Esprits:

The Lotus Esprit Fact File

Click on Support->Components->Wheels & Tires->Road Wheels

This is very useful if you prefer to stick with a Lotus OEM wheel from the
other model years (MY) (used obviously). Sticking close to the DIAMETER for the rear tire helps keep your speedo more true.

---------------------

A thread similarly looking for relatively inexpensive alternative to OZ Nova wheels and fitment

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/help-wheel-fitment-adapters-etc-180146/#post2522954

My thread on moving from 15" to 17"

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/15mm-wheel-spacer-esprit-front-hub-181730/#post2541002

A discussion on 15" AND 16" tire choices

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/215-50-15-tires-89-se-171754/#post2415282

A forum member's spreadsheet for calculating various tire options

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/running-17-f-18-r-wheels-s4-160170/#post2278602

This is an indispensable site for doing 'What if' on wheels and tire sizes

http://www.rimsntire.com -> Size Comparer (lower left of screen under 'Tools')

One of my older posts trying to migrate from 15" to something with better tire choices (17" OR 18")

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f164/88-esprit-wheels-help-124152/#post1845391

For after market inexpensive wheels, the choices are limited - the tradeoff is using spacer or adapters and heavier weights.

The inexpensive possibilities I've evaluated (plenty others that I didn't check out details):

5x108 sizes:

Voxx MG3
Voxx Maglia
ESM 004

5x120 sizes (requires adapters all around)
Bayern

The expensive options (custom - no spacers)

Boze Forged
Fikse