I'll Have A Look @ An S4 Tomorrow ...

[bzguy]

Tomorrow, I'll have a look at an S4 in my neighbourhood ... A guy selling his S4, willing to take mine and I'll pay a (small) surplus.

I know I've ordered some parts already to add a facelift to my SE, but I think it's worth to have a look at an S4.

SOme things, other than on an SE, to especially look after ? Some 'weak' points ?

I know speedometer of the S4 is not 100 % (needle going odd ; mile-age is right, proven with bills and maintenance booklet), but I suppose that can be fixed.

It's an S4 with later style V8 wheels (those from +2002, not the 6 spokes)

Edited May 23, 2007 by bzguy

[CarlC]

I'd love to know what you think of the brake feel and power steering compared to yours?

If its a late 94/95 S4 you'll get the Brembo Calipers which are much better than the tayota setup on the early/mid 94 S4. Aorund this time you also get the revised engine bay layout and single coolant header tank which is obviously not prone to rust.

The gearshift may also feel better as it was switched from the passenger side to the drivers side but Im not sure when this happend. I know my S4 has it on the drivers side but just missed out on the Brembo Callipers, as its a June94 production date.

For me if I had an SE looking at an S4 I'd need it to be a late S4 with brembo otherwise Im note sure its worth changing as the car is essentially the same except for the exterior.

[s4simon]

Do you know the mileage??

From that you would have an idea if the manifold is up for a change.

+ check to see when the cambelt was last changed.

Pretty much you'll know what to look out for.

[bzguy]

Do you know the mileage??

From that you would have an idea if the manifold is up for a change.

+ check to see when the cambelt was last changed.

Pretty much you'll know what to look out for.

Back from having a look : shitty weather, and I was a bit in a hurry (had to go to work for late shift)

Very nice car indeed, 66000 km, from second owner, always well maintained by Lotus Dealer. Guy sells it because he's too tall to fit easily in it. In my SE, he has much more driver leg room. He'll take mine, I'll add some extra $$$ ...

Everything on it in very clean and nice shape : wind deflector included, as well as roof bag, service manual etc ...

I should still check when cambelt was changed ...

I'll post asap some photos ...

Thanx for your advice !

[bzguy]

Some photos :

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5

6

[islandbloke]

She looks a beauty Hans - but I don't understand how there's more legroom in an SE!!

Just make sure that's his REAL reason for selling and not a convenient excuse for something more sinister - I thought if anything the S4 would be more roomy, and with wider opening doors!!

I can't ever sell Lottie (*my* SE) because I made that mistake once and she took me back - but ONLY on the condition she'd eat her own pistons if I ever tried it again!

But if I could, I'd love an S4/S in what seems to be such good order.

[bzguy]

She looks a beauty Hans - but I don't understand how there's more legroom in an SE!!

Just make sure that's his REAL reason for selling and not a convenient excuse for something more sinister - I thought if anything the S4 would be more roomy, and with wider opening doors!!

I can't ever sell Lottie (*my* SE) because I made that mistake once and she took me back - but ONLY on the condition she'd eat her own pistons if I ever tried it again!

But if I could, I'd love an S4/S in what seems to be such good order.

Thx Stu,

I thought as well that there's more legroom in an S4, but I've tested it myself today : in an SE, seats seem to sit lower, and has a smaller steering wheel.

In an S4, seats are higher, steeper towards the steering wheel, and the steering wheel is bigger I guess.

The guy is 1m95 tall, and has indeed problems driving an S4, less problems in my SE.

He doesn't know s**t about Esprit's, I've seen maintenance bills, etc ... car has been very well kept, only 2 minor things to mention : a bit wear on the sides of the leather seats, and the speedometer needle that jumps around a bit ...

But before I pay the bucks, I'll have a better look

BTW : first usage = 1996, but I haven't checked yet what year it's built ...

I'd love to know what you think of the brake feel and power steering compared to yours?

If its a late 94/95 S4 you'll get the Brembo Calipers which are much better than the tayota setup on the early/mid 94 S4. Aorund this time you also get the revised engine bay layout and single coolant header tank which is obviously not prone to rust.

The gearshift may also feel better as it was switched from the passenger side to the drivers side but Im not sure when this happend. I know my S4 has it on the drivers side but just missed out on the Brembo Callipers, as its a June94 production date.

For me if I had an SE looking at an S4 I'd need it to be a late S4 with brembo otherwise Im note sure its worth changing as the car is essentially the same except for the exterior.

- it does have a slightly other engine layout than my SE

- its first usage is 1996, but don't know about effective production date

- it's with the S300 wing, not the smaller 'high wing'

- haven't checked on the brake calipers yet ...

Edited May 9, 2007 by bzguy

[Paul93Lotus]

Keep in mind that Lotus did make suspension changes in the S4 for adjustable camber, and allegedly took out a lot of the understeer the car had, and per magazine reviews made the car more communicative at the limit.

There is a good chance that the car has the Brembo calipers as you have a passenger side airbag.

So how was it driving with power steering? Did the handling feel better...more crisp?

Definitely don't forget to post your opinions between your SE and S4!

Edited May 9, 2007 by Paul93Lotus

[bzguy]

Keep in mind that Lotus did make suspension changes in the S4 for adjustable camber, and allegedly took out a lot of the understeer the car had, and per magazine reviews made the car more communicative at the limit.

There is a good chance that the car has the Brembo calipers as you have a passenger side airbag.

So how was it driving with power steering? Did the handling feel better...more crisp?

Definitely don't forget to post your opinions between your SE and S4!

It has a passenger airbag !

haven't had the chance to drive it, due to time limitations (work), and it was a shitty rainy day (dangerous !) , but I've taken an option on it to have a better look/drive next time ...

gas pedal feels lighter, clutch feels harder, gear stick feels 'smoother' (just tested on idle)

I'll post more when I can test drive it

[bzguy]

Great news from Nick (fflyingdog) : he's in Brussels for 6 months and he's willing to have a look on the car

Thanx a lot in advance Nick !

[Simon350S]

Looks VERY nice mate......

DO IT>>>>!!!!!!!

Simon

[bzguy]

Looks VERY nice mate......

DO IT>>>>!!!!!!!

Simon

Had a chat with bosbon )peter) as well, he says the same thing

I'll take Nick along, but I'm very confident in haivng found a uniaue oportunity ... just my feeling, and most of the time my feeling's right

Thanx for the supporting words !

BTW : that way I can keep my SE standard, only thing I've asked the guy who'll buy my SE to promise me to take care of it ...

[mayevora]

Looks a beauty Hans.

Wobble on speedo needle usially means speedo cable needs replacing - may be slightly bent or kinked. Needle will probably wobble at low speeds and then even out once up to a reasonable cruseing speed.

[slade]

they're both pretty, and I didn't know there were really so many diffs between the SE and S4...

I still say the SE looks better Specially as yours appears to be such an amazing color

[bzguy]

Been abroad for a week, now I'm back, and bought the S4

Went with my SE to MOT, everything fine, same as the owner's S4, called Nick Fry (who's in Belgium for the tiome being) to ask him to have a look as well, didn't need to argue a lot since Nick said : 'It's almost brand new'.

Very nice deal, especially that the guy takes over my 1990 SE, paid him a couple of quid extra, and got his S4.

It's an S4, first registered in 1996, from VIN it reads manufacturing date 1994, silver frost color, from second owner, all booklets included, complete service history, 66000 km's, wind deflector included, etc ...

It still needs a good wash, but since I'm abroad again for a couple of days from tomorrow, I'll post here already some pics, as Nick suggested.

I'd like to thank especially Nick, who was willing to have a look as well

During my first ride, I already noticed some (big) differences between my 1990 SE and my S4, but later on I'll post more about it ...

[superdavelotus]

Really nice car, hope you enjoy it. The difference with the legroom to others who don't already know is that for tall drivers, your knees are bent and either hit the centre tunnel or under dash/steering wheel. On the S4, Lotus have raised the lower section of dash on driver's side and also narrowed the centre tunnel. This gives your kneee more space. Also the seat is a tad thinner (I think).

[fflyingdog]

Hi All

The car is in absoulutely pristine nick,everything works! (apart from a bouncey speedo needle at around 120kmh) Hans got a storming deal,drives really well ,everything is really tight,i had a really good look around the car (you know what it can be like looking at a new car all excited and then miss the important little expensive things ,buyers remorse etc ) the guy that sold the car really didnt seem to have a clue he had a gem! I"m not sure what the wheels are they look like Novas ? but suit the car and with the S4s hoop spoiler must be one of the very last ones to roll out of Hethel.All in all a lovely machine.

Nick S4s

[bzguy]

On request (from Olaf) some more pictures (car had a proper wash now) :

Edited June 4, 2007 by bzguy

[esprits4de]

SWEEET !

Great looking car !

Congrats......

[bzguy]

SWEEET !

Great looking car !

Congrats......

Thx Olaf

In summer, we could maybe meet somewhere, together with Bosbon, since Germany is not that far away

Talking about a threesome

[DanR]

That looks gorgeous, one to be very proud of.

The rear shot shows off how well Stevens integrated those tail lights to the body contours. Toyota or not hope you don't ever "ugrade" to the round ones.

Love those wheels too.

[Rob]

lovely!

[bzguy]

That looks gorgeous, one to be very proud of.

The rear shot shows off how well Stevens integrated those tail lights to the body contours. Toyota or not hope you don't ever "ugrade" to the round ones.

Love those wheels too.

Thanx all for comliments

I'll never upgrade to the round rear lights, I like them as they are now, except for the amber parts, which I'll paint red (as I did on my 1990 SE, with great success).

Red paint can be removed easily, so it's not really changing the car as it is ... I'll consider clear repeaters in front and on the side, keeping off course the original parts aside.

In fact, my car has the looks I've always wanted to have, so I'll keep this one really pampered

Full maintenance history, from second owner

[Mark Blanchard]

One of the nicest look S4's I've seen. The Nova's make it look sooooo cool. B)

[rocket63]

Stunning car. Looks great. Silver has always been a favourite of mine and it sits well with the Oz Novas