They're weak. They're not expensive or difficult to fix hence the crying smiley.

I'm not just going on the experience of having one of these. From the 20 or so I've had in the last couple of years [including a couple of GTI's] there's a running theme with repairs which are as stated in my first post: Idling problems [usualy potentiometer or ICV], rusty arches [sounds like a sexual thing ] and lower arms.

Even that Mk6 rs2k I was using needed them replacing and that was in great condition.

That doesn't detract from the fact I think Escorts are awesome value for money or I wouldn't continue to sell them.