I am looking into buying a saph 4x4. Can someone lend a bit of advice into how reliable it should be. I appreciate they are getting on a bit, and standard ones are hard to come by, most Ive seen come with the stage 1 conversion, is this still a reliable amount of power ? Also are they common for certain faults or flaws as most have over 100k now.
Cheers.

 

Being honest, they could be a nightmare, all depends who has done what to it over the years.

Stick to a stg 1 and you will be fine as it is not too bad for the cossie engine.


Dave.

 

Thanks Dave,
Do you know the 0-60 after a stage one has been done on a 4x4?

 

6.6 standard, so i would guess about 5.6 maybe.



Dave.

 

if it's been looked after it should be alright. you'd be better of buying one that's been rebuilt recently

 

I agree also find one with lots of history and poss rebuilt engine..spend a bit more money on one with a rebuild it's got to be worth it..
I paid 5.5k for mine standard few years ago I stg 1 tuned it and 3 months later bang 3.5k for rebuild car owes me over 11k now but i still love it

 

you can have my 400 horse one for 10k

 

I've had mine for around 1,5 year now and have done 50,000 km (30,000 miles). It is a 1992 Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4 with at stage 1 kit and T34. I believe the car is quit reliable. Mine has done 172,000 km (107,000 miles) now and I have had no problems at all for the last 20,000 km (12,000 miles).

However, I must say I had a few problems in the beginning - head was of and a grp. A gasket was fitted, the bearings in the bottom was changed etc. I have had no problems with the engine other than that, but this winther the gearbox will come of and get rebuild.

A lot of the problems you read about is caused by the driver himself, the mechanic who hasn't got the right experience to work with Cossie's or it is simple unluck. I believe when you take good care of your stage 1 Cossie it will run without problems and therefore it will be reliable as a car you can drive every day. I do this meself.

Go for a standard or a fully serviced stage 1 Cossie! I promise that you will have a smile on your face every day you drive it! It is sooo nice

/Thomas Krath