Hi. Noob here. Loving the site and really getting into old Fords. One thing I would like to know is what is difference between Series 1 and 2 RS Turbos?

Is there a big difference in price/desirability/maintenance?

Thanks in advance for your help

yes, yes and yes.

S1's seem to be more desirable as I they have motorsport heratige, plus they are nicer looking and rarer. Obviously this also makes them more expensive.

As for maintenance I can't really comment. However, being an old ford I should imagine its much the same as an s2

they both rust from the inside out is the best advice i could give you mate

I can vouch for this on the S2! Started my paint prep about 3 months ago and im still finding the orange stuff.

Some differences/info :

S1 is lower geared than S2 (final drive S1 4.27:1, S2 3.84:1)

S1 doesn't have a water cooled turbo

S1 has a front anti-roll bar arrangement carried over from RS1600i (but without the alloy crossmember)

You can only get S1 in white although there were black one (s) Princess Di had one. May have been red ones too (Datapost touring cars?)

Some differences in fuel system/ECU/sensors over the years.


I had a red '89 S2 then a S1 after, the S2 used to eat gearboxes, the S1 had 3 engines in a year.

I'm sure I read somewhere that S1's and very early S2's were made out of different steel (Spanish?) which makes them rot worse? Don't know how much truth is in that?

I remember the early mk4 Escorts being worse for rot than the later ones.

I did hear they were thinner steel but no proof.

I had my 89 S2 in 1998 and the front panel was fucked then. (as were most other panels on it when I had a lack of talent,but that's another story)

D & E reg escorts seemed to rot worse back in the day.

Oh dear. I suppose my method of a cursory look underneath from kerb side jsut doesnt cut it with these

Ok so deffo S1 is where the smart money is but still an awful lot of fun (after months of work) to be had for a little less with a S2

Excellent info there. So if you dont want white go S2

Thanks for all the replies. I really am starting to like this forum stuff

Having an E reg escort I'm certain it's an inferior metal.