hi just wondering how the mk 5 escort xr3i 1993 shape is to drive i mean how good are they are they easy to tune only reason is im thinking of getting another car and really like the look of them and where are the places to look at when viewing 1 like for rust and listening for noises from the engine and stuff just wot are they like to have as a dailly runner
hope you can help cheers

johnandhissaffy

 

Got a 93 Esc Cabrio. Good fun to drive, only fault its got is a bit of rot on the o/s/r arch, think thats pretty common...

 

mate of mine used to have one had nothing but drive shaft problems with it

cv joints balancing and one snapped!

only one i`ve ever worked on though

Tony

edit old guy too(miss daisey)

 

so they suffer with rust then are the engines any good ?

 

they suffer with rust quite bad but there is some better than others the go along the floors by the inner sill lips from the back of the door to the bulk head only an inch or so across but can be very common, they also rust round the petrol cap and the rear arches thats all though .

don't let the rust put you off though as said some are alot worse than others depends on where they where kept and how they have been looked after the petrol caps rust through cos dirt gets trapped behind the wing and filler neck eventually rusting it through good old blast with the jetwash everytime you clean it will stop this from happening.

handling wise they are quite good on a decent set of springs and shocks lower it slightly, very predictable and nippy, admitted mine was only a 1.4 so very light but i'm sure the 1.8 zetec wouldn't be too much heavier.

some bigger brakes up front really make a difference too, i grafted some 2ltr mondeo brakes on mine and it stopped really well.

i'm sure engine wise it'll be just like most the other zetec's it's EFI so can't be far out.

personally i love the look of the mk5's want another but insurance will cripple me atm so wait a little longer for more ncb.

 

Mines a 1.8 Zetec 130. Did a head gasket, but dont think ford managed to bolt the head bolts down enough, as they wernt that tight!!

 

my 1st car was a mk 5 xr3i, i absoloutley loved it, id like it back but the old bloke i sold it to in 2003 wont part with it

usual rust spots are around the arches and fuel filler cao, just like your standard escort. easy to tune, i had mine up to 140 odd bhp