bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

hi guys i have just joined the site.

i have always wanted to own a series 2 escort rs turbo. it would be a dream for me. i have found an absolutely mint one for sale body work is mint and so is interior, they guy says he hasnt drove it in a year and it has no tax or mot and is lookin £1300 for the car. the only down side is that he says there is a niose coming from the engine which is hard to describe he says he doesnt know much about engines but he got a mechanic to advise him and he said its an easy fix will cost £50! he says it runs perfect apart from this. can anyone give me some advice on this car. if possible a phone number so i can have a chat with someone about it. many thanks Neil.

ps he says the engine was rebuilt. im planning to make 2 hour trip to see the car tomorrow.

m4tt274

iTrader: (2)

depends what the noise is. there are so many noises it could be.
could be a tappet, could be blowing exhaust, could even be a bracket thats come loose buzzing.

the fact it has no mot or tax would be my biggest concern, as it points at an MOT failure that the guy couldnt be botherd to fix. so keep ur eyes peeled for rust and leaks underneath it.
check for rust on the wheel arches, bootfloor, sunroof, bottom of doors.... and EVERYWHERE ELSE!

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

hi thanks for the reply, i know alot of thes motors are rotten so i will be looking everywhere for rot. he says he doesnt think the noise is tappets but its a rattle or tappy noise?! what could it be that would cost £50 to fix? if the body work and interior really is that mint she would be worth £1300? im dying to own one of these! he says hes only being honest about the car but they all say that! cheers again for taking the time to reply

doRSet lee b

iTrader: (2)

also keep a vigilant eye out around the front end and boot floor to see if it has ever been in an accident. fresh paint is a give away. i have had escort turbos before and found noisy tappets are a common thing. hope this helps. just dont buy it cause it looks shiny! i been caught out by that before, and have learnt from my mistakes.

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

try and look under neath every thing? check whats the worst case scenario about the engine?

studabear

a full rebuild is the worse case

I would happily buy a car with a shagged engine if the rest of the cars in good order, its easier to sort the engine than to fix a rot box

rsfido_1989

could be big end bearing rattle of death

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

thats what i was thinking could you tell me how much you would be taking for a rebuild if say it was the big end bearing?

if she really is mint then it would be worth spendin money on

studabear

Haven't got a clue on costs pal, all depends if a garage is doing it for you or your doing it yourself

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

would definitly be a garage job anyone got a rough idea?

studabear

My advice is if you don't know much about cars take somebody with you that does if you go to see this car, don't let your heart rule your head, and always try and have some back up funds for when it breaks

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

i know a fair amount about cars mainly from things going wrong! but i do know what u mean about letting ur heart rule ur head, been there before! how reliable are erst? i realise theyr very old now

botters

iTrader: (2)

have a good feel round under the sills and bodykit, i have seen many a mint looking rs turbo be rotten under the kit dont be afraid to give the metal a good squeeze to check its solid also look at the rear chassis legs just in front of the rear spring as these are a bit of a pain to replace and if you cant do them yourself you will find most bodyshops wont even quote to replace them and those that will ,will probably charge around a grand
as for the engine it could be tappets, a loose rocker arm anything really for a full rebuild by a garage again i would budget around a grand

ive bought and sold a few tidy rs turbos before with engine problems and would say £1300 is a bit steep i would pay more like £700 for something in the condition you describe probably £1000 would be my absolute limit

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

so im thinkin to take a trolly jack with me and get under her with a screw driver and give her a good ol poke? u think £1000 is the best i should be giving for her? whats the chances of the engine noise being a cheap fix? anythin else i should know? sorry not trying to toture you!

studabear

if the engine noise is a cheap fix why isn't it fixed

botters

iTrader: (2)

take a jack with you and have a poke about for sure
there is every possibility that the engine could be a cheap fix yes but i cant say for sure without hearing for myself, just use a bit of common sense when you get there and if it sounds nasty it probably is, rs turbos are quite tappy and the cams can even sound quite rumbly even when good
you can pay whatever you think is a good price upon inspection i wouldnt say £1300 was massivley overpriced if it is a good one just that you should try and haggle and start low remind the seller that there are hundreds to choose from and they can be had from as little as £400 and you are not desperate to buy his i always find this helps negotiations when i am buying ive even walked away from a few to recieve a phonecall an hour later to say they will accept my offer
just be thorough and a little ruthless and you may get yourself a bargain

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

appreaciate all replys and help guys, must say it will be hard to keep my heart out of this! th rst is a bit of a unicorn of mine i will definitly be haggling on the price and will only be buying if the shell is mint and the noise not severe. i notice all you guys live in england, im from belfast escort rs turbos fetch alot more cash over here and arent as easy found tho i wont be tellin the seller that! got a escort rst for sale? bring it to belfast

bubs_rsturbo

iTrader: (1)

i now own a series 2 rs turbo im sooo happy paid 1100 for her the bodywork and interior is in great condition im well pleased i did hear a noise from engine the guy says its the shells? in bottom end? can br fixed by removing sump? anyone shed any light. he says its a cheap fix but im fully prepared to get the engine rebuilt if needs be. just cant wait to get driving her btw i looked every where on her underneath, boot floor under boodlid under battery, fusebox sun roof arches, sills, shes got a bailey dumpvale and scorpion system.

rsfido_1989

needs a rebuild to be safe mate, big end rattle will have marked the crank.