This is the unfortunate sale of my 1985 Ford Escort Mk3 XR3i in black. The car has tax until 31/01/2015 and MOT until 31/01/2015 (only advisory on MOT was that it was loud). It’s a genuine 54,000 mile shell with a particularly small amount of rust, both of which are a rare occurrence now. I’ve only owned the car for about 2 months now and in that time fixed all matters of problems, ranging from dash lights not working to hefty misfires resulting in it cutting out and not starting.
The car is far from a standard XR3i, as opposed to the particularly ‘lacking’ standard XR3i engine this is powered by an RS1800 Zetec from a newer Mk3 Fiesta, which is just mated to the standard Escort 5-speed gearbox. In standard form these engines put out 130bhp, and feature revised cams and ECUs as compared to the standard 1800cc escort engines. It has a 4 branch manifold and full exhaust system too; including a stainless steel 3-inch outwardly rolled tailpipe (back box and pipe are near enough brand-new). Although 130bhp doesn’t seem like much, it is when it’s powering a car that only weighs 850kg. It’s a particularly revvy engine and pulls incredibly well for what it is. Also, the car is fitted with an immobiliser.
Although the car looks fairly subtle it has an abundance of sought after parts from a variety of the mk3 models. The most obvious probably being the front and rear spoilers and bumpers, which are genuine, hard to come by items from the particularly rare RS1600i model. The spoiler and bumpers are in mint condition; however the front spoiler/splitter has been sprayed satin black with an aerosol can by the previous owner, to make it original it needs a lick of texture paint. The boot has been smoothed and an OEM boot popper has been fitted on the dash next to the steering wheel. Clear indicators have been fitted on the front to tidy the front end up, as well as the addition of the RS1600i fog lights and spot lights, the spots act as full beam. There is also a smaller sized number plate fitted on the front with the correct legal spacing and sizing.
The car is sitting on RS1600i alloys, which are also particularly hard to come by, there are a few curb rashes on a few of the wheels, but nothing major, they all run true and there aren’t any nasty gashes out of any of them (see photos below). These are wrapped in near new Toyo Proxes with approximately 5mm of tread left on them.
As for the suspension it’s sitting on virtually brand new front uprated and lowering Spax shocks and springs. The rears are also aftermarket however I’m unsure on what brand these are as they were already fitted.
The interior comprises of a full Series 1 RS Turbo Recaro interior, which again, isn’t particularly easy to come by. Overall it is in good condition; however there is a small cigarette hole in the passenger seat (see photos below). There is also a Series 1 RS Turbo steering wheel. The dashboard is unfortunately cracked, a fair bit, which isn’t uncommon, un-cracked dashes go for silly money from what I’ve seen on eBay (one up for sale for £750). Another nice little touch is the genuine electric windows that it has fitted, as well as the digital clock display on the inside roof next to where the rear view mirror sits.
When I got the car it had custom graphics on it to replicate the original RS1600i graphics, to compliment the body kit and wheels, however they had been changed to say ‘RS1800i’ to match the engine. I took these off as they were fitted poorly by the previous owner and I wanted to fully polish the car and de-tar, clay, polish, wax the car and this wouldn’t have been very effective with the graphics still on. I have a new set in the box waiting to go on however, so they will come with the car. When I tore the old ones off they removed a bit of the paint on the driver’s side front wing, to make it less obvious for now I masked around it and sprayed it matte black (see photos below), this will mostly be covered by the new graphics anyway, I did however plan to have it sprayed properly.
I’ve only owned the car for 2 months but in that time I’ve sorted out many little issues and niggles and it runs sweet as a nut. In the time I’ve owned it I’ve replaced: Spark Plugs, HT Leads, Coil Pack, Fuel Filter and the Fuel Pump, this sorted out the misfiring problem that occurred regularly when I initially bought the car, so now she starts on the button, idles perfectly and revs smoothly all the way through the range. The loom was recently fully redone and fully taped up by CW Looms who are quite well known in the Ford scene for their wasted spark kits for Cosworths and their work for MSD. The reason for this is that when I got it there were wires just twisted together all around the engine bay and left loose, I’m amazing the car didn’t catch fire to be honest.
The car is solid aside from some slight corrosion on the rear valance; left and right hand side on the corners (see photos below). When I was driving the car around with the graphics fitted it turned heads everywhere so could really do with having them put back on, I simply don’t have the time right now. I’ve included a photo of how it looked with them on. Please don’t view this car as a replica, because it isn’t. It doesn’t state that it’s an RS1600i or an RS Turbo; it simply features many of their sought after and hard to come by parts.
With the rust on the rear valance and the front wing resprayed, she will be an absolute minter and I’m going to regret letting it go. However I’m looking to get back into VW ownership again and would ideally like another Mk2 Golf. I’ve been driving this daily for 2 months now and she doesn’t overheat or use any fluids, no mayo in the oil cap or the coolant bottle cap. The only issues I can see are that the screen wash level light is on the dash (has screen wash in both front and rear tanks) so must be a faulty sensor. Also, the oil light is on, and always has been; however there is no loss in oil pressure, performance, or oil itself, so looks to be in need of a new switch.
I will not split the car for any of its parts, nor will I take a low offer or a project in PX as I need a daily and am only looking to swap for a Mk2 Golf GTI (3 door) or a BMW E30 (3 door), however if you have something you see as particularly interesting or different, don’t hesitate to ask. I am open to offers but nothing ridiculous, I’m looking for £2000.
Car is located in Reigate, Surrey, Junction 8 off the M25.
Please contact Conor on 07793534861
Will upload more photos later, Imgur and photo bucket are playing up...
The car is far from a standard XR3i, as opposed to the particularly ‘lacking’ standard XR3i engine this is powered by an RS1800 Zetec from a newer Mk3 Fiesta, which is just mated to the standard Escort 5-speed gearbox. In standard form these engines put out 130bhp, and feature revised cams and ECUs as compared to the standard 1800cc escort engines. It has a 4 branch manifold and full exhaust system too; including a stainless steel 3-inch outwardly rolled tailpipe (back box and pipe are near enough brand-new). Although 130bhp doesn’t seem like much, it is when it’s powering a car that only weighs 850kg. It’s a particularly revvy engine and pulls incredibly well for what it is. Also, the car is fitted with an immobiliser.
Although the car looks fairly subtle it has an abundance of sought after parts from a variety of the mk3 models. The most obvious probably being the front and rear spoilers and bumpers, which are genuine, hard to come by items from the particularly rare RS1600i model. The spoiler and bumpers are in mint condition; however the front spoiler/splitter has been sprayed satin black with an aerosol can by the previous owner, to make it original it needs a lick of texture paint. The boot has been smoothed and an OEM boot popper has been fitted on the dash next to the steering wheel. Clear indicators have been fitted on the front to tidy the front end up, as well as the addition of the RS1600i fog lights and spot lights, the spots act as full beam. There is also a smaller sized number plate fitted on the front with the correct legal spacing and sizing.
The car is sitting on RS1600i alloys, which are also particularly hard to come by, there are a few curb rashes on a few of the wheels, but nothing major, they all run true and there aren’t any nasty gashes out of any of them (see photos below). These are wrapped in near new Toyo Proxes with approximately 5mm of tread left on them.
As for the suspension it’s sitting on virtually brand new front uprated and lowering Spax shocks and springs. The rears are also aftermarket however I’m unsure on what brand these are as they were already fitted.
The interior comprises of a full Series 1 RS Turbo Recaro interior, which again, isn’t particularly easy to come by. Overall it is in good condition; however there is a small cigarette hole in the passenger seat (see photos below). There is also a Series 1 RS Turbo steering wheel. The dashboard is unfortunately cracked, a fair bit, which isn’t uncommon, un-cracked dashes go for silly money from what I’ve seen on eBay (one up for sale for £750). Another nice little touch is the genuine electric windows that it has fitted, as well as the digital clock display on the inside roof next to where the rear view mirror sits.
When I got the car it had custom graphics on it to replicate the original RS1600i graphics, to compliment the body kit and wheels, however they had been changed to say ‘RS1800i’ to match the engine. I took these off as they were fitted poorly by the previous owner and I wanted to fully polish the car and de-tar, clay, polish, wax the car and this wouldn’t have been very effective with the graphics still on. I have a new set in the box waiting to go on however, so they will come with the car. When I tore the old ones off they removed a bit of the paint on the driver’s side front wing, to make it less obvious for now I masked around it and sprayed it matte black (see photos below), this will mostly be covered by the new graphics anyway, I did however plan to have it sprayed properly.
I’ve only owned the car for 2 months but in that time I’ve sorted out many little issues and niggles and it runs sweet as a nut. In the time I’ve owned it I’ve replaced: Spark Plugs, HT Leads, Coil Pack, Fuel Filter and the Fuel Pump, this sorted out the misfiring problem that occurred regularly when I initially bought the car, so now she starts on the button, idles perfectly and revs smoothly all the way through the range. The loom was recently fully redone and fully taped up by CW Looms who are quite well known in the Ford scene for their wasted spark kits for Cosworths and their work for MSD. The reason for this is that when I got it there were wires just twisted together all around the engine bay and left loose, I’m amazing the car didn’t catch fire to be honest.
The car is solid aside from some slight corrosion on the rear valance; left and right hand side on the corners (see photos below). When I was driving the car around with the graphics fitted it turned heads everywhere so could really do with having them put back on, I simply don’t have the time right now. I’ve included a photo of how it looked with them on. Please don’t view this car as a replica, because it isn’t. It doesn’t state that it’s an RS1600i or an RS Turbo; it simply features many of their sought after and hard to come by parts.
With the rust on the rear valance and the front wing resprayed, she will be an absolute minter and I’m going to regret letting it go. However I’m looking to get back into VW ownership again and would ideally like another Mk2 Golf. I’ve been driving this daily for 2 months now and she doesn’t overheat or use any fluids, no mayo in the oil cap or the coolant bottle cap. The only issues I can see are that the screen wash level light is on the dash (has screen wash in both front and rear tanks) so must be a faulty sensor. Also, the oil light is on, and always has been; however there is no loss in oil pressure, performance, or oil itself, so looks to be in need of a new switch.
I will not split the car for any of its parts, nor will I take a low offer or a project in PX as I need a daily and am only looking to swap for a Mk2 Golf GTI (3 door) or a BMW E30 (3 door), however if you have something you see as particularly interesting or different, don’t hesitate to ask. I am open to offers but nothing ridiculous, I’m looking for £2000.
Car is located in Reigate, Surrey, Junction 8 off the M25.
Please contact Conor on 07793534861
Will upload more photos later, Imgur and photo bucket are playing up...
I would have been tempted!
