XR3I

[HillmanImp]

I have just got quotes in for the insurance for the Scenic and its fuggin stupid. So its getting lobbed on e-bay and I am thinking I might get another classic to hoon around in for a bit to keep down the insurance costs.

 

Looking at some 205's, a Mk1 MR2 which are in my budget but last night I had a couple of beers and started looking at some slightly more expensive cars. Found this. Its well out of my price range, a bit chavvy, will probably be nicked within 5 minutes of owning it and is tainted with the faint smell of death (its for sale due to a berevement).

 

 

I know the square route of fuck all about these. They seem to go for sod all at the mo (looking on completed listings on e-bay 1k is strong money for these, the chancers with the 3k dreams are all unsold) and I loved these as a kid. Does anyone know anything about them? I cant find a buyers guide for them so dont know what to look out for. How often does the cambelt need doing? I presume parts are plentiful and rust (and HGF?) will be the main problem.

[scooters]

unmolested ones will eventually be subject to OFT so could be a good buy. looks tidy mate. I've heard that other than the usual things to look out for - rust etc - they are pretty straightforward. I think this is one of those cars that is just about to come ot of the chav bracket - it happened to te capri and the earler escorts - it will happen to this especially as cars become more and more bean like

 

go for it!

[ashmicro]

Rampant rot. Sills, rear arches, boot floor, front wings, inner guards, windscreen base, front crossmember. The one in that pic has possibly had a replacement tailgate as the badging is wrong. CVH oilways to the top end of the engine can clog up easily, so flush and change oil regularly. It's a long time since I owned a 3i, but despite all of the above I thought they were great machines, felt special. Not quick by modern standards, but good fun. There are so many OMGMODIFIEDSHOWCARS around these days, so a tidy originalish one would be something of a rarity. Good hunting!

[CreepingJesus]

^What Andy said. I'd go a little further regarding the engine thing: if it's running rough at idle, but goes ok on the throttle, the chances are it needs a good clean. If flush doesn't sort it, then you'll need to at least take the cam cover off and clean away all the gunk you can get at. Worst case scenario, the head'll need removed and stripped, to chemically clean it, 'cos by Lucifer's trousers, that shit can stick some! It's a good haggling point while buying.

But always give the MAF a good clean up first... Make sure the cambelt's good too; there isn't an exceptional failure rate, but they always did look a bit skinny to me, so personally I wouldn't chance it. Oh, and a crappy gearshift and lurching about will be down to the gearbox mounting - they were a bit inadequate too. As were the front suspension bushes. Common fails, easy fixes. Typical Ford.

Provided it's a good 'un, they're great cars really. Practical, reliable, economical and top fun to drive if set up right. Good luck, and hunt well sir - there's a lot of tarted up crap out there.

[Station]

Look at those mk3 RS1600's for proof of future value of these things. My mate has a clean one for sale for 1k if you want some pics of it?

Mark1 MR2's seem to come in two categories - no tax/no MOT, rust, faded red with standard alloys for 300 quid, or taxed/MOT'd polished every day with 16 inch alloys for 3,000 - the never sees the road again, and the last never sells. If you've never had one, I recommend getting a rustbucket to drive around in if it's on the road, they're really good cars. I'd love to have gone from something like a new Morris Ital to a new one of these in the 80's, just for the experience of how much better things could be.

[HillmanImp]

Thanks for the help. I am going to drop the chap an e-mail just asking a few questions as its quite far away. Hopefully its a nice as it looks.

 

I am going off the MR2 the more I think about it as it REALLY is not good for mountain bikes. Had not thought that through until someone pointed out I like to go riding. The 205 is fine as we have used my mates before for bike racks and even putting bikes in the back so is still a possibility. However I have suddenly got my targets on an XR3i and when this happens I normally get one.

 

Station, I take it your mate is selling an XR3i for 1k not an RS1600......Might well be interested if you send some photos.

 

p.s sorry for the double thread. I was not even drunk this morning either

[scooters]

 

 

I am going off the MR2 the more I think about it as it REALLY is not good for mountain bikes. Had not thought that through until someone pointed out I like to go riding. The 205 is fine as we have used my mates before for bike racks and even putting bikes in the back so is still a possibility. However I have suddenly got my targets on an XR3i and when this happens I normally get one.

 

mate, what you need for lugging bikes about is a Torslanda!

 

swap you it for a Daf?

[revolting peasant]

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Cambelt is every 36K/3 years on the CVH. Add on a water pump and idler wheel at the same time just to play safe.

 

Forgetting the fact that I am a big Ford fan; You cant go wrong with one of these. Say you do buy it and you don't get on with it, If its at the right price just lob it in the garage for a bit and sell it in a few years and double your purchace price. WONGA111!!!1111

 

Oh yeah, do factor in the purchase price of a disckloc (sp?) into your budget.

 

Seeing talk about 3is' is making me want to get my wardrobe booted variant going.

[Negative Creep]

I'd love one of these. Can't be long before the prices start to rocket and most of the Barry Boy ones have thankfully died out years ago

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Cambelt is every 36K/3 years on the CVH. Add on a water pump and idler wheel at the same time just to play safe.

 

 

Christ, that's cutting it fine. Those used to break at under 30k - the Ford change interval used to be 24'000 and I used to make a nice living out of broken CVH belts - two or three valves, gasket set etc. They're such a piece of piss to change (an hour tops) you may as well put a new one on every year......

[HillmanImp]

mate, what you need for lugging bikes about is a Torslanda!

 

swap you it for a Daf?

 

If you are serious at the end of the year I might be up for that. Although I am not sure if Linda will be.....Probably a bit big for her.

 

Cambelt is every 36K/3 years on the CVH. Add on a water pump and idler wheel at the same time just to play safe.

 

Oh yeah, do factor in the purchase price of a disckloc (sp?) into your budget.

 

Noted, especially about the disklock. Will also note the fact they might need replacing more often TRB. If its easy thats not problem, even for me.

 

They chap who is selling it has not got back to me from the e-mail i sent. I did ask a lot of questions but did say I realise he was not his car so was happy if he did not know all of them. Will try ringing tonight.

 

Ta for the help chaps.

[barefoot]

I used to think that they were spectacularly rapid when I was younger.

[trigger]

Cambelt is every 36K/3 years on the CVH. Add on a water pump and idler wheel at the same time just to play safe.

Christ, that's cutting it fine. Those used to break at under 30k

 

My Escort has only covered 44000 miles and that's already had 4 new cambelt's in it's life!, I'd quite fancy a XR3i or even a Orion 1.6i Ghia, There's something about them, Though that could be the Essex boy in me coming out!.

 

They have a great exhaust note as well, Even my Escort which has the same engine but without the Injection sounds quite fruity and goes well, Just look out for rust everywhere, Even when you think theres no rust it will still catch you out, My battery tray was full of holes and pissed water into the passenger footwell even though it looked solid from above.