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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2573.0. "ESCORT RS1600i" by VYGER::JONESG () Wed Jan 29 1997 03:40

    Can anybody help me with getting information on the Ford Escort
    RS 1600i MK3.I know a booklet was distributed when they first
    appeared on the road but I can't get a hold of one.
    Any information on the spec and original set up of this car
    would be really appreciated.
    
    Cheers Gary Jones
    Digital AYO::
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2573.1Good web page...SUTRA::MOXLEYShiny Shoes, Shiny MindWed Jan 29 1997 08:356
    The info here should be enough - it goes into details on the spec:
    
    http://www.mntcmp2.demon.co.uk/cosworth/
    
    Rgds,
    Simon (ex RS2000 owner -ahhh memories ;->
2573.2CHEERS SIMONVYGER::JONESGMon Feb 10 1997 11:249
    
    Cheers Simon
    		That info helped me out a lot.
    
    			Gaz............
    
    
    P.S
    	Can't beat the old Fords EH!
2573.3Go on tell me - whats the differenceWOTVAX::BARRETTRTue Feb 11 1997 12:5418
    Dont mean to bring the Rs1600i down - but, wasn't it just an XR3 with
    fuel injection and a nicer bodykit - with the same engine as used
    slightly later in the XR3i ?? i.e. 105bhp out of the CVH injection
    engine.
    
    Im just confused since the one I have been in wasn't any faster than an
    XR3i but seemed to be worth massive amounts more because it was a
    genuine RS - the ride may of been slightly stiffer as well but with
    astonishingly bad torque steer - then again - it was about 13 years
    old.
    
    Anybody like to tell mewhat the major differences are ( I dont want
    part numbers here ) !! -
    
    Cheers
    
    Rick
     
2573.42 coils - no distributor!BIS6::BROWNTue Feb 11 1997 14:5312
    As I recall, it had a really wierd twin spark distributorless 
    ignition system, for one thing!
    
    It also had a propensity to switch from understeer to oversteer for
    little or no reason.
    
    Chris
    

    
    
    
2573.5No diff - just more money!SUTRA::MOXLEYShiny Shoes, Shiny MindTue Feb 11 1997 15:4912
    Rick,
    
    >>  but seemed to be worth massive amounts more because it was a
    >>  genuine RS -
    
    You hit the nail on the head! - Fords marketing people did a great job,
    didn't they? 
    This was the same principle behind the earlier Escort ventures - people
    would pay more money for an "RS" badge.
    Still great cars though, IMO.
    
    Simon
2573.6They are rare too.WOTVAX::CLEASBYIWed Feb 12 1997 11:0513
    Rarety is an important factor too - only around 2600 were registered
    and the write-off rate was high due to poor brakes, compounded by dodgy
    RHD conversion. There are estimated to be about 1300 left. Other
    differences to the XR3I include 115bhp against 105 (twin coils with no
    distributer, bigger exhaust manifold, solid lifters), aluminium cross
    member and lower & stiffer suspension with Konis instead of Bilsteins,
    so at least if the brakes wouldn't get you out of trouble the handling
    might.....I have a used car price guide which lists the RS1600i in
    condition 1 at �970, against �935 for an XR3i. If anyone knows of one
    at this price I'll have it, although personally I prefer the MK2
    RS2000 !
    
    Ian
2573.7WOTVAX::STONEGMagician Among the Spirits.........Wed Feb 12 1997 11:156
    
    Ian, if you're after an RS there are only three to consider - the RS3100
    Capri, RS500 Sierra and the RS200 %^) all of which are way too
    expensive unfortunately...
    
    G.                        
2573.8WOTVAX::CLEASBYIWed Feb 12 1997 12:178
    You're quite right Graham, I was just thinking of the investment
    potential - if I could get a condition 1 RS1600i for �970 now, in a few
    years I should be able to sell it & make enough to buy a Brooklands
    Capri...I don't think they will ever make RS3100 money, although a
    recent classic car price guide I saw listed the RS1800 at �10,000
    compared to �7,500 for the RS3100 - some people have no taste !
    
    Ian
2573.9Silly money or what ?WOTVAX::BARRETTRWed Feb 12 1997 12:2823
    I can comment on the handling of the RS1600i since a friend had one and
    I drove it on a few occasions. His was in very good condition,
    especially for its age and I can honestly say it was a deathtrap - in
    the wet, it would wheelspin in first and second and change lanes on
    dual carriageways with outuse of the steering wheel ( I know some
    people like to steer the car on the accelerator - but this really was
    worrying ). However it was more stable at speed than an XR3i
    
    It didn't feel that fast - certainly I had a 1.6 205 GTI at the time
    and the RS wasn't as fast !! 
    
    Personally, the only RS worth having is the RS200, the RS500 is useless
    on the road ( hit the accelerator, have a cup of tea, read the paper
    and then hold onto the steering wheel because your about to have a
    brown trouser time as the truck sized turbocharger eventually spins up)
    
    I could never live with the stigma of driving a Capri - no matter how
    good it was and the Escort Cosworth is really a Sierra !!
    
    If you want a classic performance car go for a Triumph Dolomite Sprint
    !!
    
    Rick 
2573.10Dolly and droopsnootSUTRA::MOXLEYShiny Shoes, Shiny MindThu Feb 13 1997 08:2010
    re .9
    
    >> If you want a classic performance car go for a Triumph Dolomite
    >> Sprint !!
    
    Yes, that was the "rival" to the MK2 RS2000, I can remember reading
    plenty of comparisons between the two. If I remember, the Dolly was
    slightly quicker - but (IMO), not as pretty.
    
    		Simon
2573.11UGLY !!!WOTVAX::BARRETTRThu Feb 13 1997 09:5815
    re.-1
    
    I have agree with you - one thing i would not accuse the dolomite
    sprint of being was pretty  ( or even remotely attractive !! ) however
    it was fast. 
    
    I remember being behind this lurgid green dolomite many years ago when
    i was in my 205, at a set of lights I was just debating overtaking this
    dolomite after the lights when the lights changed and this thing went
    off like a bat out of hell - it took about 1/2 a mile to catch it !!!
    
    Great Q car !!
    
    Rick
    
2573.12Stag45862::16.194.208.3::warder.reo.dec.com::sharkeyaWho am I now ?Thu Feb 20 1997 13:114
Triumph Stag was also a good car - the ladies also appreciated it.

Alan

2573.13CHEFS::dhcp19.olo.dec.com::hattosI'm back - as a matter of factFri Apr 04 1997 15:507
I've fancied a Stag for years - never will get round to it now.

However, I was put off more than slightly when I saw a bright Pink Stag, 
driven by a woman dressed in bright pink leather complete with a pink leather 
hat.

Stuart