Buyers Guide - Fiesta RS Turbo (Mk3)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Fiesta RS Turbo Buyers Guide

Tech spec

Body Type: pressed steel monocoque Fiesta three-door hatchback shell with Ford RS bodykit including front spoiler, bonnet louvres and tailgate spoiler.

Colours Diamond White, Radiant Red, Black & Mercury Grey Metallic. Moondust Silver was also available for the last runs.

Engine Type: CVH Capacity: 1596cc Bore/stroke: 79.96mm x 79.52mm Compression ratio: 8.2:1 Max power: 133 bhp @ 5500 rpm Max torque: 135 lbf.ft @ 2400 rpm Cylinders: four, in-line Cylinder head: alloy Block: cast iron Installation: front-mounted, transverse Valve gear: two valves per cylinder, belt driven overhead camshaft Induction: Garrett T2 turbo, intercooler, Ford EEC-IV engine management

Transmission Type: front-wheel-drive Gearbox: Type B5 five-speed Ford manual with 218mm clutch Internal ratios: 1st, 2.95:1; 2nd, 1.94:1; 3rd, 1.34:1; 4th, 1.0:1; 5th, 0.8:1 Final drive: 3.82:1

Suspension Front: MacPherson struts with 16mm anti-roll bar Rear: torsion beam rear axle, with trailing arms, coil springs and 20mm anti-roll bar

Steering Type: variable-ratio rack-and-pinion

Brakes System: vacuum servo-assisted dual circuit hydraulic with optional ABS Front: 240mm ventilated discs Rear: 203mm drums

Wheels & Tyres Wheels: three-spoke RS alloys, 5.5×14 Tyres: 185/55 VR14

Interior Trim: Recaro front seats in Ascot fabric trim, 60:40 rear-split seat Grey leather covered sports steering wheel

Performance Max speed: 132 mph 0-60 mph: 7.9 sec

What to look for

Identity You’ll find the chassis numbers on the front slam panel and stamped directly on the driver’s side floorplan. On the floorplan it’s hidden under the lidded cover and if there’s any fresh paint or welding in this area then walk away.

Bodywork Earliest cars are now over 10 years old and ripe for rust. MkIII Fiesta’s not a bad rotter, but watch for bubbling rear arches, corroding battery trays, and especially accident damage. Look for this on the front end…new front slam panel and wings. Some bubbles around the petrol cap area are not un-common. Check the car under artificial light for signs of bad re-painting. This is where street lights are gold mine. Also get on your hands and knees and look at the floorpan to check if the chassis is suffering from rott, especially around the door pillars and the bulkhead, if it’s bad walk away!

Engine Turbo CVH is quite tough, but it does suffer if it’s neglected. Look for a decent service history as regular oil changes are the key to keeping one alive. If this isn’t done then sludging gums up the hydraulic tappets, oil circulation is then reduced and bore/bearing wear sets in. Blue smoke will give you a good clue as to what’s happening. Bad news if you’re skint, but a great bargaining point if you’re planning to rip it out drop in a 1900. Also make sure the engine is cold when you arrive to inspect it. Warm engines can hide quite a few things.

Transmission Like its motor, the RS Fiesta’s gearbox is a tough bit of kit. However, it wasn’t the smoothest box when new and failing synchromesh, noisy bearings and a slack linkage can make it even worse. A baulky shift when the engine’s cold will give you an indication of worn synchromesh. Don’t forget the clutch – the Fiesta can eat them in just 20,000 miles.

Suspension Critics were hard on the RS Fiesta’s ride and handling when launched, but it’s really not that bad. The ride should be quite firm and don’t worry about a little torque steer. Kerbed alloys could mean the suspension’s taken a beating and uneven tyre wear indicates the tracking’s out. Easy to fix, unless it’s the result of badly repaired accident damage.

Brakes As per the Escort RS Turbo, the blown Fiesta’s prone to warping its discs. Easy to spot as the shuddering will send your shoe off the pedal.

Interior Shabby Recaros are a big turn off. Getting replacement trim is expensive and timeconsuming. But if you’re angling for a full leather retrim it’s not going to bother you that much – of course, you don’t want to tell the person selling the car this. Also check the carpets…a sure tell-tale sign if the mileage matches the condition etc. This part is quite often missed by people when “tidying” the car for sale.

What to pay

£2000 – 3000 Look carefully at cars in this price range. Values now levelling out, so there are RS Turbos cropping up for this kind of money. Look out for turbo’d XR2is masquerading as the genuine article – fine if you’re told about it, but not s funny when you realise the fake you’ve bought isn’t worth half as much as you paid.

£3000 – 4000 Spend this kind of money and you’ll have a good example on the drive. It’ll be straight and honest, but don’t expect it to win any awards. There’s likely to be a fair few miles and owners on the logbook too. Basically, it’ll be a good used buy that looks respectable and drives well.

£4000 – 5000 Pay this money and you’ve every right to expect an excellent example in return. Cars will be very clean with FSH, few owners and low mileage. Watch out for messed around cars where the vendor’s trying hopelessly to get his money back.

£5000+ A car with this price tag’s either extremely well modded or boasts a string of concours wins.

REMEMBER: THESE PRICES ARE JUST A GUIDLINE.

Facts

Biggest Rims Everyone wants 17’s and above, but if you bolt them straight on then you’ll foul the dampers. The way around this is to fit some spacers, but it’s not the ideal solution. A safe bet is a 7×16 inch wheel with 195/45 rubber.

Engine Tech Don’t listen to your mates in the pub when they tell you the Fiesta’s motor was lifted straight from the Escort RS Turbo. It was based on an Escort short engine assembly but the camshaft and cylinder head were developed from the XR2i. Other changes included a different turbo and manifold redesign, plus Ford’s own EEC-IV injection instead of the Escort’s Bosch KE-Jetronic version.

Price When New Back in 1991 you were expected to part with £11,950 for an RS Turbo Fiesta

Badge Engineering Everyone loves the RS insignia, so thank your lucky stars you didn’t buy a blown Fester abroad – LHD versions came without the RS badging…and that’s a fact !!!!

Contacts and insurance

HPI A phone call that could save you a lot of grief by confirming the identity of the Fiesta RS Turbo and whether it’s stolen, a write-off or has outstanding finance. Costs £39.99 from HPI on 01722 422422, £36.99 from the AA on 0800 234999. Don’t just take a dealers word as well.

Clubs

RS-Ford www.rs-ford.co.uk

RS Owners’ Club, PO Box 4044, Pangbourne, Reading, Berks RG8 7XL Tel: 01189 841583 www.rsownersclub.co.uk

Fiesta Club of GB, 145 Chapel Lane, Farnborough, GU14 9BN Contact: Sara Church Tel: 01276 35422

Insurance If you’re a 28-year-old electrician living in Reading with three years NCB and a clean licence, you can insure your standard Cat 1 immobilised £4000 Fiesta RS Turbo for £645 fully comp with a £250 excess. If you fit a performance exhaust, different alloys and a chip then the premium will be £776.25 with a £250 excess. Quotes provided by Sterling on 08700 777888.