1995 Ford Fiesta Si 16v from UK and Ireland - Comments

Clutch cable snapped.

Electrical fault. the connection on the starter motor broke and apparently this is a live to the alternator. this caused the battery to discharge which then needed replacing.

Central locking keeps blowing fuses.

Starter motor is starting to fail.

With it being a black car, dents are very noticable and the panels are quite thin so the car is plagued with tiny dents. these totally ruin the nice lines of the car.

With the exeption of the central locking, these problems are due to general wear and tear and are not faults of the vehicle itself.

I think the car looks great. it's the best looking mk3 fiesta with much more class than the 2i's or turbo's. the interior is great with the front seats being the best of any car I've owned.

If you are looking for a quick car then this probably isn't for you. I had a 1.6 peugeot 205 gti which was far quicker. I find it to be slow at low revs, but a little pull kicks in around 4000 revs. the car is totally standard and feels a shame that an engine with such a good specification (1.6 zetec 16v dohc) gives such low b.h.p. but then I suppose this keeps insurance down. although I find it be sluggish accelerating I will say this is a fantastic car on the motorway. it is very responsive at speed and it's softer ride make long journeys effortless.

The ride and suspension make corners difficult at speed and it could definately benefit from lower, harder springs. I don't like the way the car handles bumpy roads, it seems to throw you all over. the seats offer excellent support on corners.

There are constant noises from the inside of the vehicle I think the parcel shelf is where most of the rattles come from. the engine gets a bit noisy when revved, but is fine at all other times.

It is fairly economical for a 1.6 but I don't think its performance matches its consumption. I get roughly 200 miles from a full tank.

I was disappointed with its performance I don't think it is a quick car at all. however it is stylish and looks great from the rear. it comes into its own on long journeys and is very comfortable to drive.

The fiesta si is a good car with nice looks, but is let down by its performance. it is however reasonable to insure. the 205 I had was far quicker so I was quickly bored by the fiesta so I'm going to sell it. this is just my opinion and I'm sure anyone who bought one and was happy with the performance would love the car.

Just another 20 bhp and a firmer ride and this would be an excellent hot hatch. I know I could modify it, but I'm not really into all that.

Sorry mate I have to disagree with you when you say that your car has more class than the XR2i or the RS Turbo. The RS Turbo will go down in history as one of the best hot hatches of it's time. The Si was one Ford just chucked out so they could sell it to the driver that wanted a bit more speed (not much at that because they are not even sporty). The RS had vents, body kits that filled the whole arch not just little things like yours!! The RS and XR2i are the daddies of class my friend!

Sorry MATE, the Si is a far classier and more modern looking car than the XR2i and RS Turbo.

'body kits that filled the whole arch'? that I'd like to see, I thought most people put wheels under their arches?

As for the RS Turbo going down in history as one of the best hot hatches of it's time, I think not. Throwing a turbo onto a sloppy handling car does not make it a good hot hatch. Yes it is fast in a straight line, but whats the point when it drives like a truck through the bends?

The RS and XR2i are the thankfully forgotten also-rans of the class my friend.

I would totally have to disagree with every thing you have just said about the fiesta si. I use to own a fiesta RS Turbo and I can honestly say that the si I purchased is ten times better. For example no turbo problems, plus it isn't so tacky looking and you can modify it to handle and perform to a higher standard than that of the any other MK3 fiesta. I can guarentee that my si with a zetec engine will go on a lot longer than an Rs Turbo.

I currently run a 1.6si 3dr I agree with the comments regarding the front seats these are very supportive. but not regarding the performance. I have found mine very satisfying being able to keep up with much larger engined cars i. e Peugoet 306 GTI 6 and I am also able to get a lot more than 200 miles out of the tank in-fact close to 320 on a run. I don't have to worry about internal noises within the car as it was so easy to fit a trick ice so just turn it up and all the rattles dissappear.

I would be concerned that you are only getting 200 miles to the tank and with the lack luster performance I would have this checked.

1.6i Si rules its by far the best looking mk3 fiesta, the seats they put in it say it all, xr2i and rs owners are just jealous of its looks. Why buy an xr2i with an insurance group 14 when an Si's group is only 8 and is not much slower.

I have to agree with the last 2 comments; I have been running my 5 door 1.6 SI fiesta for 9 years, I wouldn't swap it for anything. I too get appx 250-260 miles normal running to the tank and if I notice it drops to 210-220 I know it's time to clean the jets and get it tuned up.

My only complaint would be with the bodywork. I have a number of small dents (probably from inconsiderate motorists who just don't take care when opening their doors) it seems the body on the fiesta can't take a knock without leaving a dent.

I intend to drive my car for a number of years, "if it ain't broke - don't fix it", or swap it, as the case may be.

You say your Si is slow and lacks performance, well what do you expect from an automatic as you say the transmission is.

Also xr2i's and rs turbos look dated, the curves and style of the Si make it look younger than it is. They are 10 years old and do not look to out of place with slightly newer cars around it.

The interior is the best of any mark3 fiesta.

As for the performance, a group 8 car with performance about a second slower than an xr2i which is group 14, the choice seems obvious to me, plus a more reliable zetec engine. Simple!!

Hmmmm OK...

"I currently run a 1.6si 3dr I agree with the comments regarding the front seats these are very supportive. but not regarding the performance. I have found mine very satisfying being able to keep up with much larger engined cars i. e Peugoet 306 GTI 6"

There is no way a Si could keep up with a 306 Gti 6. So I suppose you also kept up with the 205 gti and Reni 5GT...

Hi there,

could everyone please tell me what the top speed off there 1.6 fiesta si is

as I'm thinking off buying one and was wondering how quick they were

thanks.

I have had my 1.6si Fiesta for nearly 5 years and have been very pleased with it. It is very dark green (but as stated by others - has one or two little dents cause by careless folk who throw open their car doors) - other than that its OK. I might get the rear wheel arches seen to this year as there is a little rust. The seats are like shells and I get comments all the time about them - and the fact that they are very comfortable. The radio/cassette player also sounds good and is the original one. Overall I like my Fiesta 1.6si even though it is 10 years old in May. I suppose one day I will have to part with it, but it owes me nothing.

For the person requesting top speed. I've had 115 and there was still a little more. but drank fuel.

I currently own a 1.6 16v fiesta ghia which has the same engine as the si the and I find it burnz round corners very well in the country roads the only problem with the engine is the 90bhp which still goes very well, but just at least needs that bit more like (20bhp) but if you have an ecu you can get them superchipped so you get that desired power, can very easily keep up with and even beat a saxo vtr though the vts just nips away.

Anyone with an Si. Have you considered a 1.8 or 2.0 Zetec from a Mondeo. You can pick the engine and loom etc for a few hundred quid and you've got an instant 130bhp with the 2 litre. They are also more tuneable than the 1.6. Try throttle bodies and worked head and cams for 170bhp. Get bottom end and fuelling sorted for 230-240bhp.

Hi, someone was mentioning about a 2.0ltr Mondeo engine. I am about to undertake this. Does anyone know exactly what is required? Will it fit onto the standard gear box, will it drop straight in or require modifying? Do I need the Mondeo engine loom, fuel pipes, tank etc. Any information on this would be a great help thanks. It is an M reg Fiesta Si.

Regards

Chris Roberts.

For help on fitting a mondeo unit to the fiesta try this guide:

h**p://www.fiestaturbo.com/forums/2-0-zetec-into-1-6-si-full-conversion-guide-vt58354/