1992 Ford Sierra Rouse Sport 304-R Cosworth from UK and Ireland - Comments

Anti-roll bar bushes failed at 60,000 miles.

(Original) clutch failed at 82,000 miles - not bad considering it's dealing with over 300 lb/ft of torque and 4wd.

Eats tyres.

Stunning car which is still a match for the Impreza and Evo boys. Engine is a thorough rework of the Cosworth / Ford 2.0 unit by ex-works Ford driver Andy Rouse and his engineering team. Develops a massive 300 lb/ft of torque which peaks low and holds through the rev range. Stunning in-gear acceleration will blow just about anything away. 60-80 in 4th takes just 2.5 seconds! No lag, no rough edges, just a wave of torque which squeezes you into the seat. It might be outdragged off the line by some of the more heavily tuned Cossies and Scoobys, but in any real road situation, this car just squats and leaves them standing. It still makes me laugh after all this time.

The chassis was also sorted by Rouse and sports reworked suspension and revised geometry. Steering has bags of feel and the gearbox is slick despite a slightly long throw. There is stupendous grip when cornering hard, and if you push on, it will give way to controllable power oversteer thanks to the rear biased 4wd system.

The whole car has a sorted, balanced feel and it's a testament to the engineering quality that despite 94,500 miles, this nigh on 150 bhp per litre engine is still rattle free, smooth and seriously quick. Even the oil consumption hasn't increased much.

This car does everything. It will cruise motorways in comfort with 5 people on board and a bootful of luggage, yet it will embarass much bigger badges on both road and track. I'm not sure a car exists today which can match its all round ability which is why I will never sell it!

What a great review! definitely prefer the Cossies to the far to common imprezas/evos - hate the way a lot people now favour the jap cars and forget the originators - Cossies will always rule in my view, hope to own the Escort version myself one day - but I love and respect them all!

Interesting to see you have the very rare Andy Rouse conversion - you lucky person.

Had a 304r myself for 6 years, best car I've ever owned. Agree with your comments, the cars just pull in any gear

at any revs... mine was build No.60 in white. Got a big turbo escort now, the car just doesn't drive the same.Goes

well, but got to keep the revs and boost up.

Help?!

I just had a rear in shunt in my beloved 304r can anyone help me for parts i. e a new rouse bumper etc.. also the transfers rouse sport I would really really appreciate it.

Email to shecoyote1973@hotmail.com.

Thanks - nikki.

Yes I have a 304R it is the best cosworth you can have. my one is in ebony black build no:-85 with wood interior trim If you can get one of these cosworth you will be very lucky because this type is a limited edition by Andy Rouse he did six two wheel drive and sixty-seven four wheel drive so good luck in your search.

I thorougly believe what you say as I have a rouse304r I have ate evo 6, 7, and 8's for breakfast, I lined a 22b up and left him standing eventually melted the pistons doing 165 with 5 people in the car and a full tank racing the 22b, but wasnt bothered as I left him smelling dust, now it is running at 420bhp it cost me 15,000 but its defiently worth it.

What a find an article on the rare Andy Rouse 304-R. I have currently owned my 304-R for last 10 years, what a car. The power is awesome and the torque unbelievable, I agree with previous comments, this cossie ‘eats’ imprezas and evos for breakfast.

My particular car's build number is 16 and is in Ford Diamond White and is much loved. I'm the second owner from new, and the car was originally registered in Scotland. It is currently in the process of being fully restored back to original condition. This is due to the usual rust setting in around the wheel arches and sills underneath the Andy Rouse designed body kit and age of the vehicle plus attempted break-ins. When this project is completed I will be taking the car round to the various RS enthusiast club days to proudly show it off amongst the many other standard cosworths.

It would great to find out actually how many 304-R cars are left from the original production run?

A sierra cosworth rouse sport 304r is for sale in Portugal. Is the #91. In original condition.

Number 003 is for sale on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Andy-rouse-304-R-sport-sapphire-cosworth_W0QQitemZ140049927936QQihZ004QQcategoryZ21654QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

@ £4000 with 3 days to go, I'm soooooo tempted :)

I have also been interested in this car! could you please tell me what you found out about the car thanks. email me at regieblink@ntlworld.com

Hi can any one give me any contact details for rouse sport. I'm trying to find one of there original suppliers. Contact me please jagsofbursledon@aol.com thanks nigel.

304-r Andy Rouse Sport Cosworth) is a very quick car. It would kill a Subaru any day. The Cosworth has a lot of boost and goes sideways for fun. I have a 500bhp 304-r Andy Rouse Cosworth, and I was at the traffic lights, and beside me was a Mitsubishi FQ400, and I left it for dust.

Naveed

'I was at the traffic lights, and beside me was a Mitsubishi FQ400, and I left it for dust.'

Eeeeeeerrrrrrr, yeah OK. I don't doubt that you might beat the Evo in a race, but the chances of these 2 cars ever mighting at the lights in normal circumstances are like mine of winning the lottery even though I don't buy a ticket.

Sorry to spoil your fun, but your 500bhp Cosworth wouldn't stand a chance against an FQ400, not a chance. Its not all about who has the most BHP. The Evo will crack 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, purley because its about 300kg lighter than a Sierra Cosworth, has a lot more driving aides and its management system is possibly the worlds greatest. On a track there's nothing that can beat it, and in a strait line drag race (if its your thing) there's not much that can beat it.

I'm not doubting the ability of your Cosworth as I have always been a massive fan of them and know @ 500bhp it will be mega-quick, but the fq400 is pretty much untouchable unless you put it up against £300k worth of super car.

Lol coswroth not a chance against FQ400 think again mate many many cosworth sierras 0-60 times in less than 3.5 seen many on owners do it in 2.9 so I think you will find it will stand a chance in fact more of chance you you might think.

It doesn't mean one car is worth more or newer that it would be faster all cossie owners I don't think the evo guys ever had a rush with the real boys toys, put the fq400 with a 22b mostly it will give it a 3 second gap, but with the cossie its you look in you mirror and you see 2 lights which go smaller and smaller without you knowing it's a spec of dust, and with the 500bhp cossie it will chew the f400 and sh*t it back out.