1986 Ford Sierra XR4X4 from UK and Ireland - Comments

The last comment is interesting (especally the lines reading track day's and driving them (umm well I have done both includng astra GTE, Renault 16v and the the pathetic rover 216 gti) driven both the 2.8 and 2.9 both of which have wasted all said cars.

How can you say the Almera GTi is bland and boring? Have you ever owned one.?

I'm saying that I beat that Found On a Rubbish Dump, 2.8 V6.

And would blitz it around any track wet or dry.

Until you know anything about Nissan, keep your stupid little comments to yourself.

I'm just about to buy a xr4x4 but only to have the engine out of it to put in a mk4 cortina. as much as I like the xr4x4s their just two heavy they weigh in at about 1700 kg that's nearly two tons! considering its weight they will still hit 0 to 60 in 8.3 seconds, anyway my cortina will weigh a hell of a lot less than a xr4x4 because there's no heavy 4x4 transmision to go through, so I should hit 0 to 60 in about 7.5 which should give all those boring -bland bmws a run for their money.

Hi my granddad owns a 1986 ford sierra xr4x4, but just recently given up driving due to health reasons and now wants to sell the car, its in very good condition for its age a bit of rust around the front wheel arch, but the interior is like a brand new car and every thing is original e-mail luk3isere@msn.com.

My previous car was a 1.8 16v Clio, and I find the 2.8 4x4 comparable to it in a straight line, but for pure traction, the fourby is excellent and it sounds great too!

Knock them all you like, but £ for £, the performance is great and they are starting to become collectable... hmmm I wonder if an Almera will ever be collectable LOL ;)

Almera become collectible? I don't think so somehow!

I own the MK1 Sierra 2.8i xr4x4 and I think it's a fantastic car to drive. 4 wheel drive on spax suspension with straight through exhaust (bar the cherry bombs) and coupled with the short shift gearbox makes it a very rewarding drive indeed.

I have owned some fast cars in my time and would agree that this car is no light ship and performance (8.2 seconds to 60 mph) is not rapid, but 0-60 times do not make for a complete driving experience. Besides what this car loses out on in straight line performance is quickly forgotten when chucking the car around a track or blasting down a winding road.

Found On a Rubbish Dump xr4x4 is a lame comment to make about these cars. Fast On Road Daily would be more fitting.

I would rather tattoo my own eyes than give this fine machine up.

I would really love to see an Almera GTI try and waste an XR4X4. I will take the Ford.

There is no substitute for Cubes Bubba! Your Gti would need a Turbo to come close to an XR4X4.

I have owned 2.8 and 2.9 xr4x4s. They definately do not weigh 1700Kgs and are in fact significantly lighter than modern cars. They are very easy to drive quickly without trying very hard. Unlike newer cars, I recall they went really quickly with not many revs. This made a pleasant experience to drive. However, the top end was just noisy with not much more power. They are definately slower that any modern hot hatch, even a hateful Almera.

Hi.

I have a ford p100 pick up truck with a xr4x4 2.9 v6 efi engine in it. what would you recon the 0-60 is? as I havn't a clue how 2 work it out except to time it, but not very accurate is it lol.

Oh and I wish it handled like a xr4x4, mine handles.. well its fun lol, still rear wheel drive with no weight in the back so it's a packet of fun.

Tah.

What I find funny is that someone can actually compare a XR4x4 to some cheap nasty Japanese crap.

What they seem to forget is that the Fords are very well built cars and will outlast any rival Japanese in the same era/category.

No matter how much he says bout his 'Almera' (LOL) it will never be regarded as a robust classic like the XR's.

Better luck next time mate.

The XR4x4 is a decent car let down by its engine, whether it be the 2.8 or 2.9 (2.0 OHC isn't even worth considering unless you put the RS2000 16v head on it). It just doesn't produce the power to make good use of the chassis and 4x4 running gear (which incidentally is the very same running gear as used in the Cosworth 4x4s, both Escort and Sierra). Tuning of the V6's are expensive and to be honest, not worth it.

Rip out the old engine, bolt a Zetec turbo to the MT75 box and you'll have a decent car. Or better still, do as I have and get a conversion plate made and fit the 2.3 turbo engine out of a Saab 9000, get it remapped, a 3" exhaust all the way through and a good intercooler, and you'll have 350bhp for less than £2000. The only major problem was fabricating the Saab sump to take the front driveshafts.

Lol at some of the comments. Some of you really are missing the point - I am 31 years old, I have owned 38 cars since I was 17 (so far!) and I am on my 2nd xr4x4 2933cc - I have to say the point of this car is definitely that you can cane or at least keep up with hot hatches, but like myself, still be able to take my two kids in it in comfort and be able to fit a crapload of shopping, pushchairs, etc in the boot and be able to drive up steep hills without strain on the engine.

Yes the 2933cc V6 is only 150BHP, but it makes up for it with Torque. Plus the fact that it does handle superbly (with stiffer suspension and 16" and above wheels). Superb cars, superb engine noise, oh and 100% made in England. Sweeeet.

Plus you need to lose the air filter box completely, the air filter chokes the airfuel meters. Maybe even get an induction kit as well. My xr4x4 2933cc has two cherrybomb exhausts underneath before the backbox - in stealth mode ;)

Just doing these few little mods (induction kit) will give you 180bhp which off the line gives you 0 - 60 in 7 seconds ;)

Actually the Ford Cologne V6 lump was made in Germany.