Looking at Buying AUII or AUIII XR8

[hoich]

Hi,

I am looking at getting an AUII or III XR8 sedan and was wondering if I am better getting one with the 200kw or the 220kw? Also what is fuel comsuption like? as I had a BA XR8 and it chewed the juice

Thanks

Hoich

[BJMXR]

I have a 200kw AUII and its great. Fuel consumption and current petrol prices are obviously not ideal, but from 60ltrs i get around 430km. A bit less if i give it heaps for the whole tank, which i cant resist at times!

220kw or 200kw is obviously up to you, the 220kw will probably be marginally more expensive given its a later model.

[FTE217]

Like all 8's fuel economy is not great but modern engines are superb compared to the early days.
Mine's a AU111 obviously with the 220 and at city cycle like above around the 430 mark.
Drive it hard she goes but thats performance.
With the Unichip country cycle can get up to 750 - 800 out of her.
If I was on the look out for one today I would only get the 220.

[hoich]

Thanks for the replies,

The couple that I am looking at 1 is a 220 and the other 200. Is there anything else I should be looking at before purchasing?

Thanks

Hoich

[12]

Get the 220kW. Also, if possible, find one with the premium brake package (Tickford logo on the front caliper, and two ecliptical grooved discs). Much better than the standard brakes.

Is it manual or auto? Some manual's have a driveline backlash issue, but Ford has this problem even with BA MKII. Over 15 years and it still can't be solved. Some auto's has it too, but not as noticible as the manual. Rear IRS spring/shock top mounts have an issue, depending on km's. I'd get them replaced if you get a warranty with the car, or even if you don't, I'd still replace them. There's a sticky thread in the aufalcon.com forum on problems with AU's. Have a read of that, but don't worry, the list is 5% (or less) of what the BA's issues are.

[parawolf]

I wouldn't put such a stress on getting those brakes on your car as you can get upgraded to a twin piston front only package from cebco brakes for about $2300, including new discs (330mm), braided lines, twin piston PBR calipers and pads.

$3300 gets you 4 piston AP Racing calipers and slightly larger discs (338 i think)

[JC]

Originally Posted by hoich

Thanks for the replies,

The couple that I am looking at 1 is a 220 and the other 200. Is there anything else I should be looking at before purchasing?

Thanks

Hoich

You're absolutely sure you don't want an AU1 XR8 auto? For the money you save on the purchase price, you could fit a supercharger and have an awesome BA XR8/GT eater!

[sbcb]

I have had a AU1 XR8 185kw and now a series II 200kw. Both auto, as the grunt went up the economy went down. The AU2 does around 450km town driving and about 650-700km open road. Boot it and it will drink it happily, but happy is what you will be to. Most people recommend the 220kw motor but this extra popularity usually means a few extra dollars, depends on how much th extra grunt means to you. I have the standard brakes on the AU2 and find them pretty good so just drive it and see for yourself. I went for a series 2 over a 3 because I got a car with considerably less mileage for the same money (due to the popularity of the 220kw motor). The extra extra Kw's are easily obtained after market if you want later but as this was going to be the last upgrade for a while (baby on way!) lower milage was a priority. Love the little unique things about the cars e.g. hand built engines with tickford engineers name stamped on the rocker cover (only from the 200Kw engines onwards). Drive both see which one has had a more gentle life as a thrashed one could be trouble.

[xr8ute]

As sbcb said, go for overall car condition rather than engine spec. If you are keen on modifying for more power, then the little difference between the 200 and 220kw AU XR8 engines, is negligable as far as hardware goes.

If you are strictly against any sort of engine modification, then get the 220kw AUIII.

[davocol]

I dont know how you guys are getting such good economy, I have an au xr8 220 and am lucky to get 400, The fuel economy is woeful. I have the auto version with everything, I would get a series 3 if possible due mainly to the fact the kit looks great. You should also be able to get one within warranty if you look hard enough which I would highly reccomend. Apart from the fuel costs the car is a dream with only one real issue I have with the auto which no one can seem to solve. It has shocking backlash from the 2 -1 - 2 gear change (trans flush did not fix it :( )

[sbcb]

Originally Posted by davocol

I dont know how you guys are getting such good economy, I have an au xr8 220 and am lucky to get 400, The fuel economy is woeful. I have the auto version with everything, I would get a series 3 if possible due mainly to the fact the kit looks great. You should also be able to get one within warranty if you look hard enough which I would highly reccomend. Apart from the fuel costs the car is a dream with only one real issue I have with the auto which no one can seem to solve. It has shocking backlash from the 2 -1 - 2 gear change (trans flush did not fix it :( )

davocol, regarding your fuel economy, is your car leaded or unleaded?
I'm not talking about petrol mate, I mean your right foot!!! That is usually the cause. After having an AU1 and now AU2 200kw i've found that yes you can have a huge smile from this awesome cars but you can also have an awesome fuel bill. The other rule of thumb is that if you have more grunt you use it, although the 220kw motor is slightly thirstier (due to more lumpy cam etc) maybe you just drive a little more enthusiastically than me. The AU2 does use more than the AU1 so maybe the extra changes for the 220kw motor add up to more fuel usuage just like I noticed between the upgrade from 185kw to 200kw.
Regarding your ruff downshift - had this also. Real annoying in slow driving e.g. around a car park etc. Had the diff oil changed and anti clunk additive added and a Ford factory upgrade for the computer which was amied at the transmission. Try checking your car isn't missing any ford upgrades (give your rego to a dealer/service dept) and try the diff additive. It takes 500 odd kms to bead in and sometimes requires you to use the LSD diff (wheelies with one wheel on the grass and one on tramac) to help bead it in but I had a huge improvement in smoothness. Still slightly there but a huge improvement. Hope this helps.

[neil101]

I'm looking at trading/swaping my AU2 XR8 ute for a S2 or 3 I'm looking at a series 3 today 220kw manual 25000km's did the 220 get the tremec box or only the t5?

Neil

[Gambit]

Originally Posted by neil101

I'm looking at trading/swaping my AU2 XR8 ute for a S2 or 3 I'm looking at a series 3 today 220kw manual 25000km's did the 220 get the tremec box or only the t5?

Neil

The T5 afaik. Only the 250kw motors had the tremec in the au range.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by neil101

I'm looking at trading/swaping my AU2 XR8 ute for a S2 or 3 I'm looking at a series 3 today 220kw manual 25000km's did the 220 get the tremec box or only the t5?

Neil

Nice low k's,what colour ?

[12]

Originally Posted by neil101

I'm looking at trading/swaping my AU2 XR8 ute for a S2 or 3 I'm looking at a series 3 today 220kw manual

The XR8 utes never got the 220kW motors like the sII and sIII XR8 sedans did.

[davocol]

SBCB thanks for the tip, I will get them to try and do that with the diff oil. As far as the computer goes this was up to date unless there was something for the auto that they missed. I will follow that up as well. My right foot is very light and even when I have tried hard to cane i still get 300 kilometres out of it, it does not seem to have any economy at all but hey its damn fun to drive.

[neil101]

silver, awsome car swear the no one's sat in the back seat before. however things didn't go to plan they can't give what i need on a trade to pay the ute out so I have to try and sell it privately so I can then go buy that one :( anyone in the market for a ute it's very clean and tidy

Neil

[t2te50]

Manual, Manual, Manual !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a fairmont dash and listen to this, so far I ve averaged pussy footing it a flat 13
litres per 100 at an average speed of 49 km an hour! Average 14 lires at an average speed of 42. The economy is awesome considering the car has a few kms (matches that of the press release figures). :disco:

[TIC-302]

AUIII XR8 is a nice car, check out my car althought mine has a bit more Km's then what i really wanted but the car was and still is like new!


http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...hlight=TIC-302

[JC]

John McGrath Ford in Canberra have an AU3 manual XR8 with premium sound and leather interior for $25k. Just so you know.

[EL_futuraistic]

Hey, i think nsw/canberra have a far better selection of used vehicles than victoria. Most of the good ones i find are up there.

The AU3 kit, certainly is a deal closer

[hoich]

Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to try and get a Series III if I get enough for my current car.

Hoich

[jspec_sti]

Great to hear! Guarantee you won't be diasspointed with a Series III XR8! :1syellow1

[hoich]

Have looked at a couple of AUII XR8. Does the 200 kw motor have an engine builders name? I have looked at one but doesn't have any badges saying 220 but has builders plate.

Thanks,

Hoich

[12]

200kW motors do have a engine builders plaque as well.

What build date was the AUII's you looked at?

[SWOOP]

yes 200kw motor have tag on rocker ,

[galaxy xr8]

Why don't you help out a fellow AFF member and look at buying his AU II XR8, 4vman is selling his ( I think it's him) but it sound's good, I think we all should help out one and other before we go elsewhere, after all most people on this forum really look after their vehicle's, so there's trust there for a start.

[galaxy xr8]

Here's the link to the vehicle,
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=20513

[hoich]

Galaxy XR8, I would buy the Xr8 the 4vman is selling, but I need to sell my Ford Escape to get the money to buy his XR8. The ones I have looked at are at dealers so I can trade in.

Hoich

[mik]

speaking of xr8, i have been eyeing one off in ararat as i go through town each day for about the last three weeks, today i couldnt go past it, series 3 au xr8 registered 2003 only 33000 ks looks like it came off showroom floor yesterday, if i had seen this one before my current xr6 i would have bought this one, blue in color at ararat ford if anyones interested, they had 29 on it but probably not many keen on 8s with fuel price they would come down i in price i think, its an auto might be worth a look .you can probly go ford used cars and look at it on line if your interested, good luck hoich.