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28-05-2008, 01:07 PM | #1 | ||
Discovery 4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,239
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The XR4 is about to go in for its 3000klm check. The longer I own this car the less I like it.
L/H Tail Light falling out. (fixed at delivery doing it again) Low Power Unresponsive engine. (Note Vortex 98 used) First run in mornings engine rough prone to stalling Engine pings under moderate load. (Note Vortex 98 used)? Fuel venting from filler cap. Car only ever filled to first click. Aircon is crap under performs on warm days. Some drivers report Hot/Cold cycle from Aircon. Engine check light did come on but cleared its self? I havent had this many issues in a year of ownership with XR6 Turbo! Other than that after having owned it for a while. The handling is ordinary. Seating position to high. Seems to suffer from body roll to much. The front seats are uncomfortable after about 30min. Just about any pair of decent sunglasses make the LCD panels unreadable. Because of the seating position and the seemingly excessive body roll it does not inspire any handling confidence. Fuel consumption 9.5-10.0l/100 which is pretty ordinary for the work this car does. Over all after 3000klm this car gets a 3 out of 10 and it only gets 3 because its better than catching a bus. (but not by much).
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### Blue Ranger Wildtrak V6 on the way. Factory Canopy & 140l ARB fuel tank. Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 SE. Long range aux tank, Kaymar Rear Bar, 18" Off Road rims. Lotus Trooper. Mini Inspired by Goodwood. |
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28-05-2008, 01:22 PM | #2 | |||
Afterburner + skids =
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Skidsville
Posts: 12,136
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Quote:
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Speed Kills. So buy an AU XR8 and live forever. Oo\===/oO |
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28-05-2008, 01:28 PM | #3 | ||
LPG > You
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 4,277
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I can't help but laugh when I read this...
You are the only person I've ever seen to comment poorly on its handling - and that includes professional race drivers (ex F1 for example) who are far more qualified then you can hope to be. And then I remember the Corolla Sportivo and...
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LPG Lovers Association President & Member #1. : |
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28-05-2008, 01:31 PM | #4 | |||
AFF Post NAZI
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Albury
Posts: 3,634
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Quote:
i understand and respect that it is not living up to the hype you have hear about it.\, which is fair enough, diff cars apeal to diff ppl. so all i can suggest is to sell it and get a corrolla or a Focus Zetec.
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"Its not always about power, The car has to handle Beautifully" |
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28-05-2008, 01:47 PM | #5 | ||
Discovery 4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,239
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Guys its its feed back like it or lump it. It might save someone from making a wrong buying choice in the future.
Steffo: Come up with something new or get out of the pool. Sell it? I would love to I would put the funds toward an FG XR6 Turbo Ute. But we need a small car for the kids and it does running around for the wifes business. The handling yes I too am suprised after all the reviews and reading I did and what the experts had to say frankly I am dumbfounded to explain why I find this car a shocker in the handling department. I dont like its tendencey to excessive body roll tell me no one else has this issue and I will raise it as an item for the service. Is it a product of the seating postion being so high? The old Barina SRi's felt like they were on rails compared to the XR4. I will use it for what it is a shopping car and have no great expections that it rise above that status.
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### Blue Ranger Wildtrak V6 on the way. Factory Canopy & 140l ARB fuel tank. Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 SE. Long range aux tank, Kaymar Rear Bar, 18" Off Road rims. Lotus Trooper. Mini Inspired by Goodwood. |
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28-05-2008, 01:50 PM | #6 | |||
AFF Post NAZI
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Albury
Posts: 3,634
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Quote:
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"Its not always about power, The car has to handle Beautifully" |
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28-05-2008, 01:50 PM | #7 | ||||
JMM modded EF
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 955
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Quote:
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Quote:
"She goes like a zirtek" WANT A FAST FORD RING THIS BLOKE V V Abbott Engines for HeadWork 20 years experience PH Rob on (07) 5526 3883
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28-05-2008, 02:07 PM | #8 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Victoria
Posts: 475
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Quote:
Get some coilovers and drop it. Problem solved. :P I have virtually no body roll on mine. |
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28-05-2008, 02:12 PM | #9 | ||
Discovery 4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,239
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photn
I am a prisoner of my need to provide transport for the family unit. If it was up to me I would just have an F6. Or maybe a BMW 135i. I am parent I brought this car because of the level of safety features and the fact that its not some underpowered hatch was also important because a level of performance adds some safety as well. I wont ever buy another Japaness car I have my reasons for this but they are my reasons alone. French cars truely suck why people buy them escapes me. Holden sold out and started importing crap. Any Korean brand is also no go my familes safety is worth more than that. A Golf was too expensive. A Polo GTi I couldnt insure for my kids to drive. So given that what other small hatch was there to choose from that offers 6 airbags DSC etc... Until Holden get smart and bring the Corsa SRi in the choices are very slim indeed.
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### Blue Ranger Wildtrak V6 on the way. Factory Canopy & 140l ARB fuel tank. Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 SE. Long range aux tank, Kaymar Rear Bar, 18" Off Road rims. Lotus Trooper. Mini Inspired by Goodwood. |
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28-05-2008, 05:42 PM | #10 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 137
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Interesting.... my Focus has heaps more bodyroll than my Fiesta, and my Fiesta is only an LX with standard suspension. Maybe you should get yours checked. I have to agree with the comments on the air con though. Both my cars have crappy air con. I guess it doesn't get so hot in Europe.
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28-05-2008, 06:39 PM | #11 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 2,368
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I know what the problem is... the XR4 needs more cowbell.
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28-05-2008, 07:42 PM | #12 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NSW
Posts: 229
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maybe you bought the runt of the batch lol coz my xr4 is just over 8000kms old and i havent had a prob. i love the front seats - comfy as (compared to my old zetec seats which were pretty hard on the bum!)..drives live a dream, is a bit rough first start in the morning coz its cold but when you know how to drive/control a car properly it wont stall, and i had to laugh at the 'unresponsive engine' comment too
BUT..like you said its all feedback and everyone has different opinions..just my 2cents worth |
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28-05-2008, 08:52 PM | #13 | ||
04 fiesta zetec
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: melbourne
Posts: 370
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buy this then... its got a responsive engine. I dont know what you're expecting the XR4 to be. maybe you've been to used to the 6cyl turbo power. fair enough on the other quality issues though (tail lights and engine light) i've got a fever... and the only cure... is more cowbells. Last edited by zetec jim; 28-05-2008 at 09:00 PM. |
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28-05-2008, 11:06 PM | #14 | ||
Like no other..........
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Over here.... Mod:FPV & XR Owners Club of Victoria
Posts: 1,016
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The seats are too high I agree..............first thing i noticed when I got in it. Now, I am used to it, but when someone like mowog who doesn't drive it all the times jumps in, it is still noticeable.
Air con does do it's own thing every now and again - but so does the GTP.... There's been a few notes about cold start issues - and whilst mine still is rough for the first few kms, I have also stalled a couple of times when it's cold- it seriously doesn't like idling low first off. 10kms down the road and it's okay, but not at first. I don't find the body roll issues you are having- especially compared to a BA- i find they are worse - but i'm the opposite to you - drive my fez daily and BA rarely. Haven't had pinging, engine light or fuel venting... and I definitely don't find it non-responsive. - and someone must have used clag on your tailight - not good at all. Your fuel economy IS shocking (I too use vortex)..... should be nowhere near that high...... my my what have your kids been doing...........? Just because we all own them, does not mean they are the world's greatest car - and nor should we only write about positives and not be realistic enough to understand others do not have the same opinion of our fez's....... Good luck with the dealer mowog- I hope you get some answers beccause you shouldn't be having that many problems......... Cheers,
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A recent study found the average Australian walks about 900 miles a year.
Another study found Australians drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means, on average, Australians get about 41 miles to the gallon. Kind of makes you proud to be an aussie. |
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29-05-2008, 09:35 AM | #15 | |||
My Boss has gas
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Darwin
Posts: 42
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Quote:
gti polo kicks it in every area except stereo in my opinion. |
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29-05-2008, 09:42 AM | #16 | |||
Like no other..........
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Over here.... Mod:FPV & XR Owners Club of Victoria
Posts: 1,016
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Quote:
__________________
A recent study found the average Australian walks about 900 miles a year.
Another study found Australians drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means, on average, Australians get about 41 miles to the gallon. Kind of makes you proud to be an aussie. |
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29-05-2008, 11:01 AM | #17 | |||
Da Shifty One
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,586
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Quote:
I have a XR4 and brother has a Polo Gti. I have driven both of them casually and spiritually. The XR4 out handles the Polo in everyway but the polo isnt far off. If you think im bull just check out the motoring reviews from the UK where they test both against eachother. The XR4/ST comes out on top. The Polo has the performance advanatge because of the Turbo and its potential for aftermarket modifcations. Aside from that its a pretty bland car exterior wise but has the balls to back it up. The XR4 is the opposite it look much more aggressive on the outside and the inside isnt toobad eaither but a downside is that it should have been more powerful. I agree the air con is a bit of a worry as a few owners have a had problems before delivery and after, but seems to be rectified at Ford. Driver ride height can be adjusted so dont see the problem there. And the seats unconfortable?? WTF i bet you are a large sized person = thats the reason. I have a mate who cant even fit in the seat he sits on top of it. In terms of the car 0-3000kms its hasnt really opened it self up interms of wearing in. I had the engine light come on, stalling on start ups, and felt the car was not peaking as it should be. But after some good synthetic oil and 3000-6000kms it hasnt skipped a beat. This running in period is what i think puts peoples off when they test drive it. I suggest you obviously just tell the service guy all the problems and it should come out better with more kms.
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2013 Ford Fiesta ST - Frozen White - AU 0072/XXXX
- Mountune ST180 Intake Hose - Mountune Quick Shifter - J1 ST180 MAF Adapter - K&N Apollo CAI - Triple R Front Splitter - Richbrook Shorty Aerial - DMB Gel Overlays - LED Interior Bulb Upgrade - Last edited by MISTA FIESTA; 29-05-2008 at 11:07 AM. |
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29-05-2008, 12:11 PM | #18 | |||
Discovery 4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,239
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Quote:
I will report back after the 3000klm check and let you guys know how it has gone. All the issues have been given to the service department.
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### Blue Ranger Wildtrak V6 on the way. Factory Canopy & 140l ARB fuel tank. Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 SE. Long range aux tank, Kaymar Rear Bar, 18" Off Road rims. Lotus Trooper. Mini Inspired by Goodwood. |
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29-05-2008, 08:27 PM | #19 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Perth, WA - NOR
Posts: 325
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You know there is a leaver on the seat to lower the angle/position?
Nah, just teasing... Sorry to hear your not happy anymore, I still love mine. The engine has become more responsive since I first got it (now at 10k) and the handling is great with very little body roll but some understeer when pushed imo. The quality issues you mentioned are a poor reflection on the dealerships quality control more than anything and unfortunately they often struggle to fix even the most basic of problems first time round from my experience with my old zetec. Your issues dont sound like they will improve with more k's tho, it sounds like you got a lemon... there was a batch of xr4s suffering from piston slap when cold and rough idle. Get them to check the o2 sensor if it is stalling etc. I agree about the aircon, some people have reported improvements once checked, most of them seam to have been overfilled with gas. Good luck with your service + I hope things improve, if not happy car hunting!
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GGR | SCT | Tein | Samco | Whiteline | Mongoose | Forge
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01-06-2008, 05:38 PM | #20 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 175
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i have taken corners at the most stupid speeds while it was stock and have NOT received one bit of body roll, done my springs put 18s on it and still not 1 little bit of body roll, im guess either you dont know what you want or how to drive or just got a screwed up xr4.....
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01-06-2008, 07:14 PM | #21 | |||
_Oo===oO_
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,305
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Quote:
Tail light: Inexcusable, but I'm surprised its happening! Low Power Unresponsive engine: Are you sure you're not just used to driving far more powerful cars? (in your case XR6T) My Mrs' Zetec doesnt quite have as much torque as my '8 but is still lively enough for pulling out into traffic etc, not too bad on kickdowns if you turn off the overdrive (auto). These things are N/A 4 pots though. First run in mornings engine rough prone to stalling: Yeah get that checked out. Engine pings under moderate load: Try BP Ultimate, I've never heard good things about Vortex. We've used Shell V Power since new and the car runs great (altho most people in the know recommend Ultimate) Fuel venting from filler cap. Car only ever filled to first click: Ford should check that, I've filled to 2-3 clicks and never had a drama. Aircon is crap under performs on warm days: We've never had a prob with the aircon, it works fine, another Ford check there. Some drivers report Hot/Cold cycle from Aircon: Do you mean having your feet blasted with ridiculously hot air when the aircon is on? We've had that happen. Engine check light did come on but cleared its self: No worries then! lol get Ford to check out, but tell them its on all the time! The handling is ordinary: Our car has Zetec suspension with XR4 wheels/tyres and the handling is excellent! Seating position to high: We like the seating position, gives you a commanding view of the road. Seems to suffer from body roll to much: Nope tyre grip is a problem long before the body rolls. The front seats are uncomfortable after about 30min: The Mrs doesnt have aprob with the XR4 seats we installed, but I too find them uncomfortable after a while (and how about the door trims? The hard plastic and sharp edge make them a nightmare to rest your elbow on!) Just about any pair of decent sunglasses make the LCD panels unreadable: I find this happens with just about any LCD screen/sunglass combo. Yeah Fiestas aren't perfect but it seems like you've gotten a troublesome example. That fuel consumption is pretty woeful (and the pinging, and the no-power thing) try BP Ultimate and get Ford to check out your other niggles first. Re: body roll (and also maybe fuel consumption) are you sure you're not over driving this thing? Hopefully you can resolve your issues quick smart and get to enjoy your time in the Fez. Cheers, Rob. |
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01-06-2008, 07:40 PM | #22 | |||
AFF Post NAZI
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Albury
Posts: 3,634
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Quote:
He has explained what he wants and why he needs the car, and i can assure you any1 who knows how to handle a half decently modded Turbo Falcon has more than enough criteria to handle the Fiesta. Think about how much bodyroll a standard XR6T has and think about how much bodyroll a fiesta has and there you go. Mowog - i would put my money on you possibly getting a lemon XR4 or/either that you are so used to driving the XR6T and have driven many better cars that the fiesta doesnt stack up in your books.
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"Its not always about power, The car has to handle Beautifully" |
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01-06-2008, 09:18 PM | #23 | |||
_Oo===oO_
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,305
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Quote:
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02-06-2008, 06:50 AM | #24 | ||
Discovery 4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,239
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Update..
Taillight looks better we will wait and see how long it stays in place this time. New fuel cap on order. They "The Ford Dealer" are blaming fuel quality on the engine issues take note here they dont deny its happening. Blaming the fuel quality possibility to me its most unlikely like I said it runs on Vortex 98 now I know some of you claim to have problems on this fuel. But! my XR6 Turbo gets filled from the same pump on the same day (most of the time) the XR6 has no problems at all that would indicate a fuel problem and I would think it would show issues more quickly than the XR4. So this issue of engine problems isnt over. Strangely the engine feels a bit more responsive after its visit so we will see if the other issues have gone away.
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### Blue Ranger Wildtrak V6 on the way. Factory Canopy & 140l ARB fuel tank. Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 SE. Long range aux tank, Kaymar Rear Bar, 18" Off Road rims. Lotus Trooper. Mini Inspired by Goodwood. |
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02-06-2008, 01:08 PM | #25 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: VIC
Posts: 161
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Your family must be flogging the ring out of it - even since I've started driving peak hour traffic I'm still returning 7.6L per 100km's. Having said that I've also sufferred some of the things you mentioned
Poor air-con performance on hot days: This annoys me too, re-cycling rather then using fresh air helps Poor idle on startup: I've stalled it a few times, can be very rough at times and very erratic when using the throttle. Apparantly a non-issue according to Ford Service Dept High seat position: Agreed, annoys me as well. Still, whilst the seat position is high, there's hardly any body roll noticed and handling is top notch. Motor unresponsive: Haven't found that at all, for a small 2L it's pretty zippy and has a nice amount of torque. A nice enough amount that I can putter along at 60km/h in 5th if I want... Sure, it's no V8 or turbo6, but for what it is it's very nice. Sounds like you are trying to find faults with it, and dare I say, trolling with comments like "I'll treat it like the shopping car it is".... |
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02-06-2008, 01:44 PM | #26 | |||
Death B4 Decaf
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Hobart
Posts: 731
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Quote:
Just trying to eke out the economy, average about 7.2L/100km.
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06 fiesta Zetec in Tango. Factory scuff plates, mats, spoiler & leather gear knob. K&N panel filter. Focus clear side indicators. Colour coded. |
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02-06-2008, 02:30 PM | #27 | |||
Discovery 4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,239
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Quote:
My XR4 is not happy in 5th at 60k/h even on level roads. put a slight uphill grade in and forget about 5th. Maybe the high seating postion produces a feeling of excessive body roll and maybe I am making an unfair comparisson due to much lower seating position in my XR6. "Your family must be flogging the ring out of it" Its easy to make assumptions isnt it? I do drive this car a bit mainly to keep the k's down on my Ute. On one highway trip I reset the trip computer and at 100klm/h it settled at 8.5/100 I can get that from my Ute? As soon as we hit the burbs it went back to 9.5/100. As I said in my update there seems to be an improvement in how responsive the engine is. When I drive this car I dont expect XR6 Turbo levels of performance. I have had a fair bit of experiance with hot hatches and I was able to enjoy the drive in the 2 Barina SRi's we had the engines were responsive but the cars were not rockets it was just a good package. As for the rough running if you as a customer are willing to accept it then it will never get any better. If enough owners complain then something will get done on your and pick your nose and nothing happens. A modern 4 cycl engine with EFI should not run like a hairy goat. Hot or Cold "Sounds like you are trying to find faults with it" More like I am expecting the car to at least perform and run to what I see as normal small car standards. Again if you are will to accept less then you are not doing yourself and the community of XR4 owners any favors.
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### Blue Ranger Wildtrak V6 on the way. Factory Canopy & 140l ARB fuel tank. Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 SE. Long range aux tank, Kaymar Rear Bar, 18" Off Road rims. Lotus Trooper. Mini Inspired by Goodwood. |
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02-06-2008, 04:13 PM | #28 | ||
LPG > You
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 4,277
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That's some shocking fuel economy there...
My Sport Clio gets 7.8-8.4L/100 city and 5.0-5.2L/100 highway. It does run like a when its cold though, because of the aggressive cam grind they have. The solution is easy... start it 3 minutes prior leaving.
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LPG Lovers Association President & Member #1. : |
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02-06-2008, 07:15 PM | #29 | ||
04 fiesta zetec
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: melbourne
Posts: 370
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My 1.6 2004 zetec gets up wheelers hill VIC (20 degree incline probably) with no hassle in fifth. provided you keep it upwards of 2500 revs.
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02-06-2008, 07:26 PM | #30 | |||
Discovery 4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,239
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Quote:
Try an agressive cam in Mini Cooper S with higher compression than standard. Trying to come to life thru 2 cold SU's on a winter morning in Brisbane. Now that was a car I was happy to wait for it warm up. She had a single Lukie Muffler being feed by a set of LCB extractors. I had an even more aggressive setup in a Mini Moke at the same time. Both cars were pigs until they where warm. The XR4 is quicker than both I would imagine but the XR4 or some french <fantastic piece of engineering> will never come close to sound of a hot A series or the pure driving fun.
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### Blue Ranger Wildtrak V6 on the way. Factory Canopy & 140l ARB fuel tank. Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 SE. Long range aux tank, Kaymar Rear Bar, 18" Off Road rims. Lotus Trooper. Mini Inspired by Goodwood. Last edited by fordel; 03-06-2008 at 08:06 AM. Reason: Don't evade the swear filter. |
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