XR4 i Remember these ???? What to look out for

[mike888]

My BMW 540 has died ! the engine is shot so I am buying a runner. What do I need to look out for on an aged XR4i . Anyone ???

[Justin S]

Probably mainly rust.Sill and rear arches.The V6 is pretty robust,look in the TVR S boys for advice,but as an ex S owner they are pretty reliable.They do tap a bit top end,but make sure it's not too excessive

[Matthew C]

If you sift through the general chit chat you might find something useful in this thread:

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=188034&f=23&h=0&hw=xr4i

[Mikey G]

mike888 said:

My BMW 540 has died ! What do I need to look out for on an aged XR4i?

Oil pressure?
sorry couldnt resist

So what happened to the beemer after?

As for the XR4i its now an ageing Ford so as said rust is going to be your main bugbear. Maybe the later 4x4 would be better as i think that comes with the 2.9 instead of the 4i's 2.8 which is a slightly better engine so i have been told.

[Mr Whippy]

You need an XR4x4 pre-cat 2.9...

Sublime sound, sublime fuel consumption, AND it's a 4x4!

Ohhhh the greenies will love you

Dave

[grahambell]

As mentioned, rust is likely problem. Usual Sierra rot spots are rear wheel arches, rear chassis legs (especially around spring seats and just aft of axle) base of strut tops and rear outboard seat mounts.

[mike888]

Thanks. The BMW needed a new block so that is on the backburner now . Will drag one from a crashed car when I have time.

The 4X4 advice seems sound. If it runs ok just check for the rust so that is where I will be , underneath the old thing. Do 1990 models have a CAT or is that too early ?

[Zad]

My 1991 XR4x4 doesn't have a cat. 1992 run-out model 2.9 V6 are pretty rare and difficult to find anyway (if you find an unmodded black one with leather and aircon let me know...) the metal on XR models seems to be better quality than standard models for some reason, it would seem to correlate with German made models as opposed to the standard Belgian ones.

[porkus]

grahambell said:

As mentioned, rust is likely problem. Usual Sierra rot spots are rear wheel arches, rear chassis legs (especially around spring seats and just aft of axle) base of strut tops and rear outboard seat mounts.

Look along the top where the roof joins the side panels (roof channel) and if it has a sunroof fitted open it fully and check all around the edge
Also open the tailgate and check around that also
Make sure the the Plastic arch covers arent holding the arches together (rust)

[mike888]

Well I have killed this one already so thats that ! Clutch is gone now , I give up ! What next I wonder ?

[Zad]

mike888 said:

Well I have killed this one already so thats that ! Clutch is gone now , I give up ! What next I wonder ?

What did you actually buy though?

[mike888]

An old XR4i. Great car for about 200 miles then it stopped !