Debating another project car

[M-technik-3]

I have always liked oddball German cars, thinking of purchasing a Merkur XR4Ti/Sierra Cossworth. There are plenty of Cossie engines here in the states via MB 190-2.3 16V's or just build up the Pinto engine, they do boost real good and are cheap as can be. Or heck do LSX in one.

Decent sized car and I have seen a few that had the C pillar cut out and installed the rear glass from a Sierra. To look the real part, as I will not find another old school 70's Capri.

They are cheap and they don't seem to rusty like most 80's domestics since it is not.

[FunfGan]

I know ill4noreason had a Merkur, sweet little cars. My dream car is an Escort Cosworth. I looked at a few of them when I was looking for a first car, seemed like there were a decent-sih number around here at least.

[J308]

I thought the Escort Cosworth was a completely different chassis than the XR4TI?

It'd be a cool project, but when I investigated it I somehow found that it couldn't be done accurately.

[M-technik-3]

I thought the Escort Cosworth was a completely different chassis than the XR4TI?

It'd be a cool project, but when I investigated it I somehow found that it couldn't be done accurately.

They are completely different. Not even close on years when they were manufactured.

[Roysneon]

Gutenparts has one, not sure what progress has been made on it, but may be a source of info for you.

[M-technik-3]

Not really needing a source. I have always had access to what I need since I goto Europe once a month for work.

[Roysneon]

Not really needing a source. I have always had access to what I need since I goto Europe once a month for work.

So you just made this thread to let us know you're thinking of buying one? :) I also thought of buying one, but had just taken on E30 number 1 at the time.

[george graves]

The interior is really disappointing.

[der affe]

How is the electronics on them? Not just the engine management, but the rest of the car.

American cars of that era seem to be hit or miss

[craz azn]

If I bought an XR4ti, I'd definitely do all the aesthetic mods to make it look like a Sierra (lights, bumpers, rear side window, etc) but I was thinking how well a Nissan SR20 motor would fit in there. Obviously not correct, but it is a nicely boosted 4 cyl to give it some balls for cheap money.

[freeride53]

If I bought an XR4ti, I'd definitely do all the aesthetic mods to make it look like a Sierra (lights, bumpers, rear side window, etc) but I was thinking how well a Nissan SR20 motor would fit in there. Obviously not correct, but it is a nicely boosted 4 cyl to give it some balls for cheap money.

Yes, this would be a good idea.
There used to be a great ton of these cars in the Pacific Northwest.
For some odd (possibly yuppy-related reason), they were popular with the same groups that purchased:
-Peugeot 505 Turbo/V6's
-Alfa Romeos
-Saabs

[M-technik-3]

They were priced in the same market as all the reasonable entry level EU imports. Lima engine aka Pinto engine does well with boost, they used it for the Mustang SVO and the Thunderbird.

The bad thing I don't like about them is the 4x108 bolt pattern wheel selection. It leaves MUCH to be desired. There is a huge following of these in UK but not so much in Germany anymore. Top Gear did a stint on way back when with Tiff Needle do it since he won the ETCC with a RS500 towards the end.

Not really needing a source. I have always had access to what I need since I goto Europe once a month for work.

So you just made this thread to let us know you're thinking of buying one? :) I also thought of buying one, but had just taken on E30 number 1 at the time.

I made the thread because I wanted imput as to those that had one, ie the weak point of a fragile front end or no LSD unless sourced from a Sapphire 4X4 or Sierra 4X4. Electronics for the most part are typical 80 German electronics.

[AC Nico]

i would choose the benz. you have so many options especially with wheels and if its annoying you can easily sell this car on the us market.

[325ix]

i would choose the benz. you have so many options especially with wheels and if its annoying you can easily sell this car on the us market.

The Benz is so common though, as he already stated. I say go for it. I have always loved the look of these cars and they can be quite the performers.