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buyer’s guide: sierra xr4x4
BUYER’S GUIDE
Sierra XR4x4
The midway point between the original XR4i and the later Cossies, the
V6 4x4 is a perfect entry to Sierra ownership. Here’s how to bag a goodie.
Words Richard Barnett Photos Jon Hill
F
ord took a step back in time
when it launched its
futuristic Sierra XR4x4.
Futuristic, because with its
four-wheel-drive it predicted the
way so many mid-sized cars
would go in the 1990s, yet Ford
looked to the past, and the FF
(Ferguson Formula) four-wheeldrive
system used in the 1960s on
several development Mk4
Zodiacs, Capris and a Mustang.
The mid-1980s ushered in the
popularity of four-wheel-drive
cars, helped mainly by Audi’s
Quattro. But rather than being an
expensive sporting car aimed at
wealthy would-be rally drivers or
the landed gentry wanting
performance and four-wheel
drive, the XR4x4 made
performance and unparalleled
levels of grip more accessible.
Always intended to be offered
at the same time as the more
bonkers three-door, two-wheel
drive XR4i, the 4x4 eventually
became available as a five-door
hatchback or estate (in Ghia trim)
two years later in 1985.
Ford used the FF-developed
all-wheel-drive set-up: a chaindrive
took power from the
gearbox to a differential, which
then split the torque to both the
front and rear wheels in the ratio
34:66. While drive to the rear was
like that on a normal Sierra,
power to the front wheels was via
a propshaft to a differential
mounted close to the engine.
With such grip on tap, Ford
needed to offer a fair amount of
power, and while the 2.3-litre V6
was originally proposed, a
last-minute change saw the
2.8-litre unit being fitted instead.
Meanwhile Ford’s boffins made
a host more changes underneath,
including new suspension
settings, but at least there was a
set of good-looking, seven-spoke
alloys which differentiated the
4x4 from lesser models. Ford also
offered ABS as an option.
However, cost-cutting was
evident inside, with standard trim
and simpler instruments giving
the money-saving game away.
Mind you, as this was targeted as
a family car, that slight strippingout
didn’t really matter...
With so much going for it, in
terms of performance and
practicality, the 4x4 took on the
prestige German makes and gave
them plenty to worry about,
especially as it offered so much
car pound for pound.
And today it’s a great value car,
and one that’s not really caught
on yet. Like it or not, unless it’s
got a Cosworth badge on the
bootlid, the Sierra is struggling to
find fans among classic Ford
lovers. And that’s a shame,
because a good example makes a
cracking everyday car — one
that’s as at home on twisting fast
B-roads as it is on the motorway.
One day we’ll wake up and
realise virtually all of them are
long gone, so buying one now
while they’re undervalued
(compared with their Cosworth
brethren) makes good sense.
“THE XR4X4 WAS VERY
FUTURISTIC, BECAUSE WITH
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE IT
PREDICTED HOW MANY CARS
WOULD GO IN THE 1990s“
“ THE 4X4 TOOK ON THE
PRESTIGE GERMAN MAKES
AND GAVE THEM PLENTY TO
WORRY ABOUT”
ELECTRICS
The 4x4 was slightly more
loaded-up than the poverty-spec
models, so check electric
windows (these weren’t always
fitted however) are working, as
are the front spotlights.
Remember too that the rear
light lenses can cease working
through poor connections. Also
check the operation of the central
locking system.
GEARBOX
The Type-9 is a strong ‘box,
but rough driving will have
taken its toll. Listen out for
any rough sounds, which
mean the layshaft’s on the
way out. When they’re cold
they can be notchy: an oil
change can rectify that.
Later 2.9-litre models had
the tougher MT75 ’box.
If you’re thinking about a
more powerful engine,
you’d better think about
changing the gearbox too
as even a 2.9 can wreck the
Type-9 with its grunt —
the MT75 unit is the
preferred option.
BODY
There are many rust traps on any Sierra, so
give any car you’re looking at a proper
going over. The floorpan can rust
anywhere, particularly at the front. Here it’s
triple-skinned, and if the heater matrix has
gone it will rot the floor. Leaking heaters
can also damage the transmission tunnel.
The boot floor can also rust through,
and in extreme cases call for the rear
suspension to be removed so fresh metal
can be let in.
BRAKES
It’s the usual story of warped
front discs, which is the result of
harsh braking. Beware of some
replacements because their
quality’s not really up to the job.
Sills can rot along their entire length,
usually starting from the back.
Rear wheelarches will rot through, and
door bottoms can disappear too. Front
wings will also rust, but under the bonnet
the good news is that strut towers don’t
easily corrode.
As usual, bodykits can hide a multitude
of sins so have a careful check around and
underneath any added plastic bits for signs
of tin worm and filler..
148 April 2009
April 2009 149

CFTECH
buyer’s guide: sierra xr4x4
ENGINE
SPEC
Our mate the 2.8-litre Cologne V6 is tough as old boots, which can be both
good and bad. Good, because it’s reliable, but bad because some
previous owners might have abused that reliability.
Poor starting when hot or cold can be put down to the fuel accumulator,
the metering head or poor compression.
Smoke or a rumbling sound isn’t good, and oil leaks can develop
around the inlet manifold. A tappety sound shouldn’t cause too much
worry as “they all do that sir”, but if there’s too much noise that can be
down to worn valves or badly-adjusted tappets.
The timing gear, which is made from nylon, can suddenly break, but
Burton Power offers a steel replacement.
STEERING & SUSPENSION
Front anti-roll bushes wear, as can some replacements. Front-wheel
misalignment will make the car wander under hard braking or on a
rough road surface.
VALUES
All prices are approximate — the
XR4x4 is now climbing out of its
banger role as enthusiasts wake
up to its capabilities.
£300-£400
Pretty ropey models needing
stacks of work
£1000
Models in average condition
with some tax and MoT
£1500-£2000
Good examples needing very
little work
£3000+
Seriously good models with
strong history and paperwork.
Prices can go well beyond this
for concours cars
INTERIOR
Ford’s bean-counters cut costs on
some of the interior products, so
expect some wear-and-tear.
Dashboards can crack because
they’ve dried up and early
replacements aren’t always easy
to source.
Door cards can become wet
and will warp as a result.
Seats, which are like those
fitted in later LX and GLX models,
can sag, and the fabric can wear.
On top of this, the seat mounts
can collapse.
Body
Steel moncoque, five-door
hatchback body.
Engine
2792cc Cologne V6, producing
150 bhp @ 5700 rpm, max
torque 161 lb.ft @ 3800 rpm,
cast-iron cylinder heads and
block, Bosch K-Jetronic
fuel injection.
Gearbox
Ford Type-9 five-speed manual
(later MT75), FF four-wheeldrive
system featuring 34/66
split front/rear.
Suspension
Front: independent, featuring
coil springs, MacPherson
struts, telescopic dampers and
anti-roll bar.
Rear: independent, featuring
coil springs, telescopic
dampers, anti-roll bar and
semi-trailing arms.
Steering
Rack and pinion steering,
power-assisted.
Brakes
Front: 10.2-inch ventilated
discs. Rear: 9.9-inch solid discs.
Optional ABS.
Wheels and tyres
5.5x14 inch cast alloy wheels,
195/60VR14 tyres.
Performance
125mph
0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds.
Price when
launched
£11,995
INSURANCE
Comprehensive cover for a
Sierra XR4x4 valued at £2000
is £130 per annum, based on a
3000-mile limit, for a 34-yearold
meat packer in Brighton
and insured as a second car.
Quote from Classic Ford
Insurance, 0800 0276146,
www.classicfordinsurance.co.uk
NEED TO KNOW
Clubs & Forums
Classic ’80s Ford Club
01732 872504
Ford Sierra Owners’ Club
www.fordsierraclub.co.uk
XR Owners’ Club
020 7937 7595
www.xroc.co.uk
XR4 Register
www.xr4register.com
Specialists
Sierra Spares
www.sierraspares.co.uk
XR4i Spares Centre
01375 672641
THANKS
To Jim Christie of the Ford
Sierra Owners’ Club for his
help with this guide.
NEXT
MONTH
CAPRI
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