Ford Escort Estate (1990 - 2001) 1.8i Si 5d Owner Review

Ford Escort Estate Mk5b Si Jan 1994 1.8 16v "Zetec powered” abs option -NO Metallic Green 15" 5 spoke alloys (As fitted when new but also Mk 5 XR3i) 14" 4 spoke “RS style pattern as fitted to Fiesta Si and Mondeo Zetec/Si” Winter pack, heated mirrors and windscreen washer jets Fully colour coded including door handles, side skirts and original boot mounted roofline rear spoiler. Original 6 character prefix registration number remains with the car Genuine 2 owner car plus FORD 94,000 miles with some history, prev. MOTs (3 or 4) and a replacement Logbook issued in my name by DVLA once proof of ownership was provided. Ultra-rare model, only one or two still on the road according to Forums/register, powered by 105 PS Zeta twin-cam 1.8 litre unit, the "Si" being the one that outwardly shares it's front lights/grill/integrated front fogs and indicators with the Mk 5b RS2000, XR3i 16v and the Ghia Si. Completely all original specification Si (XR3i) Interior includes extremely rare (on an estate) wing back Sports Seats, plus Red back lit/Grey Cosworth RS/XR 4 dial instrument cluster, 3 spoke sports steering wheel equipped with airbag,(now upgraded to Escort Cosworth leather wheel) Ford Immobiliser (chip) and integrated alarm (on the key), Deadlocks/key operated central locking, fully operational tilt/slide manual glass sunroof (no leaks) and the "Quick-clear" front windscreen-fully operational. A Ford High Power radio cassette unit is supplied with correct keycode and accompanying manual (identical to but not the original unit fitted). The all-important 'High Power’ built in additional amplifier is still in situ, above the passenger footwell, behind the dash/glovebox. Powered and connected and correctly operating all factory fitted *speakers-no ugly cut-outs anywhere (*eight in total-combination of tweeters, mid-range and 6x4s-impressive in 1994). The cable is present, but it has been cut (at the rear of the stereo unit) to install an aftermarket unit) at some point. From chatting on the 2 main UK Escort Mk5, Mk5b and Mk 6 forums a register of the Escort "Si" is being maintained currently showing that there are only around 200 Escort Si models left in total, the vast majority being the later Mk6 variant. The 'Si' model breaks down further into 3 & 5 door hatchback, 3 door convertible and 5 door estate, plus 1.6 and 1.8 in the later mk6 so 11 variants in totality! This is one of the only 1.8 Zetec 16v Mk 5b Escort Si Estate left, either on the road or SORN in the UK. BARN FIND HISTORY, this car spent most of its life being driven in the South of England around Poole/Sandbanks and to Winchester and back but was found for sale resting in a warehouse in Doncaster around 4 years ago by myself. It was declared uneconomical to repair in 2014 by an insurance company and its then proud owner was given a measly £500! Unaware at the time that he could probably have had the car back plus a cash settlement sadly he ended up replacing the Escort Si with a Nissan Micra. Although initially surprised (I think shocked might be closer to the truth) the previous owner was delighted to hear his pride and joy was still around. He had owned it for over 5 years 2009-2014 and had driven it to work and back every day, covering over 50,000 miles. He found it fast, comfortable and totally reliable but says he didn't really like the Estate shape as much as the Hatchback. The previous owner before him from 1994-2009 covered less than 40,000 miles from almost brand new over the 15 years he owned the car. He was described as fastidious and a real Ford enthusiast; living locally he checked many times on how the car was being looked after, after it had changed hands privately. I am advised that in the six months prior to the car being 'written off' it had been fully serviced including timing belt, pulleys and water pump, and the owner had just shelled out for a brand new radiator and a BRAND NEW QUICK CLEAR front windscreen due to a cracked screen at a cost of over £500-three weeks before the rear end collision. History unknown at the time, I also replaced the timing belt and water pump when recommissioning, along with all the tyres, vented brake discs and brembo pads/shoes, all fluids-brake and coolant, filters, a couple of bushes on the steering, rear and middle exhaust, rear wheel bearings, fan thermostat and switch. Bulbs and one brand new taillight unit were replaced to improve night-time visibility. The most difficult to source items for this car so far have been the Front side running lights, clear lenses and clear bulbs, they were missing from the car and regularly change hands for over £100 each for original items in good condition. They are manufactured completely from plastic and quite fragile, the exact same lamp also fitted the RS Cosworth Escort amongst others. Perhaps this has driven the price of any good ones left up. The other item proving impossible to find is a replacement for the cut amplifier cable that takes the speaker signals from the Radio/Cassette directly to the amp. So the previous owner contacted me after I tracked him down and left an answerphone message. He provided the following history detail during our conversation: The accident where the Escort was written off involved a Honda rear ending Scott, who was driving the car but stationary at the time, with the Escorts handbrake correctly applied, so absolutely no front-end damage resulted. The damage there was (which was still evident when it was purchased by me in 2018) was limited to the rear boot lid, boot floor (mainly around the spare wheel well) and rear panel. The spare wheel well lid and rear bumper survived intact and the bumper is still on the car (just!). The rear wings, roof and all glass was undamaged. The car drives better in a straight line than my 7-year-old Peugeot even after all wheel alignment, showing no crabbing or any out of true lines. This is, I think, mainly due to the height of the impact; "it was an 'HRV'-some kind of SUV style Honda" was all he could tell me. So, the impact was spread around the number plate area of the boot lid (on a Mk5b Escort Estate the number plate is mounted to the boot lid quite high up below the boot handle/lock, and well above bumper level). The lock/catch held on impressively and caused the floor and rear panel to be pulled up and in following the boot lid. The moulded plastic boot handle did survive, but it is currently not attached as some of the bolts pulled away on impact. This is a very simple four bolt replacement item and luckily it doesn't house the number plate lamp, which sits neatly on the top of the rear bumper lighting the number plate from below. This lamp was damaged and has also been replaced. Overall this was a simple and economic repair. I have pulled out the rear panel, replaced the boot lid and straightened the floor. It all closes nicely, and the shut lines are square and I even APPLIED SOME BASIC STANDARD COLOUR-MATCHED PAINT and clear laquer to ensure the (previously blue) preloved boot lid, (supplied with the car!!) and the repaired rear panel doesn't detract from the overall impression of the car. I would describe the overall condition as good barn find condition. The engine pulls very smoothly, willingly and strongly and has the familiar Zetec hum, if you’ve driven an XR3i of the same period, it is identical. The Zeta climbs up to the limiter easily and the engine is quite loud; it sounds somewhat incongruous for an estate car of its time. The gears change smoothly too, although the shift throw is quite long, it is true to a 1990’s Ford Escort. The rear and mid exhaust has been replaced recently and is loud and a bit intrusive (this is basically the XR3i estate and reaches 60mph in around 9 secs). Either a Ford OEM or a good quality aftermarket system would lift the whole car I suspect. Interior condition overall very good/excellent with the exception of the headlining which would definitely benefit from a refresh, visibly hanging down over the rear estate luggage compartment, and showing looseness and sagging elsewhere (of the fabric only-the board will take the new fabric without any issues). This is a simple enough DIY-er tsk if you have some patience and basic knowledge of how the headlining is fitted. Removal is the same as fitting in reverse! The car will benefit from a new rear panel at some point especially if it is intended to be shown/restored, but as a daily, working vehicle the repairs I have effected are more than adequate. It exceeds all MOT inspection standards, and has passed several MOTs under my ownership with no advisories, the latest being issued Feb 2021. For the nineties performance Escort owner having your pride and joy stolen was a very common ownership experience (one reason this model was badged Si and not XR3i). Theft of this and earlier model Escorts was extremely easy, especially on the lesser models. This one, being equipped with key/chip immobiliser and Ford Alarm probably survived the attempt but was damaged. The passenger front door is showing signs of an attempted break in at some point in its life, where the top of the door joins the roof there is evidence that it has been pulled away from the roof to gain access-a crease in the A-pillar section of the door, and a small crease above the door handle. The original glass is still present with Ford stickers indicating that the door was not pulled down far enough for the window glass to shatter. It has been pulled back in correctly and filled/painted professionally to the exterior, and the door closes perfectly with no noticeable wind noise. There remains a small paint/body job on the inside of the door framefor an enthusiast to make it perfect. Day to day it is not noticeable to the untrained eye, unless looking for it and doesn't detract from the ownership experience at all. It is after all just part of its history showing. This car was a meticulously maintained and cared for vehicle up to the point it was sold, presumably as salvage at an auction by Scott's insurance company in 2014. Condition still reflects this earlier care and attention. Driven locally sometimes by myself the Escort drives pretty much as it would have done in 1994, (I know because I owned an XR3i of the same specification). It does feel a little heavy, but it is a five door Estate Car, not a 3-door hatchback driven by the same engine. The original (optional) roof rack cross-members were supplied with the car and are present on the integral roof bars. This set-up is designed to carry up to 150kg if distributed correctly. The boot is cavernous and is a taller and more practical shape than the Mondeo estate of the same era due to having a higher roofline. This is a real retro-future proof classic estate car that can carry loads and loads of stuff. Volvo 245s have their purposes and their followers, this is something just a little faster, a little smaller and a whole lot rarer. It's a performance Ford, and an Escort, hence the value is only going to go one way, albeit a lot more slowly in this particular mk/model I suspect than some others. Many thanks for reading, apologies for the lengthy/detailed description, but the car is worthy of an enthusiastic write up to ensure its place in Fords history is understood. This car links spiritually to the Ford Focus ST Estate in size, performance and ethos. David Sharp 3rd Owner (and saviour) of L35 FPH 2018 – present May 2021