220kw XR8 a good buy?

seedywagon · 02-05-2009, 01:59 AM

Hi Guys,

I currently drive a AU1 4L wagon thats on it's last legs. As much as I don't REALLY want to part with money for a new car, a friend of mine just recently picked up a BA xr8 ute and I suddenly feel inferior!
Apart from not being able to afford a BA, something about the good ol' Windsor block and the honestness of the old AU has me captured.
More to the point, I'm asking if any owners of these cars have anything to say in regards to them? What to look out for? Whats great about them? Whats bad?
Also realistically, considering the power difference between the BA and the AU, how much work am I going to have to do to it to wipe the smile of my mates face at the lights?

The AU is a great falcon, extremely underrated. Driving mates' VY Commodores and even some BA falcons, I feel relieved hopping back into my clapped-out AU, theres just something about the way it handles and the torque delivery. God the Ecotec is just the spawn of Satan!

needaXYGT · 02-05-2009, 03:07 AM

If the AU XR8 is in good order than you wont have to much trouble keeping up with the sluggish BA at all!

Some others might have different opinons though.

LeadFoot81 · 02-05-2009, 09:41 AM

Yeah a 220kw XR8 in good condition is an awesome buy.

IMO post AU3 Falcons lost some of the 'Ford-ness' that was developed in the 90s and feel alot more clinical. Even though there were some great additions and improvements to BA the heart and soul of the ED-AU3 'boy racer' XRs was lost.

Re: the AU2/3 XR8s love the sound and torque of the Windsor, love the razor sharp handling, the comfort of the IRS, the quad head light 'look at me' front end and the interior that feels well put together out of quality bits and pieces.

Others will be able to help you with what to look out for, the only things I can think of atm are the clutch/firewall issues that can happen on a manual, the big clunk you get in auto as you slow down and it shifts back into first, and bits that can wear rapidly on the IRS.

A 220 with a few mods should do pretty well in a straight line if thats your thing.

Good luck with the purchase.

fordAU · 02-05-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedywagon

Whats great about them? Whats bad?

If you haven't read this before have a look at this review, imo its a good overall summary of these great cars, you won't go wrong if you buy a good example.
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...1509&pg=1&vf=0

**Peuty** · 02-05-2009, 12:25 PM

They are good. Buy one.

seedywagon · 02-05-2009, 12:35 PM

Hi,

I actually read that review on the car last night before I posted this thread, they seem to praise it alot.
I should mention that I would only consider buying a manual, I have driven a couple of 4L manual AU's (one with a triple-plate clutch, one normal) and both were a little bit on the clunky, dumpy-clutch side. Is this the same drill with the xr8? I'd imagine it would be, it doesn't phase me THAT much but just out of curiosity I guess I'd like to know.
Probably should actually take one for a drive.

Also, someone reffered to the BA as being 'sluggish', in what way? Low-end torque?

CRAIGAU3220 · 02-05-2009, 01:31 PM

Yes the BA are sluggish of the bottom so the 220 is much more fun around town.

Ive had mine just on four years and still puts a smile on my face every drive.

Get a S3.be patient and look for a good one with the lowest km possible. With a good zoost and flash tune 13sec time slips wont be a problem. (if drags are your thing)

seedywagon · 02-05-2009, 02:03 PM

Yeh, that would make sense I guess, I want useable torque like a v8 should be.

4Vman · 02-05-2009, 02:08 PM

Having owned both a 220 AU XR8 and a BA XR8 at the same time i can guarantee you the BA is 3 - 4 car lengths quicker to 100kph than the AU. A mate and i compared them side by side a number of times and they're chalk and cheese, the BA feels and goes much quicker.

redauxr8 · 02-05-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Having owned both a 220 AU XR8 and a BA XR8 at the same time i can guarantee you the BA is 3 - 4 car lengths quicker to 100kph than the AU. A mate and i compared them side by side a number of times and they're chalk and cheese, the BA feels and goes much quicker.

Mate it all depends on certain things, me in my AU xr8 vs my mates BA xr8... We were DEAD even until about 120km/h when he started to pull away... I even managed to beat him once down the 1/4....his car only done 26000kms and my au has done 100000kms... So it depends on a few things...

So mate i reckon u should go out and buy one! They're a great car! I just got my AU Xr8 220 last week lol! But my bros had one for the last few years and hes had no problems at all....

CRAIGAU3220 · 02-05-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Having owned both a 220 AU XR8 and a BA XR8 at the same time i can guarantee you the BA is 3 - 4 car lengths quicker to 100kph than the AU. A mate and i compared them side by side a number of times and they're chalk and cheese, the BA feels and goes much quicker.

There is no denying the BA does have a very impressive top end as opposed to the 220 seems to lose its urgency around five grand and up. But 3 - 4 car lengths to 100kph, Driver error i think !!!

4Vman · 02-05-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRAIGAU3220

There is no denying the BA does have a very impressive top end as opposed to the 220 seems to lose its urgency around five grand and up. But 3 - 4 car lengths to 100kph, Driver error i think !!!

Nup.. repeated on numerous occasions and driver swaps, the BA is simply a quicker car, the 220 is a nice bit of work no doubt, i did enjoy the 220 AU, but its slow in comparison, even going by the mag times they are half a second slower than the BA on average.

CRAIGAU3220 · 02-05-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Nup.. repeated on numerous occasions and driver swaps, the BA is simply a quicker car, the 220 is a nice bit of work no doubt, i did enjoy the 220 AU, but its slow in comparison, even going by the mag times they are half a second slower than the BA on average.

That's very surprising to me.

Have done the same comparison with my mates BA the result was exact opposite to your outcome, also have been down the motorplex at least half a dozen times a year for the last four years and have never been passed before half track by a STOCK geared BA or BF.

RG · 02-05-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Nup.. repeated on numerous occasions and driver swaps, the BA is simply a quicker car, the 220 is a nice bit of work no doubt, i did enjoy the 220 AU, but its slow in comparison, even going by the mag times they are half a second slower than the BA on average.

The variables from 220 to 220 were a lot larger than most cars, just have a look at the time slips and dyno sheets in here, they vary widely with some pulling 160rwkw and some of the best pulling 190rwkw. Hell look at Whoosha's, with very minimal mods his ran a 13.7 and when mine was stockish it had no issue keeping up with a BA XR8.

seedywagon · 02-05-2009, 05:34 PM

Just had a look at your XR Russell,
Holy Crap! that is infinitely better/cooler than a BA XR.
I have to agree with alot of you guys, and it has only further affirmed my previous opinion - the AU XR's are hardcore!

I'm gunna suss out the bank situation and the laws regarding P-plate power-restrictions in Victoria (although I'm willing to break them if its by a small margin)
On that note! say the police check your power output on a dyno (they probably won't), are they going to be measuring the rear-wheel kw or the engine kw? It's not very clear on the VicRoads website.
Also I should mention that I got my P's before July 2007, so I'm not affected by the "no v8's" rule as such, but I am subject to a 125kw/tonne power-to-weight ratio.

**Mont5.0** · 02-05-2009, 02:37 PM

BA utes are heavier and slower than sedans.

ebxr8boy · 02-05-2009, 03:02 PM

i would buy the 220 over a BA anyday. We were on the highway on the way back from wet and wild just after the BA's had been released. There was 5 of us in my mates auto 220 when a citric BA XR8 sedan pulled up trying to have a go so of we went. Starting at approx 80k's we ran a couple of times to about 150-170ish and to my amazement we pulled on him every time. The only mods to the 220 where a 3/8 phanolic spacer and some porting on the lower intake manifold which i did for him.

It was pretty safe to say the fella in the BA looked disappointed with his new car

**DJM83** · 02-05-2009, 03:05 PM

Buy one, long live the windsor V8

needaXYGT · 02-05-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

I'm gunna suss out the bank situation and the laws regarding P-plate power-restrictions in Victoria (although I'm willing to break them if its by a small margin)
On that note! say the police check your power output on a dyno (they probably won't), are they going to be measuring the rear-wheel kw or the engine kw? It's not very clear on the VicRoads website.
Also I should mention that I got my P's before July 2007, so I'm not affected by the "no v8's" rule as such, but I am subject to a 125kw/tonne power-to-weight ratio.

Unfortuently the power to weight ratio is to large for P platers to drive them. I looked into when i was a P plater. I got of my P's about 2 months ago and im seriously considering getting one.

**Mont5.0** · 02-05-2009, 06:28 PM

could start life with a nice V8 Fairmont/ghia. Then work it or trade when your off your p's??

seedywagon · 02-05-2009, 07:06 PM

I would get a fairmont, but they are auto - I'm fairly firm on the manual idea.

Other option would be to buy something completely crappy and cheap for the interim and wait it out till June next year when I'm off P's.
It's just annoying because my car is dying NOW, and I really need a new car, it's going to be annoying to have to spend more money next year on another car when I want to shake off the P-plate power restrictions in style.

The only other thing I was thinking was possibly the 200kw XR?

ayeyew · 02-05-2009, 09:05 PM

2 words...

Buy one

Especially now, can get one very low k's good condition relatively cheapish

needaXYGT · 02-05-2009, 09:28 PM

haha yeh not saying you shouldnt get one though. Its up to you!

redauxr8 · 02-05-2009, 09:54 PM

Come live in WA! Im on p plates and theres no ban on any vehicle ;)

seedywagon · 03-05-2009, 10:57 AM

lucky WA people

FPV8U · 03-05-2009, 11:37 AM

As ive said in this area Before my Manual BA XR8 With Exhaust V a mates Auto AUII XR8 220 with Exhaust is lineball till about the top of 3rd gear then the Boss Starts to pull.

Both are great cars, at the end of the day it's about killing the LSx powered Commodores not eachother.

XRSIKS · 03-05-2009, 01:14 PM

Not to bring up a AU VS BF or anything...

My brother has an AUIII Tickford XR8, likes to brag that its the fastest thing on 4 wheels.... I ran it against my BF MKII XR8 ...

End of story.

:P

Windsor220 · 03-05-2009, 01:34 PM

They're obviously not as quick as BA-BF but they arent far off.
Far quicker than anything E-series and other AUs bar T3.

Most powerful 5 litre ever released in Australia out of both Holden and Ford.

CRAIGAU3220 · 03-05-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNBXR

Not to bring up a AU VS BF or anything...

My brother has an AUIII Tickford XR8, likes to brag that its the fastest thing on 4 wheels.... I ran it against my BF MKII XR8 ...

End of story.

:P

So what was your ET ??

XRSIKS · 03-05-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRAIGAU3220

So what was your ET ??

Bout 3 foot tall, brown, does not wear clothes, always asking to "Phone Home.."