Au Xr6

Morpheus · 17-04-2006, 09:19 PM

Gday all,
I am new to this forum and will hopefully be a proud owner of an AU. I am currently checking out a Manual 99 Au XR6(hp). It has 128k on the clock, nice body kit, dark tint and I think it was a "Maughan Thiem Racing" edition when it was sold new. I am quite keen on this beast and was wondering if you guys could possibly help with a few things:

1. All the XRs I have seen have front power windows standard right? This is advertised on this model, but I have noticed that it also has manual window handles on the front doors? Is this normal??!

2. I am assuming that dealers tarted up a few models with a few decals etc.. when the model was released, or do these vehicles have significant differences to stock models?

3. What major/minor problems does the AU XR range suffer? I am from the Dark Side (Commodore owner) and know very little about Falcons.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Morpheus

Timeshift · 17-04-2006, 09:24 PM

Only the series 3 has the electric front windows. Not sure if it's different for the XR range.

Casper · 17-04-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeshift

Only the series 3 has the electric front windows. Not sure if it's different for the XR range.

wrong.

All AU XR's had power front windows except for some 1998 model XR6 HP's. Check the compliance plates as only 98 models had winders. If its not a 98.. walk away, something smells.

Timeshift · 17-04-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

wrong.

All AU XR's had power front windows except for some 1998 model XR6 HP's. Check the compliance plates as only 98 models had winders. If its not a 98.. walk away, something smells.

As I said, not sure if its different for the XR range

I know on the stock standard AU forte that it's only the series 3 that has power front windows.

cArSiK · 18-04-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeshift

As I said, not sure if its different for the XR range

I know on the stock standard AU forte that it's only the series 3 that has power front windows.

AU2 forte also had front power windows standard.

Mack 6 · 18-04-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cArSiK

AU2 forte also had front power windows standard.

Also late Series 1's were called the 99 updates and had power in the front windows. Don't know when in 99 they started doing it that way. I thought XR's were the same in that respect

Pies1 · 19-04-2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeshift

As I said, not sure if its different for the XR range

I know on the stock standard AU forte that it's only the series 3 that has power front windows.

I have a 02/01 AU2 S with front electric windows, no manual winders except for the rear doors.

GlennBA · 19-04-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeshift

As I said, not sure if its different for the XR range

I know on the stock standard AU forte that it's only the series 3 that has power front windows.

AUII and late AUI had front power windows. On the forte theres not much the series 3 got over the series 2. I think standard ABS and colour coded body parts and small side skirts was about it.

GUTLES · 18-04-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

All AU XR's had power front windows except for some 1998 model XR6 HP's.

Correct, my 11/98 XR6HP has Manual Winders.. If they have both I rekon they've had a conversion done..

stiddy · 17-04-2006, 09:25 PM

Welcome to the forums mate.

Ive got an AU XR6 99' 5spd, love the car to death.

1. Yes front power windows. not sure about the manual winders though, unless its been converted.. usually power windows upfront and manual winders in the rear.
2. Sounds like you just got some decals, i doubt it has anything over a stock XR6.
3. look on the main page of AUfalcon section of this forum, it will have a 'sticky' with all the problems to do with AU Falcons..

Now your into a Ford, especially an AU XR6 5speed you will wonder what the hell you were doing in a Holden hahaha.. good luck with the car.

This place is addictive and you will learn a great deal..

cheers,
Matt

XR6-VCT-2000 · 17-04-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiddy

1. Yes front power windows. not sure about the manual winders though, unless its been converted.. usually power windows upfront and manual winders in the rear.
2. Sounds like you just got some decals, i doubt it has anything over a stock XR6.
3. look on the main page of AUfalcon section of this forum, it will have a 'sticky' with all the problems to do with AU Falcons..

Now your into a Ford, especially an AU XR6 5speed you will wonder what the hell you were doing in a Holden hahaha.. good luck with the car.

This place is addictive and you will learn a great deal..

As stiddy said ;) .. and oh yeah - welcome to the forums

Morpheus · 17-04-2006, 09:34 PM

cheers guys. I will get a better look at the vehicle tomorrow and try and suss out the windows. I can't wait to ditch the Commodore!

Dark Horse · 17-04-2006, 09:39 PM

'98 build XR6 HP's had manual winders, the later build '99 AUI XR6 HP's and onwards came with power fronts.

Major problems - I can't think of any, maybe sudden increase in petrol bill. Although for what they are the HP's don't use as much juice in general compared with the VCT and the XR8.

Minor ones - Handbrake (that's always been a Falcon/Commo thing), check the window seal rubbers for wear/tear & cracking. Check that the recalls have been done - ala Feild Campaign stickers in drivers door.

Welcome and post pics once you do get the XR.

rob_liss_lms10 · 17-04-2006, 09:47 PM

I had a 98 xr6 hp and had winders all round,was a great car,full momo body kit,went really well and had no probs,except it was an auto,hence why I no longer have it.

HLC · 17-04-2006, 09:52 PM

greenrob's AU1 xr6 has manual winders for the front windows.. its at the mechanics at the moment... apparently it MIGHT be one of the first off the line or a prototype model maybe...

Morpheus · 17-04-2006, 10:02 PM

alright this is just weird. I have just done a bit of a search on carsales.com and found a few 1999 AU XR6s advertised with power windows (front) but their pictures also show manual winders!? Just seems bloody strange to me.

stiddy · 17-04-2006, 10:34 PM

you sure its not showing pics of the rear doors?

ive never seen a car with power windows and manual winders on the same door lol

Morpheus · 17-04-2006, 10:40 PM

nah, front doors! doesn't make sense eh. I have found pics of quite a few of them from dealers, all advertising power windows (front) but pics clearly show winders, just like the car I'm looking at. Makes no sense I agree! The car I'm looking at is from a major Ford dealer too, so I can't work it out.

GK · 18-04-2006, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morpheus

nah, front doors! doesn't make sense eh. I have found pics of quite a few of them from dealers, all advertising power windows (front) but pics clearly show winders, just like the car I'm looking at. Makes no sense I agree! The car I'm looking at is from a major Ford dealer too, so I can't work it out.

Often, the list of standard equipment will read the same for the same model XR6 for example, in spite of differences between models VCT or HP and years. It just saves them having to do extra work.

Check the car in the flesh.

All the best with it.

GK

antilooped · 17-04-2006, 10:44 PM

2. Typically there are dealers that put their own things on there to make the sales - why buy from x ford dealer when y ford dealer is selling the 'racing' model for the same price. Usually just a few decals and maybe one or two small interior differences like an embossed stitching done on the seats after the factory. There are a few others out there like i know there is an xr6 'st' model too.
3. Manual - deffo watch out for the cracking firewall - get under the dash and see where the clutch cable goes thru the firewall and see if there is any cracks in or around it - that is big bucks to get fixed properly. Also check that the clutch pedal is stiff in movement and doesnt feel flimsy. Dont forget to pour a bucket of water over the car to see if it leaks water! god you dont want that problem like i had.

good luck with it

clontarf_x · 17-04-2006, 11:12 PM

What they all said above. Chances are those pics u are seeing are just for display purposes. Always go and check out the car first. After all u wouldnt just buy a car coz it looks good in photos :P Good luck on the purchase, the HP is a good car. Never will be as refined as the VCT though *hides*

Oh and yes, the ST was a real modified XR6, 125 of em, and I've got one of em :P

Morpheus · 18-04-2006, 10:59 AM

have found that some extremely rare early XR6 HPs came with power windows (front) and manual winders (front) also!! This is apparently as they were "upgraded to the new spec with the 'AU Upgrade'". (Sourced from http://www.trueblueford.com/AU1xr_compSpecs.html )

AU upgrade?
What do you guys think? The car is bloody nice in and out, (and cheap too as the dealer is a family friend). Will prob test drive tomorrow hopefully. I'm just really miffed by this manual winders/power windows thing!

**Whoosha** · 18-04-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morpheus

have found that some extremely rare early XR6 HPs came with power windows (front) and manual winders (front) also!! This is apparently as they were "upgraded to the new spec with the 'AU Upgrade'". (Sourced from http://www.trueblueford.com/AU1xr_compSpecs.html )

AU upgrade?
What do you guys think? The car is bloody nice in and out, (and cheap too as the dealer is a family friend). Will prob test drive tomorrow hopefully. I'm just really miffed by this manual winders/power windows thing!

If its a good thing + the winders are the only prob you can always change the trims to the later ones my 2c.. :eclipsee_

JC · 18-04-2006, 11:43 AM

AU upgrade happened in about Feb or March 99. It amounted to a lowering of the base model by about 15mm, smartshield replacing smartlock (I think), and the egg crate grille replacing the waterfall grille.

You could remove the manual winder handle and plug the hole that is left with a rubber grommet, or plastic cap. You should also be able to check the VIN with Ford (ring Ford Customer Care in the white pages), and they should be able to tell if the car is a genuine XR, or if it was indeed a Forte, that has had an XR front put on.

Morpheus · 18-04-2006, 11:50 AM

thanx guys. I'll let you know how i go

HOTC2R · 18-04-2006, 01:00 PM

Hi All, This may help with any AU S1 questions

http://www.geocities.com/falconfacts.../aufalcon.html

Happy reading

Dark Horse · 18-04-2006, 08:12 PM

Confusion galore!

I sometimes have a chuckle with some of the "poorly" mismatched photos on carsales.

Looking forward to your findings Morpheus.

XR6-VCT-2000 · 18-04-2006, 08:15 PM

yep , so many times a caryard will use 1 pic to sell a few different cars of the same model but with different options , best to see it in the flesh , you know exactelly what your getting then .

loxxr6 · 19-04-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

All AU XR's had power front windows except for some 1998 model XR6 HP's. Check the compliance plates as only 98 models had winders. If its not a 98.. walk away, something smells.

I have a '99 and it doesn't have power windows.

Quote:

3. Manual - deffo watch out for the cracking firewall - get under the dash and see where the clutch cable goes thru the firewall and see if there is any cracks in or around it - that is big bucks to get fixed properly. Also check that the clutch pedal is stiff in movement and doesnt feel flimsy. Dont forget to pour a bucket of water over the car to see if it leaks water! god you dont want that problem like i had.

Definately important to check. After I put in a heavy duty clutch I ended up cracking my firewall (after a big clutch dump). You'll also find that you can get a cracked scuttle(?) panel which is the cause of water leaking into the cabin. These probs are pricey to pick. If it was me, and I was chasing big horsepower with my mods, I prob would in hindsight would have gone an auto. For the everyday person the manual will be right.

Smoke Pursuit · 19-04-2006, 05:15 PM

The HP had no power windows or cruise control, power windows were added towards the middle of 99 with the AU Update, the Forte also received front power windows, was lowered a tad and had colour coded grill fitted. The key also changed with the introduction of smartshield over smart lock, they went to a bigger fatter key, but it wasnt earlier in 99 as we had a FEB and it didnt have these upgrades.