Henry

Good Luck Cro, let me know how it goes. I got mine balanced when I first reported the vibration but no joy. Wonder though whether they just did the fronts? I'd imagine that if the back ones were out of balance they could cause some vibration at speed as well. Got it booked in tomorrow, so hopefully its nothing major.

Gday All Not sure if I have a problem with my Bird, so just finding out what all your experiences are. Went down to Jindabyne on the weekend and going both ways I had constant vibration and "jiggling" through the floor and steering at highway speed. I.e. 100kmh plus While this seemed to vary depending on the surface I find it very irritating. Its been like this since new and I have had the wheels balanced, but it continues. Could it just be the sports orientation of the suspension that transmits the vibration from the roads, or do you think its something more sinister? Appreciate your feedback.

Nothing new about this little quirk, I guess all of us have had it. From my experience though, just make sure they reconnect the intercooler pipe when they have finished!! I had mine done last week, went to take off from the dealer and had a car that sounded and went like a sick 250 that wouldnt rev much past 3500. When I rang back they said "Yeah we have a had a few of those just pop off, must be a coincidence" Aahhhhh, Ford service, thank God and touch wood I wont have to deal with the plonkers for 12 months!!! The T is a great motoring experience but Ford service is really souring mine. have to constantly ring to chase up back ordered parts that have been sitting around. You arrive for service and they ignore you until they can be bothered coming over, and then there is always some slap happy job done on the car. Just wondering if Lexus service the T?

OK so we all agree that Ford have done an outstanding job with the BA and now seem to have the Falcon back on track. But my question is, for how long? From what we know the HFV6 will be in the Late model camira from next year and we can assume that it will be an alloy multicam engine. With the Falc already being significantly heavier and thirstier this can only mean that the equation gets substantially worse to the point where the Falc is at a disadvantage similar to that of the AU. All this is without considering other factors such as power, which will be at least a match for the Barra 182 and NVH which can only be better, given the 40 year age of the bore spacings of the I6. Make no mistake that if the HFV6 is released in the specs I have outlined above it will be a match for the Camry and Mitsubishi. No one can tell me that the Barra 182 is in this league. Being a Ford fan from miles back this is disappointing for me, cos Ford is always playing catch up. I see that Ford US is planning a new passenger car V6 for 2005 but Geoff has been quoted as having no plans of using it in the Falc. No question, this will be a mistake Geoff, dont let this be your legacy!! The V8s. The Boss is a sweet motor with traditional V8 characteristics but it is too heavy and must soon be updated with an alloy block to get rid of the lead tip feel of the XR8 and GT. The T5 in the T must go for something a bit more civilised, although my ownership experience is that it isnt as horrible as some journos will tell you. All this is a question of $, and given Ford's precarious situation worldwide this is tougher. It seems obvious to me that Ford Oz turn out the best rear drive sedans in the Ford global empire per $, so why arent Ford Oz pushing their case harder for exports? With exports and success comes development $ to do the "must do" things I have outlined above. As Expensive Daewoo becomes more of a global player, Ford Oz and the Falcon will struggle to survive unless they to go abroad. What do you all reckon?

Ok there is a lot of passion being expressed here, so here is some food for thought. I agree that the GT should be the pinnacle with a long options list and no GTP. There should be a GTHO, but forget about big $ projects like the HRT427. Look what CAPA did to the Boss 260 with a supercharger for under $10K! However it should handle and stop like nothing else including the GTS. It must be the absolute pinnacle. To do this, I believe that Ford Oz must overcome the biggest weakness with the BA, its weight. The Boss must soon be produced with an alloy block to remove the lead tipped dart syndrome.

All this thread and the Motor article are proving is that the Ford v Expensive Daewoo thing will never be settled. As I have stated on this forum before I had the privilege of driving the XR8 and XR6T, both manual, back to back when I purchased my T. The XR8 sounds awesome and the gearbox is slightly better, but oh the grief when u hit the corner and the front dives for the bitumen. Its rating is fair enough in my opinion. Recall also that the Clubsport beat the GT recently as well. The BA across the range is a damn fine car, just a pity about the weight. Ford Oz had $500M to do the BA and obviously compromises had to be made. Clearly some of these are in the suspension of the 8s which are not quite up to what we came to expect given the T3 in terms of handling. But fear not, in the BA2 and future models, more suitable suspension will emerge, the engines will be given a more harder edge and the times will come. I think we are all guilty of being diehard Blue Oval Fans and miss the glory days of the HO when a Expensive Daewoo wouldnt get close in a straight line. Somehow just matching them doesnt seem sufficient. How about a "GT6" I.e a turbo 6 pumping out 320-350kw. Should be cost effective for Ford Oz to develop and maybe a better option than a blown Boss.

Anybody in Sydney doing successful conversions? :idea: I am not technically competent to do it alone, so would like some help. Has to be better than spending $130 for a fairmont switch for the drivers door alone!!

My local dealer has been sticking XR fronts and body kits on XTs since day 1 of the Barra. They told me they had trouble shifting them cos they could get the XR6 n/a on the road cheaper. I agree, Ford should put a stop to this practice.

This is brilliant. Great job chief!! :D

bonnet and headlamp protectors, mud spats, floor mats, scuff plates, spare 17" alloy

Wow this thread is a tale of woes, although it seems to be only the unlucky few. I have had mine since the start of April and not a problem except for the dealer not fitting the factory sports wheel straight. Since I have only done 3000 kms it seems I may be talking too soon. Got a great idea for Ford in respect of the brake problems to perhaps get some cred back from disgruntled owners of XR6Ts. How about offering a subsidised dealer fitted premium brake upgrade? If they could do it for around the $1700 mark, how many takers would there be? I guess we all should be glad that there arent any major drivetrain issues cropping up like piston slap, oil consumption and broken gearboxes and diffs.

Hey Aries Love that grille. Where did you get that done? What was the cost?

Hi All I have now had my blueprint man XR6T for a month and have 2500 kms on the clock and I must say that I couldnt be happier. For those of you who followed my pre-delivery dramas, not as bad as some, I now have the factory sports wheel, thanx Rob, although the dealer didnt put it on straight. Sure I have a bit of a diff clunk, but you get used to it and if you get the changes just as she likes it, its not there. Its just part of the experience of driving a big car with explosive performance. As for the gearshift, well the journos write that is awful. At first, I agree it was stiff and clumsy, but after around 1000kms it loosened up and I got used to it and now its kind of nice. Dont worry about idling before shut down, just nice and esay for the last few kms. Must say, the hardest thing I have found to get used to is the accelerator! I struggle getting the throtte blips right on the down changes. You also have to push it a lot further down before it goes when compared to the Jap stuff I have been driving for years. My advice, dont hesitate, BUY, BUY, BUY!!

Had mine for about 2 weeks with the standard brakes. A bit spongy for first 100 kms or so, but a few firm stops they have got that solid pedal feel. Took it for a bit of a twisty quick run up and down hill over the weekend. No problems at all. I think that if you are going to do lots of very high speed stuff and/or circuit work, you should spend the extra for safety sake. From my limited experience so far, you would have to be going very hard, bordering on silly to induce any kind of brake fade. Enjoy

Things are looking up today after 2 days of frustration. I must apologise to you guys that have ended up with autos instead of manuals and blue cars instead of red, and those still waiting after 4 months :( My problems seem petty in comparison. Anyway I have decided to take the car with no premium sound (price adjusted of course) and with the steering wheel to be supplied at a later date subject to the dealer ordering it on a "vehicle off road" basis. Additionally I managed to tie them down for the spare alloy and a bunch of minor accessories (which previously I was paying for) for nix!!! BTW The steering wheel I ordered is the factory sports wheel option NOT the momo. Its the same as the one in GT, loox the goods and is cheaper and chunkier than the momo. Delivery is scheduled for next Tuesday 12.30 pm (Yes I know its April fools day) Thanx for your comments and support fellas. Talk to you soon :D

Just wondering if anyone out there has had the same problem as me with actually geeting exactly the car you ordered. Here is my story.......... January 27 order XR6T manual, blueprint, towpack, scuffs, matts Two weeks later called the dealer to find out if the order had been confirmed by Ford. No February 19, still no confirmation so I said add the premium sound and factory sports wheel (thanks largely to the experiences of you guys, this is gun must have gear). Signed a n amended contract. About 1.5 weeks later I call again and they just got the SIDO, build date 7/3, delivery at dealer 26/3. Immediately made plans to sell my car in preparation for delivery within a week or so of 26/3. Sold 20/3 Started ringing the dealer from 21/3 to find out where the car is. Response dont know its Fords problem, tell you when it comes in. Great, so how do I know when to have the finance ready to be drawn? 24/3 rang again, sales manager totally disinterested. 25/3 salesman didnt know will call when it comes in. 26/3 salesman calls, car is in BUT with no premium sound or steering wheel. Salesman makes every excuse, I'm browned off cos I know the sound cant be fitted post factory. Get on the live chat with Ford Customer Assistance, salesman still ringing, but I demand that they talk with dealer principal. Dealer principal bends over backwards throwing offers at me etc and admitting they never submitted the amended order to Ford . Then comes back and says the wheel isnt available yet and no date known. The cost of doing it this way is also unknown, but best guess is at least $1000. If I want to wait for another car I have to wait until at least late May. Little or no concessions will be given and they cant give me a loan car of any description. So at least 2 months without a car. Do I feel let down? that's an understatement. Hey Geoff, I know you drop by to this forum, what are your thoughts? By the way, this dealership is a Ford owned job and the salesman, cant even get my first name right despite correcting him numerous times!!! (My name is Greg!?!?! how hard is that?)

I reckon Ford should ban the BA from taxi duty altogether, its just too damn good. They should set up a production line for AUs to be specifically used for taxis. The call them something besides Falcon.

Nice machine Ondole :D I'm going the blueprint too, but only with the 17s :( Wish I had ordered the 18s now, but I have my SIDO, the car is in production and due in about 2 weex

Congrats Bud Nice colour too! Mine is due in May and I ordered her 3 weex ago. I dont mind the wait, but then again I could have bought an SV8.............yeh right!!

Rest Easy Squire I ordered an XR6T in late January and was fortunate to be able to drive both the XR8 and XR6T manuals back to back and I am 100% with my decision. (Although the May delivery date is a killer ) Dont get me wrong the sound of the Boss is amazing and gets better as you wind it up. It hits the rev limiter with gusto too and the manual gear box is a bit better to use, although I didnt find it an issue with either car. However at the first corner it was very obvious that there was a serious amount of extra weight up front of the 8. You can feel the weight pushing the front of the car out. It is also not quite as responsive getting out of the corners as the Turbo. Overall, unless you gotta have the eight the XR6T is the better balanced package in my opinion.

I ordered mine on 27 January and was told to expect delivery in June :( Also told by the dealer that no preference is given to retail over fleet. Oh well, all good things come to those who wait B)