You Need This: Upgraded, final-year Merkur XR4Ti

Colin
By Colin Wood
Dec 27, 2023 | Merkur, XR4Ti, Cars For Sale, Hagerty Marketplace

Photography Courtesy Hagerty Marketplace

We never officially got the Ford Sierra here in the U.S., but the powers that be apparently took pity on us, because at least they gave us the Merkur XR4Ti.

This one is billed as a “true survivor” that has been with the seller for nearly 10 years.

During that time, the XR4Ti received several upgrades that included KYB shocks, polyurethane bushings, Euro-spec rear sway bar, Borla stainless steel exhaust, a T5 manual transmission from a 2.3-liter Mustang and rear disc brakes from a Thunderbird.

Find this 1989 Merkur XR4Ti for sale over on Hagerty Marketplace with an asking price of $10,000.

Join Free Join our community to easily find more Merkur, XR4Ti, Cars For Sale and Hagerty Marketplace news.
Comments
martybtoo
martybtoo New Reader
12/27/23 1:58 p.m.

I had one of these, all stock.  It was a superb highway car, but absolutely lousy for stop and go on the hills of San Francisco.  The Borla exhaust was supposed to bring boost in a lot lower, might have helped with the SF hills problem.

crankwalk (Forum Supporter)
crankwalk (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
12/27/23 2:31 p.m.

What is the rule of thumb for which 2.3 turbo cars got the top mount intercooler? SVO/ Turbocoupes did but not these and some other fox bodies?

livinon2wheels
livinon2wheels GRM+ Memberand Reader
12/27/23 4:11 p.m.

In reply to martybtoo :

I had one too, loved it as a road car but it was not great in traffic, the no boost to all boost transition was abrupt and inconvenient at times when the electronics was working right, which was only about 30% of the time, the rest of the time it was like an overweight Pinto with an underpowered low compression 2.3 liter 4 cyl. Call it unexciting and frustrating to drive in town. Highway was ok.

DavyZ
DavyZ New Reader
12/27/23 4:11 p.m.

I loved these cars when they came out because they were so inherently different than anything seen before: very "Euro" looking which made them somewhat exotic in my eyes at the time.  Racing versions look the business; the more racing livery, wheels, and tires, the better.  An example would be something like this: 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
12/27/23 9:23 p.m.

Back in my Automod days, I heard someone pronounce it as “X-R-40.”

etifosi
etifosi SuperDork
12/28/23 4:46 a.m.

Right before Ford pulled the plug on Merkur, it was a giveaway car on the Hollywood Squares game show and the host called it a Merkur Exrahti. Still love the Xr4ti but prefer biplane spoiler.

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
q3ve1LDbYR6YBd5rQnAoPMo2HgSboo8fGM4GsFfUQLadD9LPTIFMVkOxyuMpdfPR