What is the Mk3?
Mk3 is the most popular Fiesta produced between 1989 to 1995, catering everyone from shopping trolleys to fire breathers. They are cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, reasonably reliable, and have very good tuning potentials.
What is the Mk3.5?
Mk3.5 is basically a slightly upgraded Mk3 to rectify some faults and to improve quality, produced between 1994 to 1995. Changes include flip open fuel cap, air bag(s), relocated electric window switches, relocated remote boot release switch, strengthen shell, and smoothed boot swage lines, plus some models also came with clear indicators.
What are the performance models?
- 1600cc 8v XR2i
108bhp, 1989-1992, CVH EFi, Mk3, insurance group 14
- 1800cc 16v XR2i
104bhp, 1992-1993, Zetec EFi, Mk3, insurance group 14
- 1600cc RS Turbo
131bhp, 1990-1992, CVH Turbo EFi, Mk3, insurance group 15, 0-60 7.7seconds
- 1800cc RS1800
128bhp, 1992-1994, Zetec EFi, Mk3-Mk3.5, insurance group 15, 0-60 8.3seconds, black interior trim
- 1600cc 1.6S
90bhp, 1989-1991, CVH Carb, Mk3, insurance group 9
- 1600cc 16v Si
88bhp, 1994-1995, Zetec EFi, Mk3.5, insurance group 8, black interior trim
What are the lesser models?
- L, LX, Bonus, Popular, Quartz, Finesse, Classic, Freedom are the most basic models
- Ghia is the luxury model with all electrical gadgets, only in 5-door form
- SX is the slightly sporty model with a roof spoiler and sports suspension
- Plus many more special editions!
What colours were available?
Solid:
Radiant red, diamond white, panther black (?), black
Metallic:
Mercury grey, cayman blue, java blue, moondust silver, ash black, mallard green, dark aubergine purple, burgundy red, matisse blue, tasmin blue, petrol blue, tourmaline green
What engines were available?
- HCS
8v, as fitted to low power 1.0, 1.1 and 1.3 models
- CVH
8v, as fitted to 1.4, 1.6 and some performance models
- PTE
8v, upgraded CVH, as fitted to the 1.4 Si and Ghia only
- Zetec
16v, revvy modern engine (1.8 and 2.0 versions have very strong bottom-end), as fitted to performance models
Only 1600cc and 1800cc are available for Fiesta
What brakes were available?
- Solid
240mm, as fitted to older and lesser models, single pot
- Vented
240mm, as fitted to performance and ABS models, single pot
Notice that the calipers are not compatible due to different disc thickness.
What were the optional extras?
- Central locking
- Electric windows
- Centre console
- Remote boot release
- CD/Cassette player
- 4-channel sound system
- Rear wiper/washer
- Front intermittent wiper (default is single-speed)
- Heat windscreen
- Fog lamps
- RS Accessories bodykit (see Styling section)
- Colour coded bumpers/mirrors
- Spoiler
- RS Accessories lower spoiler
- Power steering
- ABS
- Split rear bench
- Alloy wheels
Apparently, some models have some of the above items as standard. And some extras were not available to certain models.