[Guest]

Hi guys, this is my first post here so be gentle!

Anyway, I'm in the process of deciding between an EF or an EL Fairmont. I prefer the look of the EF (too much chrome on the EL!) but have been told the EL is a much better car, specifically in the suspension.

So the question, is it worth going for the EL or is the difference not worth worrying about?

Thanks
Shane

 

[FTEfan]

Rule of thumb is always go for the later model. I understand that the difference between the EF and the EL is enough that the EL is the better car. As for the chrome, you can always change the look of a car, you can't change the structure without lots of money.

 

[BOF]

The suspension on the EL was a huge improvement over the EL, they employed a guy called Mr Mole who really fixed it, I remember an article of the time called the EL a sports tuned drivers cars which now brought the GLI almost to XR standards. The EL's went back to a dizzy setup the same as the ED because the EF dizzyless ignition proved to be troublesome, must be fixed in the AU's becuase they are now Dizzyless again (second time lucky) I personally prefer the instrument cluster with the grey background, tranny are a sealed unit as they are from late EF's onwards. EL's were the very last go for the original EA, remember for every new part you seen there are 100 unseen parts which are also improvements, finally I like the cranky looking EL front more. You speak of chrome on the EL you dont like??? what are you talking about? Fairmont Ghias, Fairlane or LTD.

 

[XR_Strider_GuY]

I say go for the EL, as well as heaps better handling the fit and finish is much better on EL's and more sound deadening material was fitted. 5mm thick glass was also fitted.

One the handling side of this i didn't really experience the tracking problem of the EF as i own a wagon. I've always found my EF to track very well.

 

[Kieron]

The suspension on the EL was a huge improvement over the EL, they employed a guy called Mr Mole who really fixed it, I remember an article of the time called the EL a sports tuned drivers cars which now brought the GLI almost to XR standards.

What was the big difference between the EFII and EL suspensions?

IIRC, the big difference was back in the EF mid life update with the EFII getting the XR6 Watts link mounting point and some slight front suspension angle changes.

Kieron

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies, I think the EL is the way to go, there seems to be a pretty big price difference between the two, especially for the V8. I have since come across a few well priced XR's which is a little more exciting!

I had the chance to drive a 220 XR8 manual sedan, and an XR8 auto ute a few months ago when helping with the All Ford Day, damn I'd like one of those! One day...

Thanks
Shane.

 

[jaytyn]

ahh the EL's.. They are a fantastic car.. bloody brilliant..

Alot better than the EF. (EF is still a very good car!)

Someone was telling me that the suspension/handling is heaps better on the ELs. Which is easy to find. The EFs like to fishy alot easier than the ELs

 

[XAHardtop]

As an EL owner, i say take the EL. I can vouch for their reliability and good handling (though not as tight as my Prelude lol!).

 

[XR8chic]

Dont let the deciding factor on buying the car be the suspension!

Pick the one that you like the best, that looks the best, and goes the best.

Remember - new suspension will set you back under $1000. So if it comes down to that... and the EF is more than $1000 cheaper.....

:s2: :s2: :s2:

 

[Kieron]

Dont let the deciding factor on buying the car be the suspension!

Pick the one that you like the best, that looks the best, and goes the best.

Remember - new suspension will set you back under $1000. So if it comes down to that... and the EF is more than $1000 cheaper.....

:s2: :s2: :s2:

Very true, and the EL GLi/Fairmont doesn't handle anywhere near as well as as an EF XR for that matter and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference in handling between an EF II and EL GLi/Fairmont.
When these cars were new models, I was driving all of them pretty much on a daily basis including an ED Fairmont, the EF's where SII's and the ED Fairmont was traded on an EL Fairmont, there was a noticable handling difference between ED and the others but virtually nothing between EFII's, EL's and the EL Fairmont of course the EF XR is in a different class handling wise.

I'd say drive a few examples of both models, the EL still suffers the same reliablilty problems as the EF, ie head gasket, auto trans, brake rotors, A/C problems, HVAC blend door, recirc door,
as others have mentioned however, the EF had a troublesome dizzy less ignition but even so, that may never fail (mine hasn't yet @ 120,000K's)

you'd be better off finding a good condition low K EFII Fairmont for say $13K than a higher K EL for similar money, especially if you prefer the EF styling (as I do :s5)


Kieron

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys, some great advise there. I do prefer the styling of the EF Fairmont (love that grille!) over the EL, and would be fitting upgraded suspension regardless anyway.

Shane
www.allfordday.net

 

[XR_Strider_GuY]

Well since we have both an EF and EL in the household.

My EF has done 200k and the only problems i've had is the re-circulating flap not working to well, globes on the HVAC not lighting up (since have fixed it).

Never had a problem with head gaskets (touch's wood) and the coil pack has never troubled me. Though i can say that when idleing it is slightly very slightly rougher than the EL.

Oh yeah i've also spent like over $1000 on a suspension make over. Amazed how a leaf sprung flacon can handle so well. :s5 :s5

 

[Kieron]

Well since we have both an EF and EL in the household.

My EF has done 200k and the only problems i've had is the re-circulating flap not working to well, globes on the HVAC not lighting up (since have fixed it).

Never had a problem with head gaskets (touch's wood) and the coil pack has never troubled me. Though i can say that when idleing it is slightly very slightly rougher than the EL.

Oh yeah i've also spent like over $1000 on a suspension make over. Amazed how a leaf sprung flacon can handle so well. :s5 :s5

The recirc flap is the same on all E series Falcons and they pretty much always break, its in a bugger of a spot to replace too, I did mine on the EF XR, except I glued and screwed the thing back together, its not gonna break now.

Have you cleaned the injectors recently EF Guy? I did my XR6's a few weeks back, one injector had a cracked collar and was flowing at 25%, another was 40% and the rest work circa 50%, I ended up exchanging the injectors for reco ones for $186 and the idle was much smoother, found out however that I had a slight inlet manifold gasket leak causing rough idle, replaced that and not it way smoother, oh yep, replaced the leads and plugs too, its amazing how much poke I regained after doing all of this :s6:

I recall Wheels saying how well the EF XR6 wagon handled for what it was too, pity they never kept it alive.

Kieron

 

[Guest]

My mate has the same problem with the re-circulating flap in his EL GLi, he'll be glad to know it's a common problem and not just him!

Thanks,
Shane

 

[XtRmn8]

I have an EL GLi and its great. Very solid and nicely finished off too. For around 14k you cam get a 97/98 model with under 100000kms. Mine is a 96 model but still a lot better then any EF I have driven or had any experinces with.

As for handeling of the GLi, mine has done 73000kms so u can say the shocks are still good, but the it a bit off body roll there. A set of aftermarket sports springs fixes this! :s6:

 

[XR_Strider_GuY]

The recirc flap is the same on all E series Falcons and they pretty much always break, its in a bugger of a spot to replace too, I did mine on the EF XR, except I glued and screwed the thing back together, its not gonna break now.

Have you cleaned the injectors recently EF Guy? I did my XR6's a few weeks back, one injector had a cracked collar and was flowing at 25%, another was 40% and the rest work circa 50%, I ended up exchanging the injectors for reco ones for $186 and the idle was much smoother, found out however that I had a slight inlet manifold gasket leak causing rough idle, replaced that and not it way smoother, oh yep, replaced the leads and plugs too, its amazing how much poke I regained after doing all of this :s6:

I recall Wheels saying how well the EF XR6 wagon handled for what it was too, pity they never kept it alive.

Kieron

Yeah i'd like to fix the re-circ flap but seems dash has to be pulled apart. I will look at injectors soonish, i've done mine at 100k.