Haven't been on the site for a long time. I still can't shake the urge to buy a Mark, and I am looking to do so fairly soon. I really miss my heavily modded 95 T-Bird, and a MK8 seems like the next logical choice. Better engine, creature comforts, but same platform.

Did some searching, but have somewhat of a different question. My job requires me to drive to multiple places a day (around 7), and it might be off for 5 minutes -2 hours.

So I am just wondering if this is a lot of abuse on the compressor. I know it is a fair amount of wear and tear on anything, but the Marks having bags just had me wondering.

Also, I have found a few, and it seems only 96's are in my area. :lol: I know they have some year specific parts, and was curious what they are aside from the IMRC's. I did some quick searching, but when you search 96's, all you see posted is the mention of parts, but not specifics.

I think the VCRM is 96 specific, and finding one is tough!

the IMRC's and VCRM are 96 specific...

As far as driving around and such I wouldn't worry.... As long as the bags aren't leaking it really isn't that hard on the compressor...

Good to know. Didn't know how long before they deflate, and didn't want to burn up the compressor.

I read the IMRC'S will fail in the 150k range. Which would give me time to source the parts. Both I found have around 125k on them and look clean.

I know some bottom end torque is loss, but is doing the IMRC delete still somewhat common?

IMRC deletes on a stock car is a drastic mistake....

like mentioned above
IMRC controller
VCRM
and
PCM are all 96 specific parts

You can always swap in some 93-95 IMRC controller, you will get a CEL...

Good to know what parts to keep an eye out for, if I buy a 96.

Edit: So are the 96's the first year for OBDII? Kind of weird since my 95 T-Bird was OBDII, so I figured the Marks were the same.

I saw on one of the spec sheets on here the 96's came with HIDS. So is a 96 easier to upgrade for the headlight issue the gen 1's have (poor visability)?

96 LSC's have HID's.

96 LSC's have HID's.

I am not sure if they are base models or LSC's. Good to know though.

I have a 96 and have not had a problem finding spare 'specific' parts-I have 2 extra VCRM's, 3 sets of IMRC's, and 3 ECU's (2 with the same catch code, other 2, an extra and the original, are different). I would not avoid buying a 96 since I think the 'hard to find' parts issue is kind of blown out of proportion alittle-yes, the parts are used, and they are priced higher than other like-gen one items, but it is OBDII and a Gen 1-the best of both worlds! 96's had the lowest production numbers (around 16,000 I think) but I found my spares with no big deal. I don't think anyone is making IMRC's, VCRM's or ECU's for any of these anymore, so they are all used-just have to look. Good luck, hope you get back into a Mark.

I have a 96 and feel its the best looking mark made Gen 1 hell ya

Good to know some 96 owners are happy. I tend to check what years everyone has as I read the forums. 96's seem to be few and far between. I have had my eye on a couple that have been for sale for months. Got to love an area where it is a very narrow market for these cars.

Not all 96s have HIDS, only the LSCs were offered with it.
And a lot of them were replaced with halogen ones after a recall.

As far as I'm concerned, the only reason to buy the '96 is if you want the LSC. And the only reason to buy an LSC is for the monochromatic trim and perforated seats, and sometimes you'll find one with HIDS.

The stock HID bulbs aren't made any more anyhow.