[Johnno]

snip
Also, as per several reviewers comments, have fitted the low profile front tyres supplied in the box. The standard rubber - rubs!  (Can't understand why they'd supply it fitted with 'oversized' fronts but acknowledge they're a problem by supplying replacements in the box!)

snip 
If so has anyone found the Mini works better with the camber 'dialled out'?

snip

Hmm find that very interesting as I never had those low profile tyres in the boxes when my Mini's arrived. After several hundred laps I checked and tuned them again at that point I also had the front tyres rubbing badly on the front corners of the bumper bar, both tyres had a nice groove all the way around them which lined up perfectly with the bumper, got the Dremel out and sanded the bumper and inside of all the front ends, now they don't touch under braking. I applied clear nail polish to the front wheels also.

I bought the Escort. Mine was super noisy and felt a bit under powered on my routed track. I replaced the gears with a Scaleauto set and used a Scaleauto 21.5K motor. It runs well and is much quieter than it was. At least it no longer sounds like a rock crusher when it runs.

Got the same Escort, the rear axle and bushings fell to bits so got them replaced after chasing down the retailer for some months and it also ran like it was dragging the Titanic's anchors'. 

My Escort also sounded worse than the rock crusher as you compared yours too also. Even now it still is bloody loud as. Will have to look into replacing the gearing as Mitch mentions