Focus ST3 Estate Petrol - Buying advice please

Focus ST3 Estate Petrol - Buying advice please

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DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
My 2005 Focus estate 101,000 miles has recently blown smoke. Originally thought it was an injector seal but now possibly needing an engine strip down, so not economical to repair. I await news tomorrow, and likely have to purchase replacement pronto.

As it happens I was already looking for a new (second hand) car and had short-listed the Mondeo estate, until I saw the Focus ST3 came in estate version.
I only do 5,000 miles p.a. so looking for petrol/manual variant.

I looked recently at forums to see if this is a reliable car and recall problems with wiring loom, and an electric/engine stalling problem at junctions.
I have seen a 2013 Estate for £16k a trader with 4 months Ford warranty remaining.

I assumed any trader gives a warranty, but get the impression from this trade seller, they don't bother if manufacturer warranty is still outstanding. Is this reasonable? The Ford warranty may not cover all items that can be faulty when buying.

The trader is not local to me so concerned whether some aspects are not covered, so would need recourse to the trade seller and any warranty they offer?

What buying advice would you give me?
Good car to buy?
Any known issues/recalls I need to check are done.
Any known faults I need to double check?
What is 'sport mode' I saw in another ST3 thread, is that something on automatics only - I will be going for manual?

I haven't bought a car for 7 years, and hear lots of problem stories, so need to refresh my mind on any pitfalls.
I do know Pistonheads is the place to come for sensible advice (flattery will get me everywhere) ;-)


oobster

7,065 posts

210 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
quotequote all
I may be able to offer some advice.

I owned, for 2.5 years, a late-2012 MK3 Focus ST-3 Petrol hatchback. I bought it brand-new and had a few issues with it:

1) Wiring loom near the gearbox was touching the gearbox casing when cornering, rubbed through the insulation in quite a short time (approx. 600 miles if I recall) which resulted in a short-circuit, blown fuse, left me stranded at the side of the road (twice) - incompetent Ford dealer mis-diagnosed the first break-down, fobbed me off when I had issues inbetween the two breakdowns (which were ultimately directly linked to the wiring issue) then correctly diagnosed the issue after the 2nd breakdown. Dealer was worse than hopeless. Only ever heard one other owner having this issue with the wiring loom.

2) Speaker in the rear near-side door rattled on my car. Sat in another brand-new car in the showroom and it did the same, same door.

3) Had to pull the fuse on the Ford SYNC stereo system several times to reset the system after it wouldn't recognise I had plugged my phone into the car. Common complaint on the ST Owners Club forum.

4) Illuminated scuff-plates on the front door sills. Faulty/not working on my car (VERY common fault) - could have had them replaced under warranty but it didn't bother me. Only problem was that when they go faulty they blow the fuse that also protects the vast majority of the dash lights as well as ALL the controls on the drivers door card. I ended up pulling the door rubbers up and disconnecting the scuff plates (an easy 2-min job).

I've seen (again on the Focus ST owners club forum) a fair few people having issues with steering racks on the MK3 ST. I had no issues with the rack on mine in 24K miles.

Even with all the issues I decided to order myself another brand-new Focus ST-3. I went for a Petrol Manual Estate this time, in Stealth Grey with the ST Style Pack (19" alloys) and I've recently had the Mountune MP275 kit fitted to it. Done just over 3K miles in the new one and it's been faultless so far. Picked it up in August this year.

The 'Sport' mode is where you turn down the Electronic Stability Control, you can turn it off completely but I've never bothered with the new car, and with the MK3 ST Hatch I rarely bothered. It doesn't increase the performance, just cuts back on the ESP cutting in under hard acceleration.

It isn't possible to purchase a used Focus ST with an automatic box, Ford have only recently announced that the new MK3.5 2015/2016 ST will be available with an auto/DSG box and I believe it is only available for the diesel ST. So if it's a pre-facelift you are going for (i.e. a 2013) then your only choice is petrol manual.

Style pack for the pre-facelift is rock-metallic coloured alloys, red calipers, the illuminated scuff plates and rear windows tinted. Cruise is a good option, I also went for (on both ST's) the pop-out door protectors. Electric tilt/slide sunroof is only an option on the hatch, however the ST-3 comes with electrically-heated front seats which are superb!

If your budget can stretch a few extra £K then why not consider buying a brand-new one through Drive The Deal or similar? I got a good discount through DTD earlier this year and along with the £1.5K Ford Finance Allowance (where you can pay the entire finance off after the 1st payment if you want) meant I could afford a reasonably-specced brand-new ST-3 Estate and have money left over for the Mountune upgrade pack. 3 years warranty with a brand-new one, you get to choose the colour and options etc.

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Thursday 26th November 2015
quotequote all
Thank-you for your comprehensive reply Oobster.
I looked at this thread this morning and did an F5 refresh, but hadn't seen your reply until now.. just back with a Tangerine Scream Pearl Focus ST3 Estate.

Stopped on way back for meal, after which I think is the car skid icon showing in orange and 'off' so have to check if this is something I pressed by accident, or is malfunctioning.
Yep spotted LED on scuff plate is only half illuminated passenger side.

I'll write more tomorrow, it has been a long day.

Thank-you again oobster.

oobster

7,065 posts

210 months

Thursday 26th November 2015
quotequote all
There should be, right down at the bottom of the central dash console (right in front of the gear stick) a button marked 'ESC OFF' - that is the electronic stability control.

One quick touch puts the ESC into 'Sport' mode (allows a bit less intrusion of the car's stability system but it still retains some control) and a full 5-7 'hold' of the button switches the ESC system off completely.

I've you've got the yellow car skidding icon showing in the instrument binnacle (I love that word!) then you'll probably have accidentally hit the ESC button.

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Friday 27th November 2015
quotequote all
Thank-you again Oobster.
I will take a look at the wiring loom/gearbox later.
Tyre pressues - manual does not mention ST3, but door sticker has 35 all round, don't know how good/sensitive auto sensor is, so will check later.
Anti skid off icon no longer showing now, just started it to check out sat nav.


I have 2 ford focuses in recent years, petrol then diesel and some years ago had 2 Toyota MR2's Mk1, the only performance car I have driven.
First experience.
This is a Mar 2013 ST I bought from Sytner in Bristol. Car was in showroom, alongside an Elise a similar colour, Tangerine Scream - a powerful colour.
Test drive in traffic showed avg 16 mpg and acceleration seemed very good, not sure if I have fully floored it yet though.
The low base sound of the engine is great and doors have a solid feel/sound, extending suto door protectors are a nice touch but it other cars opening doors in to mine that need them ;-)

I thought tyres were coming off the rim, but low profile, with a flared edge to reduce chance of kerbing /scuffing wheels.
They look low on tread, so likely have a shock on price.
For my 'retired to scap' old 2005 focus, I had just put 2 new tyres on for £150. ST3 will no doubt be TAD more.

On long drive home, I had icon to change to higher gear as soon as I went over 2000 rpm, so 5th around 40 mph and wanted me to go to 6th. Presumably very low revs is key to fuel economy, assuming a constat speed.
Wipers came on 2-3 times even though sign of rain.

Light switch took ages to find whilst driving, (and didn't come on automatic) it is mounted quite low.
I like the door unlocking automatic.

Seats are snug/tight on sides and I'm average to slim build, so don't know if the side support is adjustable, as would otherwise be tight for some.

By the time I got home, mpg had crept up to 30.5 mpg.
Mirrors took in automaticly upon locking, and I notive they have a small light on the underside.

Commitments mean I can't go play until Sunday.
More later.





Ron240

2,745 posts

118 months

Friday 27th November 2015
quotequote all
DR_SMITH said:
Tyre pressues - manual does not mention ST3, but door sticker has 35 all round
Tyre pressures are set according to wheel/tyre size.
35 psi all round is correct for Mk.3 ST with 18" wheels. smile
For comparison the facelift model with optional 19" wheels has the pressures set at 41 front and 38 rear.

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
quotequote all
Thank-you Ron. :-)
ATS tell me tyres are on minimum 1.6mm limit and have big list of tyre choices so best to check with other owners which are best suited, so I'll do some more searches on PH, it is no doubt a common question.

Ron240

2,745 posts

118 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
quotequote all
If your tyres are at the legal minimum of 1.6mm, at this time of year I would get them changed as a matter of urgency.
It is recommended to change tyres when they reach 3mm but I realise this is not always possible.
Standard fit is Good Year Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 and a lot of owners will replace with this. As you say there are quite a few types available to suit budget and driving style but I would never put price before safety.








Edited by Ron240 on Saturday 28th November 15:40

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
quotequote all
Thank-you again Ron.
Yes, I quite agree.
My 2005 Focus had 2 new front tyres 3 weeks ago, only had 107 miles on them and now destined for scrap/salvage.
Even though I was planning to sell, I put good tyres on it, as your neck is worth more than any price difference.
I always ask for 'good in wet' tyres, rather than durability, along with a brand I know/trust.

I haven't seen the alloy saving tyre flange before, but gather this is on most/all tyres suitable for the ST3.

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
quotequote all
I assumed tyres would be a hot/popular topic, but search on PH and elsewhere has revealed little apart from:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyres_For/Ford/Focus-...

which looks like a handy reference tool, complete with reviews, so perhaps why its not a topic on PH.

It indicates 4 tyres 'all green' for a shortlist (Ron - includes your Eagles).

The linked prices seem to be delivered, rather than fitted.



neiljohnson

11,298 posts

206 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
Had mine for 18 months from new, only issue has been the near side mirror packed up which was replaced without issue under warranty & a steaming up fog light that was also sorted.
I have just replaced the front tyres after 10k with michelins which has been a huge improvement over the Goodyear


DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
neiljohnson said:
Had mine for 18 months from new, only issue has been the near side mirror packed up which was replaced without issue under warranty & a steaming up fog light that was also sorted.
I have just replaced the front tyres after 10k with michelins which has been a huge improvement over the Goodyear
Thank-you Neil.
Please can you elaborate on why they are a huge improvement?

Ron240

2,745 posts

118 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
And also explain why the tyres only lasted 10000 miles?
Sounds like a clue to the way the car has been driven, which has obviously been quite hard.

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
oobster said:
I may be able to offer some advice.
........
I owned, for 2.5 years, a late-2012 MK3 Focus ST-3 Petrol hatchback. I bought it brand-new and had a few issues with it:

1) Wiring loom near the gearbox was touching the gearbox casing when cornering, rubbed through the insulation in quite a short time (approx. 600 miles if I recall) which resulted in a short-circuit, blown fuse, left me stranded at the side of the road (twice) - incompetent Ford dealer mis-diagnosed the first break-down, fobbed me off when I had issues inbetween the two breakdowns (which were ultimately directly linked to the wiring issue) then correctly diagnosed the issue after the 2nd breakdown. Dealer was worse than hopeless. Only ever heard one other owner having this issue with the wiring loom.
.........
Hi Oobster,
Given that it is transverse, I don't know which side the greabox is.
Standing at front of car I can see belts to engine left, but no sign of any loom when looking down. Viewing from underside is covered in. Can you give a pointer which side/angle I need to look at.
I have a dentist style mirror on a stick at the ready :-)

On subjest of cornering, the steering lock seems less than my old 2005 Diesel estate.
I don't know if all focuses are 'less' or if they had to foresake a tad, to squeeze the 2.0 engine in.

Hub

6,411 posts

197 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
For a reasonably rare car there seem to be quite a few estate owners on here!

I bought from an independent dealer in June and they gave a 6 month warranty extension with a warranty company to the 6 months manufacturer warranty that was left at the time. The car is 3 years old on Monday and now on about 47k.

The only things I've had were the wheels were really out of balance - don't know if it is the rims or tyres as I'm still on the tyres it came with (hankook). For a mid range tyre they seem alright but maybe have issues with going out of shape! The other annoyance is the iPod sync isn't reliable and needs frequent resetting. Other than that all fine.

Oh, and yes the turning circle is dreadful!

Edited by Hub on Sunday 29th November 11:44

neiljohnson

11,298 posts

206 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
DR_SMITH said:
Thank-you Neil.
Please can you elaborate on why they are a huge improvement?
In warm weather the goodyears were ok but when it turned cold last year (when tyres still had plenty of tread) grip dropped dramatically & i noticed the stability control working a lot more than expected
Swapping onto the pilot sport 3 tyres the car has more traction & the stability only activates when pushing on

neiljohnson

11,298 posts

206 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
Ron240 said:
And also explain why the tyres only lasted 10000 miles?
Sounds like a clue to the way the car has been driven, which has obviously been quite hard.
This seems to be about normal from other owners I've spoke too tyres were down to 2.5mm so would have done a few more miles but I prefer not to run tyres on my cars any lower

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
Thank-you Hub.
What is an ipod? ;-)
I copied some cd's I have on pc to usb stick and find it easy to play from the aux button.
I'd read somewhere you had to go deep into menus to use it, possibly that was a different verion.
I've got Matt Monroe 'Days like these' lined up for when I find a switchback mountain road (hopefully digger free).
You need to be a film buff to understand that.
I'll leave it to another poster to throw back the catch phrase. :-)

I have bridgestone on front and eagles on back, circa 18,600 miles all on limit.
I guess the front are 2nd set to explain difference, unless some go for different maybe softer front tyres as driving wheels.
Naturally would normally go with same all round, unless there was a known good reason to differ.
Is there a standard tyre make/type from new?

neiljohnson

11,298 posts

206 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
The car would have come with goodyears when new
As I have stated I would go for a set of michelins personally

DR_SMITH

Original Poster:

29 posts

106 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
quotequote all
Cheers Neil,
I was going to joke about climate, given that it is F1 today with tyre choice always a favourite.
Goodyears when new - noted.

On another topic, my footwell has a mountine mat, don't know if this standard issue, or suggests someone has had engine work done.