Anyone gone from Mondeo ST220 to Focus ST 2.5?
Discussion
Have you driven the Focus ST? I own a 220 and I've test driven two Focus STs now. I thought the Focus felt like it was "holding back", especially in second gear. Of course, it has colossal tuning potential, but only if you're into that kind of thing.
The Mondeo feels larger, more comfortable and better built. The Recaros feel strangely positioned in the Focus, but they feel just right in the Mondeo. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the cloth Recaros suit the Focus better than the leather ones. They're more grippy and feel more snug.
It's horses for courses really. Depends what you want out of your car!
The Mondeo feels larger, more comfortable and better built. The Recaros feel strangely positioned in the Focus, but they feel just right in the Mondeo. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the cloth Recaros suit the Focus better than the leather ones. They're more grippy and feel more snug.
It's horses for courses really. Depends what you want out of your car!
No, have not driven an ST yet. It will be interesting to see if I notice the holding back you mention as I have driven a V70 T5 a number of times. I'm probably more suited to the ST on paper, but for approx 2/3rds the price, and the absence of the 'yoof' factor, was wondering whether an ST220 is 2/3rds the car.
Witchfinder said:
Have you driven the Focus ST? I own a 220 and I've test driven two Focus STs now. I thought the Focus felt like it was "holding back", especially in second gear.
Hmm interesting... this doesn't surprise me. I had a little drag race with a Focus ST a while ago. I was a little surprised to find us dead even through first and second gears - my car possibly pulling very very slightly. However, the moment he hit 3rd gear, he shot off and I was left trailing. I would say the torque is limited in the first 2 gears and the engine doesn't give its all until 3rd. There's probably an easy way to unlock that to make it a bit more rowdy!Pentoman said:
I would say the torque is limited in the first 2 gears and the engine doesn't give its all until 3rd. There's probably an easy way to unlock that to make it a bit more rowdy!
I believe that is the case - you don't want to light up the tyres every time you floor it. Don't get me wrong, I was hugely impressed with the Focus ST (I'll have an ST-2 in white please, blue side stripes, navigation system and Wolf tuning kit), but the Mondeo is a more grown-up car.I thought about getting a Focus ST after my ST220m but after testing driving the new focus i really didn't like the seating position or high CoG which could be felt when cornering. the focus certainly has the better in gear performance and much better 'chuckability', but the mondeo imho had the better top end rush and better pull from tickover in high gears -something that you only get from large capacity engines.
fuel consumption was alittle scarey in the focus..
refinement and high speed crusing imho is better in the mondeo.
two different cars imho, i liked both but if given the option to take one i think i'd take the mondeo.
fuel consumption was alittle scarey in the focus..
refinement and high speed crusing imho is better in the mondeo.
two different cars imho, i liked both but if given the option to take one i think i'd take the mondeo.
Mondeo is excellent for what it is, a bigish saloon or estate.
I would go so far as to say remarkable. It really is good to steer, and yet still has good motorway manners. Granted its firmly sprung but not overly so.
I good friend took me out in a 300ish bhp Focus ST. Wow. Very rapid, and as you say, a different beastie to the Mondeo. Again, I was impressed by its manners. I am sure it is excellent to drive, with great handling, and yet my main thought was that the Focus still felt quite refined, not too stiff. A standard Civic Type R, Impreza P1 and 320bhp Evo 6 feel hardcore (and yes I have been in them), and yet while this ST was a match for any them, it felt comfortable, as well as fast.
As a family workhorse, goto go with the mondeo. Its more spacious, can carry more, has many more toys and is still a great drive.
Sod the family? - Then get the Focus. It can still behave itself on motorways, is better to drive and quicker too.
Its a good choice to have, I dont think you can lose
I would go so far as to say remarkable. It really is good to steer, and yet still has good motorway manners. Granted its firmly sprung but not overly so.
I good friend took me out in a 300ish bhp Focus ST. Wow. Very rapid, and as you say, a different beastie to the Mondeo. Again, I was impressed by its manners. I am sure it is excellent to drive, with great handling, and yet my main thought was that the Focus still felt quite refined, not too stiff. A standard Civic Type R, Impreza P1 and 320bhp Evo 6 feel hardcore (and yes I have been in them), and yet while this ST was a match for any them, it felt comfortable, as well as fast.
As a family workhorse, goto go with the mondeo. Its more spacious, can carry more, has many more toys and is still a great drive.
Sod the family? - Then get the Focus. It can still behave itself on motorways, is better to drive and quicker too.
Its a good choice to have, I dont think you can lose
Dave_ST220 said:
Choice i had to make about this time last year-went for a fully loaded ST220 saloon as IMO it looks more special Drive both and make you choice 
Why did you get the saloon over the hatch? Personally, I wanted an estate, but at the time I couldn't find a facelifted one at my budget. Test drove a Performance Blue one with white seats. It looked gorgeous. Drive both and make you choice .JPG)
thekirbyfake said:
NST said:
the mondeo had better pull from tickover in high gears -something that you only get from large capacity engines.
Mondeo 206lbft @ 4,750rpm
Focus 236lbft @ 1,600rpm
SaliMali said:
NST said:
the mondeo imho had the better top end rush and better pull from tickover in high gears -something that you only get from large capacity engines.
a blown 2.5 litre isn't exactly a small engine NST said:
thekirbyfake said:
NST said:
the mondeo had better pull from tickover in high gears -something that you only get from large capacity engines.
Mondeo 206lbft @ 4,750rpm
Focus 236lbft @ 1,600rpm
That's one of the real drawbacks in the Focus, not being able to drive round town in 6th gear labouring the engine.
I don't have any data for the ST220 but comparing the 130i and R32 evo got the following figures for in-gear acceleration. I'd wager the 130i and R32 with their "large capacity engine" are quicker than the ST220 which has lower power and lower torque (at higher revs).
30-50mph in 6th
ST 7.2s
130i 7.5
R32 8.6
40-60 in 6th
ST 6.7
130i 6.9
R32 8.3
50-70 in 6th
ST 6.8
130i 7.0
R32 8.2
30-50 in 5th
ST 5.1
130i 5.2
R32 5.8
40-60 in 5th
ST 5.0
130i 5.5
R32 6.1
50-70 in 5th
ST 5.2
130i 5.9
R32 6.8
NST said:
SaliMali said:
NST said:
the mondeo imho had the better top end rush and better pull from tickover in high gears -something that you only get from large capacity engines.
a blown 2.5 litre isn't exactly a small engine 
)I own a mapped St Tdci but have had lots of time in these cars ,main reason i dont own a Focus St is fuel consumption other than that it was good to drive and relatively quick i liked the ST220 but went for the diesel as mapped up i prefer the way it delivers the power.Not much in it on handling with a decent driver behind the wheel.
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