RE: Blood Brothers: Mazda 3 MPS vs Ford Focus ST
Discussion
Marf said:
FAIL 
I wasn't commenting negatively on the fact that either car was front wheel drive. I was commenting that the MPS has a proper drivetrain, i.e. the front wheels are properly connected with an LSD, unlike the Focus. An LSD should have been standard fit on the Focus too. It's a worthwhile mod on an FWD car which has "sporting" credentials, regardless of power levels.
I call fail back..... I wasn't commenting negatively on the fact that either car was front wheel drive. I was commenting that the MPS has a proper drivetrain, i.e. the front wheels are properly connected with an LSD, unlike the Focus. An LSD should have been standard fit on the Focus too. It's a worthwhile mod on an FWD car which has "sporting" credentials, regardless of power levels.
The std ST doesn't need an LSD. With over 60,000 miles ownership one both in std & modified form, I am pretty well placed to comment on that. Go for bigger power and it does (as 15,000 miles in my 360bhp RS shows), but with std outputs ford have put a very good chassis under it, so no need to add cost to the std car.356Speedster said:
Marf said:
FAIL
I wasn't commenting negatively on the fact that either car was front wheel drive. I was commenting that the MPS has a proper drivetrain, i.e. the front wheels are properly connected with an LSD, unlike the Focus. An LSD should have been standard fit on the Focus too. It's a worthwhile mod on an FWD car which has "sporting" credentials, regardless of power levels.
I call fail back..... I wasn't commenting negatively on the fact that either car was front wheel drive. I was commenting that the MPS has a proper drivetrain, i.e. the front wheels are properly connected with an LSD, unlike the Focus. An LSD should have been standard fit on the Focus too. It's a worthwhile mod on an FWD car which has "sporting" credentials, regardless of power levels.
The std ST doesn't need an LSD. With over 60,000 miles ownership one both in std & modified form, I am pretty well placed to comment on that. Go for bigger power and it does (as 15,000 miles in my 360bhp RS shows), but with std outputs ford have put a very good chassis under it, so no need to add cost to the std car.
An LSD makes a FWD car feel far more connected to the road at any power level.
Edited by Marf on Wednesday 4th April 13:48
Chicane-UK said:
What are the Focus ST's like from a reliability point of view. Any owners here own any older / higher mileage examples and how have they found them? They're getting to decent prices now and that engine sure is tempting..
Only problem I had on mine was clutch slip on full throttle in sixth. Only with the Code Red map loaded though - don't think it could handle the torque!Actually, just remembered I had a real problem with finding someone who could balance the wheels properly.
Marf said:
Well then, put it down to personal opinion based on my experience of driving a variety of FWD Hot hatches with and without LSDs, both plate and torsen type. I'd much rather have an LSD than an open LSD and an electronic system controlling the throttle for me.
An LSD makes a FWD car feel far more connected to the road at any power level.
It's not really as clear cut at that tho'.. I also have an Ultima and fitting an LSD to those brings understeer and tricky handling into the car. As I've said, the chassis characteristics of the car will have more input on the need for an LSD or not. The std ST's chassis is more than upto the job without one.An LSD makes a FWD car feel far more connected to the road at any power level.
As you note, there are other hot hatches that could benefit with a slippy diff out of the box (Astra VXR definately!), but as we know, not all chassis are created equally.
That said if you just like the feel of an LSD regardless, then that's fair enough, horses for courses
elvismiggell said:
Had a ride in the 2009 3 MPS on a track day at Thruxton. I can confirm that those things can definitely shift - certainly out-stripped my expectations when the instructor put his foot down.
Same, although mine was in 2008 on the previous generation. Very quick cars.356Speedster said:
Marf said:
Well then, put it down to personal opinion based on my experience of driving a variety of FWD Hot hatches with and without LSDs, both plate and torsen type. I'd much rather have an LSD than an open LSD and an electronic system controlling the throttle for me.
An LSD makes a FWD car feel far more connected to the road at any power level.
It's not really as clear cut at that tho'.. I also have an Ultima and fitting an LSD to those brings understeer and tricky handling into the car. As I've said, the chassis characteristics of the car will have more input on the need for an LSD or not. The std ST's chassis is more than upto the job without one.An LSD makes a FWD car feel far more connected to the road at any power level.
356Speedster said:
That said if you just like the feel of an LSD regardless, then that's fair enough, horses for courses
Indeed.
Although i only have the dull mk1, it's alot better all round car then the ST imo, two of my mates have the ST apart from the noise they make they don't really do anything better for me and were both very eager to drive mine for a second time when we went out lol
Im sure the new ST will be much improved
Im sure the new ST will be much improved
I really like the aggressive looks of the MkII MPS, looks like a proper hot hatch. The first version might have been dynamically better than the Focus but I know that if I owned one, I wouldn't find myself over my shoulder at it every time I walked away from it, it's far too bland, looks like a sensible car for an old bloke, not snarling animal as it should have been.
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