My Ford Focus MK3 ST-2
Discussion
Serial lurker on here for some time, thought I’d share some photos and experiences of my 2013 Ford Focus ST-2.
My previous car was a facelift MK6 Fiesta ST in Moondust Silver. It was a great first purchase for me but after 3 years and 50,000 miles I fancied something new.
I test drove the new Fiesta ST and Focus ST back to back. While the Fiesta felt great around the country road test route, the ride was a bit too harsh and the overall rawness of the car reminded me too much of my old Fiesta. When I got in the Focus it was a different story and felt a class above the Fiesta. Decision made!
Spec wise I went for ST-2 in Panther Black with the Style Pack (Rado Grey alloys, red front and rear brake callipers & illuminated scuff plates), City Pack (rear parking sensors, power fold door mirrors), door edge protectors and privacy glass. It’s quite discreet and just what I wanted.
It’s a fantastic car to live with and drive daily. My 40 mile round trip commute is a mix of A and B roads and I feel I’ve got the perfect car for the job. It sounds great and the engine pulls strong, especially in 3rd gear.
The dash isn’t as fussy to live with as people make it out to be. Once you know where the buttons are for radio, aux, climate control etc. they’re easy enough to use and Ford Sync works perfectly with my Nokia Lumia Windows Phone. Ford’s quick clear windscreen is great in the winter too.
Running costs are good for a car with such strong performance. I average 32-34mpg on my commute according to the trip computer but 40mpg is achievable when cruising on the motorway.
Torque steer is noticeable when you really stamp on the accelerator but a combination of putting the car in sport mode and regulating my right foot reduces the effect. I find it actually gives the car some character and makes spirited driving more involved. Overall, it’s a really fun car to drive.
My only gripe is the car’s tendency to hop when accelerating hard when the roads damp. However I’ve learnt how to manage this and don’t even notice it anymore.
I’ve driven it on some good roads, notably those around Rhosneigr in Anglesey, Snake Pass to Sheffield, The Scottish Highlands and I just got back from a 900 mile road trip to Bruges and Amsterdam where it performed faultlessly.
No real plans to modify it but I do spend an unhealthy amount of time browsing Mountune’s offering so who knows…
Some pics:
My previous car was a facelift MK6 Fiesta ST in Moondust Silver. It was a great first purchase for me but after 3 years and 50,000 miles I fancied something new.
I test drove the new Fiesta ST and Focus ST back to back. While the Fiesta felt great around the country road test route, the ride was a bit too harsh and the overall rawness of the car reminded me too much of my old Fiesta. When I got in the Focus it was a different story and felt a class above the Fiesta. Decision made!
Spec wise I went for ST-2 in Panther Black with the Style Pack (Rado Grey alloys, red front and rear brake callipers & illuminated scuff plates), City Pack (rear parking sensors, power fold door mirrors), door edge protectors and privacy glass. It’s quite discreet and just what I wanted.
It’s a fantastic car to live with and drive daily. My 40 mile round trip commute is a mix of A and B roads and I feel I’ve got the perfect car for the job. It sounds great and the engine pulls strong, especially in 3rd gear.
The dash isn’t as fussy to live with as people make it out to be. Once you know where the buttons are for radio, aux, climate control etc. they’re easy enough to use and Ford Sync works perfectly with my Nokia Lumia Windows Phone. Ford’s quick clear windscreen is great in the winter too.
Running costs are good for a car with such strong performance. I average 32-34mpg on my commute according to the trip computer but 40mpg is achievable when cruising on the motorway.
Torque steer is noticeable when you really stamp on the accelerator but a combination of putting the car in sport mode and regulating my right foot reduces the effect. I find it actually gives the car some character and makes spirited driving more involved. Overall, it’s a really fun car to drive.
My only gripe is the car’s tendency to hop when accelerating hard when the roads damp. However I’ve learnt how to manage this and don’t even notice it anymore.
I’ve driven it on some good roads, notably those around Rhosneigr in Anglesey, Snake Pass to Sheffield, The Scottish Highlands and I just got back from a 900 mile road trip to Bruges and Amsterdam where it performed faultlessly.
No real plans to modify it but I do spend an unhealthy amount of time browsing Mountune’s offering so who knows…
Some pics:
sshenton1975 said:
Not usually a fan of hot hatches but yours looks lovely OP
I think it is the Black and the dark grey wheels - makes a change to the red and blue one!
If it were mine, id position the front numberplate under the grill to open up that lovely mouth!
A few have done this on the Focus ST OC forums. There's two main options: Zunsport (pictured below) or the US Spec grill.I think it is the Black and the dark grey wheels - makes a change to the red and blue one!
If it were mine, id position the front numberplate under the grill to open up that lovely mouth!
Looks pretty good
sheepman said:
big fan of these! must be nice having the extra power.
how does it compare handling wise to your old fiesta ST? I've had my Fiesta 3 months now and enjoying it so far!
The power is addictive! Handling wise compared to the Fiesta it fairs very well. Not as easy to chuck about but still lots of fun and quite tail happy (for a FWD hatch) when really pushing on. The facelift MK3 has had some handling tweaks so will be interesting to see what that's like. how does it compare handling wise to your old fiesta ST? I've had my Fiesta 3 months now and enjoying it so far!
I've got a MK3 ST-3 in red with the style pack, door protectors, tinted rear windows, sunroof and cruise. Owned it for nearly 21 months now and getting around 30mpg.
OP - nice car - look out for problems with the illuminated scuff plates, i'm sure you will be well aware though if you are a member of the STOC!
OP - nice car - look out for problems with the illuminated scuff plates, i'm sure you will be well aware though if you are a member of the STOC!
Maty said:
Massively interested in these at the moment. After 7 years driving diesels it's time for a fast petrol car again but doing 25k a year spoils things shall we say. So, properly boring question but what's the real world mpg like?
Looks great in black too, quite discreet!
If it doesn't bother you not having the latest shape, there will be some great deals on these soon now that the 2015 facelift has been revealed. Looks great in black too, quite discreet!
A good choice in car. Mine's almost identical spec but I chose frozen white.
Here's my readers cars link, http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Here's my readers cars link, http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
jamiem555 said:
A good choice in car. Mine's almost identical spec but I chose frozen white.
Here's my readers cars link, http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I read this before buying mine. Looks great in white! Good choice on spec Here's my readers cars link, http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Out of interest, does your interior cup-holder light work? Read that many don't - I didn't know it had one until I looked the other day! Mine doesn't light up..
Bit of an update.
Took a very scenic route to Anglesey in North Wales on Friday as I was spending the weekend there.
Decided to head to the B4391 to Bala first followed by the Evo Triangle. Then onto Betws-y-Coed for a lunch stop and a trip down the side of Snowdon to Llanberis along the A4086. From there head to Bangor and back on the A55
Here's the route I took (hope the link works):
http://goo.gl/maps/aaF0T
Before the fun began:
The B4391 was epic. A bit of traffic early on was cleared and I was able to enjoy what the road has to offer. I can see why many believe the road is best tackled heading South (for the views) but I enjoyed my route as it meant lots of induction noise tackling the inclines!
My sat nav took me along a single track road back to the A5 which was actually pretty fun, apart from a meeting with a tractor half way along.
After a couple of minutes along the A5 I turned off towards the Evo Triangle. What a road. The eastern side consists of long sweeping bends skirting around the forest. Obligatory shot:
I then turned hard left and tackled the Western side of the triangle. This was much more fun and technical with a few sharp bends. Overall a great road and worth the trip.
After meeting up with the A5 I headed to Betws-y-Coed for some lunch. Found a good spot to sit in the sun:
From there I took the A5 to Capel Curig then turned off at the A4086. Some fantastic scenery along this route. The road down to Llanberis was a particular highlight of the day and a good test of the brakes! No sign of brake fade at all and the car felt great on the bends.
After a brief rest at Llanberis I headed back to the main roads and onto the A55 to Anglesey. A great route and one I'll be repeating in the future, maybe the other way round to tackle some of the hill climbs and enjoy the scenery from a different angle.
The car felt great throughout the trip. The motorway cruising was effortless and showed the car's economical side while the B road blast was really good fun!
Took a very scenic route to Anglesey in North Wales on Friday as I was spending the weekend there.
Decided to head to the B4391 to Bala first followed by the Evo Triangle. Then onto Betws-y-Coed for a lunch stop and a trip down the side of Snowdon to Llanberis along the A4086. From there head to Bangor and back on the A55
Here's the route I took (hope the link works):
http://goo.gl/maps/aaF0T
Before the fun began:
The B4391 was epic. A bit of traffic early on was cleared and I was able to enjoy what the road has to offer. I can see why many believe the road is best tackled heading South (for the views) but I enjoyed my route as it meant lots of induction noise tackling the inclines!
My sat nav took me along a single track road back to the A5 which was actually pretty fun, apart from a meeting with a tractor half way along.
After a couple of minutes along the A5 I turned off towards the Evo Triangle. What a road. The eastern side consists of long sweeping bends skirting around the forest. Obligatory shot:
I then turned hard left and tackled the Western side of the triangle. This was much more fun and technical with a few sharp bends. Overall a great road and worth the trip.
After meeting up with the A5 I headed to Betws-y-Coed for some lunch. Found a good spot to sit in the sun:
From there I took the A5 to Capel Curig then turned off at the A4086. Some fantastic scenery along this route. The road down to Llanberis was a particular highlight of the day and a good test of the brakes! No sign of brake fade at all and the car felt great on the bends.
After a brief rest at Llanberis I headed back to the main roads and onto the A55 to Anglesey. A great route and one I'll be repeating in the future, maybe the other way round to tackle some of the hill climbs and enjoy the scenery from a different angle.
The car felt great throughout the trip. The motorway cruising was effortless and showed the car's economical side while the B road blast was really good fun!
macajc88 said:
I read this before buying mine. Looks great in white! Good choice on spec
Out of interest, does your interior cup-holder light work? Read that many don't - I didn't know it had one until I
looked the other day! Mine doesn't light up..
Cheers, sorry for the late reply. Things move so fast on PH I never noticed. I think mine do light up but I switched it off on the menu. Out of interest, does your interior cup-holder light work? Read that many don't - I didn't know it had one until I
looked the other day! Mine doesn't light up..
macajc88 said:
The B4391 was epic. A bit of traffic early on was cleared and I was able to enjoy what the road has to offer. I can see why many believe the road is best tackled heading South (for the views) but I enjoyed my route as it meant lots of induction noise tackling the inclines!
The best section of the B4391, IMO, is further on, between the A4212 and Ffestiniog. It's been regularly featured in Evo recently!Quick update as haven't been driving the car much recently but have had the chance to fit the US Spec front grill I bought off eBay.
Gives the car a more aggressive look (and puts it more line with the facelift maybe?!)
I personally still prefer the back of the pfl mk3
I also went to my first PistonHeads Sunday Service at the robin hood airport to look at the mighty Vulcan. Great morning out was had by all!
My PCP deal is up later in the year and I really have no idea what I'll do as the Focus ticks all the boxes and I love driving it, so why replace it.
Gives the car a more aggressive look (and puts it more line with the facelift maybe?!)
I personally still prefer the back of the pfl mk3
I also went to my first PistonHeads Sunday Service at the robin hood airport to look at the mighty Vulcan. Great morning out was had by all!
My PCP deal is up later in the year and I really have no idea what I'll do as the Focus ticks all the boxes and I love driving it, so why replace it.
Edited by macajc88 on Wednesday 18th February 14:14
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