Discussion
HazzaT said:
MC Bodge said:
I've driven the 100ps & 125ps in the Focus. I was thinking more about the chassis- ride and handling, in the Zetec/S versions.
I had a Fiesta Metal which was the 'warm' prefacelift car with a ~135bhp NA 1.6. It was a really good car to thrash about, but was a pretty firm ride and the steering let it down for me. Fords typically have had good steering in my experience, especially pre epas, but even lon ater models
hepy]4CKO said:
.
The Dirty Pigeons
...Parklife!
Yep, no turds today, but have plonked the M135i in the hotseat.The Dirty Pigeons
...Parklife!
Took it out yesterday evening and gave it some stick, dont think I would go any quicker in the BMW to be honest and not have as much fun. The M135i is ace but this just hits the spot better, not for everyone but for me its like coming home.
Everyone moans hot hatches have got too big, complicated and automatic, but you can get one of these from five grand up, then pay 20 grand for an 80s hatch when this is a sweet spot in so many ways.
Not perfect, bit jiggly, but its a miles better car than 80s/90s stuff in most ways whilst having a good dollop of that feel, not "premium" but who cares.
HazzaT said:
MC Bodge said:
I've driven the 100ps & 125ps in the Focus. I was thinking more about the chassis- ride and handling, in the Zetec/S versions.
I had a Fiesta Metal which was the 'warm' prefacelift car with a ~135bhp NA 1.6. It was a really good car to thrash about, but was a pretty firm ride and the steering let it down for me. Fords typically have had good steering in my experience, especially pre epas, but even on later models
MC Bodge said:
HazzaT said:
MC Bodge said:
I've driven the 100ps & 125ps in the Focus. I was thinking more about the chassis- ride and handling, in the Zetec/S versions.
I had a Fiesta Metal which was the 'warm' prefacelift car with a ~135bhp NA 1.6. It was a really good car to thrash about, but was a pretty firm ride and the steering let it down for me. Fords typically have had good steering in my experience, especially pre epas, but even on later models
J4CKO said:
We have a 2014 Ecoboost with a 140 bhp remap and its a great car, not that far behind a standard ST, a bit floaty in comparison but will settle down and handle really well when you lean on it. For most folk its a lot easier to live with than an ST having 5 doors, normal seats and a much more comfy ride.
Cheers. I can see us getting an Ecoboost Fiesta when the current "classic" one expires (if it ever does!).MC Bodge said:
J4CKO said:
We have a 2014 Ecoboost with a 140 bhp remap and its a great car, not that far behind a standard ST, a bit floaty in comparison but will settle down and handle really well when you lean on it. For most folk its a lot easier to live with than an ST having 5 doors, normal seats and a much more comfy ride.
Cheers. I can see us getting an Ecoboost Fiesta when the current "classic" one expires (if it ever does!).
She wasnt keen on going in the ST as it is "too jiggly" but she bloody loves her bog spec Ecoboost one and I have to agree that its a decent car. When we bought it they had that and a 125 BHP Titatium and it was 2 grand dearer, she wasn't bothered about the spec, just that she thought that the performance wasn't quite enough in the 100 bhp one so I said it could be remapped to provide the extra grunt she required and we ordered the Superchips Bluefin which has been on it for five years. She normally isnt impressed with stuff like that or says she cant tell the difference but was uncharacteristically positive about the change it made.
She has no plans to change it, she grew up around posh cars, classics and whatever and really isnt interested in anything beyond her Fiesta, she could go out and get a new Mustang which she has a thing for but quite happy in the Fiesta, you could do a lot worse. Just make sure its been well maintained, plenty of oil changes as the fibre belt runs in oil and it can shed into the oil and block the strainer.
J4CKO said:
I drove ours the other day to take my wife to a romantic meal at the Macclesfield McDonalds
She wasnt keen on going in the ST as it is "too jiggly"
Classy. An ST might have been the ideal transport for sucha a venue She wasnt keen on going in the ST as it is "too jiggly"
"too jiggly" wouldn't go down well and wouldn't suit carting the family about with exuberance.
MC Bodge said:
J4CKO said:
I drove ours the other day to take my wife to a romantic meal at the Macclesfield McDonalds
She wasnt keen on going in the ST as it is "too jiggly"
Classy. An ST might have been the ideal transport for sucha a venue She wasnt keen on going in the ST as it is "too jiggly"
"too jiggly" wouldn't go down well and wouldn't suit carting the family about with exuberance.
Got stuck in traffic today, first time i have missed the BMW with its lovely slush o matic but the clutch isn't heavy, resolved to avoid languishing in bed and hitting the school run, or go on my bike and pedal past the gridlock on the rare days in the office.
Definitely not really a family car really, certainly not in 3 door form, possibly in the rare 5 door variant but think the ride would be a bit much, sure people do use them like that but plenty of better options, not least a normal Fiesta with more ride comfort.
First modification this weekend, eBay special Short Shifter,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193716905377
Seems really well made and finished to be fair.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193716905377
Seems really well made and finished to be fair.
If you're after ideas I got Eibach Redlines, a Milltek exhaust and a Revo dog bone mount fitted at the start of the week! The dog bone mount is a very good 'small' mod that makes a huge difference in terms of the quality of the gear change for moderately more NVH. This is the Mk8 though, so the three pot will be a bit more vibey than the old 4cyl
HazzaT said:
If you're after ideas I got Eibach Redlines, a Milltek exhaust and a Revo dog bone mount fitted at the start of the week! The dog bone mount is a very good 'small' mod that makes a huge difference in terms of the quality of the gear change for moderately more NVH. This is the Mk8 though, so the three pot will be a bit more vibey than the old 4cyl
Its on the list the dogbone, seems a common upgrade on the Mk7, mines in bits on the path now and of course its pissing down, and will be the rest of the week so dont fancy messing with it trying to get the short shifter to fit in the rain. Plus am working supporting an upgrade so screwed this weekend, will take some time in lieu next week and set to on it. Its a fiddly job and the sodding thing wont clamp round the shifter arm.No plans to get wet doing it and my half a garage isnt even big enough for a Fiesta.
Got the Short Shifter on after work, for £30 its a worthwhile improvement, its a pretty good gearchange anyway but this takes it up a notch or two.
Bit fiddly to fit but was mainly me making a meal of it.
Roll on next Wednesday when it goes into Collins. Always wanted to do that, i.e. take my car in to be tuned rather than me farting about, going to drop it off and go far a walk to McDonalds for a Sausage and Egg McMuffin, visit my uncle who lives locally, maybe do some shopping and then go and collect it. Ladies would call it a "Pamper Day"
Will discuss options to take it further when I am there, kind of thinking just go for their Stage 5 but am getting ahead of myself.
Bit fiddly to fit but was mainly me making a meal of it.
Roll on next Wednesday when it goes into Collins. Always wanted to do that, i.e. take my car in to be tuned rather than me farting about, going to drop it off and go far a walk to McDonalds for a Sausage and Egg McMuffin, visit my uncle who lives locally, maybe do some shopping and then go and collect it. Ladies would call it a "Pamper Day"
Will discuss options to take it further when I am there, kind of thinking just go for their Stage 5 but am getting ahead of myself.
J4CKO said:
BMW went to WBAC this morning, they were actually very good I thought.
Put it on eBay and had all the chances offering low ball offers but WBAC made a good bid and were pretty much on that when I took it in.
They’re offering strong money for cars at the mo. Looking on the used price thread, Deep Thought’s 140 would have lost £5k in 26 months which is pretty good going for these. Put it on eBay and had all the chances offering low ball offers but WBAC made a good bid and were pretty much on that when I took it in.
I’d be tempted to get shot of mine if values are that strong but there are naff all M2’s unfortunately.
I've Powerflex bushed my MP215 ST2 right through. Overall, the car feels alot more taught. Not has raw has my previous EP3 but feels more focussed.
I feel that most of the rear axle playfulness was removed upon lowering. It was expected but not to the degree. It is something that I do miss. However, the grip provided in fast bends is very good - composed and settled.
Once the car is flowing on a decent road, it is a joy to drive. Eight years of ownership and I'm going to struggle to get a similar replacement.
In my opinion, a hot hatch should be an affordable granny-base-model hatch with the engineering built into it. Keep it around £20,000, accounting for inflation, and driving it should be a happy and simple experience with no distractions from infotainment or multiple driving settings.
I feel that most of the rear axle playfulness was removed upon lowering. It was expected but not to the degree. It is something that I do miss. However, the grip provided in fast bends is very good - composed and settled.
Once the car is flowing on a decent road, it is a joy to drive. Eight years of ownership and I'm going to struggle to get a similar replacement.
In my opinion, a hot hatch should be an affordable granny-base-model hatch with the engineering built into it. Keep it around £20,000, accounting for inflation, and driving it should be a happy and simple experience with no distractions from infotainment or multiple driving settings.
dragonflyjade said:
I've Powerflex bushed my MP215 ST2 right through. Overall, the car feels alot more taught. Not has raw has my previous EP3 but feels more focussed.
I feel that most of the rear axle playfulness was removed upon lowering. It was expected but not to the degree. It is something that I do miss. However, the grip provided in fast bends is very good - composed and settled.
Once the car is flowing on a decent road, it is a joy to drive. Eight years of ownership and I'm going to struggle to get a similar replacement.
In my opinion, a hot hatch should be an affordable granny-base-model hatch with the engineering built into it. Keep it around £20,000, accounting for inflation, and driving it should be a happy and simple experience with no distractions from infotainment or multiple driving settings.
Yeah, we have another Fiesta and you can feel that the basic package is sound, impressive car really as they are light, fairly good in terms of crashworthiness, enough tech but keep a foot in the hot hatch past/original recipe, before they got a bit Elvis mid seventies, all spangly suits and a bit heavy.I feel that most of the rear axle playfulness was removed upon lowering. It was expected but not to the degree. It is something that I do miss. However, the grip provided in fast bends is very good - composed and settled.
Once the car is flowing on a decent road, it is a joy to drive. Eight years of ownership and I'm going to struggle to get a similar replacement.
In my opinion, a hot hatch should be an affordable granny-base-model hatch with the engineering built into it. Keep it around £20,000, accounting for inflation, and driving it should be a happy and simple experience with no distractions from infotainment or multiple driving settings.
Whats it like putting the bushes in, big job ?
I like the analogy.
Yes, the ST2 Sony system is a bit 8-bit and full of buttons but it works, easy to use and never crashed. The car is built for its engineering and not for fancy plastics. The important bits of seat, steering wheel, pedals and gearshift are great.
The engine mounts and wishbones bushes were fine to do. The rear axle bushes took some drilling and hammering to get out. A bush press would have done the job easier. The new rear bushes went in nicely and axle was back on within ten minutes.
Yes, the ST2 Sony system is a bit 8-bit and full of buttons but it works, easy to use and never crashed. The car is built for its engineering and not for fancy plastics. The important bits of seat, steering wheel, pedals and gearshift are great.
The engine mounts and wishbones bushes were fine to do. The rear axle bushes took some drilling and hammering to get out. A bush press would have done the job easier. The new rear bushes went in nicely and axle was back on within ten minutes.
dragonflyjade said:
I've Powerflex bushed my MP215 ST2 right through. Overall, the car feels alot more taught. Not has raw has my previous EP3 but feels more focussed.
I feel that most of the rear axle playfulness was removed upon lowering. It was expected but not to the degree. It is something that I do miss. However, the grip provided in fast bends is very good - composed and settled.
Once the car is flowing on a decent road, it is a joy to drive. Eight years of ownership and I'm going to struggle to get a similar replacement.
In my opinion, a hot hatch should be an affordable granny-base-model hatch with the engineering built into it. Keep it around £20,000, accounting for inflation, and driving it should be a happy and simple experience with no distractions from infotainment or multiple driving settings.
I'm suspecting even more "too jiggly"?I feel that most of the rear axle playfulness was removed upon lowering. It was expected but not to the degree. It is something that I do miss. However, the grip provided in fast bends is very good - composed and settled.
Once the car is flowing on a decent road, it is a joy to drive. Eight years of ownership and I'm going to struggle to get a similar replacement.
In my opinion, a hot hatch should be an affordable granny-base-model hatch with the engineering built into it. Keep it around £20,000, accounting for inflation, and driving it should be a happy and simple experience with no distractions from infotainment or multiple driving settings.
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