2014 Fiesta ST
Discussion
I'll have to change my username now. After 6 years as the owner of a 2.5T S-Max, I decided it was time for something with more oomph. I tested the Fiesta ST and Focus ST back-to-back a couple of weeks ago, preferring the Fiesta, and a deal was struck on a model the dealer had in stock. Since this was purchased during Luxembourg's annual "Autofestival", I got a very good trade in for my well used (102,000km) S-Max (petrol cars like that are generally disliked here in favour of diseasals), and a whopping discount off the ST.
The car's a Frozen White ST2 with a number of options, including winter wheels/snow tyres currently worn.
I've only driven in 9km today, back to work, so am looking forward to driving home the VERY long way - probably via Germany (no joke!) this evening.
Anyway, some pictures:
(I hope the images worked as I can't see them in preview from work
)For the moment, Marv, I've just changed over some bulbs - orange indicators to Phillips Silverline - removed the "fried eggs" from each corner, and replaced interior lights with LEDs and SMD towers.
Once the Fiesta's run in, I'll see what it's like power wise. I might, stress 'might', go for the Wolf tuning upgrade.
Why Wolf instead of Mountune? Mountune in Lux is from Wengler, and Wengler himself is an argumentative bell-end who's not getting any more of my money.
Luxmotor are Wolf dealers.
Once the Fiesta's run in, I'll see what it's like power wise. I might, stress 'might', go for the Wolf tuning upgrade.
Why Wolf instead of Mountune? Mountune in Lux is from Wengler, and Wengler himself is an argumentative bell-end who's not getting any more of my money.
Luxmotor are Wolf dealers.
The Titanium alloys are ok for winter tyres, but, they are a pain to clean.
Here's my car this evening with Rado grey 17" alloys on:
I prefer this look, but then it is my car.
Err, no, Marv, I meant mph. I may or may not have been across the border in Germany, though.
Low emissions = cheap vignette.
We must get out before your Lupo's stored away, if it's not too late?
Here's my car this evening with Rado grey 17" alloys on:
I prefer this look, but then it is my car.
Err, no, Marv, I meant mph. I may or may not have been across the border in Germany, though.
Low emissions = cheap vignette.
We must get out before your Lupo's stored away, if it's not too late?
Edited by 5potTurbo on Wednesday 2nd April 18:53
Quick update: Car's now had it's 1st service and cost €270 at the local stealer.
It's covered a little more than 11,000km in that period, although due to work travel I reckon it's spent something like 70 days parked at Luxembourg Airport in that period, so it's not used as much as I thought it would be.
The car's been great and I smile when I drive it every day.
It's been wearing the winter wheels again since mid December, and probably just as well as we've had sporadic snow in the last few weeks. I can't wait for the weather to brighten up so I can change back to the 17s and summer tyres as the car spins its wheels just too easily on the Pirelli SnowControl tyres.
Tax has just been renewed too for €74 for the next 12 months.
Overall: I remain very happy with my purchase.
It's covered a little more than 11,000km in that period, although due to work travel I reckon it's spent something like 70 days parked at Luxembourg Airport in that period, so it's not used as much as I thought it would be.
The car's been great and I smile when I drive it every day.
It's been wearing the winter wheels again since mid December, and probably just as well as we've had sporadic snow in the last few weeks. I can't wait for the weather to brighten up so I can change back to the 17s and summer tyres as the car spins its wheels just too easily on the Pirelli SnowControl tyres.
Tax has just been renewed too for €74 for the next 12 months.
Overall: I remain very happy with my purchase.
You stalking me, Lou?
I drove a new Golf R a few weeks ago as a mate had one for a weekend test. I kept hitting the rev limiter too quickly with the manual gearbox, but I wouldn't like a DSG. Whilst the R it was great fun, even on winters but with 4WD, there's no way I could justify the Golf R being 2.5x the cost of the ST! IIRC, my car was €19K with discount, and the specced Golf R (glass roof, nav, rear camera, carbon effect leather seats, etc.) would be closer to €49.5K!!
I drove a new Golf R a few weeks ago as a mate had one for a weekend test. I kept hitting the rev limiter too quickly with the manual gearbox, but I wouldn't like a DSG. Whilst the R it was great fun, even on winters but with 4WD, there's no way I could justify the Golf R being 2.5x the cost of the ST! IIRC, my car was €19K with discount, and the specced Golf R (glass roof, nav, rear camera, carbon effect leather seats, etc.) would be closer to €49.5K!!
Beedub: I didn't reply sooner so you had a chance to drive the ST without any pre-conceived ideas from others.
I really enjoy my ST, and I miss it when I travel to the U.S for work and am forced to rent cars with slushboxes and crappy performance.
The ST's what I'd call "zingy". Sure it skits from time-to-time on duff B roads, but it's also good at showing a clean pair of heels to other, larger cars, and that alone puts a smile on my face. I'm a big kid!
I've just picked up a sound symposer delete kit from Boomba Racing (I bought mine in the U.S, but Sico are agents), and I'll install that this weekend. On Lux & French autoroutes the symposer buzzes (130km/h - 80mph) and it becomes boring. I'd rather hear the real exhaust note anyway.
I also found via www.fiestastforum.com that a local to me tuning company does RR tuning on these, so I'll have a word with them.
The official Mountune kit's only available from 2 dealerships here, both of whom I'd rather avoid based on previous experience, but we also have to go to Controle Technique for "homologation" and for the car's docs to be updated. That costs an extra €385 or so on top of the kit's installation, so I may just go for the RR tuning.
Car spent last week at home as I was in the U.S. again, and is on 12,600km. I'm looking forward to putting the 17" wheels with summer tyres on again soon!
I really enjoy my ST, and I miss it when I travel to the U.S for work and am forced to rent cars with slushboxes and crappy performance.
The ST's what I'd call "zingy". Sure it skits from time-to-time on duff B roads, but it's also good at showing a clean pair of heels to other, larger cars, and that alone puts a smile on my face. I'm a big kid!
I've just picked up a sound symposer delete kit from Boomba Racing (I bought mine in the U.S, but Sico are agents), and I'll install that this weekend. On Lux & French autoroutes the symposer buzzes (130km/h - 80mph) and it becomes boring. I'd rather hear the real exhaust note anyway.
I also found via www.fiestastforum.com that a local to me tuning company does RR tuning on these, so I'll have a word with them.
The official Mountune kit's only available from 2 dealerships here, both of whom I'd rather avoid based on previous experience, but we also have to go to Controle Technique for "homologation" and for the car's docs to be updated. That costs an extra €385 or so on top of the kit's installation, so I may just go for the RR tuning.
Car spent last week at home as I was in the U.S. again, and is on 12,600km. I'm looking forward to putting the 17" wheels with summer tyres on again soon!
Having now installed the symposer delete kit from Boomba Racing (btw, their installation video makes it look like a 2 minute job, but the spring clip to remove the synmposer from the intercooler hose is a royal PITA to get to. It took me more like 30 minutes!) *ahem* I can now confirm the change is a vast improvement in terms of cabin noise.
I can actually hear the real engine and exhaust note, which, even from the standard exhaust, is much better than the fake noise the symposer put in the cabin.
I was going to change to summer wheels/tyres this week, but with a huge increase in working hours and the fact that the last 3 mornings have been frosty, I'll hang on another couple of weeks.
On the plus side, the Easter holidays mean the roads are a lot quieter.
I can actually hear the real engine and exhaust note, which, even from the standard exhaust, is much better than the fake noise the symposer put in the cabin.
I was going to change to summer wheels/tyres this week, but with a huge increase in working hours and the fact that the last 3 mornings have been frosty, I'll hang on another couple of weeks.
On the plus side, the Easter holidays mean the roads are a lot quieter.
Summer tyres we put back on last Thursday, but I didn't take my ST to the WEC at Spa last weekend. I was taking 3 mates, all of whom are over 6' tall.... Octy vRS Wagon it was then.
Still, a decent clean of the ST this coming weekend will then see it stickered up well in advance of it's 2nd run to La Sarthe for the "24 Heures du Mans" in June.
Still, a decent clean of the ST this coming weekend will then see it stickered up well in advance of it's 2nd run to La Sarthe for the "24 Heures du Mans" in June.
Winter tyres on 16" "Titanium" alloys are back on the car since last Friday, and will be until probably mid-April. That's €65 for removal/refit/clean filthy 17s, storage until Spring.
I continue to enjoy the car itself, but find the SYNC audio pretty s
t, tbh. Music/podcasts via Bluetooth from either my iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S5 is very low volume compared to using my old iPod, plugged in using the crappy 'Y' cable. Ho, hum..... Not sure there are any real solutions for that since SYNC is Microsoft based, and, ergo, generally crappy.
Happy to hear from other ST owners if they find the same with the volume issues?
I'm considering a remap in the Spring - a local RR company, not a generic plug & play - together with the 'grey' plastics being painted gloss black to match the front grille (so lower front grille, front fog surrounds, rear diffuser grille and probably the door mirror covers too.) Will have to see how my 2015 bonus goes.... *ahem, to my boss!*
ETA: Average commuting fuel consumption now around 6.4l./100km which is 44mpg.
Makes a big difference to the 26mpg I had from my 2.5T S-Max, when I was doing twice the mileage!
I continue to enjoy the car itself, but find the SYNC audio pretty s
t, tbh. Music/podcasts via Bluetooth from either my iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S5 is very low volume compared to using my old iPod, plugged in using the crappy 'Y' cable. Ho, hum..... Not sure there are any real solutions for that since SYNC is Microsoft based, and, ergo, generally crappy. Happy to hear from other ST owners if they find the same with the volume issues?
I'm considering a remap in the Spring - a local RR company, not a generic plug & play - together with the 'grey' plastics being painted gloss black to match the front grille (so lower front grille, front fog surrounds, rear diffuser grille and probably the door mirror covers too.) Will have to see how my 2015 bonus goes.... *ahem, to my boss!*
ETA: Average commuting fuel consumption now around 6.4l./100km which is 44mpg.
Makes a big difference to the 26mpg I had from my 2.5T S-Max, when I was doing twice the mileage!
Edited by 5potTurbo on Wednesday 25th November 07:30
Just covered 1,550km on between Thu & Sun on a run from Luxembourg to my hometown area of "Bormuff". The ST averaged 43mpg, which was surprising as much of my return journey on the continent was *ahem* rather quickly covered!
(I covered the Thu trip and re-fuelled in Romsey when the car was running probably only on fumes, but it had covered almost 700km on a tankful of 98 UL.)
The still very poor headlights (I already installed +100% bulbs 18 months ago) were very noticeable for large sections of the E411 that runs north/south through Belgium, and there's no lighting on a lot of it. Fortunately I picked up my +130% bulbs in the UK at the weekend, so those will be fitted next weekend.
For anyone who lives in the Bormuff area, the local traffic's appalling. I'm pleased I don't have to deal with that every day!
(I covered the Thu trip and re-fuelled in Romsey when the car was running probably only on fumes, but it had covered almost 700km on a tankful of 98 UL.)
The still very poor headlights (I already installed +100% bulbs 18 months ago) were very noticeable for large sections of the E411 that runs north/south through Belgium, and there's no lighting on a lot of it. Fortunately I picked up my +130% bulbs in the UK at the weekend, so those will be fitted next weekend.
For anyone who lives in the Bormuff area, the local traffic's appalling. I'm pleased I don't have to deal with that every day!
Edited by 5potTurbo on Monday 7th December 07:49
The reason for the poor lighting became apparent when I saw a reflection of the front of my car. My R/H dipped beam had blown!
Stupid boy!
In my defence, the lights were working when I removed my beam deflectors at the Tunnel terminal in the UK on Sunday lunchtime and I didn't stop until I got home in Lux.
I fitted the +130% bulbs tonight, having forgotten what a ball ache it is to remove the headlights to change the bulbs. My hands are very big, so I've no alternative.
I'll see how good they are tomorrow morning.
Stupid boy!
In my defence, the lights were working when I removed my beam deflectors at the Tunnel terminal in the UK on Sunday lunchtime and I didn't stop until I got home in Lux.
I fitted the +130% bulbs tonight, having forgotten what a ball ache it is to remove the headlights to change the bulbs. My hands are very big, so I've no alternative.
I'll see how good they are tomorrow morning.
Impressed with the new +130% lights, also recommeded to another ST owner elsewhere in Readers' Cars.
We've had 1 week of snow, when I didn't drive my car anywhere, and LOADS of rain. I'm bored of understeer central on winter tyres. It's just been too damn warm for them to be useful, but we have to for insurance and police B.S.
Car's averaging 44mpg on my commute, a little more on longer runs.
Unusually it's about to head back to Blighty in a few weeks' time (usually only once a year) since it's my brother's 50th birthday. We need a car with more than 2 seats and my brother, who's single, has a Boxster S, so not really practical!
Anywhooo, I received a service reminder from the main stealer last week. Car's on 23k km after 2 years.
We've had 1 week of snow, when I didn't drive my car anywhere, and LOADS of rain. I'm bored of understeer central on winter tyres. It's just been too damn warm for them to be useful, but we have to for insurance and police B.S.
Car's averaging 44mpg on my commute, a little more on longer runs.
Unusually it's about to head back to Blighty in a few weeks' time (usually only once a year) since it's my brother's 50th birthday. We need a car with more than 2 seats and my brother, who's single, has a Boxster S, so not really practical!
Anywhooo, I received a service reminder from the main stealer last week. Car's on 23k km after 2 years.
What's it like?
Revs about 3k at 130km/h, and I (usually) do 4 long-ish journeys a year in it: to/from Le Mans (600km ea. way) and "home" to the UK (700km ea. way).
It's actually very comfortable, and will easily only comsume 5.8l./100km (49 mpg)
I'll admit to whincing should I hit one of the gazillions of potholes on the E42 in Belgium, especially when my car has its Summertime 17s on.
Revs about 3k at 130km/h, and I (usually) do 4 long-ish journeys a year in it: to/from Le Mans (600km ea. way) and "home" to the UK (700km ea. way).
It's actually very comfortable, and will easily only comsume 5.8l./100km (49 mpg)
I'll admit to whincing should I hit one of the gazillions of potholes on the E42 in Belgium, especially when my car has its Summertime 17s on.
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