Focus Mk2 ST - pre- or post-facelift?

[havoc]

What's the consensus? Looking at a 57-58 plate car, so could buy either - have seen a pre-facelift 08 for sale, as well as an 08 ST500.

I've heard that the facelift addresses a few minor issues with the original car, but also adds some weight. For me, what's most important is ride/handling - I'd like the softer-riding car but also the more agile car / one with more feedback through wheel and chassis.


Ignore image - that's less important for me (I like the 'sharper' look of the facelift but not the alloys nor the more anonymous nature compared to a boggo Focus).

Thanks,

Martin.

[thetapeworm]

I drove both and liked them both but for me I'm afraid it came down to looks, spec and interior finish so the Facelift won - I wanted a car that didn't look that much different from the rest of the Focus range, more of a "sleeper" I guess... unfortunately then I went and bought an orange one.

There are a few minor improvements to the mechanics over the earlier cars and if you plan to tune it some of the uncertainty over bits failing is removed but I don't think there are any huge differences you need to be worried about that can't be rectified at a later date if required. An extra 2 rows on the IC and improved boost solenoid and some talk of cylinder liners being stronger.

I just find the earlier cars too fussy in the details, there is too much happening, too many little cut-outs and trinkets, for others this is exactly what makes them prefer the earlier cars over the facelift, they want a car that stands out a little from a 1.6 LX with a kit on

[Magic919]

Facelift is worth it for the rear bumper alone. I hate those silly details that look lke someone has scraped the bumper.

[Justin S]

I wouldnt get too hung up on which one is which. All down to personal preference. I didnt like the chrome nuggety and very plasticy ( more so than a pre) dash. Also I tried a few and found one that seemed to bolted together well, had a good history and just ticked the right boxes, so got the pre car.
As for engines, there is no difference in block from the early cars to the old. The bores are the same. What makes them weak is the 2.5 bore from the original 2.3 in the volvo made the liners thinner and was not changed through the range. It is a luck of the drawer as to wether you get a problem. I have known of early and later engines to suffer, but just dont worry and drive the cr, if you get one.
The early cars seem to suffer from weaker clutches in the 2007 years ish and may not hold the map you might put on it, without slip. Mine didnt and the Ford garage I bought it from uprated it to an RS one FOC.
It depends on how much you want to spend too. For a few updates like headlights and panels externally you are buying the same car underneath for more money.
Also never think of an ST as a 'nimble' car. You can do some suspension bit to help and with springs and an ARB, which I have done and a geo being done, can make it handle well, but not nimble.

[havoc]

Justin S said:

Also never think of an ST as a 'nimble' car. You can do some suspension bit to help and with springs and an ARB, which I have done and a geo being done, can make it handle well, but not nimble.

That's what I'm afraid of - have a new baby and need to replace my 2nd ITR ( ) with something 4- or 5-doored*. But 4-doors, <5y.o., practical and ITR-like don't go together - closest I can think of is probably the R-Sport Megane, but (a) 5-door ones are like hens teeth, and (b) it's a Renault - not sure I could stomach that build quality...

Wife has a MkV GTi which is a great all-rounder but a little aloof until you're really pedalling it, and the engine doesn't have enough character. Only other option is spend more to get a 330i...but post-57 those engines have more problems than a Friday-afternoon TVR...


How throttle-adjustable is the ST? And how well does it respond to geo, x-braces and ARBs?





* Well, that and work are being funny about the car allowance.

[thetapeworm]

havoc said:

That's what I'm afraid of - have a new baby and need to replace my 2nd ITR ( ) with something 4- or 5-doored*. But 4-doors, <5y.o., practical and ITR-like don't go together - closest I can think of is probably the R-Sport Megane, but (a) 5-door ones are like hens teeth, and (b) it's a Renault - not sure I could stomach that build quality...

[havoc]

I am thinking about one of them, but rear suspension as standard is far too stiff for a baby, so they're realistically just out of budget unless I can find one with it already done.


(a mate of a mate was selling one 2 months ago but my budget was still questionable and I didn't know what was happening job-wise, so I left it. Was possibly a mistake...)

Edited by havoc on Sunday 15th July 12:03

[JPearson]

I'd go for a facelift personally, i've heard the engines are upgraded so what it esentially has is a focus RS bottom end, only hearsay on that one though.

[DukeDickson]

Are you intending to go down the remap route? Even though the upgraded liners thing sounds a little whisper and maybe, I doubt you'll have any issues if you're sensible. Hardly a massively stressed engine as standard.
Then just down to price sensitivity and the other stuff like styling and shiney bits inside/outside. Having said that, I doubt there is a massive difference price wise, so I'd go for an early post personally.