Fiesta ST - What to look for
Discussion
About to buy an ST150, primarily as a bit of a London run-about but also to eventually do a few Euro track days in, Zaandvort, Burg etc.
What should I be looking for?
Also can anyone recommend a good Food specialist (indy) in the South East? Would like to get some uprated pads fitted as soon as I bought one.
What should I be looking for?
Also can anyone recommend a good Food specialist (indy) in the South East? Would like to get some uprated pads fitted as soon as I bought one.
-Crash Damage
-Broken Springs are common
-Check the bodykit and spoiler, they are prime for pinching (especially down south) so check to see if they fit/line up/have been bodged on with rivets)
-Check the PAS fluid, if this is black it will need changing. Not often the pump fails but it will if the black sludge has been there for too long
-The front will have stonechips (poor ford paint) if not you need to ask why.
-Seat tilt handles break but its an easyish DIY fix. The tilt cables also can break but is a bit harder to replace.
-The leatherette is shocking quality (not as bad as corsa SXI+ though) so some wear on the bolster is common, though any rips I'd walk away.
-Exhausts are made from s
te metal, but if you plan to modify then not too much of a worry.
-Gearboxes can be a bit weak on the syncro for 2nd if its been thrashed. A bit of stiffness/slight crunching when going into 2nd from cold is to be expected but if its still like it once warm the gearbox could be on the way out.
-Check all the electrics work, ie air con, heated screens, etc. IF it has Powerfold mirrors (part of the Technology pack that gives you auto lights & wipers too) fold them in and out a few times. The plastic cogs can strip teeth (causing them to judder and eventually stop completely) and are about 150 quid for a new mirror unit.
Generally the ST's are the most reliable of the range if looked after correctly, the engine is essentially a mazda unit with a Timing chain so no cambelts to worry about. The interiors can look a little worn after a few years but plastic parts generally easy to find and cheapish to replace
-Broken Springs are common
-Check the bodykit and spoiler, they are prime for pinching (especially down south) so check to see if they fit/line up/have been bodged on with rivets)
-Check the PAS fluid, if this is black it will need changing. Not often the pump fails but it will if the black sludge has been there for too long
-The front will have stonechips (poor ford paint) if not you need to ask why.
-Seat tilt handles break but its an easyish DIY fix. The tilt cables also can break but is a bit harder to replace.
-The leatherette is shocking quality (not as bad as corsa SXI+ though) so some wear on the bolster is common, though any rips I'd walk away.
-Exhausts are made from s
te metal, but if you plan to modify then not too much of a worry.-Gearboxes can be a bit weak on the syncro for 2nd if its been thrashed. A bit of stiffness/slight crunching when going into 2nd from cold is to be expected but if its still like it once warm the gearbox could be on the way out.
-Check all the electrics work, ie air con, heated screens, etc. IF it has Powerfold mirrors (part of the Technology pack that gives you auto lights & wipers too) fold them in and out a few times. The plastic cogs can strip teeth (causing them to judder and eventually stop completely) and are about 150 quid for a new mirror unit.
Generally the ST's are the most reliable of the range if looked after correctly, the engine is essentially a mazda unit with a Timing chain so no cambelts to worry about. The interiors can look a little worn after a few years but plastic parts generally easy to find and cheapish to replace
Generally above, gearboxes are made of chocolate so just make sure the gearchange is slick and not notchy and rough.
Catches for the front seats can snap so they wont tilt forward theyre a bit of a bdo to replace.
Waterpumps are prone to leaking and will want replacing, so make sure everythings dry underneath.
Catches for the front seats can snap so they wont tilt forward theyre a bit of a b
do to replace.Waterpumps are prone to leaking and will want replacing, so make sure everythings dry underneath.
I've got an ST150, decent little cars, as said, all fiestas crunch into reverse usually so no biggy, black PAS fluid is common due to where they've located the PAS and the hoses for it, see if its got its centre caps too, they aint cheap to buy, and once you get it, take them straight off else they'll go walkies.
Then as said, just check sideskirts, spoilers, grills & anything plastic as chances are someone will have tried to steal something at some point!
Then just your normall stuff really, engine oil, tyres, brakes etc..
Then as said, just check sideskirts, spoilers, grills & anything plastic as chances are someone will have tried to steal something at some point!
Then just your normall stuff really, engine oil, tyres, brakes etc..
matt3001 said:
Cheers guys,
Ideally looking at a facelift.
Was Bluetooth and Ipod/Aux connectivity standard?
Aux wasnt standard til later on towards the end, however its cheap to fit yourself. Just requires the kit (about 30 quid) and you can fit it yourself.Ideally looking at a facelift.
Was Bluetooth and Ipod/Aux connectivity standard?
Bluetooth wasnt either, and isnt a common option ticked. Tbh it would be so out of date now there wouldnt be much point looking for it, I doubt most modern phones will pair with it.
Kerbed alloys. Cheap tyres fitted by ecnomy minded yoofs.
CD errors in that putting more than one in often means a reluctance to ejevt them. I have accordingly used mine as a single CD player as i can't be arsed using an envelope to fish the Position 2 one out.
Front springs can break.
They tend to squeak a bit inside.
The heated front screen will probably be patchy in operation - it's still the last generation type - the one on our 09 Mondeo is leagues ahead.
The remote for the doors and particularly the oot isn't very sensitive on mine, even with a new battery.
Only other thing I did to mine was upgrade the brake pads and replace the reverse switch on the gearbox (£10 - 2 minute job)
CD errors in that putting more than one in often means a reluctance to ejevt them. I have accordingly used mine as a single CD player as i can't be arsed using an envelope to fish the Position 2 one out.
Front springs can break.
They tend to squeak a bit inside.
The heated front screen will probably be patchy in operation - it's still the last generation type - the one on our 09 Mondeo is leagues ahead.
The remote for the doors and particularly the oot isn't very sensitive on mine, even with a new battery.
Only other thing I did to mine was upgrade the brake pads and replace the reverse switch on the gearbox (£10 - 2 minute job)
What wheels did they come with standard?
As you can imagine when looking through the ads they is loads of different wheels. Trying to work out what were standard Ford (or Ford upgrade) wheels at the time and what have just been thrown on there with no consideration for looks/handling.
As you can imagine when looking through the ads they is loads of different wheels. Trying to work out what were standard Ford (or Ford upgrade) wheels at the time and what have just been thrown on there with no consideration for looks/handling.
matt3001 said:
What wheels did they come with standard?
As you can imagine when looking through the ads they is loads of different wheels. Trying to work out what were standard Ford (or Ford upgrade) wheels at the time and what have just been thrown on there with no consideration for looks/handling.
they came with one set of wheels (no options) and look like this:As you can imagine when looking through the ads they is loads of different wheels. Trying to work out what were standard Ford (or Ford upgrade) wheels at the time and what have just been thrown on there with no consideration for looks/handling.
The LTD edition ST500 came with the same wheels, but were metallic panther black.
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