Should I get that Focus ST?

[Bruniep]

Got the chance of a pretty good deal of getting my sticky mitts on 2009 Focus XR5 out here in Oz (aka Focus ST in the UK). What are they like to live with on a daily basis and any good/bad experiences out there?

[st kev]

had one for 3 years now mattey,the vovlo engine speaks volumes very happy with the car the only problem i get with mine is the 4mpg im running 330bhp, 430ft code red, other than that im just waiting for a quafe diff, thats the only thing that lets the car down is the fwd fords should off made it in 4wd would be a lot more fun and traction lol.but that is my plan for the future is to 4wd her other than that the car is perfect for me.

[ClintonB]

If you can live with the fuel consumption (anywhere from low 20s to low 30s on a run), the high set seat and the slightly on the soft & wobbly side for a hot hatch suspension (a touch nose heavy as well, but to be expected), then the ST is a good all-rounder & makes a nice noise for the money.

I've now done 60k in mine over the last 3 years and the only issues I've had are a squeaky drivers seat (replaced under warranty) and, just, a problem with the heater, which is likely not a major thing but not ideal in the coldest winter for 20 years or more. Never even had to put a drop of oil in the thing!
There are also others on here who have had similar experiences & put on fairly high miles on in similar periods with little by way of trouble. As long as you don't pick up a lemon then the drivetrain is proven, oldish tech and probably good for a long life.


I must admit that I'm now looking to change, but only because I want something different. Under different circumstances, I'd happily keep the Focus and have a weekend car. The only thing is that I'd probably crack on the re-map front. Supposed to be very worthwhile & you can never turn down an extra 40+ bhp

[Bruniep]

Mucho thanks for the reply, glad to hear you've enjoyed yours. If I can get the deal thats currently promised I may well go for it ...

ClintonB said:

If you can live with the fuel consumption (anywhere from low 20s to low 30s on a run)

Fuel currently at about $1.25/L (about 70p a litre at current exchange) doesn't make that such an issue. Still be cheaper to run than the Jeep Wrangler I'm also running - now that does have a serious drink problem (try 14-18mpg day to day)!

ClintonB said:

a problem with the heater, which is likely not a major thing but not ideal in the coldest winter for 20 years or more

we don't do winter here in Brisbane, lowest temperature I've seen is is +6 in the last 3 years

Any other owner / users out there with opinions?

[Stedman]

I know this sounds REALLY picky (bear with me), but when i test drove a 3 door one, the drivers seat never went back to the original place you had it if someone got in the back.

Again, very picky, but very annoying if your mates are constantly in and out. Very nice car though

Get some pics up if you do buy it.

[st kev]

Stedman said:

I know this sounds REALLY picky (bear with me), but when i test drove a 3 door one, the drivers seat never went back to the original place you had it if someone got in the back.

Again, very picky, but very annoying if your mates are constantly in and out. Very nice car though

Get some pics up if you do buy it.

i belive thats called memory seats

[cs02rm0]

Yes!

[rb5230]

i had one, it was a great car, make sure you get leather (and blue paint)

[Funk]

Stedman said:

I know this sounds REALLY picky (bear with me), but when i test drove a 3 door one, the drivers seat never went back to the original place you had it if someone got in the back.

Again, very picky, but very annoying if your mates are constantly in and out. Very nice car though

Get some pics up if you do buy it.

It does. You have to put the driver's seat backrest forward until it clicks and locks into place. Then you can slide the seat forward and backward to where it originally was. ST2 only has memory on driver's side, ST3 has it on both driver and passenger seats.

Oh, and to the chap who reckoned on 330bhp - you haven't got 330. The Wolf/Profile conversions never made anything near 330, and the liners split once you go much past 310-320. Most of the supposed 330s aren't making that; if they are, they've normally gone pop. The block simply won't take that much. It's also a complete rolling road lottery as the ST is a pig to RR cleanly.

Also you couldn't get 4mpg. Even flat out on the 'Ring, mine was pulling 8mpg. Average is around 18-22mpg. Best I saw was 33 on a long run, but that was the exception. Lovely noise though.

OP, get yourself on www.focusstoc.com or http://www.fordxr5turbo.com/ which is Aussie-specific. There are spec differences between the UK and Oz cars though; things like xenons weren't offered on the XR5.

Be aware that the ST2 is 5-seat, ST3 is 4-seat (certainly that is the case in the UK).

Edited by Funk on Sunday 17th January 14:21

[thehappyotter]

I've been very impressed with mine, which i've owned since June and done about 7k in so far. The engine is very torquey and, although nice and firey if you press the go pedal all the way, nice and easy to drive if you're just ploding around town. The sound is just lovely too!

I'm averaging 22.3mpg according to the dash display although I do have a nice twisty route into work which I can't help but play on every now and again.

So far i've also fitted Eibach Pro springs which have really made a massive difference to the handling. There's no pitching up at the front under hard acceleration now and body roll has all but gone. It's no less comfortable than it was either (make sure you get tracking and headlight allignment done too if you fit them though). I've also painted the grills and trim black as they looked crap in that horrid grey!

Spec wise, this winter, i've found my heated leather and heated front screen to be rather handy too although in Aus that's a little less of a concern.

I'd definately recommend one!

[Stedman]

Funk said:

Oh, and to the chap who reckoned on 330bhp - you haven't got 330. The Wolf/Profile conversions never made anything near 330, and the liners split once you go much past 310-320. Most of the supposed 330s aren't making that; if they are, they've normally gone pop. The block simply won't take that much.

+1. There are liner issues in the Ovlovs. Its a bit of a shame the old T5 engine couldn't go in.

[st kev]

st kev said:

Funk said:

Stedman said:

I know this sounds REALLY picky (bear with me), but when i test drove a 3 door one, the drivers seat never went back to the original place you had it if someone got in the back.

Again, very picky, but very annoying if your mates are constantly in and out. Very nice car though

Get some pics up if you do buy it.

It does. You have to put the driver's seat backrest forward until it clicks and locks into place. Then you can slide the seat forward and backward to where it originally was. ST2 only has memory on driver's side, ST3 has it on both driver and passenger seats.

Oh, and to the chap who reckoned on 330bhp - you haven't got 330. The Wolf/Profile conversions never made anything near 330, and the liners split once you go much past 310-320. Most of the supposed 330s aren't making that; if they are, they've normally gone pop. The block simply won't take that much. It's also a complete rolling road lottery as the ST is a pig to RR cleanly.

Also you couldn't get 4mpg. Even flat out on the 'Ring, mine was pulling 8mpg. Average is around 18-22mpg. Best I saw was 33 on a long run, but that was the exception. Lovely noise though.

OP, get yourself on www.focusstoc.com or http://www.fordxr5turbo.com/ which is Aussie-specific. There are spec differences between the UK and Oz cars though; things like xenons weren't offered on the XR5.

Be aware that the ST2 is 5-seat, ST3 is 4-seat (certainly that is the case in the UK).

Edited by Funk on Sunday 17th January 14:21

best thing for you to do is mr know it all, is look at dec performance ford the red one page 41 and about the 4mpg come round mine put 40 quid in the tank and your see for yourself or you could give gary at code red/profile a call and ask him about it as for the liners thats why i spent all that money on that nice fat alloy raditor to try and keep it cool so 320 isnt near 330 then the chip is the cr330 and lets talk about torque im running 427ft these figers are confirmed by two different rr oh yes thats with the bigger turbo off course and i do belive pumabuild are pushing 350bhp on theres

Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:08[/footnote]

[footnote]Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:56

[st kev]

Stedman said:

Funk said:

Oh, and to the chap who reckoned on 330bhp - you haven't got 330. The Wolf/Profile conversions never made anything near 330, and the liners split once you go much past 310-320. Most of the supposed 330s aren't making that; if they are, they've normally gone pop. The block simply won't take that much.

+1. There are liner issues in the Ovlovs. Its a bit of a shame the old T5 engine couldn't go in.

and the rs is running 340-360 on stage 1 with the same engines

Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:24

[ClintonB]

st kev said:

best thing for you to do is mr know it all, is look at dec performance ford the red one page 41 and about the 4mpg come round mine put 40 quid in the tank and your see for yourself or you could give gary at code red/profile a call and ask him about it as for the liners thats why i spent all that money on that nice fat alloy raditor to try and keep it cool so 320 isnt near 330 then the chip is the cr330 and lets talk about torque im running 427ft these figers are confirmed by two different rr oh yes thats with the bigger turbo off course and i do belive pumabuild are pushing 350bhp on theres

Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:08[/footnote]

[footnote]Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:56

That gibberish says more than I or others ever could. You Vs Funk - I know who's knowledge I'd back.

BTW, the Focus RS engine isn't the same as that in the ST. Generally the same, yes, but has different pistons & various other bits which allows the motor to make the bhp it does while still retaining a manufacturer's warranty and a degree of safety.

[Stedman]

st kev said:

Stedman said:

Funk said:

Oh, and to the chap who reckoned on 330bhp - you haven't got 330. The Wolf/Profile conversions never made anything near 330, and the liners split once you go much past 310-320. Most of the supposed 330s aren't making that; if they are, they've normally gone pop. The block simply won't take that much.

+1. There are liner issues in the Ovlovs. Its a bit of a shame the old T5 engine couldn't go in.

and the rs is running 340-360 on stage 1 with the same engines

Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:24

Well done, you seen to have found Google

[st kev]

Stedman said:

st kev said:

Stedman said:

Funk said:

Oh, and to the chap who reckoned on 330bhp - you haven't got 330. The Wolf/Profile conversions never made anything near 330, and the liners split once you go much past 310-320. Most of the supposed 330s aren't making that; if they are, they've normally gone pop. The block simply won't take that much.

+1. There are liner issues in the Ovlovs. Its a bit of a shame the old T5 engine couldn't go in.

and the rs is running 340-360 on stage 1 with the same engines

Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:24

Well done, you seen to have found Google

heres abit off goggle

very powerful power upgrade for the Focus ST once again we are leading the way with the Focus ST. We have fitted a larger GT28 Turbo and still retained the strong low down power and torque. The GT28 turbo starts to produce boost as low as 1,500rpm, at 2,500rpm there is 1bar of boost and at a little over 3,000rpm there is 1.2 bar of boost. The standard turbo runs out of breath at 4750rpm and above the small stock turbo simply cannot supply enough air to the large 2.5 litre engine. The GT28 is a flexible turbo and can supply enough air to the engine even at high engine speeds so peak power is an easy 350bhp. The GT28 Turbo on this engine could produce 475bhp but we have limited it to 350bhp. So this is a turbo working to 70% of its capability so it will remain reliable. The drive of the car remains the same you will sill be able to go to the shops and pick the kids up from school but with the added bonus of having 360bhp to play with. Figures are all dyno proven on independent rolling road!

[Funk]

ClintonB said:

st kev said:

best thing for you to do is mr know it all, is look at dec performance ford the red one page 41 and about the 4mpg come round mine put 40 quid in the tank and your see for yourself or you could give gary at code red/profile a call and ask him about it as for the liners thats why i spent all that money on that nice fat alloy raditor to try and keep it cool so 320 isnt near 330 then the chip is the cr330 and lets talk about torque im running 427ft these figers are confirmed by two different rr oh yes thats with the bigger turbo off course and i do belive pumabuild are pushing 350bhp on theres

That gibberish says more than I or others ever could. You Vs Funk - I know who's knowledge I'd back.

BTW, the Focus RS engine isn't the same as that in the ST. Generally the same, yes, but has different pistons & various other bits which allows the motor to make the bhp it does while still retaining a manufacturer's warranty and a degree of safety.

I ran the Focus ST OC for nearly 3 years and have been a member there since pretty much the beginning, I've seen everything to do with the car.. I know Gary at Profile well, along with nearly every other major ST tuner.

Edited by Funk on Monday 18th January 09:14

[Bruniep]

Funk said:

OP, get yourself on www.focusstoc.com or http://www.fordxr5turbo.com/ which is Aussie-specific. There are spec differences between the UK and Oz cars though; things like xenons weren't offered on the XR5.

Edited by Funk on Sunday 17th January 14:21

Thanks for info, signed up for http://www.fordxr5turbo.com/ the other day. You're right the XR5 is different, spec changes and only offered as the 5 door here anyway. Only one basic spec offered (no ST/ST2/ST3 etc) with minimal options from Ford Australia. A number of Ford dealers here are offering good deals at the moment, most will better the already marked down price.

Edited by Bruniep on Monday 18th January 08:50

[Funk]

Bruniep said:

Funk said:

OP, get yourself on www.focusstoc.com or http://www.fordxr5turbo.com/ which is Aussie-specific. There are spec differences between the UK and Oz cars though; things like xenons weren't offered on the XR5.

Edited by Funk on Sunday 17th January 14:21

Thanks for info, signed up for http://www.fordxr5turbo.com/ the other day. You're right the XR5 is different, spec changes and only offered as the 5 door here anyway. Only one basic spec offered (no ST/ST2/ST3 etc) with minimal options from Ford Australia. A number of Ford dealers here are offering good deals at the moment, most will better the already marked down price.

Some of Europe didn't have the ST1/2/3 either, didn't know that Oz only got 5drs. We had a lot of Oz members on the site though, there's a much bigger group of ST owners in the UK than elsewhere it seems, and a lot of the tuning know-how could easily be applied to both markets.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

st kev said:

best thing for you to do is mr know it all, is look at dec performance ford the red one page 41 and about the 4mpg come round mine put 40 quid in the tank and your see for yourself or you could give gary at code red/profile a call and ask him about it as for the liners thats why i spent all that money on that nice fat alloy raditor to try and keep it cool so 320 isnt near 330 then the chip is the cr330 and lets talk about torque im running 427ft these figers are confirmed by two different rr oh yes thats with the bigger turbo off course and i do belive pumabuild are pushing 350bhp on theres

Edited by st kev on Sunday 17th January 21:56

I think you will find Gav aka Funk knows pretty much all there is to know about the ST and its capabilities and especially Gary and co at Wolf, He is also backed up by the quite large number of owners who have taken the W330 maps off there cars to avoid issues.
Yes the bigger turbo will give more BHP but the engines internals are not up to higher outputs without alot of internal work.

Thats why I stopped at 314 BHP