Focus ST - what to expect?

[arfur sleep]

I'm about to purchase a '07 plate Focus ST-2 5dr with 27k, one owner FSH. purchased from main dealer.

I've driven a fair few STs previously so know what to expect performance/handling wise but anybody give me any advice on what to expect on the day to day running?

Mostly be m-way commute but there's plenty of twisty bits near me so I hope to enjoy those as well.

I've assumed 25 mpg but hoping that will pick up given m-way cruise but tyre wear, seat comfort, NVH etc is all unknown so any tips etc would be appreciated

Thanks

Edited by arfur sleep on Monday 26th July 09:22

[killsta]

arfur sleep said:

I'm about to purchase a '07 plate Focus ST-2 5dr with 27k, one owner FSH. purchased from main dealer.

I've driven a fair few STs previously so know what to expect performance/handling wise but anybody give me any advice on what to expect on the day to day running?

Mostly be m-way commute but there's plenty of twisty bits near me so I hope to enjoy those as well.

I've assumed 25 mpg but hoping that will pick up given m-way cruise but tyre wear, seat comfort, NVH etc is all unknown so any tips etc would be appreciated

Thanks

Edited by arfur sleep on Monday 26th July 09:22

MPG wise is correct - mine shows 25.8 on a mixture of mway/A/B Roads.

Only had it 6 months so haven't used a full set of tyres myself, however at a guess mine were half worn when I bought it and now are coming up for replacement - 4k miles have been done in this period

Seat comfort - I have the ST3 and mine are very snug, can't comment on the ST2 but alot of people prefer them so they can't be bad.

[356Speedster]

If you're doing m-way miles, then you should get up over 25mpg, but that'll go down on your back roads.... how far it goes down will depend on how good the roads are and how enthusiastic you are

You can increase the mpg by applying a DreamScience map, which will also un-cork the heavily strangled std car. You can get a handheld off eBay or the STOC for abut £400 and it's well worth the investment.

Front tyres will again depend on your driving. My (well, now my wife's) ST spends most of it's life on country roads and going around islands, so they only lasted 7K a pair (front). Rears last a lot longer.

The ST2 seats are great, very comfortable, no complaints there. Pre-face lift cars do suffer a bit on the NVH tho'. My new RS is a lot quieter and more refined than the ST in that respect.

The pros well outweight the cons tho', so don't worry about it! Just enjoy the 5-pot & sweet chassis

[thebigmacmoomin]

I get about 21mpg around town.

[GaryST220]

What to expect? A whole lot of awesomeness

[thehappyotter]

I'm getting 10-12k from a set of fronts and 26ish mpg if I take it (boringly) easy on A roads.

Mine's had the Dreamscience treatment and is currently running the dsci map, can't rate it highly enough even on an almost standard car.

The couple of little mods I've done are a K&N panel filter to help it suck in air now it bosst's so much higher and Eibach springs which have transformed the handling almost as much as the Dreamscience has transformed the performance. The map and springs are must gets in my view.

One word of warning with fuel though, push it on country roads and it'll tear your wallet to pieces!

Edited by thehappyotter on Tuesday 27th July 13:09

[TuxRacer]

I'm currently getting 23.8mpg, mostly motorway with some A road. 5k for tyres on the front, 10k on the rears.

I get worse economy on the motorway than A roads. I'm beginning to think I might drive like a dhead though.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

thehappyotter said:

Edited by thehappyotter on Tuesday 27th July 13:09

13.9 your not trying hard enough

[thehappyotter]

Must try harder. I suspect it's quite possible to see single figures. I've had a V70 T5 show 11 over a night shift so I'm sure the Focus can get much lower too!

[arfur sleep]

Picking her up tomorrow - taking the long way home!

Thanks for all the tips - the Dreamscience and Eibach upgrades will have to wait, this is going to be a company car so need to talk to the insurance company regarding their view / premiums on upgrades before moving ahead.

[blackcab]

I got the wife a 57 plate 4 months ago - I bloody love driving it - Its just done 13000 miles still on first set of tyres although looking a bit low on the front - she does small journeys and it averages about 23 - 24 - I took it on a long run steady speeds with the odd blip and got early 30's

really good cars - surprising handling and performance and the noise is addictive - i chose it over the golf GTi because of the noise !!

[oobster]

Is leather the only difference between and ST-2 and ST-3? I am, funds allowing, considering upgrading early in the new year - I have a 57-plate 5door Focus 2.0TDCi that has leather seats.

[anonymous-user]

Pretty much, I believe the ST3 only has two sculpted style seats in the back rather than being able to carry 3 passengers in the back as in the ST2.

The only other difference IIRC is a multichanger CD player.

[blueST]

thehappyotter said:

Must try harder. I suspect it's quite possible to see single figures. I've had a V70 T5 show 11 over a night shift so I'm sure the Focus can get much lower too!

It certainly is possible to see single figures. I averaged 9 point something a few years ago. Admittedly, this was a track day, but that average included the return journey from Manchester to Bruntingthorpe. Frugal she isn't.

[killsta]

oobster said:

Is leather the only difference between and ST-2 and ST-3? I am, funds allowing, considering upgrading early in the new year - I have a 57-plate 5door Focus 2.0TDCi that has leather seats.

Seats and stereo.

[killsta]

arfur sleep said:

Picking her up tomorrow - taking the long way home!

Thanks for all the tips - the Dreamscience and Eibach upgrades will have to wait, this is going to be a company car so need to talk to the insurance company regarding their view / premiums on upgrades before moving ahead.

Wahey another 4 door!

Looks good mate, I think the STs look surprisingly good in silver, and I'm not usually a fan of silver cars.

Still, blue was the colour I had to have. Orange was a consideration but I got the impression from others that I'd look like a cock.



I'm sure you'll enjoy it, I still love mine 6 months on

Edited by killsta on Thursday 19th August 11:30