Focus ST used purchase. One issue?
Discussion
After a few weeks searching we have found a strong contender for purchase. Colour, spec, price and model and service history all tick our boxes.
However, inspecting the images closely prior to making appointment to view I have noticed that one of the rear tyres is mismatched. The mismatched tyre is a budget performance tyre which raises its own ? mark.
Am I over reacting to be concerned or knock back the price for a decent replacement tyre?
However, inspecting the images closely prior to making appointment to view I have noticed that one of the rear tyres is mismatched. The mismatched tyre is a budget performance tyre which raises its own ? mark.
Am I over reacting to be concerned or knock back the price for a decent replacement tyre?
steveo3002 said:
maybe the previous owner put a cheapie on because he was trading it in soon , or thats the kind of thing a dealer would do anyway
if it checks out otherwise i wouldnt worry about a tyre...soon replace that!!
^^^^if it checks out otherwise i wouldnt worry about a tyre...soon replace that!!
THIS
O/P, if it bothers you, just factor it in to negotiations and replace it subsequently.
Thanks for replies.
The car in question is at www.maranellocars.co.uk priced at £8349
A second ST which may be worth a look is at www.NWCB.co uk priced at £7995
Apologies for not providing a direct link.
The car in question is at www.maranellocars.co.uk priced at £8349
A second ST which may be worth a look is at www.NWCB.co uk priced at £7995
Apologies for not providing a direct link.
tallpaul26 said:
Personally, I'd be more concerned about cracked cylinder liners and the state of the clutch.
Yes I have been reading up about that stuff and clued myself up as to what the issue sounds like when engine is running, whistling kettle apparently. Is the engine problem really common or is it one in a thousand bad luck?New engine required if cylinder lining is cracked or are specialists about that can repair? Clutch not so bad but I understand that the RS clutch is a popular exchange from the standard ST jobbie.The reason I mention the mismatch tyre was the question mark in my head about corner cutting and wonder what else has been skimped on. Still any used car buying is a minefied!!!
Thanks for the important input
I'm not sure the liner issue is all it is cracked up to be. You only ever hear the horror stories on forums etc. How many of those engines have been made? I bet a huge amount more than issues posted online.
For what its worth, I believe Collins Performance say there is no need to have the block mod done up until 320bhp, but maybe 300bhp if you're using the likes of Revo as they map slightly differently. If it needs a cam belt, maybe get it done for peace of mind.
I have a Mondeo with the same engine, over 160,000 miles and no issues.
I wouldn't read too much into the tyre, but I would want a little off so that I could replace it for a matching tyre. What is the rest of the car like? If it's all good then I can't see an issue.
For what its worth, I believe Collins Performance say there is no need to have the block mod done up until 320bhp, but maybe 300bhp if you're using the likes of Revo as they map slightly differently. If it needs a cam belt, maybe get it done for peace of mind.
I have a Mondeo with the same engine, over 160,000 miles and no issues.
I wouldn't read too much into the tyre, but I would want a little off so that I could replace it for a matching tyre. What is the rest of the car like? If it's all good then I can't see an issue.
Cracked liners doesn't result in whistling kettle!
Cracked liner symptoms will be misfire and white smoke from the exhaust. Whistling kettle is split oil diaphragm which affects early cars. Facelift ones have an updated diaphragm. I paid £8450 for a 2010 on 58k 3 months back, mines been back under warranty for wishbone bushes, apart from that it's been fine. Worth noting that wishbone bushes are oil filled and around 900 quid fitted for the pair from Ford.
Cracked liners tends to affect high boost cars driven hard. Liners crack as a result of heat. There's a "block mod" which is 500-600 quid which prevents this from happening. As that car has an aftermarket exhaust I would guess it's been mapped. You can tell if it has by looking at the Turbo gauge. Under full throttle it should hold at midpoint on the gauge. If it sits any lower then there's a problem with the car, most likely boost solenoid. If it sits higher into the red, it's been remapped. I bought mine standard but within a month put Bluefin Stage 1 on, now it's running Bluefin Stage 2. I've also done the popular "de-res" mod which involves removing the rear silencer. As standard these cars aren't that quick, but Stage 1 brings them to life.
Clutch issues can be checked easily again, by putting in 6th and using some power. If the revs rise quickly without speed increasing then the clutch is on the way out. Again, this issue is common on mapped cars. RS Clutch resolves it but costs around £900. Electrical gremlins can also be common but 99% of the time is down to a dying battery. Altenators are also common to fail.
Bodywork wise, the facelift comes with some things Ford did in attempt to prevent paint from rubbing. Where the rear bumper meets the arch it rubs, eventually wearing paint away and resulting in rust if undertreated. This is also the case on the boot meeting the bodywork internally. Ford added clear plastic strips in attempt to prevent this, but it doesn't always work.
I would highly recommend joining the STOC forums, there's a wealth of invaluable knowledge on there. Don't let my post put you off. I'm 36 and absolutely love my ST, every time I use it feels like an event. The noise from the engine and exhaust is superb and the handling top notch. One of the great modern hot hatches imo. Also make sure you look at a few before settling. I viewed numerous which looked great on the photos but nails in real life.
Cracked liner symptoms will be misfire and white smoke from the exhaust. Whistling kettle is split oil diaphragm which affects early cars. Facelift ones have an updated diaphragm. I paid £8450 for a 2010 on 58k 3 months back, mines been back under warranty for wishbone bushes, apart from that it's been fine. Worth noting that wishbone bushes are oil filled and around 900 quid fitted for the pair from Ford.
Cracked liners tends to affect high boost cars driven hard. Liners crack as a result of heat. There's a "block mod" which is 500-600 quid which prevents this from happening. As that car has an aftermarket exhaust I would guess it's been mapped. You can tell if it has by looking at the Turbo gauge. Under full throttle it should hold at midpoint on the gauge. If it sits any lower then there's a problem with the car, most likely boost solenoid. If it sits higher into the red, it's been remapped. I bought mine standard but within a month put Bluefin Stage 1 on, now it's running Bluefin Stage 2. I've also done the popular "de-res" mod which involves removing the rear silencer. As standard these cars aren't that quick, but Stage 1 brings them to life.
Clutch issues can be checked easily again, by putting in 6th and using some power. If the revs rise quickly without speed increasing then the clutch is on the way out. Again, this issue is common on mapped cars. RS Clutch resolves it but costs around £900. Electrical gremlins can also be common but 99% of the time is down to a dying battery. Altenators are also common to fail.
Bodywork wise, the facelift comes with some things Ford did in attempt to prevent paint from rubbing. Where the rear bumper meets the arch it rubs, eventually wearing paint away and resulting in rust if undertreated. This is also the case on the boot meeting the bodywork internally. Ford added clear plastic strips in attempt to prevent this, but it doesn't always work.
I would highly recommend joining the STOC forums, there's a wealth of invaluable knowledge on there. Don't let my post put you off. I'm 36 and absolutely love my ST, every time I use it feels like an event. The noise from the engine and exhaust is superb and the handling top notch. One of the great modern hot hatches imo. Also make sure you look at a few before settling. I viewed numerous which looked great on the photos but nails in real life.
^^^^^
Sincere thanks for taking the time and trouble in posting loads of valuable information. Neither car was for us but plenty are on the market at the moment. We stumbled across a Seat Cupra being sold locally to us by. private seller. Wife loves it so am going to investigate further. I gather performance is much same to the ST but the mechanics seem more robust. Being a five door which looks like a three door is good advantage for us.
Decision to make, the seat is on owner from new, it's a 2010 car, in perfect condition with full service record backed by invoices. Looks and sounds like a cherished car which is tempting, especially as it is as factory standard. I will post back when we have had a test drive.
Sincere thanks for taking the time and trouble in posting loads of valuable information. Neither car was for us but plenty are on the market at the moment. We stumbled across a Seat Cupra being sold locally to us by. private seller. Wife loves it so am going to investigate further. I gather performance is much same to the ST but the mechanics seem more robust. Being a five door which looks like a three door is good advantage for us.
Decision to make, the seat is on owner from new, it's a 2010 car, in perfect condition with full service record backed by invoices. Looks and sounds like a cherished car which is tempting, especially as it is as factory standard. I will post back when we have had a test drive.
I also considered the Leon Cupra and K1's, however I'd suggest driving one and driving a Focus ST. Personally I found the Leon dull, engine is dull, handles well but steering devoid of any information, dull looks, dull exhaust note. They are robust though, the Cupra has the same engine as the ED30 Golf so are very tuneable. Most other hot hatches in this segment/price bracket have a 2 litre 4 cylinder turbo, the ST doesn't and it dominates the car making it a tad more special imo. I am biased though as I love the ST. Only other hot hatch I've had I loved as much was a GTI-6 which I kept for 8 years.
The Leon isn't as good a drive as the ST the engines are no more robust than the Ford & not as charismatic an engine note either there are no really bad hot hatches these days some people like the VXR's as they represent good value the RS Megane is the best drivers hatch after trying a lot of them I chose the Focus but there aren't really any bad choices.
OP, I've owned, ran and tuned 3x Focus STs. Al the 2.5L Volvo engines.
The chocolate clutches were most common on the early ones, mainly 07. If the ST is mapped they slip/wear out ,even on the more progressive maps. You can check for an abused clutch on a test drive, motorway, 6th gear at lowish RPM, full throttle and watch the revs. I heard the horror stories about the liner cracking but none of mine had any issues and they were ~260bhp. Throwing a new one in the mix, drive shafts, they don't like remaps either.
Very nice car, lovely engine growl, buckets of torque. My only complaints were all 3 of mine drunk like a Russian hooker. I never saw 22mpg but I do only urban driving. That and the heavy engine up front made it a bit wallowly in the corners, even with eibach springs on. I much prefer the handling on my FN2 CTR of course the trade off being the civic has no suspension, at all :-)
The chocolate clutches were most common on the early ones, mainly 07. If the ST is mapped they slip/wear out ,even on the more progressive maps. You can check for an abused clutch on a test drive, motorway, 6th gear at lowish RPM, full throttle and watch the revs. I heard the horror stories about the liner cracking but none of mine had any issues and they were ~260bhp. Throwing a new one in the mix, drive shafts, they don't like remaps either.
Very nice car, lovely engine growl, buckets of torque. My only complaints were all 3 of mine drunk like a Russian hooker. I never saw 22mpg but I do only urban driving. That and the heavy engine up front made it a bit wallowly in the corners, even with eibach springs on. I much prefer the handling on my FN2 CTR of course the trade off being the civic has no suspension, at all :-)
Agree with GG89 to an extent.
I've owned two of them. Both bought at auction so I know there was definitely a risk factor in it. My most recent one was good as gold. '09 plate face lift car with 30k miles. Absolutely spot on as expected with the mileage.
However, the first one was an 07 plate pre face lift car with around 70k miles on it and was abysmal. I'd wanted one for so long that I was gutted when all it liked doing was spending time in the workshop being broken. Had to do the clutch, gearbox oil seals, drive shafts, oil filter diaphragm, bonnet lock mechanism amongst other things and got shot of it after a few months. Guy who bought it from me must have got an absolute steal and a nice car but I had just had enough of it.
When they're running right they are bloody brilliant though so if you want one definitely give one a try!
I've owned two of them. Both bought at auction so I know there was definitely a risk factor in it. My most recent one was good as gold. '09 plate face lift car with 30k miles. Absolutely spot on as expected with the mileage.
However, the first one was an 07 plate pre face lift car with around 70k miles on it and was abysmal. I'd wanted one for so long that I was gutted when all it liked doing was spending time in the workshop being broken. Had to do the clutch, gearbox oil seals, drive shafts, oil filter diaphragm, bonnet lock mechanism amongst other things and got shot of it after a few months. Guy who bought it from me must have got an absolute steal and a nice car but I had just had enough of it.
When they're running right they are bloody brilliant though so if you want one definitely give one a try!
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