My 2015 Ford Focus ST3 - and the conundrum

[Big_Snape]

Alright all long time reader on and off but I ve not been part of a collective for a while so thought I d get back involved and hopefully attend some events.

I love my Mk3 ST however, I m toying with the idea of moving to a Mk3 RS but will it really be that much better than my ST? A question I ask myself regularly.

Currently running a Dreamscience mapping tool on what you could call their stage 2 (Race) map.
K&N intake, quick shift kit, CAT back exhaust, hard race and Powerflex engine mounts, GFB recirc valve..

Maintenance has been a bit of a hinderance in getting the car to the next level.. all in my first 12 months of ownership!!! but now at 63k miles it s probably to be expected.

Water pump
Radiator
Condenser
OS Driveshaft (genuine motorcraft)
Electro power steering rack. (Reman with 2yr warranty still cost a little over £1000)

So I m now at a point where I fully commit to this car which will be, suspension and top mounts with drop links etc.. Brembo front callipers from an RS, sports CAT, FMIC, big boost pipe kit and a coolerworx shifter (or similar).

Or I sack that off and buy an RS?

I know the pros and cons of both and the costs involved, this is purely a question of should I bother?

Cheers Rich

Edited by Big_Snape on Thursday 9th April 13:20

[R5 KDT]

Do it, you wont regret it. Its 4 wheel drive first off so completely different to drive to the ST and great fun, second if you get a good one with low miles and a full verifiable history it will have zero depreciation.

Look forward to hearing youve bitten the bullet

[pigface1001]

An ST will always be an ST, what ever you do to it, If you have the money go for the RS, it will hold its value and you have more street cred with one.

[Deep Thought]

I'd go for the RS

It'll hold its money at worst or most likely go up in value.

An ST will always be an ST.

[Big_Snape]

Thanks all for the early responses, it’s what I was expecting to be honest. I guess I just need a little nudge to take the plunge….

[Ghs]

I’m a Ford fan , we have a st in the household now , but £30,000 for a 5 door Ford focus , rs or not sounds crazy to me , the mk2 was special & demands a premium , I’m not convinced the mk3 will , it’s just not special enough I m h o , and in years to come I don’t think there will be the demand for fast fords , the young kids in my area / work with have moved on from fords to bmw / vw etc , the lads who grew up with fast fords will be nigh on pensioners now so your target market will reduce over the comming years .
I’d keep the st personally .

[Deep Thought]

Ghs said:

I m a Ford fan , we have a st in the household now , but £30,000 for a 5 door Ford focus , rs or not sounds crazy to me , the mk2 was special & demands a premium , I m not convinced the mk3 will , it s just not special enough I m h o , and in years to come I don t think there will be the demand for fast fords , the young kids in my area / work with have moved on from fords to bmw / vw etc , the lads who grew up with fast fords will be nigh on pensioners now so your target market will reduce over the comming years .
I d keep the st personally .

You've picked one of the more expensive ones?

Can be got for around £20k

[Big_Snape]

As above that s a very expensive example. I m looking at spending around £22k which will buy a low milage good spec example. I understand what you re saying about the Mk2 but personally I don t agree it s more special.. maybe it seems that way now as it was less popular at release? The Mk3 is likely to be the last proper RS..and realistically this is my last chance to own one before the potential and historically inevitable price inflation.

Thanks for showing support for the ST.

To add… the value of a FL ST seems to be up, it’s currently worth a little more than I paid for it.

[R5 KDT]

I m a Ford fan , we have a st in the household now , but £30,000 for a 5 door Ford focus , rs or not sounds crazy to me , the mk2 was special & demands a premium , I m not convinced the mk3 will , it s just not special enough I m h o , and in years to come I don t think there will be the demand for fast fords , the young kids in my area / work with have moved on from fords to bmw / vw etc , the lads who grew up with fast fords will be nigh on pensioners now so your target market will reduce over the coming years .
I d keep the st personally .
[/quote]

You've clearly never driven one, whilst they look very similar to the ST, completely different animal four wheel drive for starters. Lower volumes, write offs and the RS badge will keep the residuals high.

As the others have mentioned an ST will always be just that and whilst quite capable its not an RS

[Belle427]

Just be aware of the engine issues, there is a thread in here recently regarding an engine failure soon after purchase.
That's my only gripe with them really, always fancied one myself
Same with the MK2 but am not willing to spend that sort of money on one!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Big_Snape]

Yea I know all about the engine issues, mainly Ford fitting a non reinforced head gasket and it blowing around the fire rings. The one I’m looking at has had a rebuild with forged pistons etc.. so that should be that.

Has got some other nice bits too.. but no Shell seats. Which is Ok as I’m 6ft4 and need the height adjustment. I’m aware there’s seat lowering plates available but I really like the seats in my ST3 so that’s not a deal breaker for me.

[Nath911t]

Big_Snape said:

I m toying with the idea of moving to a Mk3 RS but will it really be that much better than my ST? A question I ask myself regularly.

Yes. Most of us have been in your shoes at least once ( Many times for me ) The sheer fact you're thinking about it means you want to do it. How many times have you driven past one and admired it then wondered what it'd be like to live with one. Just get it done and enjoy the experience

[Roboticarm]

As an owner of a 2015 ST myself, and often parking near an RS at work.
I often compare the 2, I have always liked the look of the ST but the RS does take it to the next level, I'd always thought the RS was a wider body but parked near my ST it's obvious that it's not.

I can see both sides here: the RS is definitely more special and the 4wd would be good, but, in my head it's not triple the price good.

I've just had a front end refresh on my ST: new shocks, springs, track rods, arms etc and a refurbished steering rack. Does freshen it up

With used cars I often lean towards better the devil you know, your current car is a known quantity and the RS isn't

[Big_Snape]

This had been my outlook for a while, but with the price of the late 16/ early 17 models now as low as £20k I think it’s the right time to buy.

And I have to now say, a deal has been done and I’m collecting a Nitrous Blue RS tomorrow with some very tasty mods!!

The dealer has offered to buy my 2015 ST - 66k on the clock for £9100 which is a great price IMO. I’ll let you know if I regret the decision but I’m not sure I will.

[Deep Thought]

Big_Snape said:

This had been my outlook for a while, but with the price of the late 16/ early 17 models now as low as £20k I think it s the right time to buy.

And I have to now say, a deal has been done and I m collecting a Nitrous Blue RS tomorrow with some very tasty mods!!

The dealer has offered to buy my 2015 ST - 66k on the clock for £9100 which is a great price IMO. I ll let you know if I regret the decision but I m not sure I will.

Brilliant!

Start a Readers Cars thread when you get it. Would love to see it!

[Big_Snape]

Cleaned and ready for my last ride tomorrow morning… (3hr drive) I’ll be so sad to drive away from this car but I’m sure I’ll get over it on the return trip.

[Its Just Adz]

I was going to say yes, go for the RS, but you've already done it. Nice one!

An RS will always be special.

[Big_Snape]

Its Just Adz said:

I was going to say yes, go for the RS, but you've already done it. Nice one!

An RS will always be special.

Cheers dude.. will create a new thread when I’m home tomorrow.

[Deep Thought]

Big_Snape said:

Cheers dude.. will create a new thread when I m home tomorrow.

[Nath911t]

Brilliant stuff. Enjoy your new RS !