Used Focus RS - a few questions !

[JamieG]

Evening all, I'm considering replacing the daily runabout with an RS. I'm thinking about an unmodified example and do @ 20-30 miles a day max. A couple of questions come to mind:
1)Are they reliable enough to be used as a daily driver for commuter traffic?
2)Are there many non-modified cars out there?
3)How do I spot if a car has previously had a Blue-fin plumbed in? - I saw a car in a dealership the other day that was "standard" - the diameter of the exhaust and absent front fogs (I'm assuming they were removed to help brake cooling) suggested otherwise!
Grateful for any comments.

[tdo]

1, yes
2, yes
3, a bluefin chip can be un-loaded

[Mattt]

As above, but a dealer can check for Bluefins previous presence if it hasn't been driven far due to lack of stored data, if I remember correctly.

I wouldn't worry to be honest. I know of a good FRS for sale at the moment, based in East London if you are interested!

47k miles, 2003 03 reg - mostly motorway, current owner is 2nd owner, new Red stuff discs and pads, professionally installed Bluetooth Car Kit and Subwoofer connected to the Ford 6 disc head unit (model 9006), painted Door Handles, Tax till end of Oct 2007, MOT till August 2007. Buying new house forces reluctant sale, car has been very well cared for, no track days, absolutely stunning car turns heads daily, extended Ford Warranty. £12,000. No offers

[ASBO]

JamieG said:

Evening all, I'm considering replacing the daily runabout with an RS. I'm thinking about an unmodified example and do @ 20-30 miles a day max. A couple of questions come to mind:
1)Are they reliable enough to be used as a daily driver for commuter traffic?
2)Are there many non-modified cars out there?
3)How do I spot if a car has previously had a Blue-fin plumbed in? - I saw a car in a dealership the other day that was "standard" - the diameter of the exhaust and absent front fogs (I'm assuming they were removed to help brake cooling) suggested otherwise!
Grateful for any comments.

Provided you get an unabused one, relaibility is not a concern. Mine takes me to and from work each day through heavy trffic and then gets cained at the weekend

Of course you need to accept that the ride on these things is very hard and crashy in town and potholes are to be avoided at all costs.

There are plenty of standard one about yes. check out the RS owners club website for more details or see on here in the classifides.

Cant help you on the bluefin, but as a general rule, if someone has gone down the chip route, the chances are the car will have had other upgrades too (as you have seen), so should be easy to spot.

EVO magazine (issue#92) did a buyers guide of the FRS if you can get hold of a copy

[:J:]

I use mine as a daily driver, 11 months and other than the clutch, no problems.

However, I have probably now sealed my own fate

[JamieG]

Thanks for replies chaps - got me thinking...!
Mattt - car sounds nice but I'm looking for a slightly lower mileage RS.
Last question - Where is the port for the Blue-fin - thought I read somewhere that it is under the steering column?
Cheers again. Jamie

[ChrisRS]

JamieG said:

Thanks for replies chaps - got me thinking...!
Mattt - car sounds nice but I'm looking for a slightly lower mileage RS.
Last question - Where is the port for the Blue-fin - thought I read somewhere that it is under the steering column?
Cheers again. Jamie

Correct, theres a small shelf with a small panel that pulls off.

ChrisRS

[Witchfinder]

It's very hard to find an unmolested one. If you do find a good, unmodified RS then keep it that way - they're worth more. Really good, low mileage unmodified RSs are still going for £18K+.

About a year ago, I spent ages trying to find a decent unmodified RS for around 15K, and I simply couldn't find one. In the end, I bought the Mondeo.

[chriz1]

dont worry about modded ones if your thinking of doing the same to yours someday then look for a modded one,these cars can handle some good power!
I got one for sale see here only slighty tuned sports cat,k&n panel filter

www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/118814.htm

[RDE]

There was an absolutely superb example floating around the classifieds a few weeks back. It only had 3000 miles, and had never been used in the wet! The guy had put up pictures of the underside of the car and it looked like it hadn't left the showroom. About £17k IIRC.