RE: Ford Focus RS (Mk3) | Spotted

[TomTVR500]

samoht said:

TomTVR500 said:

Two things that have really put me off these things. The frankly unforgivable weight of them and all the horror stories of the 2.3 Ecoboost engine having major mechanical failures if used as intended.

Can you think of anything else from this decade with five seats and a boot, ~350hp and 4wd which is meaningfully lighter?

No, I will be honest, I can't. My intention wasn't to compare it to other similar vehicles though, for the record I think all the current crop of hot hatches are too heavy for their own good but that's because I'm a bit of a dinosaur.

Just on a side note, I did buy an Audi S1 for my daily a couple of years ago which was roughly 250kg lighter than the Focus RS mentioned here and even with just 230bhp it was surprisingly good fun to drive given Audi's usual reputation and felt every bit as quick as an S3 or Golf R subjectively, only far more agile. It was reasonably economical, practical and seated 4 adults and my dog in comfort.

[Olivera]

Gez79 said:

If you go off quoted figures then the Golf R and S3 are both well over 100kg lighter, the Ford tips in at 1600kg and the vag stuff is quoted at between 1400 and 1473kg.

Comparing published weight figures is often a st show, are we comparing dry weight, DIN weight, EU weight, with or without options, and do these actually reflect what the car really weighs?

A quick google of Golf R weigh bridge weight shows an owner getting a figure of 3340 pounds = 1515kg.

[PeterGadsby]

Scribble BM said:

Only a very brave soul would buy one of these out of warranty! The amount of engine issues these cars have seems to have gone under the radar very well.

I have a friend on his 3rd engine at 23k miles!!!!!

What was the problem with the engine? Mines done over 23,000 and all it has had is the recall

- Pete

[Ahbefive]

timrud said:

Cars that were better in 2016:

A45
RS3
S3
Golf R
Megane

You just can't escape the cheap and nasty interior of the Ford. I can see why it appeals to a certain demographic, who don't mind sub standard quality when blinded by the Ford RS brand.

Sorry but you clearly haven't driven one or have a vastly different idea of what better means. Some may be quicker, some may have more expensive feeling interior plastics but all except the Megane are absolutely bland understeer on the limit numbness to drive.

None of your list is anything other than haldex or fwd and most are auto, the RS is totally different and by far for the better.

I can only assume that driving dynamics are further down your list than they are on mine or you simply haven't driven one.

Edited by Ahbefive on Sunday 11th August 15:03

[PeterGadsby]

Ahbefive said:

timrud said:

Cars that were better in 2016:

A45
RS3
S3
Golf R
Megane

You just can't escape the cheap and nasty interior of the Ford. I can see why it appeals to a certain demographic, who don't mind sub standard quality when blinded by the Ford RS brand.

Sorry but you clearly haven't driven one if you think they are better. Some may be quicker, some may have more expensive feeling interior plastics but all except the Megane are absolutely bland understeer on the limit numbness to drive.

I can only assume that driving dynamics are further down your list than they are on mine or you simply haven't driven one.

I have to agree, and not because I'm an RS fan boy..... (although slightly different to the list) I have an S4 Avant B8... Had over 380hp and 4 wheel drive & it was lovely inside, but the blandest thing to drive, with a double clutch gearbox it felt better just leaving it in auto. But when you did it tried to change gear at 2,500rpm. We got rid after a year.

- Pete

[DoubleD]

Its a shame that they didn't make them look a bit more exciting.

[xjay1337]

FN2TypeR said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Seat too high?
JCR-Developments do a kit that lowers the Recaro shell seats by 55mm iirc. May not sound a lot but it seems to make all the difference and be a popular mod....
https://www.jcr-developments.com/jcr/product/mk3-f...

Bargain!

Agreed... I'll have 2!

Stupid pricing. You can get Recaro runners for half that and simpy remove the adjustment / runners and be as low.

[AmosMoses]

If its not in blue i'm out! I think in any other shade they just look a little dull.

[SidewaysSi]

I thought of one as a family car but it's not big enough unfortunately so have gone elsewhere.

[GreatScott2016]

timrud said:

Cars that were better in 2016:

A45
RS3
S3
Golf R
Megane

You just can't escape the cheap and nasty interior of the Ford. I can see why it appeals to a certain demographic, who don't mind sub standard quality when blinded by the Ford RS brand.

Oh dear, probably the most inaccurate post I’ve ever read on Pistonheads ... read what any discerning motor journalist says about those models you quote and you may just want to change your mind?

I may be bias owing a RS but I’ve driven all of the above and owned several and without exception the Ford is the better drive by far, accepting that the Renault is in a similar league. Strangely, for me the Golf R was the most disappointing test drive I’ve ever had ....

[blade7]

Looks like the usual suspects still get punchy if anyone dares to question their investment. What are WBAC offering now?

[neil-1323bolts]

I owned one for a year , with the mountune 375 , it's a great car mine ran with zero problems at all , the head gasget in mine was correct from factory as it was a later car . I think most of the engine issues were the early cars and the head gasget field work carried out was not done to the correct standard , causing oil leaks and owners having to take cars back several times to resolve this issues. The car is not perfect there are problems , veering steering was annoying, and as said in the write up suspension is very firm even in normal setting at low speeds , fuel consumption if that is important to you was really bad did not bother me but 23 mpg I averaged on a mixture of roads . Those lovely recaro seats wear out very quickly if you don't respect the side bolsters you need to get in / out the car without touching them at all , bit of a faff . Razor sharp steering and a great 4wd system means not much is quicker when the road gets twisty even if the Rs is a tad Lardy in the weight department , I think because of this the car needs at the very least a 375 mountune which keeps the warranty intact . I've owned a golf R and it was a manual , and dull as dish water which is strange for a 300 bhp hot hatch , the RS Is way better as a driving machine , go try one .

[macky17]

With the new Fiesta ST (and maybe the Focus ST?) Ford seem finally to have delivered a fun hot hatch with decent ride quality for UK roads. This mk3 RS is too bloody hard because the suspension setup is cheap. Cue people saying “I’ve owned one for x years and it’s not too bad” but the fact is you haven’t owned a car with properly matched spring and damper rates if you think this is acceptable. I await the mk4 - let’s see if they’ve finally figured out where the important money needs to be invested.

[FN2TypeR]

blade7 said:

Looks like the usual suspects still get punchy if anyone dares to question their investment. What are WBAC offering now?

£21,440 for the one shown in the pictures based on one owner, a full service history and no declared defects.

[HM-2]

Ahbefive said:

None of your list is anything other than haldex or fwd and most are auto, the RS is totally different

Eh? The Twinster system is fundamentally the same as Haldex in its operation.

[xjay1337]

HM-2 said:

Eh? The Twinster system is fundamentally the same as Haldex in its operation.

May be but I'm sure software calibration has a lot to do with it

[anonymous-user]

HM-2 said:

Ahbefive said:

None of your list is anything other than haldex or fwd and most are auto, the RS is totally different

Eh? The Twinster system is fundamentally the same as Haldex in its operation.

It is very different in its operation and even more different in how it feels to actually drive.

[Dale487]

Midgster said:

FN2TypeR said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Seat too high?
JCR-Developments do a kit that lowers the Recaro shell seats by 55mm iirc. May not sound a lot but it seems to make all the difference and be a popular mod....
https://www.jcr-developments.com/jcr/product/mk3-f...

Bargain!

At £550, if you break it down to £100 per cm, or £10 per mm it doesn't seem to bad

Worth ever penny, the MPV driving position is boarding on criminal.

[jamiemce]

timrud said:

Cars that were better in 2016:

A45
RS3
S3
Golf R
Megane

You just can't escape the cheap and nasty interior of the Ford. I can see why it appeals to a certain demographic, who don't mind sub standard quality when blinded by the Ford RS brand.

I ran an A45 for just under a year. Got fed up of the dull point and squirt performance. Swapped it for an F56 Mini JCW and even that is a far superior driving experience in terms of real world driving fun (even before I swapped out the standard P7 run flats) and also a nicer place to sit everyday. I even used the change to buy a UK DC2.

A manual box for hot hatches makes a huge difference for anyone actually interested in enjoying the drive in my eyes. I haven't driven an RS but would pick it over any of this list bar the Megane.

If you're going to be spending this amount of money on a hot hatch, to probably use daily, it really should be something that puts a smile on your face without having to wring it's neck every time you drive it. The A45 was only any fun on full throttle. I suspect the RS wouldn't have this problem.

Edited by jamiemce on Monday 12th August 07:36

[Marvin Trill]

As a previous owner of fast Fords (Fiesta RS1800, Fiesta Zetec S with a 1.7 Puma lump in, an FRP (With LSD most fun fwd I've driven) and a short spell with a Mondeo ST200) In 2016 I looked at both and settled with a Golf R, 3 door with DSG. It is point and squirt and can be seen as boring. But I like it's inconspicuous looks, and slightly softer ride suited me for when I do long distances down to the south of Spain & Italy. That said the RS is a better drivers car and having the 5 doors is more useful, just not sure I could have lived with the firmer ride over long distances. Still the RS is a great car, a future classic for someone to enjoy.