RE: Ford Focus ST (Mk2) | Shed Buying Guide

[stargazer30]

Close call but the type R as the fuel on the ST would bankrupt me and I prefer the handling on the civic. For some folks though the crashy suspension on the type R would be a deal breaker. The ST is a better cruiser for sure.

[Ultrafunkula]

I had a blue one, bluefin stage 2 with other mods making around 280bhp and 330lb/ft. Very quick in gear (the 256bhp Mountune made it quicker than the RS) and excellent ride quality, not very precise handling though.
Re the cambelt change, 100k is fine but I'd get the aux belt checked more regularly as they can snap and take the cambelt with them (as happened to me). Also cylinder liners can be a problem.

[hadleighhammer]

On my 2nd one now (Panther Black) having owned that for 7 years and around 2 years for my 1st (white) ST before it was stolen

Had the insurance pay out sitting in my pocket so could have bought anything, but went for a Mk2 ST again as loved it (only a V8 M3 was tempting, but running/maintenance put me off). Not the best handling hot hatch and the fuel economy can be tragic if you have a heavy right foot, but the engine is so characterful especially with some mods, the immense levels of torque (again modded), the feedback is excellent so you feel confident to push it, and ultimately it is a Focus so it is practical and parts are cheap.

Mine has the Mountune MP260, exhaust, sports cat and downpipe and eibach springs (an absolute must have as can wallow like a barge when standard). Still love driving it so even after nearly 10 years still plan to keep it.

[Total Drivin]

I've just purchased 4 new tyres for mine.



Cost around £100 plus a full tank when we arrived Yorkshire > Cornwall loaded to the knackers. I wasn't fatigued in the slightest very good mile munchers.



I love mine.

[cerb4.5lee]

stargazer30 said:

I’ve owned 3 of them over the years and two FN2 type Rs. The 2.5l STs were comfy torque monsters. Handled like a boat compared to the CTRs though.

A mate of mine had an Orange ST and he didn't like it at all, he was used to Renaultsport Clios though and he said the same as you. Whereas another mate had a Blue one and he loved it. They are quite marmite cars I reckon.

[Jimny33]

I’ve had 2. A blue prefacelift and a white post facelift. Sounded amazing, remapped and went like stink. Did 80,000miles in my white one including track days and a trip to the ring (epic!). The fuel economy killed the fun for me in the end with regular trips to Scotland to see the in-laws.l and I found the handing a bit, well not as amazing as I wanted even with mods.

Great fun though!

[Turbobanana]

Why are these so thirsty?

I owned an S Max with the same engine in the same (standard) state of tune. Around town I got 24mpg driven hard on a 4 mile commute. On longer runs I got over 30.

[AC43]

I've always liked the idea of Fous ST's and the looks. And the sound of course.

Interesting to hear what you can do with a few minor mods.

I'll have a blue one please.

[anonymous-user]

I have a 3 door Colorado red 2008 ST2. Now on a fraction under 58k. I have owned it from new, it is 100% standard, no mods at all (I am very anal about originality). It has been totally reliable, I am looking at getting bushes done in the next few months, and possibly discs and pads shortly.

I have managed to get more than 10k out the front tyres, but then I don’t drive it that hard.

[stargazer30]

Turbobanana said:

Why are these so thirsty?

I owned an S Max with the same engine in the same (standard) state of tune. Around town I got 24mpg driven hard on a 4 mile commute. On longer runs I got over 30.

I heard two reasons. One they run rich stock to aid cooling. Two the Volvo engine didn’t fit well in the focus engine bay so they used a smaller turbo and manifold. Not sure if it’s true though. The mk2 RS is more fuel efficient though.

[Funk]

Loved mine!





Sadly it looks like it got written off by a subsequent owner, it hasn't been taxed or MOT'd since 2012.

Edited by Funk on Saturday 22 February 22:01

[Reciprocating mass]

I quite fancied one after driving one then I drove a megane r26 and forgot all about them

[s m]

Turbobanana said:

Why are these so thirsty?

I owned an S Max with the same engine in the same (standard) state of tune. Around town I got 24mpg driven hard on a 4 mile commute. On longer runs I got over 30.

Maybe because they sound pretty good to rev hard?


The SOTW 2.3 Volvo S40 T5 from a few weeks back that put out 250bhp achieved an average 19.9 mpg on test with a best of 28 so it seems about on a par.

[Ultrafunkula]

stargazer30 said:

Turbobanana said:

Why are these so thirsty?

I owned an S Max with the same engine in the same (standard) state of tune. Around town I got 24mpg driven hard on a 4 mile commute. On longer runs I got over 30.

I heard two reasons. One they run rich stock to aid cooling. Two the Volvo engine didn’t fit well in the focus engine bay so they used a smaller turbo and manifold. Not sure if it’s true though. The mk2 RS is more fuel efficient though.

They have the stock intercooler from the turbodiesel model as standard.

[okenemem]

always loved these cars , saw a facelift on AT for 3200 a year ago ,

[s m]

s m said:

Turbobanana said:

Why are these so thirsty?

I owned an S Max with the same engine in the same (standard) state of tune. Around town I got 24mpg driven hard on a 4 mile commute. On longer runs I got over 30.

Maybe because they sound pretty good to rev hard?


The SOTW 2.3 Volvo S40 T5 from a few weeks back that put out 250bhp achieved an average 19.9 mpg on test with a best of 28 so it seems about on a par.

[Thats What She Said]

One of (if not probably) the best cars I've ever owned. But, man, she loved a drink.

[768]

I've had one, an ST-3 in sea grey, for about 12 years. Not even a grand a year of depreciation I think's been a pretty good result.

Just such a good all rounder it's hard to justify spending a load of cash replacing it. Sooner or later I'm going to need a bigger drive or garage to justify keeping it around though.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mine was great & I'd recommend one all day everyday.

[mw88]

I'd recommend a disklock if you're thinking about a facelift mk2. I had a mk2.5 in Sea Grey with the Mountune 260 remap, didn't take long for it to disappear though!