RE: Ford Focus ST Mountune m330 | PH Review

[Escort Si-130]

I guess the Mountune stickers and gearknob etc are not part of the package or are "optional extras"

It is impressive that the mk4 Focus ST does 0-62.5 in 5.2 secs quicker than the mk2 Focus RS500 (that had the mountune development) and that was in 5.4 seconds.

[Escort Si-130]

Wash your mouth out, the Escort was stylish, not bland at all.

aaron_2000 said:

The front end looks nice, but the rest of the body and the interior are just so generic. I couldn't spend any period of time in that interior, it might actually be worse than the Leon. It's a shame the Focus has ended up bland like the Escort.

[Court_S]

These are very subtle, bordering on bland; chap at work has one in grey and it’s very easy to miss. The latest generation doesn’t have as much visual impact as the previous versions. Interior looks rather busy in the usual Ford fashion.

Sounds like it’s a good car to drive though.

[jonpeck]

Some serious gains for that price.

I imagine fords plan was to use this engine for both ST and RS. Detune the ST and produce the rs with more power.

Seen as the RS is cancelled I imagine there will be a ST320 or something for the midlife update. Hopefully with some nicer details to make it stand out from the ST line.

But its Ford, be a puma RS first.

Edited by jonpeck on Saturday 23 May 19:05

[aaron_2000]

jonpeck said:

But its Ford be a puma RS first.

Thanks for reminding me that the Puma exists. It's an impressive car in the flesh, I've never seen a car that's so bland but still manages to be so ugly at the same time, quite an achievement.

[dukebox9reg]

Couple of things
1) The ST is no longer a bargain and is priced in line with, or more expensive than its rivals.
2) Mountune is no longer manufacturer backed so warranty issues.....
3) Stick a 600 quid map on the Civic, Leon, Golf etc (again as warranty is no longer an argument for going Mountune) and you get similar or better numbers. A mapped CTR would run rings around the Ford.

[csampo]

I've got one of these (without the mountune). They're great daily cars, extremely easy to live with and very well equipped; the various bits of tech such as radar cruise work really well. I like the fact it looks more or less the same as a normal Focus, of course that is personal. It is a shame that there isn't a custom drive mode but in practice normal is very well judged and sport is not as firm as some of the tests seem to indicate. Body control is excellent, the steering is quick but consistent, and the engine muscular. Diff is excellent.

In terms of cost, the reality is that these are considerably cheaper than CTR or GTI TCR due to big discounts and cheap finance - with 8k down the monthlies were under £200 whereas the Honda and VW were both around £350 - there was more than £5k in it over 3 years (well that was the case 6 months ago anyway)

Edited by csampo on Sunday 24th May 09:46

[A1VDY]

I30N trumps this both in looks and quality and fit/finish overall. The Hyundai warranty as usual is second to none.
These type of Ford scream Sports Direct sleeveless top, crap tatts (on a shaved head) fake RayBans or Oakleys and 2.4children..

[ChrisNic]

jonpeck said:

Some serious gains for that price.

I imagine fords plan was to use this engine for both ST and RS. Detune the ST and produce the rs with more power.

Seen as the RS is cancelled I imagine there will be a ST320 or something for the midlife update. Hopefully with some nicer details to make it stand out from the ST line.

But its Ford, be a puma RS first.

Edited by jonpeck on Saturday 23 May 19:05

That’s essentially what they have done, the new ST engine is a derivative of the MK3 RS 2.3 engine but with a lower power output. This is probably why the ST has mapped so well without any other changes needed.

[s m]

Court_S said:

These are very subtle, bordering on bland; chap at work has one in grey and it’s very easy to miss. The latest generation doesn’t have as much visual impact as the previous versions. Interior looks rather busy in the usual Ford fashion.

.

I like the idea of that

[s m]

Escort Si-130 said:

It is impressive that the mk4 Focus ST does 0-62.5 in 5.2 secs quicker than the mk2 Focus RS500 (that had the mountune development) and that was in 5.4 seconds.

Are those just claimed brochure times or actual mag tested times with corroborated timing equipment?

[phil_cardiff]

A1VDY said:

I30N trumps this both in looks and quality and fit/finish overall. The Hyundai warranty as usual is second to none.
These type of Ford scream Sports Direct sleeveless top, crap tatts (on a shaved head) fake RayBans or Oakleys and 2.4children..

Whereas this post screams judgmental and presumptuous...

Are these STs available as an estate?

[phil_cardiff]

csampo said:

In terms of cost, the reality is that these are considerably cheaper than CTR or GTI TCR due to big discounts and cheap finance - with 8k down the monthlies were under £200 whereas the Honda and VW were both around £350 - there was more than £5k in it over 3 years (well that was the case 6 months ago anyway)

Edited by csampo on Sunday 24th May 09:46

That seems like an incredible deal; way, way better than what I get on the Ford site.

[csampo]

phil_cardiff said:

That seems like an incredible deal; way, way better than what I get on the Ford site.

Yeah, about £4.5k discount via broker from memory. That price includes the metallic blue, detachable towbar, wireless charging and performance pack too. Totally swung it for us given it's a daily. List prices are complete nonsense.

[lee_erm]

A1VDY said:

I30N trumps this both in looks and quality and fit/finish overall. The Hyundai warranty as usual is second to none.
These type of Ford scream Sports Direct sleeveless top, crap tatts (on a shaved head) fake RayBans or Oakleys and 2.4children..

I've had both an i30 and a MK4 Focus as pool cars for weeks at a time. The quality and general fit and finish of the Focus was better, it feels like a much higher quality item in-fact. I've had Golfs too, the Focus and Golf are on a par I'd say.

That's an opinion based on actual experience which is at odds with the commonly held PH forum go'er belief that Fords are built like tin cans. Of all those worn out cliched beliefs on PH, it's arguably the most worn out and yawn inducing.

The 7 year warranty you get on the Hyundai is great. But don't forget a piece of crap with a 7 year warranty is still a piece of crap

[chris116]

Looks like you can get an almost new ST with virtually no miles for £25k ish. Add these mods and looks like decent package for the money although I'd want to clarify exactly what the warranty situation was.

[novus]

A1VDY said:

I30N trumps this both in looks and quality and fit/finish overall. The Hyundai warranty as usual is second to none.
These type of Ford scream Sports Direct sleeveless top, crap tatts (on a shaved head) fake RayBans or Oakleys and 2.4children..

Jesus Christ

[Mike1990]

That’s some meaty torque!

[w00tman]

lee_erm said:

The 7 year warranty you get on the Hyundai is great. But don't forget a piece of crap with a 7 year warranty is still a piece of crap

Presumably you're not saying the i30N, which has won a bunch of awards, is in fact a piece of crap - right?

[cowboyengineer]

phil_cardiff said:

Are these STs available as an estate?

Yes they are