RE: Ford Focus ST (Mk3) | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
stargazer30 said:
... 2nd is that the engine failing stories are concerning. Lower mileage stock cars having piston failures is not good and it doesn't seem to be limited to earlier cars either...
Useful to know, thanks.Why aren't these engine problems mentioned in the article? Another PH used buying guide that omits major problems (see recent FK2 Type-R 'guide'). Disappointing.
Yeeesh! Is there any hot hatch that isn't at worst burdened with mega buck engine or gearbox roulette, or at best riddled with myriad moderate flaws??
It seems my choices are being whittled down to a Mk3 Leon Cupra or a, umm, bugger all else.
NGK210 said:
Useful to know, thanks.
Why aren't these engine problems mentioned in the article? Another PH used buying guide that omits major problems (see recent FK2 Type-R 'guide'). Disappointing.
Yeeesh! Is there any hot hatch that isn't at worst burdened with mega buck engine or gearbox roulette, or at best riddled with myriad moderate flaws??
It seems my choices are being whittled down to a Mk3 Leon Cupra or a, umm, bugger all else.
This is why I decided to go for a nearly new Fiesta ST, still got half the manufacturer warranty and only covered 6.5k miles. Covered against immediate borkage and got the kit I was interested in (diff, interior bits etc)Why aren't these engine problems mentioned in the article? Another PH used buying guide that omits major problems (see recent FK2 Type-R 'guide'). Disappointing.
Yeeesh! Is there any hot hatch that isn't at worst burdened with mega buck engine or gearbox roulette, or at best riddled with myriad moderate flaws??
It seems my choices are being whittled down to a Mk3 Leon Cupra or a, umm, bugger all else.
HazzaT said:
This is why I decided to go for a nearly new Fiesta ST, still got half the manufacturer warranty and only covered 6.5k miles. Covered against immediate borkage and got the kit I was interested in (diff, interior bits etc)
Good call but alas, Fiestas are too wee inside for my needs. Unfortunately it has to be a Golf-sized 5 door. NGK210 said:
Useful to know, thanks.
Why aren't these engine problems mentioned in the article? Another PH used buying guide that omits major problems (see recent FK2 Type-R 'guide'). Disappointing.
Yeeesh! Is there any hot hatch that isn't at worst burdened with mega buck engine or gearbox roulette, or at best riddled with myriad moderate flaws??
It seems my choices are being whittled down to a Mk3 Leon Cupra or a, umm, bugger all else.
Given the numbers of them out there it’s a small percentage still. The thinking is that it’s down to detonation so the word is to avoid crap fuel and avoid boosting at low rpm or when the engines cold.Why aren't these engine problems mentioned in the article? Another PH used buying guide that omits major problems (see recent FK2 Type-R 'guide'). Disappointing.
Yeeesh! Is there any hot hatch that isn't at worst burdened with mega buck engine or gearbox roulette, or at best riddled with myriad moderate flaws??
It seems my choices are being whittled down to a Mk3 Leon Cupra or a, umm, bugger all else.
If you drive one and like it I wouldn’t let it put you off. Just have a go of a fiesta ST too they are a hoot.
Nice to see this buyers guide. They are fantastic cars, we have been specialising in buying and selling them for around 8 years now, including the older Mk2 models. Our car is actually the Tangerine Scream one advertised for sale at the bottom of the article.
The great thing with the Focus ST is that it pretty much ticks every box - affordable, practical, good performance, good looks, fun to drive .etc. It might not be the best in everything, but it does everything very well (if you know what I mean!)
Also they are timing chain, not cambelt as per the article.
The great thing with the Focus ST is that it pretty much ticks every box - affordable, practical, good performance, good looks, fun to drive .etc. It might not be the best in everything, but it does everything very well (if you know what I mean!)
Also they are timing chain, not cambelt as per the article.
NGK210 said:
For the money – definitely not 
Faster, maybe, but they have some fundamental reliability issues and / or design flaws:
Civic Type-R – a huge gamble because some cars have multiple and very expensive gearbox issues, but some cars don’t. Honda denies any problems. Also overheat during hot weather.
Hyundai i30N – umm... a huge gamble because some cars have very expensive gearbox issues – 5th and 6th gear lockout – but some cars don’t. Hyundai denies any problems.
Golf R (Mk7) – expensive to replace engine-cooling thingy repeatedly fails; expensive to replace clutch and DMF can’t cope with OEM torque; sunroofs rattle and leak; infotainment gremlins; inlet valves become caked in sludge because of crap DI design; wheels fragile (buckle and crack); Mk7 GTI sibling ranked 6th in Honest John’s ‘Top 10: Least reliable cars’:
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/honest-john-satisfact...
Bit in bold is incorrect. Hyundai have a service bulletin (warranty replacement notice) for the syncro's for 5th and 6th to be replaced and have done for over 18 months now. Get replaced under warranty fairly quickly. Faster, maybe, but they have some fundamental reliability issues and / or design flaws:
Civic Type-R – a huge gamble because some cars have multiple and very expensive gearbox issues, but some cars don’t. Honda denies any problems. Also overheat during hot weather.
Hyundai i30N – umm... a huge gamble because some cars have very expensive gearbox issues – 5th and 6th gear lockout – but some cars don’t. Hyundai denies any problems.
Golf R (Mk7) – expensive to replace engine-cooling thingy repeatedly fails; expensive to replace clutch and DMF can’t cope with OEM torque; sunroofs rattle and leak; infotainment gremlins; inlet valves become caked in sludge because of crap DI design; wheels fragile (buckle and crack); Mk7 GTI sibling ranked 6th in Honest John’s ‘Top 10: Least reliable cars’:
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/honest-john-satisfact...
Edited by NGK210 on Monday 6th July 17:43
I got one of the last of these new, a fully specced ST3 in DI Blue and for the money I think it’s really good. In standard form it was nice but a bit soft around the edges and as I got a ridiculous discount I felt justified in going to Mountune for the warranty friendly upgrades + the short shifter, roll restrictor and the Quaife lsd. It all amounted to many 000s less than an RS would have done (no discounts were available) and let’s be honest you’d still want to take your RS to Mountune!
IMHO whilst the MP275, exhaust etc do add a bit more fun, it’s the Quaife and Roll Restrictor (rear motor mount’ that make a serious difference to the driving experience. I would personally totally disagree with suggestion that it only makes sense for track days. Just driving away after having them fitted it felt taughter, somehow better put together, improved steering feel etc. But one of the biggest things is how much more confidence inspiring it is if you need to safely overtake. If you drive daily on twisty roads as I do then you’ll be astonished at how much more capable the lsd makes the mk3 ST.
Suspension wise I personally think the ride / handling balance is well judged, although I’m in mid Wales where the roads are in a far less neglected state than some other parts of the UK. I have standard 18” wheels also which may help. I would be tempted some time to get KW V3 adjustable coilovers as by all accounts these (if set up correctly) can not only give the ST RS levels of handling prowess but also a more pliant and “expensive” feeling ride. It would be expensive though and then you wander should you just save the money for your next car.
Looks are subjective of course but to my eyes the pre facelift ST’s rear is hideous, I never know how the design of those rear lights was given the go ahead. Just the simple redesign of the lights on the facelift rear makes it genuinely pretty for a hatchback I think. Also I personally think it looks genuinely good as a 5 door, quite rakish and Coupé-like, whereas the mk1 and 2 looked so much nicer as a 3 door. Same goes for the Golf GTI / R.
Another plus with any performance Ford I’ve found is that it’s not difficult to find an ‘approved’ Ford Dealer where the guys doing the servicing are themselves enthusiasts of fast fords so you don’t have to worry about your pride and joy. That in itself has been really refreshing after some real horror stories of having to deal with truly appalling service at many different VW dealers over the years when I used to have Golf GTIs.
IMHO whilst the MP275, exhaust etc do add a bit more fun, it’s the Quaife and Roll Restrictor (rear motor mount’ that make a serious difference to the driving experience. I would personally totally disagree with suggestion that it only makes sense for track days. Just driving away after having them fitted it felt taughter, somehow better put together, improved steering feel etc. But one of the biggest things is how much more confidence inspiring it is if you need to safely overtake. If you drive daily on twisty roads as I do then you’ll be astonished at how much more capable the lsd makes the mk3 ST.
Suspension wise I personally think the ride / handling balance is well judged, although I’m in mid Wales where the roads are in a far less neglected state than some other parts of the UK. I have standard 18” wheels also which may help. I would be tempted some time to get KW V3 adjustable coilovers as by all accounts these (if set up correctly) can not only give the ST RS levels of handling prowess but also a more pliant and “expensive” feeling ride. It would be expensive though and then you wander should you just save the money for your next car.
Looks are subjective of course but to my eyes the pre facelift ST’s rear is hideous, I never know how the design of those rear lights was given the go ahead. Just the simple redesign of the lights on the facelift rear makes it genuinely pretty for a hatchback I think. Also I personally think it looks genuinely good as a 5 door, quite rakish and Coupé-like, whereas the mk1 and 2 looked so much nicer as a 3 door. Same goes for the Golf GTI / R.
Another plus with any performance Ford I’ve found is that it’s not difficult to find an ‘approved’ Ford Dealer where the guys doing the servicing are themselves enthusiasts of fast fords so you don’t have to worry about your pride and joy. That in itself has been really refreshing after some real horror stories of having to deal with truly appalling service at many different VW dealers over the years when I used to have Golf GTIs.
Ajax Treesdown said:
Bit in bold is incorrect. Hyundai have a service bulletin (warranty replacement notice) for the syncro's for 5th and 6th to be replaced and have done for over 18 months now. Get replaced under warranty fairly quickly.
Excellent news, thanks for correction. In my defence, the thread I read on an i30N forum was very, very long and very verbose, so I lost the will to live and didn’t finish. Initially, Hyundai was ‘doing a Honda’.
Good job Hyundai; shame on you Honda.
The i30N is back on the list!
My daily and I love it. It will never be a class leader, but it wasn’t supposed to be. It just does everything well.
My experience -
Turning circle is so atrocious it’s comical, 3 point turns will become surprisingly regular.
Didn’t like the clutch feel when I got it, as it wasn’t very linear and used to kick up right after the bite point so I found modulating it unpleasant/difficult. Steeda clutch spring made a fantastic difference - well worth it even if it is a little overpriced.
Pre face lift, so getting the PDC turned off by the main dealer, got rid of 90% of the torque steer & tramlining issues - genuinely felt like a different car!
Never had an issue with the wheel hop or bulkhead banging some people talk about, which the uprated rear engine mount is supposed to fix.
The gear knob was a horrible shape and I didn’t like any of the aftermarket offerings so lived with it, then came along the mk4 with a lovely knob (oh, I say) which is a much nicer shape and matches exactly, so worth every penny.
I love the seats, without doubt the most comfortable, supportive OEM sports seats in the hot hatch/fast saloon categories. The seats have actually saved the car being changed a few times
Had a flooded spare wheel bay which I noticed by accident and caused me to replace the jack and bits too as they had corroded. A minor annoyance.
In my opinion, it doesn’t make a great family car I’d kids are over 5 as the back seats don’t offer much leg room.
Never felt it needed a proper diff. but have had one in my wish list for a while because who doesn’t want a proper LSD? And it would undoubtedly be a better car for it.
If it broke today, I would buy another tomorrow without hesitation.
My experience -
Turning circle is so atrocious it’s comical, 3 point turns will become surprisingly regular.
Didn’t like the clutch feel when I got it, as it wasn’t very linear and used to kick up right after the bite point so I found modulating it unpleasant/difficult. Steeda clutch spring made a fantastic difference - well worth it even if it is a little overpriced.
Pre face lift, so getting the PDC turned off by the main dealer, got rid of 90% of the torque steer & tramlining issues - genuinely felt like a different car!
Never had an issue with the wheel hop or bulkhead banging some people talk about, which the uprated rear engine mount is supposed to fix.
The gear knob was a horrible shape and I didn’t like any of the aftermarket offerings so lived with it, then came along the mk4 with a lovely knob (oh, I say) which is a much nicer shape and matches exactly, so worth every penny.
I love the seats, without doubt the most comfortable, supportive OEM sports seats in the hot hatch/fast saloon categories. The seats have actually saved the car being changed a few times
Had a flooded spare wheel bay which I noticed by accident and caused me to replace the jack and bits too as they had corroded. A minor annoyance.
In my opinion, it doesn’t make a great family car I’d kids are over 5 as the back seats don’t offer much leg room.
Never felt it needed a proper diff. but have had one in my wish list for a while because who doesn’t want a proper LSD? And it would undoubtedly be a better car for it.
If it broke today, I would buy another tomorrow without hesitation.
RosyG550 said:
Looks are subjective of course but to my eyes the pre facelift ST’s rear is hideous, I never know how the design of those rear lights was given the go ahead. Just the simple redesign of the lights on the facelift rear makes it genuinely pretty for a hatchback I think. Also I personally think it looks genuinely good as a 5 door, quite rakish and Coupé-like, whereas the mk1 and 2 looked so much nicer as a 3 door. Same goes for the Golf GTI / R.
Agree, the back end isn’t particularly pleasing in the eye. The clear high level brake light also looks awful - fortunately ford have a red one for not very much money which was money well spent. The rear lights.... yeah. Think they knew they had made an error and needed to change them on the facelift. The facelift rear bumper was a retrograde change though.
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