RE: Ford Fiesta ST
Discussion
John D. said:
Podie said:
Did you bother to read the thread at all..?
Clio 182/ Corsa VXR are not alternatives!
mat205125 said:
PulseTurbo said:
Yes, the above two are more interesting, but that's because they're more expensive. I'm not trying to defend the Fiesta (Hell, it's not as if I'd ever own one), but they're completely different markets.
Fiesta is 11k, so 3k cheaper than the others.
And a sub 30k mileage, sub 3 year old car, can be found for 7k ish. If (like me) that's your ball park budget, the new shape Corsa and Clio's are out of the question, and the cars of similar value will be the old shape .... Pile of shite for the Corsa, bombastic legendard hatch for the clio with the minor problem of being noisy, brittle, less than reliable (perception) and less suited to higher annual mileages.Fiesta is 11k, so 3k cheaper than the others.
In this 3 year old market is where I think the fiesta scores well, and for my mileage and budget is why I am considering one, but have dismissed a clio 182 (regrettably) already.
Just read p.1 and p.6 (as you do), and IMHO it's a let-down. My wife had a 51-plate Fiesta Zetec-S, and we test-drove an ST last year and it didn't feel ANY faster.
Yes, it was more flexible in-gear, but when you're on a charge you're using the revs, not the mid-range, and that's where the old 1.6 actually performed BETTER than the ST's 2.0 - it was keener to rev and sounded better with it. Becs was really disappointed with it, as she'd had 4 Fiestas before.
Aside from straight-line (no way it's 7.9, not unless you destroy the clutch) the interior was poor (I've seen better plastics come out of toy-boxes, FFS!) and the driving position, as with all the current crop, was far too high...esp. for my (rather short) wife, who struggled to reach the pedals without sitting almost on the steering wheel!!!
So instead she got an older 306GTi-6 (for 1/3 of the price), which feels lighter, more alert, at least as well-built (!!! 6y.o. Pug vs near-new Ford...poor show!!!), has lots more kit...and more importantly feels twice as quick, and on a charge snorts like a freeloader at one of Paris Hilton's parties!
The 306 isn't a long-term keeper for her (looks too plain), but she's started looking at the next class up as nothing in this class really appeals anymore...
PS - the performance upgrade? £1,600 notes for a probably warranty-voiding improvement that only brings it on-par with the Clio and Corsa, AND brings it on-par price-wise, seems pretty naff IMHO...
Yes, it was more flexible in-gear, but when you're on a charge you're using the revs, not the mid-range, and that's where the old 1.6 actually performed BETTER than the ST's 2.0 - it was keener to rev and sounded better with it. Becs was really disappointed with it, as she'd had 4 Fiestas before.
Aside from straight-line (no way it's 7.9, not unless you destroy the clutch) the interior was poor (I've seen better plastics come out of toy-boxes, FFS!) and the driving position, as with all the current crop, was far too high...esp. for my (rather short) wife, who struggled to reach the pedals without sitting almost on the steering wheel!!!
So instead she got an older 306GTi-6 (for 1/3 of the price), which feels lighter, more alert, at least as well-built (!!! 6y.o. Pug vs near-new Ford...poor show!!!), has lots more kit...and more importantly feels twice as quick, and on a charge snorts like a freeloader at one of Paris Hilton's parties!
The 306 isn't a long-term keeper for her (looks too plain), but she's started looking at the next class up as nothing in this class really appeals anymore...
PS - the performance upgrade? £1,600 notes for a probably warranty-voiding improvement that only brings it on-par with the Clio and Corsa, AND brings it on-par price-wise, seems pretty naff IMHO...
Press release on the power updates:
FORD DEALERS OFFER MORE POWER FOR FIESTA ST
* Performance upgrades available on new and used Fiesta ST models
* 2.0-litre Duratec ST engine can now be tuned to 165PS or 185PS
* New association with motorsport specialist Mountune
* Prices from £1,435 plus fitting at specialist Ford dealers
BRENTWOOD, January 9, 2008 – Ford is offering Fiesta ST customers in the UK a unique opportunity to buy performance upgrades for their cars through a choice of two special dealer-fit options.
The Mountune Performance Stage 1 package will retail at £1,435 (plus fitting) and consists of a high-flow air induction system, a high performance exhaust system including high flow catalyst and tubular manifold, and re-calibration of Ford’s potent 2.0-litre Duratec ST engine to produce 165PS.
The more powerful Mountune Performance Stage 2 package will cost £1,838 (plus fitting) and adds new camshafts and valve springs to the basic package to deliver 185PS.
Developed by Ford Team RS in a new association with Roush Technologies Ltd, which owns the Mountune Racing motorsport brand, these packages will only be available at specialist Ford dealers. The upgrades have a minimum of 12 months/12,000 miles dealer warranty up to a maximum of three years/36,000miles.
The upgrade kits do not affect the vehicle warranty and will be available from the selected Ford Dealers from March 1st 2008.
Editors’ note:
The Fiesta ST performance road car was unveiled at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show and was the first of Ford’s model to carry the ‘Sports Technologies’ badge which is now used on all the brand’s performance models.
Standard features include colour-keyed details such as door handles, rubbing strips, exterior mirror caps and 17-inch alloy wheels.
In addition to the two Mountune Performance upgrades there will also be a KW suspension upgrade kit, optimised at the Nurburgring, at a retail price of £605 (plus fitting) for Fiesta ST and Recaro seats in black Ambler leather with black Dinamica suede for £1,950.69 (plus fitting) also through specialist Ford dealers.
Further Mountune Performance packages will be available for other models in the Ford range later in 2008.
These performance upgrades will not affect the vehicles excise duty classification, however customers will need to advise their insurers of any upgrades fitted.
The first dealers to offer these upgrades will be:
* Dagenham Motors, Woodford, London
* Brunel Ford, Bristol
* Heartlands Ford, Birmingham
* Polar Ford, Warrington
* Polar Ford, Castleford
Further dealers will be added to this list during 2008
Source: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_...
FORD DEALERS OFFER MORE POWER FOR FIESTA ST
* Performance upgrades available on new and used Fiesta ST models
* 2.0-litre Duratec ST engine can now be tuned to 165PS or 185PS
* New association with motorsport specialist Mountune
* Prices from £1,435 plus fitting at specialist Ford dealers
BRENTWOOD, January 9, 2008 – Ford is offering Fiesta ST customers in the UK a unique opportunity to buy performance upgrades for their cars through a choice of two special dealer-fit options.
The Mountune Performance Stage 1 package will retail at £1,435 (plus fitting) and consists of a high-flow air induction system, a high performance exhaust system including high flow catalyst and tubular manifold, and re-calibration of Ford’s potent 2.0-litre Duratec ST engine to produce 165PS.
The more powerful Mountune Performance Stage 2 package will cost £1,838 (plus fitting) and adds new camshafts and valve springs to the basic package to deliver 185PS.
Developed by Ford Team RS in a new association with Roush Technologies Ltd, which owns the Mountune Racing motorsport brand, these packages will only be available at specialist Ford dealers. The upgrades have a minimum of 12 months/12,000 miles dealer warranty up to a maximum of three years/36,000miles.
The upgrade kits do not affect the vehicle warranty and will be available from the selected Ford Dealers from March 1st 2008.
Editors’ note:
The Fiesta ST performance road car was unveiled at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show and was the first of Ford’s model to carry the ‘Sports Technologies’ badge which is now used on all the brand’s performance models.
Standard features include colour-keyed details such as door handles, rubbing strips, exterior mirror caps and 17-inch alloy wheels.
In addition to the two Mountune Performance upgrades there will also be a KW suspension upgrade kit, optimised at the Nurburgring, at a retail price of £605 (plus fitting) for Fiesta ST and Recaro seats in black Ambler leather with black Dinamica suede for £1,950.69 (plus fitting) also through specialist Ford dealers.
Further Mountune Performance packages will be available for other models in the Ford range later in 2008.
These performance upgrades will not affect the vehicles excise duty classification, however customers will need to advise their insurers of any upgrades fitted.
The first dealers to offer these upgrades will be:
* Dagenham Motors, Woodford, London
* Brunel Ford, Bristol
* Heartlands Ford, Birmingham
* Polar Ford, Warrington
* Polar Ford, Castleford
Further dealers will be added to this list during 2008
Source: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_...
OK, Ford HAVE released an upgrade...
But...
Focus upgrade is circa £1600.What does £950 get you then Podie?!?
...looks like you need nearly £2k to get the full monty...
But...
Podie said:
havoc said:
PS - the performance upgrade? £1,600 notes for a probably warranty-voiding improvement that only brings it on-par with the Clio and Corsa, AND brings it on-par price-wise, seems pretty naff IMHO...
£950.Focus upgrade is circa £1600.
...looks like you need nearly £2k to get the full monty...
mat205125 said:
Gotta say, I'm very tempted with one of these. Have driven the clio's and know what great little tools they are, but I cover 20k a year and know that they would become tiresome and frustrating doing that kind of mileage. Their interiors are outdated and brittle too, where as the fiesta seems a far better proposition for the mileage and is also a good chunk bigger (outside and inside)
As a compromise (with potential for tuning) I think they look pretty good TBH
GET ONE!As a compromise (with potential for tuning) I think they look pretty good TBH
£950+ VAT and fitting was apparently the mooted price for the power upgrade to 165bhp, unfortunately it seems to gone up a bit since it was first mentioned.
One could get an exhaust, flexi-pipe and induction kit for less and at least match that 'hike' IMHO and have plenty of cash left over. Probably even enough to cover a suspension upgrade.
One could get an exhaust, flexi-pipe and induction kit for less and at least match that 'hike' IMHO and have plenty of cash left over. Probably even enough to cover a suspension upgrade.
Edited by AARONM3 on Wednesday 9th January 20:53
AARONM3 said:
One could get an exhaust, flexi-pipe and induction kit for less and at least match that 'hike' IMHO and have plenty of cash left over. Probably even enough to cover a suspension upgrade.
First person to get their hands on one of the manifolds and measure the primary lengths, designs and diameters wins a gold star! Calculating / developing that is the hard bit, but a one off will be less.The mountune cams seem to swallow most of the conversion cost ... see the detailed article in EVO for the full conversion details.
AARONM3 said:
£950+ VAT and fitting was apparently the mooted price for the power upgrade to 165bhp, unfortunately it seems to gone up a bit since it was first mentioned.
One could get an exhaust, flexi-pipe and induction kit for less and at least match that 'hike' IMHO and have plenty of cash left over. Probably even enough to cover a suspension upgrade.
I think that misses the point that a lot of people (even petrolheads) don't want to go modifying their cars, with all the warranty- and insurance-issues that it brings in this country.One could get an exhaust, flexi-pipe and induction kit for less and at least match that 'hike' IMHO and have plenty of cash left over. Probably even enough to cover a suspension upgrade.
But I agree the Ford prices are rather cheeky for what the damn thing should have come with in the first place!!!
havoc said:
OK, Ford HAVE released an upgrade...
But...
Focus upgrade is circa £1600.What does £950 get you then Podie?!?
...looks like you need nearly £2k to get the full monty...
OK so I got the price wrong, but I notice I still had the information before the mags and this website...But...
Podie said:
havoc said:
PS - the performance upgrade? £1,600 notes for a probably warranty-voiding improvement that only brings it on-par with the Clio and Corsa, AND brings it on-par price-wise, seems pretty naff IMHO...
£950.Focus upgrade is circa £1600.
...looks like you need nearly £2k to get the full monty...
Still, it's become clear that everyone knows everything these days, so I just wont bother in future.
The reason I bought a ST is that it's insurance is a third of what a Clio 182 or a Corsa VXR are. I can insure a ST for £650 where as a 182 or vxr is around £1800.
I'm not sure that just over a seconds straight line acceleration is justified by the insurance cost plus the cost to buy the car in the first place.
I'm not sure that just over a seconds straight line acceleration is justified by the insurance cost plus the cost to buy the car in the first place.
Well a Fiesta ST is GROUP 13 Insurence and what is a 182? hmmmmm 16 / 17 so i would prefer to spend the extra £1k from insurence on turning the ST to at least 170bhp from manifold £300, Exhaust £300, Induction kit £100,Re map £250, Spark Leads £50 then maybe cams or inlet to get more with an erxtra money!
So with £1000 you are looking at around 175 bhp and if calculated with power to weight calculations it will do 0-60 in ................ 6.92!!!!!
So with £1000 you are looking at around 175 bhp and if calculated with power to weight calculations it will do 0-60 in ................ 6.92!!!!!
smeigh said:
Well a Fiesta ST is GROUP 13 Insurence and what is a 182? hmmmmm 16 / 17 so i would prefer to spend the extra £1k from insurence on turning the ST to at least 170bhp from manifold £300, Exhaust £300, Induction kit £100,Re map £250, Spark Leads £50 then maybe cams or inlet to get more with an erxtra money!
And whats all that going to do to your insurance dummy?! 
smeigh said:
So with £1000 you are looking at around 175 bhp and if calculated with power to weight calculations it will do 0-60 in ................ 6.92!!!!!
Still slower 
John D. said:
smeigh said:
So with £1000 you are looking at around 175 bhp and if calculated with power to weight calculations it will do 0-60 in ................ 6.92!!!!!
Still slower Real world driveability is where the fiesta scores strongly with a good mid-range torque. Bombastic high revving cars like the CTR (accept the car is a price and size class above the fiesta) can feel slow when driven "normally". Constantly having to cain the sh!t out of a car to keep it in the power band and make use of overtaking opportunities is tiresome away from the race track IMHO.
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