Focus ST170 (My First Car)

[aaron_2000]

itcaptainslow said:

Start simple first-could be the thermostat is stuck open (happened on mine). Then do a fault code check-they're also common for eating O2 sensors (yup).

Funny you say that... EML is on, had it checked as the O2 sensor, but I was told it didn't really affect it, guessing that's not the case?

[aaron_2000]

Poynter87 said:

My dad's st170 had the light on for about 7 years and this threw up the code for the O2 sensor but it passed every mot with it and it still did 25-26 mpg so it obviously made no difference to his, though it may be worth changing anyway just to turn the light as personally I would have done.

Been planning on it along with everything else towards spring time, pretty much because I hate seeing a light on

[aaron_2000]

IanCress said:

Wish i'd kept my old one. Full Recaro leather, xenon headlamps and factory fitted sub in the boot. Gave it away for £2k back in 2009. Cars of that spec don't come up very often.

Checking the history it hasn't been taxed or MOT'd in over a year, and with over 140k miles it's probably dead.

If I hadn't found mine, then i'd've wanted one in grey, suits it nicely. Alot of them seem to be getting broken for parts now, we were sure that's what happened to mine in 2016.

[aaron_2000]

itcaptainslow said:

It’ll revert to a base fuelling map-it most definitely will affect things. Get it changed!

Pre cat O2 right? Got both pre and post up online now, ready to order

[aaron_2000]

itcaptainslow said:

Depends on the code but it’s usually the pre-cat one.

Cheers, getting it ordered and fitted. Been meaning to get a new exhaust on it, might get the cat cut open when it's off just for curiosity. Bet it's clogged up big time, did find it odd that it didn't really smoke on startup.

[aaron_2000]

Looking at putting the Focus in storage until summer. Needs quite a bit of work, mostly bodywork, clutch and some electrics to do. By the time it's all done, it'll be September. Usually I'd be happy to run it until then, but seeing as I plan on restoring it never selling it, I'm not too concerned. Looking at the Cupra R 225 primarily as I have the money to buy one, which is the only reason I didn't buy one back in August. If I don't feel enthused driving the 225 to the point where I have to have one, I'll most likely just run the ST170, although I would ideally be keeping it in the garage while I do the work on it.

[aaron_2000]

itcaptainslow said:

Seen the price of a clutch (and dual mass flywheel, which I almost guarantee you’ll need) yet?

Enough to make me seriously consider storing it till summer At least £500 right?

[aaron_2000]

J4CKO said:

Think it will be a minor classic, the MK1 Focus was a revelation and the RS is super expensive, definitely scope for it to get collectible after the banger phase has finished for that mode

I have a TT, the BAM engine is effective but can be a bit random with age and mileage, boost leaks, wonky MAFs, N75s, N249's etc, so dont think its going to be plain sailing, make sure it boosts right and has had a recent cambelt.

I think it's where the XR3 was 15 years ago, seen the BAM in plenty of VAG models, seen them at 150k+, did hear they can be troubled on leggy models.

[aaron_2000]

JamesNotJim said:

I had the exact same motor for my first car.
Loved it. Lowered 80mm with a full de-cat Miltek System. Sold it after 2 years of faultless ownership only due to the criminal MPG (15-20mpg) and a forthcoming longer commute.
Very fond memories of these car's.

Very nice car, I think I recognise it, think someone on the owners club has it, on a private plate I think.

[aaron_2000]

drab1 said:

Aaron

Can you do me a favour and try an OBDII reader in your car and see if it works? I've tried 2 in mine which won't talk to the ECU and I need to check if it's the readers or the car that are knackered.

Happy to post them both to you to try

No problem, email me: [e-mail]

[aaron_2000]

Finally got it listed, decided I didn't like the risk of crashing a car with so much importance to me, was going to look at storing it but I just don't have the room. I contacted the previous owner to see if he'd like to buy it back, that's how I found something quite interesting out. He had it remapped when he bought it, not knowing how little it does, probably how I didn't notice it being any different to any other ST170. Got it up at £1195 in the hopes to get around £1k. With the work done to it and compared to others at that price, it seems pretty fair to me. I'll keep contact with whoever buys it so I hopefully get the chance to buy it back when they sell it. Going after a Leon 225, £80 less to insure, better on fuel and just better overall, except for the steering/handling. I do feel good knowing I've given my old ST170 a life extension at least.

[aaron_2000]

Gary C said:

probably not the best tactic, to put your negotiating position up on line

Honestly I'm not too interested in the price as long as it goes to someone who's gonna keep up to it.

[aaron_2000]

Guy came, said he wanted it to break for parts so I decided not to sell to him. Cleared out the garage (mostly) and decided I'll keep it there until my dad gets his bike back, and until I put it in a storage facility. I'll be riding to work for a few weeks until I have the money for the Leon, or until I have the money to do all the body work. got some updated pictures today with the new plates and radio. Got the new interior LEDs fitted which are a massive improvement.

[aaron_2000]

zarjaz1991 said:

I’ve lost track of this now.
How come you cannot drive it?

Decided to keep it off the road until the rust has been sorted, and until the new clutch/flywheel are fitted. Probably until summer time. I was gonna sell it because I had no room to store it while this was gonna be done, but now I've sorted storage out I can keep hold of it.

[aaron_2000]

Managed to fit it in the garage (with next to no room) got it booked in for the bodywork doing soon, should be back on the road in about a month. Planning to go to some shows this year, and hopefully a trackday or two.

[aaron_2000]

Finally got it booked in for the bodywork, having all 4 arches done, the boot, under the wingmirror, the rear left door and the jack points stripped and painted. Got plans for a track day this summer, not sure which track I'll be doing. I'd be interested in having a fuel economy map done to it, not sure how it would affect the car though?

[aaron_2000]

itcaptainslow said:

What’s the point? It’s a hot(ish) hatch from ten years ago, it’ll never be economical simply by the limitations of its hardware. You might gain 3mpg and totally spoil the character of the car.

Far better to get it running right (that O2 sensor won’t be helping...) then maybe look at something simple like a DreamScience or Bluefin remap-I had a Bluefin on my old one and it made a decent difference to the driveability and reduced the flatspot at 3,500rpm ish. My current one was live mapped at AMD which again has helped.

I don’t generally monitor fuel economy on the performance cars I own as it is what it is-you don’t buy them principally for high MPG. Mine to be fair to it does low 30’s generally, mid 30’s on the motorway. Probably in the low tens around and going to the ‘Ring, but hey...

Thanks for the advice, I was not really considering getting a map done due to the low numbers they get, but it's interesting hearing what you've said about it. I have noticed the flat spot around 3500, I could justify a remap if it was to sort that out. Which would you suggest, AMD or Bluefin?

[aaron_2000]

s m said:

Have you read "Modern Classics" this month Aaron?
Interesting articles on the ST170, Focus RS Mk1 and an interview with Richard Parry-Jones about his involvement in the ST170

That's out this month? Off to the pub in a minute I'll pick it up on the way there, thanks for reminding me.

[aaron_2000]

Any idea where they actually sell it? Not at the local supermarket, they do it WHSmiths do you know?

[aaron_2000]

itcaptainslow said:

Yes, WH Smith stock it, as do certain Sainsbury’s and Tesco’s.

Cheers, I went looking on Morrisons, I'll have to get down to Smiths tomorrow.

itcaptainslow said:

s m said:

itcaptainslow said:

The interview with Parry Jones was very good.

The ST170 featured is mine...

"Modern Classics" is doing some great articles lately - more relevant to me than some of the unobtainium in EVO. It was interesting seeing the Focus underpinnings and RPJ's input into the car

Nice ST170

Cheers! The writing isn’t quite to Evo’s standard but being fair I don’t actually think it’s meant to be-having met a couple of the guys behind it they deliberately seem to keep it light hearted, assessable and also shy away from completely taking cars to bits.

Objectively some of the stuff they review might be crap, but it’s how it makes you feel, after all, and you can have a great deal of fun living out childhood memories in a Vauxhall Nova Spin. Even if brand new it was ste.

It does feel odd in a sense reading about these cars which still feel quite new, like the Focus ST170 does to me. I can't for the life of me understand why I've not been buying it, it's a magazine dedicated to my favourite cars (80's, 90's, 00's). Look forward to reading about the ST170, never seen too many articles about it.