Discussion
Is anyone running a Mk3 Focus ST (petrol) i'm thinking i might replace the Clubman Cooper S with one. I'd be looking at the ST3 and at somepoint put the Mountune 275 kit on. I'd be looking at a facelift car.
Any things to look out for, any worthwhile tweaks ?
The other option is to wait for the new Fiesta ST to drop in price .....
Any things to look out for, any worthwhile tweaks ?
The other option is to wait for the new Fiesta ST to drop in price .....
When I was looking into them, there is a lot floating around about LSPI (Low speed pre-ignition) killing engines.
A lot was in the US but there are reports of english ones suffering too (It's driver dependant).
Apart from that general build quality and not much else. It's worth getting the Sync 3 model rather than Sync 2.
I wanted one. In stealth Grey with the black style pack they look amazing.
Good luck!
A lot was in the US but there are reports of english ones suffering too (It's driver dependant).
Apart from that general build quality and not much else. It's worth getting the Sync 3 model rather than Sync 2.
I wanted one. In stealth Grey with the black style pack they look amazing.
Good luck!
I ran a facelift ST-3 petrol for just under 3 years and over 60,000 miles and I was a member of the STOC during that time. The only common faults I can recall are the illuminated door sils have a limited lifespan but are not expensive/difficult to replace; and some cars had xenon lights where the adaptive mechanism failed.
Most of my driving was motorway/dual carriageway and I averaged 33mpg. I could never nurse it to 40mpg even when my average speed was 60.
Options to consider:
- Driver Assistance Pack: - mainly gimmicky but the lane guidance does make the car feel more planted on the motorway.
- Sony speakers
- Door protectors
- Reversing camera
I had the 18s rock alloys. Consensus of owners with 19s was that they make no difference to ride quality. There's a fair bit of road noise - but that's true of most cars this size; on sunny days you can see the dash through the windscreen; and if your car has the driver assistance pack - it means a load of sensor housing behind the rear view mirror which makes installing a dash cam problematic; and replacement of windscreen isn't straight forward as the sensors have to be re-calibrated.
It plays fake induction noise through the speakers only during hard acceleration.
Main dealer servicing for the ST is on a 3 year cycle. First 2 years are appx. £250 a service and third year is appx. £400.
I thought it was a great car and I only moved it on because I now commute by train - my only issue was that the diesel version is identical in appearance
Hope this helps.
Most of my driving was motorway/dual carriageway and I averaged 33mpg. I could never nurse it to 40mpg even when my average speed was 60.
Options to consider:
- Driver Assistance Pack: - mainly gimmicky but the lane guidance does make the car feel more planted on the motorway.
- Sony speakers
- Door protectors
- Reversing camera
I had the 18s rock alloys. Consensus of owners with 19s was that they make no difference to ride quality. There's a fair bit of road noise - but that's true of most cars this size; on sunny days you can see the dash through the windscreen; and if your car has the driver assistance pack - it means a load of sensor housing behind the rear view mirror which makes installing a dash cam problematic; and replacement of windscreen isn't straight forward as the sensors have to be re-calibrated.
It plays fake induction noise through the speakers only during hard acceleration.
Main dealer servicing for the ST is on a 3 year cycle. First 2 years are appx. £250 a service and third year is appx. £400.
I thought it was a great car and I only moved it on because I now commute by train - my only issue was that the diesel version is identical in appearance
Hope this helps.
Run a 13’ pfl st3 with 275 kit and a few other bits incl exhaust.
Not the quality feel of German counterpart I had previously but miles better steer. Only issue to date has been door seal rubber coming away from door. Nothing super glue can’t fix.
Seen 17 plate driving along with same issue, surprised they’ve not sorted.
Not the quality feel of German counterpart I had previously but miles better steer. Only issue to date has been door seal rubber coming away from door. Nothing super glue can’t fix.
Seen 17 plate driving along with same issue, surprised they’ve not sorted.
I'm not too fussed about quality too much compared to Germans, i had a Cupra before the Mini and loved it.
What exhaust are you running ? I would be looking at either Milltek or Mountune.
The only spanner in the works is i really wanted an auto next ... but there is nothing i fancy other than a clubman but they are 20k upwards.
What exhaust are you running ? I would be looking at either Milltek or Mountune.
The only spanner in the works is i really wanted an auto next ... but there is nothing i fancy other than a clubman but they are 20k upwards.
I ran a PFL ST3 for a year (coming from an E87 120d) but it didn't drive much differently from the facelift cars I test drove so I'll offer my opinon.
The good:
- Lots of toys as standard
- Engine sounds good and is eager to rev
- Lovely supportive seats
- Pretty quick as standard and lots of aftermarket shiny stuff if you want to make it faster
The bad:
- Driving position is too high and it's a shame the seat doesn't go lower
- Interior is an improvement in later cars but still naff (flat bottomed wheel!)
- Servicing is expensive at a Ford dealer and seems to be one of the few cars still on annual servicing rather than variable
- Ride on 18"s is hard and jittery and made the M-Sport suspension and runflats feel soft and compliant
- Not particularly economical
In the end I chopped it in after a year for another 1-series which is more economical, faster and a better steer
Chris
The good:
- Lots of toys as standard
- Engine sounds good and is eager to rev
- Lovely supportive seats
- Pretty quick as standard and lots of aftermarket shiny stuff if you want to make it faster
The bad:
- Driving position is too high and it's a shame the seat doesn't go lower
- Interior is an improvement in later cars but still naff (flat bottomed wheel!)
- Servicing is expensive at a Ford dealer and seems to be one of the few cars still on annual servicing rather than variable
- Ride on 18"s is hard and jittery and made the M-Sport suspension and runflats feel soft and compliant
- Not particularly economical
In the end I chopped it in after a year for another 1-series which is more economical, faster and a better steer
Chris
ScoobyChris said:
I ran a PFL ST3 for a year (coming from an E87 120d) but it didn't drive much differently from the facelift cars I test drove so I'll offer my opinon.
The good:
- Lots of toys as standard
- Engine sounds good and is eager to rev
- Lovely supportive seats
- Pretty quick as standard and lots of aftermarket shiny stuff if you want to make it faster
The bad:
- Driving position is too high and it's a shame the seat doesn't go lower
- Interior is an improvement in later cars but still naff (flat bottomed wheel!)
- Servicing is expensive at a Ford dealer and seems to be one of the few cars still on annual servicing rather than variable
- Ride on 18"s is hard and jittery and made the M-Sport suspension and runflats feel soft and compliant
- Not particularly economical
In the end I chopped it in after a year for another 1-series which is more economical, faster and a better steer
Chris
Thanks, servicing isn't an issue, ride is ..... seat height is but going from a Mini anything is going to feel high up.The good:
- Lots of toys as standard
- Engine sounds good and is eager to rev
- Lovely supportive seats
- Pretty quick as standard and lots of aftermarket shiny stuff if you want to make it faster
The bad:
- Driving position is too high and it's a shame the seat doesn't go lower
- Interior is an improvement in later cars but still naff (flat bottomed wheel!)
- Servicing is expensive at a Ford dealer and seems to be one of the few cars still on annual servicing rather than variable
- Ride on 18"s is hard and jittery and made the M-Sport suspension and runflats feel soft and compliant
- Not particularly economical
In the end I chopped it in after a year for another 1-series which is more economical, faster and a better steer
Chris
Given the choice, hatch or estate ?
steve-5snwi said:
I'm not too fussed about quality too much compared to Germans, i had a Cupra before the Mini and loved it.
What exhaust are you running ? I would be looking at either Milltek or Mountune.
The only spanner in the works is i really wanted an auto next ... but there is nothing i fancy other than a clubman but they are 20k upwards.
All Mountune. Have to say not had issue with seat height, I’m 6’2”. What exhaust are you running ? I would be looking at either Milltek or Mountune.
The only spanner in the works is i really wanted an auto next ... but there is nothing i fancy other than a clubman but they are 20k upwards.
Had a 330i shooting prior, I find focus more of an event. I get my services at specialist. 170 annually approx.
I'm 6'4" and drive a Mini so should be fine, a genuine Ford full service kit is around £30 and we have ramps at work 
I've enquired about a stealth grey estate today ... just not sure if i should spend the extra on a Mini Cooper S clubman as I always said my next car would be an auto.
I've enquired about a stealth grey estate today ... just not sure if i should spend the extra on a Mini Cooper S clubman as I always said my next car would be an auto.
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