Mk1 Ford Focus RS
Discussion
Congratulations. Nice update. Spookily I’ve just done the clutch on my RS Connect (AP organic), after the previous owner fitted a Sachs unsprung disc,which rattled hideously. Changing a clutch on these without doing the slave at the same time is false economy. 6 months before, my master failed too, the plastic(!!!) pushrod on the master snapped.
Another one here, Mine currently stuck in the garage a ive dug the driveway up…
Also chasing an annoying flatspot around 4-4.5k, think its now a boost leak. Slowly changing pieces until its sorted.
Everytime i drive it i wish it had a bit more go, but then torn as feel i should keep it original
Blakeatron said:
Everytime i drive it i wish it had a bit more go, but then torn as feel i should keep it original
Back in the day, when i owned an EVO Integrale i had exactly the same problem. It was a great car, but would have been even greater with a few choice mods. But, look at them today, std, un-molested ones go for ridiculous money, and the MK1 RS is well on it's way to classis status. Yes you could make it a bit faster by modifying it, but it almost certainly wouldn't be actually better, and it sure as anything will knock it's value and collectability in the years to come imo!
Lincsls1 said:
Great thread, brilliant resto, fantastic example of the original RS Focus.
Curious, how does the all round performance compare to the ST Fiesta you have?
That is a good question, both are standard and at 7/10ths there isn't a lot of difference between them but when you push them a little harder you begin to notice the differences. The RS is faster and above 60 it just keeps pulling and pulling where as the fiesta feels like it takes a lot longer to reach three figure speeds. The brakes are also vastly different, you hear a lot of owners complain about the standard RS brakes but my own opinion is that anyone who feels they don't have sufficient power and endurance on the road must have sticky pistons as they are immense. The fiesta has reasonable brakes but they don't have the endurance the RS ones have or the immense bite.Curious, how does the all round performance compare to the ST Fiesta you have?
In terms of grip the RS is miles ahead on the limit probably due to the ATB differential it has where as the ST doesn't have one. the tyres are also wider which might make some difference too. The fiesta is more playful with the rear end and will quite happily allow lift off oversteer all day long when provoked.
The RS rides better too, its stiff but there seems to be more compliance on rough or bad roads than the fiesta has or it could be simply due to the RS having a slightly taller profile tyre I am not sure.
The fiesta however is the better everyday car it is quite happy cruising along in sixth at 40mph or being thrashed to within an inch of its life. With the RS every drive is a special occasion, it begs to be driven hard and enjoyed. The controls in the RS just feel a bit more special too its hard to explain but the RS is just more mechanically pure feeling.
Max_Torque said:
Blakeatron said:
Everytime i drive it i wish it had a bit more go, but then torn as feel i should keep it original
Back in the day, when i owned an EVO Integrale i had exactly the same problem. It was a great car, but would have been even greater with a few choice mods. But, look at them today, std, un-molested ones go for ridiculous money, and the MK1 RS is well on it's way to classis status. Yes you could make it a bit faster by modifying it, but it almost certainly wouldn't be actually better, and it sure as anything will knock it's value and collectability in the years to come imo!Massively behind on updates.
Not long after my wedding I took it to the local Ford Show (AllFord) in Alford and won best car in the 2000-2010 class which I was extremely pleased about, I had washed it before going but it had a few bugs on it and a bit of dust by the time I arrived as it was a lovely summers day. I entered the competition last minute and didn't really expect to win anything and wasn't around when the judging was going on so they must have seen something they liked about it.
Fast Forward a year and all have I done is used it now and again to go to work on a friday or go for a blast on the odd occasion and really enjoyed just using it, Unfortunately the last time I had it out the clutch master cylinder gave out about 10 miles from home leaving me stranded at the side of the road for a while. I eventually started it in second gear and limped home where I managed to reattach the clutch pedal to the master cylinder but the plastic piston has had a tweak so it really needs a new one before I do anything else with it.
I gave it a wash and stuck it back in the garage for the winter, even with its dodgy master cylinder I can't help but love it!!
About a week after the pics above were taken I welcomed my daughter into the world so the Focus is still sitting in the garage waiting on a new master cylinder, an MOT and Tax to get it on the road this year.
As all parents will know the inevitable need for a bigger car to transport your little bundles of joy became apparent so this week my wife has taken delivery of it younger sibling:
Don't worry though the Mk1 is going nowhere, this is a replacement for her 0.9 litre clio hahaha
Not long after my wedding I took it to the local Ford Show (AllFord) in Alford and won best car in the 2000-2010 class which I was extremely pleased about, I had washed it before going but it had a few bugs on it and a bit of dust by the time I arrived as it was a lovely summers day. I entered the competition last minute and didn't really expect to win anything and wasn't around when the judging was going on so they must have seen something they liked about it.
Fast Forward a year and all have I done is used it now and again to go to work on a friday or go for a blast on the odd occasion and really enjoyed just using it, Unfortunately the last time I had it out the clutch master cylinder gave out about 10 miles from home leaving me stranded at the side of the road for a while. I eventually started it in second gear and limped home where I managed to reattach the clutch pedal to the master cylinder but the plastic piston has had a tweak so it really needs a new one before I do anything else with it.
I gave it a wash and stuck it back in the garage for the winter, even with its dodgy master cylinder I can't help but love it!!
About a week after the pics above were taken I welcomed my daughter into the world so the Focus is still sitting in the garage waiting on a new master cylinder, an MOT and Tax to get it on the road this year.
As all parents will know the inevitable need for a bigger car to transport your little bundles of joy became apparent so this week my wife has taken delivery of it younger sibling:
Don't worry though the Mk1 is going nowhere, this is a replacement for her 0.9 litre clio hahaha
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