Discussion
OppoLocksmith said:
5 years and 70k on mine with the Collins CP2 map it hasn't missed a beat with regular servicing. Honestly not sure what I'd change to as it does everything I need.
I do think the suspension would benefit from a refresh - has anyone changed the rear beam bushes and was it worthwhile?
The biggest change for me was the bushes that sit on top (bottom? They were like an orange sponge) of the rear springs - they were totally ruined after about 30k!I do think the suspension would benefit from a refresh - has anyone changed the rear beam bushes and was it worthwhile?
I posted it on the forums as you couldn’t get the part at the time and power flex spotted it and ended up sending me some and launched it as a product. Made a big difference, cheap and easy to replace on a ramp in literally five minutes too, recommend checking what state yours are in.
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Rear+S...
That’s my car in the photo.
Did make it slightly harsher though so if you can get the originals could be worth trying those, and just replacing every couple of years.
OppoLocksmith said:
5 years and 70k on mine with the Collins CP2 map it hasn't missed a beat with regular servicing. Honestly not sure what I'd change to as it does everything I need.
I do think the suspension would benefit from a refresh - has anyone changed the rear beam bushes and was it worthwhile?
Thats good to hear.I do think the suspension would benefit from a refresh - has anyone changed the rear beam bushes and was it worthwhile?
Just been out in it, was worried I would have an "Oh my god what have I done moment" but it didnt come, not actually done anything yet and still have the BMW. Will sell the BMW once my son has done his test on the 6th of May, dont want to upset the apple cart selling it and changing his practice car for something unfamiliar. Will wait for that and regardless of the result, will sell it and procure a more suitable auto (he is doing an auto test)
Really do like the ST, you feel more connected and to be honest I didnt feel it lacked performance even as standard today, it pulls very nicely so like Kaveney says, reckon the 240 ish should be plenty.
Oebviously doesnt sound as nice as the BMW, but am hoping the induction kit adds a bit more noise, but its always going to lose against a six pot.
The Dirty Pigeons got at it again last night though, I can feel their beady little eyes on me when I am cleaning it, I get intimidated by them...
Todays jobs involve shampooing the interior, further polishing, glass clean, bit of under bonnet cleaning, wheels and glass. Will check the tyre pressures as think they are a bit uneven.
Will make a list of things to order s well, first one being brake fluid.
It should be cheap to run as well, £150 tax I think, insurance was £180 ish and its telling me its doing nearly 40 mpg. Also, not overly worried about it at 8 grand, would be a bit paranoid with all that money tied up in an M4.
Spending some on mods I wont get back isnt cheap but it isnt exactly depreciating, and its nice that unlike a six year old quick Ford of the fast the rust isnt consuming it. The paint its really goo, when polished in sunlight it is such a bright red, couple of little touch ups to do.
J4CKO said:
Spending some on mods I wont get back
What I like about modding a car(whether cosmetic or performance related) is that "you" get the benefit from it. You never get the money back(I think I ended up spending about £400 dechroming the Mini and I sold it on as is) but I got pleasure from it because I felt that it looked better. It was the same with my 200SX and I spent around £800 on that to take it from 200bhp to around 250bhp, but the pleasure I got back from it was immense and well worth it I thought.
I reckon that your ST with around 240bhp will be an absolute riot for sure.
cerb4.5lee said:
J4CKO said:
Spending some on mods I wont get back
What I like about modding a car(whether cosmetic or performance related) is that "you" get the benefit from it. You never get the money back(I think I ended up spending about £400 dechroming the Mini and I sold it on as is) but I got pleasure from it because I felt that it looked better. It was the same with my 200SX and I spent around £800 on that to take it from 200bhp to around 250bhp, but the pleasure I got back from it was immense and well worth it I thought.
I reckon that your ST with around 240bhp will be an absolute riot for sure.
Have always wanted to just take a car in and get it tuned properly rather than just bits here and there, could send it in and take it to 300 plus but think its sometimes about the journey rather than the destination, been following Kaveneys build diary for a while and he has made considered purchases that have by and large added to the cars function on track.
Anyway, need to crack on with the shampooing ! I have a PC in my garage, my happy place, beer, internet, polish and tools
J4CKO said:
cerb4.5lee said:
J4CKO said:
Spending some on mods I wont get back
What I like about modding a car(whether cosmetic or performance related) is that "you" get the benefit from it. You never get the money back(I think I ended up spending about £400 dechroming the Mini and I sold it on as is) but I got pleasure from it because I felt that it looked better. It was the same with my 200SX and I spent around £800 on that to take it from 200bhp to around 250bhp, but the pleasure I got back from it was immense and well worth it I thought.
I reckon that your ST with around 240bhp will be an absolute riot for sure.
Have always wanted to just take a car in and get it tuned properly rather than just bits here and there, could send it in and take it to 300 plus but think its sometimes about the journey rather than the destination, been following Kaveneys build diary for a while and he has made considered purchases that have by and large added to the cars function on track.
Anyway, need to crack on with the shampooing ! I have a PC in my garage, my happy place, beer, internet, polish and tools
I had an Impreza classic that suffered an engine failure so I had it rebuilt with forged parts and uprated everything. It weighed 1150kg, made 374bhp and with AWD was a weapon! My favourite thing though was the intake/turbo noise (it ran at 1.7bar).
J4CKO said:
The s
t I have to deal with !
Thats one of seven since yesterday.
Looks like it’s time for an air rifle...t I have to deal with !Thats one of seven since yesterday.
They’re a swifts that nest in the eaves of a house over the road from us and unfortunately my drive appears to be on their flight path to their favourite feeding ground so my cars gets peppered with bird s
t from. I’ve until the little sods ps off for the winter. Glad you’re happy with the ST; you never seemed to gel / click with the 135 (I get that they are flawed and it’s easy to get sucked into the numbers).
abucd4 said:
The biggest change for me was the bushes that sit on top (bottom? They were like an orange sponge) of the rear springs - they were totally ruined after about 30k!
I posted it on the forums as you couldn’t get the part at the time and power flex spotted it and ended up sending me some and launched it as a product. Made a big difference, cheap and easy to replace on a ramp in literally five minutes too, recommend checking what state yours are in.
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Rear+S...
That’s my car in the photo.
Did make it slightly harsher though so if you can get the originals could be worth trying those, and just replacing every couple of years.
Rear spring upper isolators.I posted it on the forums as you couldn’t get the part at the time and power flex spotted it and ended up sending me some and launched it as a product. Made a big difference, cheap and easy to replace on a ramp in literally five minutes too, recommend checking what state yours are in.
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Rear+S...
That’s my car in the photo.
Did make it slightly harsher though so if you can get the originals could be worth trying those, and just replacing every couple of years.
The oe ones disintegrate over (not very much) time. Mountune and Powerflex (thanks to you!) Do replacements.
I think Ford also sell improved ones as well, maybe I'm imagining that.
I have got these for my ST - much better than the foam ones apparently
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Ford-Figo-KA-Fi...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Ford-Figo-KA-Fi...
Edited by Nelka on Thursday 13th May 09:44
Bomberharris said:
I’m still looking for one, with not too many owners, not modded and under 50k
Is there any this I should look out for or avoid I know dealers are returning them back to original spec
The usual hot hatch stuff, which it sounds like you’re already on the look out for. Matching paint, accident damage etc. The paint stone chips for fun - so look out for one with an immaculate front end as that could actually be a sign it’s been repaired.Is there any this I should look out for or avoid I know dealers are returning them back to original spec
They can suffer from boost leaks to varying degrees, but it’s an easy fix and worth going over the connections and tightening if you were to buy one regardless. It’s all reasonably accessible.
Check for clutch slip, check the tyres match and are decent as a possible indicator of previous ownership.
Tbh though they don’t really go wrong! The door cards rattled but nothing ever seemed to break on mine.
They’re seriously cheap to run, modify and repair, but because of this it is becoming harder to find a nice one. Mine sold overnight when I put it up as it was one of the few decent ones for sale so people are looking for them, could be worth setting up alerts for eBay, piston heads etc, or put out a wanted ad on the forums and owner groups.
ETA: check it’s had the coolant recall - if I remember rightly it should have a round coolant reservoir if it’s been done.
Edited by abucd4 on Sunday 25th April 14:33
MC Bodge said:
What are the 1.0 warm versions like in comparison?
I’ve driven a few and the engine is fantastic (which surprised me!), it makes a great noise and is very keen. I was shocked by how impressed I was by it but it’s reputation for not been reliable has plagued it, I don’t know how true that is of later versions of the engine.Scobblelotcher said:
I’ve driven a few and the engine is fantastic (which surprised me!), it makes a great noise and is very keen. I was shocked by how impressed I was by it but it’s reputation for not been reliable has plagued it, I don’t know how true that is of later versions of the engine.
The problem was between October 2011 and 2013 they had a nylon coolant pipe fitted between the engine and coolant tank which often failed at high temperatures.. Not sure if Ford did a recall, but most should be rectified by now..Scobblelotcher said:
MC Bodge said:
What are the 1.0 warm versions like in comparison?
I’ve driven a few and the engine is fantastic (which surprised me!), it makes a great noise and is very keen. I was shocked by how impressed I was by it but it’s reputation for not been reliable has plagued it, I don’t know how true that is of later versions of the engine.MC Bodge said:
I've driven the 100ps & 125ps in the Focus. I was thinking more about the chassis- ride and handling, in the Zetec/S versions.
I had a Fiesta Metal which was the 'warm' prefacelift car with a ~135bhp NA 1.6. It was a really good car to thrash about, but was a pretty firm ride and the steering let it down for me. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff