Mk4 Focus ST Auto
Discussion
As far as I can find out it's only affecting UK (rhd) models as the auto still seems to be on sale in Germany. Sounds like a production issue....
I have had a look at alternatives.... Bring a Golf R estate up to th STs spec and it's very close £40k. As a military veteran I can get a Leon Cupra estate for around £25k but do like the look of the Cupra Ateca (but a good bit more £).
Any other suggestions (I would like a torque coverter auto though....)
I have had a look at alternatives.... Bring a Golf R estate up to th STs spec and it's very close £40k. As a military veteran I can get a Leon Cupra estate for around £25k but do like the look of the Cupra Ateca (but a good bit more £).
Any other suggestions (I would like a torque coverter auto though....)
My local (brilliant) Ford dealer has sold at least half a dozen hatches and, yes, getting good feedback.
Unfortunately I want the auto version as, nudging 70, I want a bit more of a relaxed drive. (If I want manual then I take the TVR out for a spin - LOL).
From information received I guess it's a production issue as it was only launched (ok to buy in Ford speak) on the 25th which is when I placed my order. That was then withdrawn on the 29th. So not enough time to establish any commercial implications....
I'll probably bide my time until next year and run my Kuga through the winter. If nothing has been resolved byspring then I'll look at either a Leon Cupra (new one out very soon) or the Cupra Ateca.
Has anyone got experience of driving the VAG DSG box in those cars?
Unfortunately I want the auto version as, nudging 70, I want a bit more of a relaxed drive. (If I want manual then I take the TVR out for a spin - LOL).
From information received I guess it's a production issue as it was only launched (ok to buy in Ford speak) on the 25th which is when I placed my order. That was then withdrawn on the 29th. So not enough time to establish any commercial implications....
I'll probably bide my time until next year and run my Kuga through the winter. If nothing has been resolved byspring then I'll look at either a Leon Cupra (new one out very soon) or the Cupra Ateca.
Has anyone got experience of driving the VAG DSG box in those cars?
tivver500 said:
My local (brilliant) Ford dealer has sold at least half a dozen hatches and, yes, getting good feedback.
Unfortunately I want the auto version as, nudging 70, I want a bit more of a relaxed drive. (If I want manual then I take the TVR out for a spin - LOL).
From information received I guess it's a production issue as it was only launched (ok to buy in Ford speak) on the 25th which is when I placed my order. That was then withdrawn on the 29th. So not enough time to establish any commercial implications....
I'll probably bide my time until next year and run my Kuga through the winter. If nothing has been resolved byspring then I'll look at either a Leon Cupra (new one out very soon) or the Cupra Ateca.
Has anyone got experience of driving the VAG DSG box in those cars?
I've driven plenty of DSG or S Tronic cars and haven't liked any of them.Unfortunately I want the auto version as, nudging 70, I want a bit more of a relaxed drive. (If I want manual then I take the TVR out for a spin - LOL).
From information received I guess it's a production issue as it was only launched (ok to buy in Ford speak) on the 25th which is when I placed my order. That was then withdrawn on the 29th. So not enough time to establish any commercial implications....
I'll probably bide my time until next year and run my Kuga through the winter. If nothing has been resolved byspring then I'll look at either a Leon Cupra (new one out very soon) or the Cupra Ateca.
Has anyone got experience of driving the VAG DSG box in those cars?
stevemcs said:
I've driven plenty of DSG or S Tronic cars and haven't liked any of them.
After 35 years of driving I have experienced only one - my present car, and given the choice of a manual gearbox if it was available(which it isn't), I would have no hesitation in picking this S Tronic.More and more cars and being fitted as standard with this type of gearbox so having a choice in the future is going to be more limited.
I still enjoy driving a manual though, and can jump from one to the other with no problems at all.
Make sure you get 24hours with any dsg car, practice pulling away from roundabouts to see what the delay is like and also when going from first to reverse as if your parking, when in drive it will change up very quickly
Some love it, I hate it, if I wanted an auto it would need to be a zf box, the only decent audi S tronic gearboxes are those built by zf
Some love it, I hate it, if I wanted an auto it would need to be a zf box, the only decent audi S tronic gearboxes are those built by zf
Ta, i've just watched bits of both, for day to day driving the ZF box takes the win, I wouldn't compare the DCT box in the M cars or the PDK box in the Porsches to a VAG group DS/S Tronic. One of the points he mentions about no creep in a Dual clutch gearbox is one of the reasons why i'm not so keen on the box in the M car for general driving, trying to move an M4 on gravel was always fun. However the VW DSG does have a creep function.
We used to compare the 435i and M4, for every day driving you would take the 435i, the gearbox was just right, however head to a track and you would take the M4.
Many years ago I had an A3 tdi Stronic, i loved it on the test drive, I wanted shot of it after 2 weeks of ownership I hated it. I've been lucky enough to drive a few different cars over the years when i spent some time buying/selling but obviously it comes down to personal opinion. However i would suggest that if you want an estate and its got to be auto go and try a BMW 340i touring.
We used to compare the 435i and M4, for every day driving you would take the 435i, the gearbox was just right, however head to a track and you would take the M4.
Many years ago I had an A3 tdi Stronic, i loved it on the test drive, I wanted shot of it after 2 weeks of ownership I hated it. I've been lucky enough to drive a few different cars over the years when i spent some time buying/selling but obviously it comes down to personal opinion. However i would suggest that if you want an estate and its got to be auto go and try a BMW 340i touring.
Very useful info - thanks.
Much as I like the idea of a 340 touring it's way out of my price league and, from previous experience, I wouldn't buy a bicycle from the local BMW dealer....
With my ex-military discount I can get a Cupra estate for around £25k so that tips the balance a bit.
If I find it that bad then I'll just have to wait for the Ford to be available again (whenever that might be....)
Much as I like the idea of a 340 touring it's way out of my price league and, from previous experience, I wouldn't buy a bicycle from the local BMW dealer....
With my ex-military discount I can get a Cupra estate for around £25k so that tips the balance a bit.
If I find it that bad then I'll just have to wait for the Ford to be available again (whenever that might be....)
Good call but the Octavia is about 250bhp. I've got around 200 in my (remapped) Kuga whereas the Cupra is 300.
My Tvr has 320bhp so an estate that'll (almost) match that does appeal... My cousin gives very favourable feedback on his Superb with the TSI and dsg box. I've got a test drive with the 7-speed dsg so will see how that pans out.
Somehow I'll be surprised if Ford do actually meet their guesstimate of mid 2020 as the ST is the only vehicle using that gearbox!!
My Tvr has 320bhp so an estate that'll (almost) match that does appeal... My cousin gives very favourable feedback on his Superb with the TSI and dsg box. I've got a test drive with the 7-speed dsg so will see how that pans out.
Somehow I'll be surprised if Ford do actually meet their guesstimate of mid 2020 as the ST is the only vehicle using that gearbox!!
Matching the TVR's power would be VW Golf R territory? and I can see the forthcoming Octavia VRS being there with 4wd too.
That said I drove the current gen with a 2.0tdi 187 for a week and thought too light on the front at speeds. Did try a Seat Leon estate back in 2015, didnt like the plastics and thought it was a noisy ride compared to the Passat I had. Whens the new Ford Kuga coming out? thats got to be on Fords refresh books by now.
My favorite most recently was a 318d sport bmw, when you turned off all the computer aids it was driving bliss. Like yourself I've got another car but its a long project Ginetta G32 with a 2litre zetec so smaller power.
That said I drove the current gen with a 2.0tdi 187 for a week and thought too light on the front at speeds. Did try a Seat Leon estate back in 2015, didnt like the plastics and thought it was a noisy ride compared to the Passat I had. Whens the new Ford Kuga coming out? thats got to be on Fords refresh books by now.
My favorite most recently was a 318d sport bmw, when you turned off all the computer aids it was driving bliss. Like yourself I've got another car but its a long project Ginetta G32 with a 2litre zetec so smaller power.
Had a short (escorted by salesman!!) test drive today in a Leon FR (190bhp) but with the 7-speed dsg.
Rather surprised that the salesman had to come (I'm 70 years old and have a RoSPA gold so should be 'trusted'.
Very pleasantly surprised by the drive. Smooth gear changes both in auto and manual and sport mode. Good throttle response and very easy to swap between auto and manual (I would tend to drop a couple of gears at corner entry and hold a gear until after exit....).
It was all a lot better than I anticipated. Pity the dealer was a bit rubbish (compared to my local Ford one) but I doubt if I would buy from them as I don't think they could match my military discount!!
Also a quiet and smooth ride. Now have to convince the boss and get her to choose a colour.....
Rather surprised that the salesman had to come (I'm 70 years old and have a RoSPA gold so should be 'trusted'.
Very pleasantly surprised by the drive. Smooth gear changes both in auto and manual and sport mode. Good throttle response and very easy to swap between auto and manual (I would tend to drop a couple of gears at corner entry and hold a gear until after exit....).
It was all a lot better than I anticipated. Pity the dealer was a bit rubbish (compared to my local Ford one) but I doubt if I would buy from them as I don't think they could match my military discount!!
Also a quiet and smooth ride. Now have to convince the boss and get her to choose a colour.....
Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff