Buying a mk1 focus rs
Discussion
Hi this is my first post so bear with me. Im currently looking into getting rid of my e46 330 m sport coupe and I am very interested in a focus rs. The trouble is that the ones in my price range are just over the 100,000 mile mark. I know that if well looked after most cars should be fine but are these cars the same. So would it be worth saving up for a bit and getting a lower mileage car or would it be ok to get a cheaper high mileage one.
TBH you need to buy on condition now. There are a number of owners on the RSOC who have cars running well into 100k+ and the cars are running fine (both standard & modified) as they've been well maintained, etc 
On the other side of this, there are cars out there between 30-60k miles that are in far worse condition, have rust in the arches, etc, because they've been badly looked after
Don't be surprised to come across a car that has had some paintwork at some point as the front end and rear arches are particularly prone to stone rash as the paint from the factory was so thin. Again though check the quality of any paintwork that has been done as while a lot I've seen on the forums have been done to a decent standard, there are some out there that have just been treated to a very cheap blowover
Another thing to bear in mind is quite a few of them have at some point been modified and then returned back to standard to be sold. While this isn't a problem in itself if it's done correctly, I have seen more than a few that have been bodged back to standard on the cheap, once the aftermarket parts came off, and this has then caused the new owner a fair number of problems This is particularly prevalent when cars have previously had the ecu mapped, uprated actuators, aftermarket boost control, etc, but when returned to standard these haven't been adjusted correctly leaving a poor running car.
Best suggestion would be to have a look over the Mk1 FRS section on the RS Owners Club as there is a buyers guide on there, as well as loads of threads to read through that cover the usual good/bad points, etc. Most of the owners tend to reside on that forum as well so there is a wealth of info there. There is also the Focus RS Build List, run by Clayton on the RSOC, that has lots of details logged for the cars, so again it can be worth checking the build number of the car to see what history there is logged against it, etc
http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1...
www.focusrsbuildlist.co.uk
On the other side of this, there are cars out there between 30-60k miles that are in far worse condition, have rust in the arches, etc, because they've been badly looked after
Don't be surprised to come across a car that has had some paintwork at some point as the front end and rear arches are particularly prone to stone rash as the paint from the factory was so thin. Again though check the quality of any paintwork that has been done as while a lot I've seen on the forums have been done to a decent standard, there are some out there that have just been treated to a very cheap blowover
Another thing to bear in mind is quite a few of them have at some point been modified and then returned back to standard to be sold. While this isn't a problem in itself if it's done correctly, I have seen more than a few that have been bodged back to standard on the cheap, once the aftermarket parts came off, and this has then caused the new owner a fair number of problems
This is particularly prevalent when cars have previously had the ecu mapped, uprated actuators, aftermarket boost control, etc, but when returned to standard these haven't been adjusted correctly leaving a poor running car.Best suggestion would be to have a look over the Mk1 FRS section on the RS Owners Club as there is a buyers guide on there, as well as loads of threads to read through that cover the usual good/bad points, etc. Most of the owners tend to reside on that forum as well so there is a wealth of info there. There is also the Focus RS Build List, run by Clayton on the RSOC, that has lots of details logged for the cars, so again it can be worth checking the build number of the car to see what history there is logged against it, etc
http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1...
www.focusrsbuildlist.co.uk
When I first bought mine in '06 I used it regularly as my daily driver for a year. That was until I took it off the road in '07 and then used it sporadically after I went a bit mad with the modifications (400+bhp, forged engine, etc) 
But during that time it ran fine and didn't give me any undue problems
I'd say as a combined average you can probably get circa 25mpg - Ford said it was circa 28 on the press release but most on the forums tend to get around 25/26 - but that would obviously be dependent on use. Expect it to drop into the late teens if the car is used an intended (read as quite enthusiastically )
I used to be able to get around 250-300 miles from a tank with a combination of motorway / local use and also stop/start, etc, when the car was virtually standard, however in the instances where I had to mainly use the car around town more, it did increase the fuel consumption so saw the levels get closer to the early 20's.
But during that time it ran fine and didn't give me any undue problems I'd say as a combined average you can probably get circa 25mpg - Ford said it was circa 28 on the press release but most on the forums tend to get around 25/26 - but that would obviously be dependent on use. Expect it to drop into the late teens if the car is used an intended (read as quite enthusiastically
)I used to be able to get around 250-300 miles from a tank with a combination of motorway / local use and also stop/start, etc, when the car was virtually standard, however in the instances where I had to mainly use the car around town more, it did increase the fuel consumption so saw the levels get closer to the early 20's.
Yeah it's certainly not excessively bad - quite a few on the RSOC using them as daily runners. Most important thing is (like with any car I guess) to keep it properly maintained and keep on top of any issues that could arise
If you do get a chance have a look through the RS forum as it will definitely give you a better idea of what to look for on the cars - especially common problems like the chargecooler pump, maf sensor, etc
If you do get a chance have a look through the RS forum as it will definitely give you a better idea of what to look for on the cars - especially common problems like the chargecooler pump, maf sensor, etc
My one is just about to hit 105k & is much better condition than ones with half that, buy on condition & pay particular attention to the bottom of the front wings behind the side skirts as they like to dissolve!!
Mechanically they are straight forward so easy to work on I change the oil every 5k & as my engines still very strong 320bhp+ I guess it's worked!!
Also check frsec.co.uk it's a small forum but there's a lot of knowledge on there & you will avoid the very questionable advice that can be given on the rsoc
Mechanically they are straight forward so easy to work on I change the oil every 5k & as my engines still very strong 320bhp+ I guess it's worked!!
Also check frsec.co.uk it's a small forum but there's a lot of knowledge on there & you will avoid the very questionable advice that can be given on the rsoc
AlexRS2782 said:
Not defensive, was just interested incase it was something that could be brought up / looked at, etc
If only it was that easy! 
my readers car thread for the op http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... i started this when the car hit 100k detailing what i had done to the car over that time
as already stated check the build list as if its a known car you can often find some useful background information
Hi,
Sorry for jumping on your thread but I also have been after a MK1 RS for the last year or so but only seem to come across those that have been heavily modified or modified and put back to standard.
Is there a specialist dealer that I could perhaps contact. I have a budget of 9K and want to get a complete standard car with full service history and low mileage. I am in the Middle East so need someone to hold it for me for a few weeks until I get home on my next vacation.
Any ideas?
Sorry for jumping on your thread but I also have been after a MK1 RS for the last year or so but only seem to come across those that have been heavily modified or modified and put back to standard.
Is there a specialist dealer that I could perhaps contact. I have a budget of 9K and want to get a complete standard car with full service history and low mileage. I am in the Middle East so need someone to hold it for me for a few weeks until I get home on my next vacation.
Any ideas?
There aren't any car dealers that specialise in the Mk1 I'm afraid - mainly due to the age of them being 10-12 years old & the problems that can, and do occur, it wouldn't be financially viable for a dealer to warranty one tbh when compared to the more recent Mk2.
They do obviously appear on small retail forecourts, but the majority of them are sold via the private market.
Getting a standard one that has never been modified will be tough, but not impossible, although the most recent ones that have sold via the RSOC tend to sell around £10k-£12k with lower mileage. A concours one on sub 10k miles sold for circa £15k recently & went within the space of 2 hours as those examples have become collector cars rather than being used.
Due to the price drop in recent years, a lot of them have fallen into the hands of owners who don't understand / appreciate the ongoing running costs, price of certain parts, maintenance, etc
As suggested on a previous post, your best bet would be to try & source one via an owners club like the RSOC where the history of the car can be seen via the users posts on the forum & you know what you're getting Clayton who is the registrar for the RSOC / Mk1 FRS sometimes knows of cars that are not specifically for sale via the forum, but may be part of a regional group so that would also be another avenue to try in your search
They do obviously appear on small retail forecourts, but the majority of them are sold via the private market.
Getting a standard one that has never been modified will be tough, but not impossible, although the most recent ones that have sold via the RSOC tend to sell around £10k-£12k with lower mileage. A concours one on sub 10k miles sold for circa £15k recently & went within the space of 2 hours as those examples have become collector cars rather than being used.
Due to the price drop in recent years, a lot of them have fallen into the hands of owners who don't understand / appreciate the ongoing running costs, price of certain parts, maintenance, etc
As suggested on a previous post, your best bet would be to try & source one via an owners club like the RSOC where the history of the car can be seen via the users posts on the forum & you know what you're getting
Clayton who is the registrar for the RSOC / Mk1 FRS sometimes knows of cars that are not specifically for sale via the forum, but may be part of a regional group so that would also be another avenue to try in your search Thanks for the response, I apprecaite it mate.
I have found one that is on pistonheads at the moment for 9,500. It's a very long article and the guy said he originally had it on for 10,500. Seems very solid to me and I am thinking of giving a holding deposit until I see the car. Can you give your thoughts on it if you have time?
I have found one that is on pistonheads at the moment for 9,500. It's a very long article and the guy said he originally had it on for 10,500. Seems very solid to me and I am thinking of giving a holding deposit until I see the car. Can you give your thoughts on it if you have time?
Build #1869 / RS03 DRS?
It's not one that has been owned by someone on the RSOC so no history from that side of things, however it has been logged previously by the Registrar via a previous advert a couple of years ago:
http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/showthread.php?t=415...
Page on the build list with photos & advert details when it was last advertised in 2012 including photos of mileage at the time, etc, so it would appear it hasn't done a great amount of miles in that time which matches up with the advert:
http://focusrsbuildlist.co.uk/index.php?option=com...
Here's a link to a buyers guide that one of the other moderators on the RSOC put together for the car, so this should give you a good idea of what to look out for, problems, etc
http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/showthread.php?t=369...
If you get a chance have a flick through other posts in that section & is will give you an idea on the other usual issues that can arise, etc The chargecooler pump working on an intermittent basis is normally the main one to show up with age.
The only non standard part fitted to the one in the advert you mentioned is the lower black trim (normally referred to as a splitter) on the front bumper. They're an aftermarket part designed to tidy up the front end from standard and are quite popular with the owners into modifying them (like myself ) so would easily fetch circa £30-£50 (dependent on condition) if you wanted to remove it & sell it on They're only fixed to the underside of the bumper / undertray using a few small nuts & bolts so very easily removed if not required
It's not one that has been owned by someone on the RSOC so no history from that side of things, however it has been logged previously by the Registrar via a previous advert a couple of years ago:
http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/showthread.php?t=415...
Page on the build list with photos & advert details when it was last advertised in 2012 including photos of mileage at the time, etc, so it would appear it hasn't done a great amount of miles in that time which matches up with the advert:
http://focusrsbuildlist.co.uk/index.php?option=com...
Here's a link to a buyers guide that one of the other moderators on the RSOC put together for the car, so this should give you a good idea of what to look out for, problems, etc
http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/showthread.php?t=369...
If you get a chance have a flick through other posts in that section & is will give you an idea on the other usual issues that can arise, etc
The chargecooler pump working on an intermittent basis is normally the main one to show up with age.The only non standard part fitted to the one in the advert you mentioned is the lower black trim (normally referred to as a splitter) on the front bumper. They're an aftermarket part designed to tidy up the front end from standard and are quite popular with the owners into modifying them (like myself
) so would easily fetch circa £30-£50 (dependent on condition) if you wanted to remove it & sell it on They're only fixed to the underside of the bumper / undertray using a few small nuts & bolts so very easily removed if not required Thanks for the response mate, you clearly know a lot about these cars. I like cars a lot but would not really know how to work at them.
I called the guy yesterday but go no answer, he mailed to say he was busy but I will try again later.
In your opinion will these hold their money as my Fiancee cant seem to understand the logic in me wanting to spend almost 10K for an eleven year old car?
I called the guy yesterday but go no answer, he mailed to say he was busy but I will try again later.
In your opinion will these hold their money as my Fiancee cant seem to understand the logic in me wanting to spend almost 10K for an eleven year old car?
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