Ford Focus ST mk3 (Pre facelift) - Tram-Line-King
Discussion
2 years ago I leased a pre face-lift Focus ST3 from the internet right before the face-lift was released. I'd never driven a Focus or really looked round the car. I got it for basically £6k over 2 years so thought f*** it why not and signed. Chris Harris' reviews and a PM from a member over on a certain cliosport forum made my mind up for me.
It goes back in early October and is being replaced (hopefully once the deal is done) a Megane RS, seeing a year old Flame Red 275 Nav + Cup, 18"s and Recaros today.
In fact, I just put a deposit on the car over the phone, having never seen the car or driven a Megane RS. hmmm......
Bad bits:
Torque steer, tram-lining and tracking are a really irritating problem on the car on anything but a flat and level surface. Want to enjoy that twisty B-road sir? Not before I try put you in the ditch, sir.... Your forearms will get a good workout for sure while wrestling with the steering wheel. 2 years of messing with the tyre pressures and leaving the car in 'sport' mode seemed to get this to an acceptable point but I am not so sure anymore. It has some electric diff and it doesn't do a good job atall. This is mostly an issue in 2nd gear.
Fuel economy. I don't keep an accurate count, I fill up when the light comes on and get about 240 miles to £60 worth of premium. Sensible driving on a long run once saw 330 miles. Computer says average of 24mpg. Its not economical but that wasn't an issue for me at the time as I worked from home. Now I do 30 miles a day commute, its still OK.
Steering as with any modern car is quite numb. I came out of an E92 320d Sport Plus which was perhaps the most detached car I've ever driven in 10 years and stepping in the Focus was bliss, it has some fakery going on which forces the steering back to center and other than that theres little feedback coming through. I've never actually felt like I didn't know what the front end was doing (like I did in the e92).
Good bits:
Engine - Its a peach for a 4 banger I think. Massive dollop of boost as the turbo kicks in can light the wheels up, bit of mid range torque and what feels like plenty of power up top too makes it feel like it wants to rev out. 3rd gear, some cold air running through the blower and over-boost can feel quite quick. Even after 2 years it still feels good. The engine has had a hard life, on receiving the car it had 70 delivery miles on it so the first thing I did was take it to red line in a few gears. It loosened up nicely.
Lateral grip is quite impressive. I best not elaborate too much on that. Handling has never been an issue torque steer aside, Its been a really fun car.
I should have waited and got the face-lift as I read the issues with the tram lining have been ironed out just about, plus the revised interior would make it a solid all rounder. I think owners will have a a cracking time with the new ones.
Pics:
It goes back in early October and is being replaced (hopefully once the deal is done) a Megane RS, seeing a year old Flame Red 275 Nav + Cup, 18"s and Recaros today.
In fact, I just put a deposit on the car over the phone, having never seen the car or driven a Megane RS. hmmm......
Bad bits:
Torque steer, tram-lining and tracking are a really irritating problem on the car on anything but a flat and level surface. Want to enjoy that twisty B-road sir? Not before I try put you in the ditch, sir.... Your forearms will get a good workout for sure while wrestling with the steering wheel. 2 years of messing with the tyre pressures and leaving the car in 'sport' mode seemed to get this to an acceptable point but I am not so sure anymore. It has some electric diff and it doesn't do a good job atall. This is mostly an issue in 2nd gear.
Fuel economy. I don't keep an accurate count, I fill up when the light comes on and get about 240 miles to £60 worth of premium. Sensible driving on a long run once saw 330 miles. Computer says average of 24mpg. Its not economical but that wasn't an issue for me at the time as I worked from home. Now I do 30 miles a day commute, its still OK.
Steering as with any modern car is quite numb. I came out of an E92 320d Sport Plus which was perhaps the most detached car I've ever driven in 10 years and stepping in the Focus was bliss, it has some fakery going on which forces the steering back to center and other than that theres little feedback coming through. I've never actually felt like I didn't know what the front end was doing (like I did in the e92).
Good bits:
Engine - Its a peach for a 4 banger I think. Massive dollop of boost as the turbo kicks in can light the wheels up, bit of mid range torque and what feels like plenty of power up top too makes it feel like it wants to rev out. 3rd gear, some cold air running through the blower and over-boost can feel quite quick. Even after 2 years it still feels good. The engine has had a hard life, on receiving the car it had 70 delivery miles on it so the first thing I did was take it to red line in a few gears. It loosened up nicely.
Lateral grip is quite impressive. I best not elaborate too much on that. Handling has never been an issue torque steer aside, Its been a really fun car.
I should have waited and got the face-lift as I read the issues with the tram lining have been ironed out just about, plus the revised interior would make it a solid all rounder. I think owners will have a a cracking time with the new ones.
Pics:
although the new interior is better. (owner of a 2014 Titanium Ecoboost)I have a pre facelift estate. I've learned not to try to do much on damp or wet roads, but otherwise torque steer or traction hasn't been too much of an issue in the dry - it seems worse when the car is fully loaded at the back though.
Yes the engine is good - they have tried to give it some character coming from the old 5 cylinder mk2. I find it tails off a bit at the the top of the rev range compared to the Golf GTi I had before it though, but it does encourage more enthusiastic driving.
25mpg is the worst I've had from urban driving but long term average is probably about 29-30 which isn't great but better than you - you must have a heavy right foot!
Worst bits for me are the traction on even slightly damp roads, and the rubbish turning circle, which combined with the length of the car can make some tighter parking situations difficult. The steering is a bit weird too - very quick and less than two turns lock to lock.
Yes the engine is good - they have tried to give it some character coming from the old 5 cylinder mk2. I find it tails off a bit at the the top of the rev range compared to the Golf GTi I had before it though, but it does encourage more enthusiastic driving.
25mpg is the worst I've had from urban driving but long term average is probably about 29-30 which isn't great but better than you - you must have a heavy right foot!
Worst bits for me are the traction on even slightly damp roads, and the rubbish turning circle, which combined with the length of the car can make some tighter parking situations difficult. The steering is a bit weird too - very quick and less than two turns lock to lock.
Edited by Hub on Sunday 24th July 09:26
MikeGoodwin said:
Bad bits:
Torque steer, tram-lining and tracking are a really irritating problem on the car on anything but a flat and level surface. Want to enjoy that twisty B-road sir? Not before I try put you in the ditch, sir.... Your forearms will get a good workout for sure while wrestling with the steering wheel. 2 years of messing with the tyre pressures and leaving the car in 'sport' mode seemed to get this to an acceptable point but I am not so sure anymore. It has some electric diff and it doesn't do a good job atall. This is mostly an issue in 2nd gear.
Mate at work has a pre-facelift and really struggles with torque steer, what was the optimum pressure in the end for the tyres?Torque steer, tram-lining and tracking are a really irritating problem on the car on anything but a flat and level surface. Want to enjoy that twisty B-road sir? Not before I try put you in the ditch, sir.... Your forearms will get a good workout for sure while wrestling with the steering wheel. 2 years of messing with the tyre pressures and leaving the car in 'sport' mode seemed to get this to an acceptable point but I am not so sure anymore. It has some electric diff and it doesn't do a good job atall. This is mostly an issue in 2nd gear.
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