Focus ST 225 Facelift
Discussion
Previously I'd owned a Mondeo with the later Focus ST engine, 2.0T but found it a bit lacking in character and fun. I'd needed a Mondeo as it was the family car however my wife recently bought a 7 seater, meaning we no longer needed 2 huge cars and I could get into something a bit more hot hatchy. Que a hunt for a reasonably modern hot hatch, comfy enough for daily business trips but fun enough for a weekend blast. I'd looked at numerous cars including Golf GTI, Leon Cupra, Civic Type R, Megane Sport RS, Clio Sport RS but non quite ticked all the boxes. I'd kinda ruled out the ST as they seem to have a chavvy image, however I knew the engine was awesome so had a look. 3rd one I looked at seemed ideal, subtle colour and a facelift so struck a deal and here it is.
2010 Facelift Focus ST, Moondust Silver, Panther Black Alloys, all standard.
The noise from that 5 pot engine is awesome, offbeat warble which is surpisingly quiet at motorway speeds. As it's more a subtle colour I think it's a bit less chavvy than bright orange or the common blue. It's "only" an ST2 which is what I needed as the ST3 comes with leather resulting in 2 rear seats, not 3!! I have kids so needed the 3 seats as there maybe times I need to squeeze them all in.
So far I've covered maybe 50 mile in it, but seems spot on. Covered 58k with Full Ford history and immaculate bodywork.
2010 Facelift Focus ST, Moondust Silver, Panther Black Alloys, all standard.
The noise from that 5 pot engine is awesome, offbeat warble which is surpisingly quiet at motorway speeds. As it's more a subtle colour I think it's a bit less chavvy than bright orange or the common blue. It's "only" an ST2 which is what I needed as the ST3 comes with leather resulting in 2 rear seats, not 3!! I have kids so needed the 3 seats as there maybe times I need to squeeze them all in.
So far I've covered maybe 50 mile in it, but seems spot on. Covered 58k with Full Ford history and immaculate bodywork.
Edited by zedx19 on Tuesday 18th April 10:01
Edited by zedx19 on Tuesday 18th April 11:02
Photos taken on an iphone and uploaded on the laptop, weird.
Anyway, the Mondeo was fully kitted and the Focus is quite sparse in comparison. It has keyless, DAB 6CD changer, bluetooth, USB and errrrm that's pretty much it! No cruise, no climate, no puddle lights, no folding wing mirrors, no parking sensors. It rides better than the Mondeo, it's not as refined obviously, it handles much much better and the performance is much stronger until license loosing speeds when I doubt there'd be much in it. The sense of drama from the Focus is what makes it a different animal, you're constantly aware of a burbly engine whereas the Mondeo didn't make a noise, ever.
I also have a Bluefin handset which I used on the Mondeo. Having contacted Bluefin they'll load the ST maps onto it FOC due to it being less than a year old. So thats +50-90bhp maps FOC if I wanted, however for the time being, standard it'll stay. It's also unusually to find a standard one!
Anyway, the Mondeo was fully kitted and the Focus is quite sparse in comparison. It has keyless, DAB 6CD changer, bluetooth, USB and errrrm that's pretty much it! No cruise, no climate, no puddle lights, no folding wing mirrors, no parking sensors. It rides better than the Mondeo, it's not as refined obviously, it handles much much better and the performance is much stronger until license loosing speeds when I doubt there'd be much in it. The sense of drama from the Focus is what makes it a different animal, you're constantly aware of a burbly engine whereas the Mondeo didn't make a noise, ever.
I also have a Bluefin handset which I used on the Mondeo. Having contacted Bluefin they'll load the ST maps onto it FOC due to it being less than a year old. So thats +50-90bhp maps FOC if I wanted, however for the time being, standard it'll stay. It's also unusually to find a standard one!
Indeed, the Mondeo is a superb cruiser for covering distances in, but it's just too big and heavy for any fun. I found the 2.0T 240 engine bland as well, it didn't make a sound and whilst it was quick flat out high up the revs, mid range was lacking and was slow off the mark. It did do 40mpg on a run though and averaged over 30mpg for my daily driving.
zedx19 said:
I found the 2.0T 240 engine bland as well, it didn't make a sound and whilst it was quick flat out high up the revs, mid range was lacking and was slow off the mark.
I think that might be really where the 2.0T is lacking. The 2.5T version has mid-range in spades and is quick off the mark. Worse on mpg (and CO2) though which unfortunately is all that matters these days. I mean obviously it's never going to be a patch on a Focus if nothing else as it's ~240Kg heavier but while it would never be my first choice to hit the twisties with it was never a case of "oh no, twisty road and I'm in the Mondeo". It is the ideal compromise (at it's price point, a M5 touring would be better but cost rather more!) between wanting enough space for family related stuff and wanting a car that is still nice to drive/handles. If my wife had a 7 seater/mini-bus though I'd do the same and get something smaller that would carry us + children but not all the paraphernalia.
Fastdruid said:
I think that might be really where the 2.0T is lacking. The 2.5T version has mid-range in spades and is quick off the mark. Worse on mpg (and CO2) though which unfortunately is all that matters these days.
I mean obviously it's never going to be a patch on a Focus if nothing else as it's ~240Kg heavier but while it would never be my first choice to hit the twisties with it was never a case of "oh no, twisty road and I'm in the Mondeo". It is the ideal compromise (at it's price point, a M5 touring would be better but cost rather more!) between wanting enough space for family related stuff and wanting a car that is still nice to drive/handles. If my wife had a 7 seater/mini-bus though I'd do the same and get something smaller that would carry us + children but not all the paraphernalia.
Exactly, well put. TBH if you need a big fast estate (which I did), then there's very little that competes with the Mondeo 240 without spending massive money. It's competant at everything and well equipped, it's just not a sporty car and lacks midrange. Like you say though, engines are getting smaller and emissions must drop so daft engined cars are dying out.I mean obviously it's never going to be a patch on a Focus if nothing else as it's ~240Kg heavier but while it would never be my first choice to hit the twisties with it was never a case of "oh no, twisty road and I'm in the Mondeo". It is the ideal compromise (at it's price point, a M5 touring would be better but cost rather more!) between wanting enough space for family related stuff and wanting a car that is still nice to drive/handles. If my wife had a 7 seater/mini-bus though I'd do the same and get something smaller that would carry us + children but not all the paraphernalia.
Surprisingly though, when I rang my insurers, they advised me I'd get a £70 refund and I renewed about 5 weeks back. Not entirely sure how they work out that a Focus ST is cheaper to insure than a Mondeo Ecoboost, but makes up for the increase in VED.
Edited by zedx19 on Tuesday 18th April 11:29
brad ukcarscene said:
looking good! I've had my facelift ST for just over 2 years, originally wanted an orange one but came across the pearl white one and opted for that, so glad I did with how common Orange ones are now!
Yes I did look at a 2008 Orange one as well as a 2007 Black one but both were tatty. The black one had the typical rust around the rear arch/bumper area and the Orange needed all 4 wheels refurbing. Orange is also a bit shouty for my liking, not ideal turning up to meetings in a bright Orange warble box. You will have heard this a million times but a stage 1 remap and uprated intercooler will transform the car.
Only drawback is the high likelihood of the standard clutch beginning to slip which then needs to be uprated to an RS clutch with the flywheel recommended to be done at the same time.
Only drawback is the high likelihood of the standard clutch beginning to slip which then needs to be uprated to an RS clutch with the flywheel recommended to be done at the same time.
zedx19 said:
Photos taken on an iphone and uploaded on the laptop, weird.
Anyway, the Mondeo was fully kitted and the Focus is quite sparse in comparison. It has keyless, DAB 6CD changer, bluetooth, USB and errrrm that's pretty much it! No cruise, no climate, no puddle lights, no folding wing mirrors, no parking sensors. It rides better than the Mondeo, it's not as refined obviously, it handles much much better and the performance is much stronger until license loosing speeds when I doubt there'd be much in it. The sense of drama from the Focus is what makes it a different animal, you're constantly aware of a burbly engine whereas the Mondeo didn't make a noise, ever.
I also have a Bluefin handset which I used on the Mondeo. Having contacted Bluefin they'll load the ST maps onto it FOC due to it being less than a year old. So thats +50-90bhp maps FOC if I wanted, however for the time being, standard it'll stay. It's also unusually to find a standard one!
I know you said you wanted to leave it standard but the intercooler really does need changing (as they're to small & really suffer with heat soak even on the standard car) especially with summer coming.Anyway, the Mondeo was fully kitted and the Focus is quite sparse in comparison. It has keyless, DAB 6CD changer, bluetooth, USB and errrrm that's pretty much it! No cruise, no climate, no puddle lights, no folding wing mirrors, no parking sensors. It rides better than the Mondeo, it's not as refined obviously, it handles much much better and the performance is much stronger until license loosing speeds when I doubt there'd be much in it. The sense of drama from the Focus is what makes it a different animal, you're constantly aware of a burbly engine whereas the Mondeo didn't make a noise, ever.
I also have a Bluefin handset which I used on the Mondeo. Having contacted Bluefin they'll load the ST maps onto it FOC due to it being less than a year old. So thats +50-90bhp maps FOC if I wanted, however for the time being, standard it'll stay. It's also unusually to find a standard one!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GPI-Front-mount-aluminum...
ZX10R NIN said:
I know you said you wanted to leave it standard but the intercooler really does need changing (as they're to small & really suffer with heat soak even on the standard car) especially with summer coming.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GPI-Front-mount-aluminum...
Thanks for that, I'll bear it in mind. I granny drive it most of the time anyway so heat soak is probably not a worry to me, I'm currently averaging 27mpg and drive along a mixture of 30mph-NSL country roads to work, so you can see how much I granny drive lol Same journey would see 30mpg in the Mondeo.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GPI-Front-mount-aluminum...
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