Car History and Focus RS Mk3
Discussion
Been lurking on pistonheads for quite some time and love reading up on peoples rides, so thought I should summon up the effort and do my bit.
Quick History of my cars:
Started with a 1.2 corsa "c" sri (no pics, as we all know what they are) great memories, many tyres shredded.
Quickly moved onto an white 08 corsa sri (with the 1.6t engine in from the vxr) and was mapped at thorney motorsport with miltek and decat exhaust (ran 220bhp) and had a quaife lsd and bilstein b14's fitted. Was my pride and joy for a while until I realised it would be better investing into a better car rather than just spending money on mods.
IMG_0454 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
Wanted something that was better sorted straight out the box so purchased a Black 08 Megane r26 with the lux pack. Didnt have plans to mod it but ended up doing so anyway, was running 275bhp and 300 lb/ft (limited) with a stage 2 rs tuning remap (intercooler and 3" exhaust/decat), arp rod bolts, two piece discs & uprated pads, air box mod and some federal 595 rsr's.
IMG_0855 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_4312 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
Always wanted to experience a RWD car and had a craving to own a honda s2000, picked up a pre facelift 03 with 70k on the clock but was in mint condition and drove well. Engine was fantastic and chassis balance is really nice especially after I had the geometry setup done. Unfortunately the cars gearbox never felt quite right and seemed to have alot of drivetrain backlash so it got sold.
IMG_3864 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_3859 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
Video with the decat on!
Camera Roll-1079 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
I then went back to renault with a newer car and got a 2009 200 Cup, didn't originally have plans to get this colour or the anthracite pack but in the flesh it looked great and the recaro's really set off the interior. Ended up fitting ktec induction kit and and spax coil overs but it always felt better standard to be honest. Never really bonded with the car over the year I had it as the steering never felt very communicative as I wanted.
7G0A7674 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
7G0A7677 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
Then moved on to the 182 Trophy as I had just purchaced my first house and started to do a few trackdays, brilliant fun if a little overated against the regular 182.
7G0A1127 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
7G0A1123 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
I then moved onto a mk 3.5 mx5 sport 2.0 mainly due to the fact that my step dad was selling it at a price I couldn't refuse. Always liked the idea of the mx5 but found the mk3 looked a little soft but decided to go for it knowing I would make it my own. I has mesiter R coilovers and a full geo conducted at roddisons and a BBR 175 package with stainless 4-1 manifold and straight through centre section fitted. Took in on many road trips to wales and Scotland and helds its own on track. Thoroughly enjoyed the car, would definitely consider a mk4.
IMG_7811 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_7898 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_7935 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
I then decided it would be a good idea to chuck 30k+ on a new focus, as soon as the car was released to the press by ford I was sold 4wd, 350bhp and more aggressive styling than the regular ST. Saved up for over 2 years and had the car on order for just under 9 months before it was delivered. Changed my mind three times on what colour to go for but finally went for magnetic grey which is less in your face than nitrous blue.
The car has exceed my expectations in most areas, for such a big/heavy thing the way it turns in is really impressive, its also has heaps of traction and stability as you would expect, ford really did get the setup bang on. What lets it down and is relatively well publicised is the ride, the car just jiggles to much and the track damper setting is pointless as its far to hard even for dedicated track use. I have had the FPM375 kit fitted by mountune , a front quaife LSD and mountune backbox fitted.
The only downside to the car is the head gasket/coolant ingress issue which most people will now know about, rather frustrating and disheartening experience to say the least and hasn't been managed as well as it could have been by ford. My car has had a pressure test conducted and will need a new gasket and head just waiting to hear back from ford when they get stock of all the components required.
IMG_4307 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_4228 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_8000 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_4697 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_4744 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
Recently purchased some whiteline max-G coilovers (rebranded AST 5100's) and the rides has been transformed, don't get me wrong its still firm but the damping in both compression and rebound is so plush. Also fitted some superpro front and rear anti roll bars at the same time, the car feels absolutely planted now.
IMG_5950 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_5909 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
New team dynamic wheels purchased with some Nankang NS2-R soft compound rubber to hopefully go on later this year for a bit of track action.
IMG_5841 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
Few iphone pics of how it currently how it sits on the coilovers.
IMG_5287 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_5368 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
IMG_6102 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr
Quick History of my cars:
Started with a 1.2 corsa "c" sri (no pics, as we all know what they are) great memories, many tyres shredded.
Quickly moved onto an white 08 corsa sri (with the 1.6t engine in from the vxr) and was mapped at thorney motorsport with miltek and decat exhaust (ran 220bhp) and had a quaife lsd and bilstein b14's fitted. Was my pride and joy for a while until I realised it would be better investing into a better car rather than just spending money on mods.
IMG_0454 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrWanted something that was better sorted straight out the box so purchased a Black 08 Megane r26 with the lux pack. Didnt have plans to mod it but ended up doing so anyway, was running 275bhp and 300 lb/ft (limited) with a stage 2 rs tuning remap (intercooler and 3" exhaust/decat), arp rod bolts, two piece discs & uprated pads, air box mod and some federal 595 rsr's.
IMG_0855 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_4312 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrAlways wanted to experience a RWD car and had a craving to own a honda s2000, picked up a pre facelift 03 with 70k on the clock but was in mint condition and drove well. Engine was fantastic and chassis balance is really nice especially after I had the geometry setup done. Unfortunately the cars gearbox never felt quite right and seemed to have alot of drivetrain backlash so it got sold.
IMG_3864 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_3859 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrVideo with the decat on!
Camera Roll-1079 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrI then went back to renault with a newer car and got a 2009 200 Cup, didn't originally have plans to get this colour or the anthracite pack but in the flesh it looked great and the recaro's really set off the interior. Ended up fitting ktec induction kit and and spax coil overs but it always felt better standard to be honest. Never really bonded with the car over the year I had it as the steering never felt very communicative as I wanted.
7G0A7674 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr7G0A7677 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrThen moved on to the 182 Trophy as I had just purchaced my first house and started to do a few trackdays, brilliant fun if a little overated against the regular 182.
7G0A1127 by Sam Bennett, on Flickr7G0A1123 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrI then moved onto a mk 3.5 mx5 sport 2.0 mainly due to the fact that my step dad was selling it at a price I couldn't refuse. Always liked the idea of the mx5 but found the mk3 looked a little soft but decided to go for it knowing I would make it my own. I has mesiter R coilovers and a full geo conducted at roddisons and a BBR 175 package with stainless 4-1 manifold and straight through centre section fitted. Took in on many road trips to wales and Scotland and helds its own on track. Thoroughly enjoyed the car, would definitely consider a mk4.
IMG_7811 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_7898 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_7935 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrI then decided it would be a good idea to chuck 30k+ on a new focus, as soon as the car was released to the press by ford I was sold 4wd, 350bhp and more aggressive styling than the regular ST. Saved up for over 2 years and had the car on order for just under 9 months before it was delivered. Changed my mind three times on what colour to go for but finally went for magnetic grey which is less in your face than nitrous blue.
The car has exceed my expectations in most areas, for such a big/heavy thing the way it turns in is really impressive, its also has heaps of traction and stability as you would expect, ford really did get the setup bang on. What lets it down and is relatively well publicised is the ride, the car just jiggles to much and the track damper setting is pointless as its far to hard even for dedicated track use. I have had the FPM375 kit fitted by mountune , a front quaife LSD and mountune backbox fitted.
The only downside to the car is the head gasket/coolant ingress issue which most people will now know about, rather frustrating and disheartening experience to say the least and hasn't been managed as well as it could have been by ford. My car has had a pressure test conducted and will need a new gasket and head just waiting to hear back from ford when they get stock of all the components required.
IMG_4307 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_4228 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_8000 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_4697 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_4744 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrRecently purchased some whiteline max-G coilovers (rebranded AST 5100's) and the rides has been transformed, don't get me wrong its still firm but the damping in both compression and rebound is so plush. Also fitted some superpro front and rear anti roll bars at the same time, the car feels absolutely planted now.
IMG_5950 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_5909 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrNew team dynamic wheels purchased with some Nankang NS2-R soft compound rubber to hopefully go on later this year for a bit of track action.
IMG_5841 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrFew iphone pics of how it currently how it sits on the coilovers.
IMG_5287 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_5368 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrIMG_6102 by Sam Bennett, on FlickrSuperb little car history, the step from MX5 to RS was huge mind!!!! I do love the RS and keep looking at them - a do it all hatchback which ticks loads of boxes.
Sits well on the coil overs and interesting to hear it’s improved the ride. Mountune package is cool, was watching a YT vid the other day of someone who had it fitted and improved the general experience of the vehicle no end.
Anymore plans?
Si
Sits well on the coil overs and interesting to hear it’s improved the ride. Mountune package is cool, was watching a YT vid the other day of someone who had it fitted and improved the general experience of the vehicle no end.
Anymore plans?
Si
JRC1 said:
Some great cars and good pictures! I really like the 182 Trophy. How did the three French hatches compare?
Did you fit the coilovers and arb's at the same time? Interested to know how much of a difference the arb's made as I've heard very good things about superpro/h&r uprated arb's.
The r26 was extremely well composed and got the power (280bhp at the time) down so well with the LSD, plenty of feedback from the chassis but not as adjustable as the clio's which is to be expected. Great all rounder, wouldn't definitely have another, the interior lets it down a bit but never bothered me during ownership. Did you fit the coilovers and arb's at the same time? Interested to know how much of a difference the arb's made as I've heard very good things about superpro/h&r uprated arb's.
The clio 200 was known from the motoring press to be raw and pretty hardcore but I found it pretty well damped and refined most of the time, the engine revs out better than the one in the 182 but does have a dead patch earlier on in the rev range which can be mapped out. Lovely car at the limit and again I would like to own one again at some point. What put me off were various issues with the gearboxes and steering racks but as usual the issues are probably few and far between but quite costly fixes.
The trophy was far more visceral as you would expect and felt a lot more torquey than the 200 mainly due to the lack of weight. Great fun and was brilliant on track although I do think the sachs are a touch overated, im pretty sure a 172 cup with some decent coilovers (AST's) would be just as good if not better.
I fitted the super-pro anti roll bars first as like you say I wanted to see what difference they would make. The ride is slightly firmer which I think is as much down to the polybushed arb collars as much as the bars themselves. If I was having them again you may as well just get the rear fitted as this is what really makes the car feel planted and provides better turn in.
Ahbefive said:
Good car history there. I love my RS too, do the coilovers retain the electronically adjustable element?
Contrary to your opinion though, I find the firm damper setting spot on for track use.
How did you rate the R26 compared to the clios? Again I find my R26 a great little car.
No they are passive dampers which are manually rebound adjustable, the electronic adjustment is disabled but all drives modes still work as normal. Contrary to your opinion though, I find the firm damper setting spot on for track use.
How did you rate the R26 compared to the clios? Again I find my R26 a great little car.
To me the OEM spring rate just doesn't work with the damper in its hardest setting far too much rebound, good as a quick fix but I couldn't believe what difference the coilovers made to the ride.
Think as an overall package you cant beat the r26 its more refined than the clio's but still offers great feeback. Bargain for the money they currently go for just got to keep on top of the known weak points.
kayzee said:
Great cars and pictures!
Very much this ^ 
I also own a Focus RS Mk3 (in Nitrous blue), awaiting my letter from Ford re: recall, I also have the FPM375 on my car but apart from that it's standard and no plans to be changing anything, whereabouts in the UK are you based OP?
oobster said:
Very much this ^
I also own a Focus RS Mk3 (in Nitrous blue), awaiting my letter from Ford re: recall, I also have the FPM375 on my car but apart from that it's standard and no plans to be changing anything, whereabouts in the UK are you based OP?
Thanks! To be fair ford got it right out of the box its a brilliant car, I just cant help myself and enjoy finding tweaking and finding out how the mods change the feeling of the car. I think I will be sticking with FPM375 power wise just doesn't make sense to loose the warranty on the engine at the minute. I am based Notts/Mansfield area. I also own a Focus RS Mk3 (in Nitrous blue), awaiting my letter from Ford re: recall, I also have the FPM375 on my car but apart from that it's standard and no plans to be changing anything, whereabouts in the UK are you based OP?
Ahbefive said:
Did you have the Reyland 2piece discs on the R26? I'm tempted by a set but they are pricey.
Yes, they were fantastic car felt slightly more agile on the front end and better when braking on uneven surfaces due to the reduction in unsprung weight, obviously look a lot better as well. Got a set to go on the RS from mountune just waiting for my endless brake pads to turn up. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff