2019 Mk8 Fiesta ST3

[LB14]

Took delivery of my Fiesta ST-3 yesterday after ordering in early December.

I’ve read all the reports and watched the video reviews, and was curious to see if the car could be quite as good as everyone has suggested.

First impressions are it’s going to be a whole load of fun to use over the next few years, it’s super eager and grippy, and the noise is quite hilarious, especially from a 1.5l engine!

I’ve owned a mix of different stuff over the years, from Elise & Caterham, to Renaultsport Clio 200 and even a 59 hp VW Up and the usual German diesel stuff.

I plan to have quite a few driving trips with this car; as well as the usual Sunday drives I’ll be heading for the Yorkshire Dales a few times a year, the Elan Valley and Brecon Beacons are on my agenda, and I’ve long wanted to do a trip around the Scottish Highlands. I’m a Le Mans junkie so a trip down in the ST will happen at some point.

I’ll probaly try a couple of track days, though I expect it might feel a bit heavy on track having done quite a bit of track driving when I had my Caterham.

Happy to keep the thread running with updates and owner feedback etc if there is any interest.

A couple of quick iPhone snaps ... I went to fill the tank for the first time and took the long route, it’s definitely going to be that kind of car

[Darren93]

First 19 plate I've seen, looks lovely. Are you running in in by the book or using the performance? Would love to have a go in one.

[cuprabob]

Saw a white one yesterday and it was lovely. Have fun

[dontfollowme]

Looks great. Reckon this is approaching the size of a MK1 Focus?

[LB14]

Darren93 said:

First 19 plate I've seen, looks lovely. Are you running in in by the book or using the performance? Would love to have a go in one.

Cheers. Im keeping it below 4K revs for now, but even at that point you can feel that the car just wants to pick up and go.

[LB14]

dontfollowme said:

Looks great. Reckon this is approaching the size of a MK1 Focus?

I’d say it’s very similar, yes. I’ve read that the performance is similar to the Mk1 RS Focus too.

[SteBrown91]

dontfollowme said:

Looks great. Reckon this is approaching the size of a MK1 Focus?

Considering it’s the same basic platform as the previous fiesta I’d say it’s about the same size as that

[LB14]

petrolhead4 said:

You have the Performance Pack, right?

Oh yes! It was the first option box I ticked. Not had chance to make use of it yet but I am sure I’ll feel the benefit of the diff once I’ve got the running in done.

[kharma45]

How are you finding the seats? During the test drive I had I thought they were very snug around my arse and thighs, and I’m a fairly normal sized person.

[LB14]

kharma45 said:

How are you finding the seats? During the test drive I had I thought they were very snug around my arse and thighs, and I’m a fairly normal sized person.

So far I really like them, and the support they give. I’m fairly normal size too, 5ft 10” and about 13st, and in the short journeys I’ve done they have been snug but comfy.

I understand they can cause discomfort on longer trips, so I’ll have to report back on that.

Early days yet but the pano roof feels like it’s been a good choice - it really brightens up the interior. I wasn’t sure if I should spec it as it adds weight in the worst possible place, but the interior feels much better than the car I test drove and I think that’s down to the airy feeling the pano roof gives.

[LB14]

Got the run in miles on the clock now, and the ST is a joy - comfy on the commute and an absolute blast when the roads get twisty.


The pops and crackles from the exhaust are good fun, but can be eliminated by just staying in Normal mode rather than Sport or Track.

I’ve planned a 250 mile route taking in Alston - Buttertubs pass - Hawes - Ribblehead viaduct - Grizedale Forest and back home, as soon as the weather picks up I’ll set off up the M6 early one Sunday morning.

Seems like Chris Harris is a bit of a fan based on his Top Gear review

[Eddieslofart]

Shall be ordering one of these. As said, Harris reckons they’re good, and for town and country bashing i do, it would be perfect.

[Trevor555]

Great cars.

Please keep the thread updated.

[Podie]

LB14 said:

petrolhead4 said:

You have the Performance Pack, right?

Oh yes! It was the first option box I ticked. Not had chance to make use of it yet but I am sure I’ll feel the benefit of the diff once I’ve got the running in done.

Tempted by the Mountune upgrade announced this weekend?

[CABC]

LB14 said:

A couple of quick iPhone snaps ...

either the latest iphones are much better than my 6s or you know what you're doing. great pic.

i'm seriously considering one of these (esp after TG), not sure how oh will view a Ford. well i do know, just have to position it well!

[LB14]

Podie said:

Tempted by the Mountune upgrade announced this weekend?

Yes very much so, I especially like that it has an anti-theft setting too!

I’ll probably run the car for 12 months as standard, then look at the Mountune 225hp upgrade .... if indeed the car needs it. I don’t think it’s warranty approved which is a concern.

[LB14]

CABC said:

either the latest iphones are much better than my 6s or you know what you're doing. great pic.

i'm seriously considering one of these (esp after TG), not sure how oh will view a Ford. well i do know, just have to position it well!

Cheers, just an iPhone 7 pic and about 30 seconds using Snapseed (free)

My Mrs doesn’t ‘get’ my enthusiasm for the ST either, though she’s more understanding now after watching TG I had to go 5 door to pass the ‘family car’ test!!

[Podie]

LB14 said:

Podie said:

Tempted by the Mountune upgrade announced this weekend?

Yes very much so, I especially like that it has an anti-theft setting too!

I’ll probably run the car for 12 months as standard, then look at the Mountune 225hp upgrade .... if indeed the car needs it. I don’t think it’s warranty approved which is a concern.

I wasn’t sure about the warranty aspect... they usually point it out.

[MK1RS Bruce]

LB14 said:

dontfollowme said:

Looks great. Reckon this is approaching the size of a MK1 Focus?

I’d say it’s very similar, yes. I’ve read that the performance is similar to the Mk1 RS Focus too.

Would be interesting to compare the two, I have a MK7 fiesta ST and a MK1 focus RS, unfortunately I have not had them both on the road at the same time to do a proper comparison, The restoration on the RS will be finished in the next couple of weeks / months though so will see how they compare then. My initial thoughts are the RS is a bit quicker in a straight line especially above 70 possibly more torque and larger capacity or maybe just the gearing is better for maintaining the pull. I think the RS will be a lot faster in the corners due to bigger wheels and the ATB diff.

This probably means as you say the MK8 with the performance pack will be pretty comparable with its ATB, whats the weight of the new fiesta ST, that might be the deciding factor? Also RS's are notorious for having more than the quoted 212BHP as standard, Mine made 215BHP at the wheels last time it was on a rolling road.

[RC1807]

Chris Harris featured the new ST on last night's TG .... same colour as yours, OP.
Looked a hoot!

(I have a mk 7 ST2, only 47k km in 5 years!)