BMW M135i vs Mk2 Focus RS?
Discussion
This may be the wrong place to post this and I would appreciate the most unbiased answer possible. I have had my 2016 M135i now for around two years and I think it’s time for a change. I love the Mk2 Focus RS (and the Mk3 but that’s out of my price range).
I’m worried that some are of high mileage being 80k+ which potentially springs into play reliability issues.
Has anybody ever owned one of these or has an experienced with them? Would it be a worthy change?
I’m worried that some are of high mileage being 80k+ which potentially springs into play reliability issues.
Has anybody ever owned one of these or has an experienced with them? Would it be a worthy change?
I owned a Mk2 ST a few years ago running an RS converted engine and over 400bhp. I was big into the Ford community at the time and spent a lot of time around Mk2 Ford Focus mainly ST's and RS's.
Mileage wise as long as it has been maintained and serviced properly they will take well over 100k without any dramas so I wouldn't be concerned about reliability.
Going from a 135i you are going to notice immediately the Mk2 Focus Interior is quite a step down in terms of finish and feel, they aren't fragile, quite the opposite, they are very tough but they don't have the quality feel and finish of a BMW, the stereo even with the upgraded options will be quite dated by now but could be easily replaced with a modern aftermarket option.
The seats are very good in the RS and seem to wear well.
The drive of them still stands the test of time in my opinion whether it's as good as your BMW is probably down to personal preference, I prefer BMW but I still love the Mk2 RS.
The main thing to look for is rust on the rear arch where the bumper meets the rear wing, it was a common rubbing point where the bumper rubs against the rear wing and can wear through the paint causing rust,I did get my ST bumper refitted and the wing sandblasted and resprayed to clear it properly and I know RS Mk2's are often affected in the same area.
Go into it with your eyes open, I suspect if anything it's the interior which will put you off.
Mileage wise as long as it has been maintained and serviced properly they will take well over 100k without any dramas so I wouldn't be concerned about reliability.
Going from a 135i you are going to notice immediately the Mk2 Focus Interior is quite a step down in terms of finish and feel, they aren't fragile, quite the opposite, they are very tough but they don't have the quality feel and finish of a BMW, the stereo even with the upgraded options will be quite dated by now but could be easily replaced with a modern aftermarket option.
The seats are very good in the RS and seem to wear well.
The drive of them still stands the test of time in my opinion whether it's as good as your BMW is probably down to personal preference, I prefer BMW but I still love the Mk2 RS.
The main thing to look for is rust on the rear arch where the bumper meets the rear wing, it was a common rubbing point where the bumper rubs against the rear wing and can wear through the paint causing rust,I did get my ST bumper refitted and the wing sandblasted and resprayed to clear it properly and I know RS Mk2's are often affected in the same area.
Go into it with your eyes open, I suspect if anything it's the interior which will put you off.
I have both an M240i and a Focus RS mk2. I've owned my Focus since new and have done 142,000 miles in it. It's currently Mountune M420 and has been retired from active service. I simply love the 240, it's a grown up GT (and the missus very much approves of it too) until you put it in Sport+. The Focus, in comparison is a hot hatch, admittedly a very quick one in my state of tune but, compared to the BMW you feel like you're sitting on a roller skate whereas you sit in the BMW.
Handling-wise, 240 is very balanced (I've also owned a GT86 which was sublime), Focus is front-heavy and/but as mine's lowered it tracks like it's on rails. They are both great but equally both completely different.
Another thing to bear in mind is that the Focus is OLD and frankly feels it compared to my 2019 LCI M240i. If you could afford both, happy days but mk2 RSs really are becoming weekend/show cars IMO.
Any questions, ask away but would I swap out an m135i for a 2009 Focus RS? Probably not. I'd be more inclined to go M2.
Handling-wise, 240 is very balanced (I've also owned a GT86 which was sublime), Focus is front-heavy and/but as mine's lowered it tracks like it's on rails. They are both great but equally both completely different.
Another thing to bear in mind is that the Focus is OLD and frankly feels it compared to my 2019 LCI M240i. If you could afford both, happy days but mk2 RSs really are becoming weekend/show cars IMO.
Any questions, ask away but would I swap out an m135i for a 2009 Focus RS? Probably not. I'd be more inclined to go M2.
Edited by checkmate91 on Tuesday 25th January 20:39
I was in a similar position. Had an M135i that i loved, but wanted something a little more like a hot hatch, without going as raw as something like a Clio Cup (i have one as a track car).
I considered plenty of things, including a Focus RS mk2, or possibly a mk3. My wife had a 2017 Focus ST-line, which i really liked and actually preferred the infotainment (sync3?) compared to the M135i.
I looked at a few Focus STs and RSs and just couldn't face paying out what some people are clearly prepared to. For me it just didn't grab me enough.
I ended up looking at E92 M3s, then M4s, then finally finished up with a 2017 M2. I realised there wasn't anything i really disliked on the M135i, just that i wanted everything 20% or so better - power, handling, feel, looks, presence. Granted, it's not a hatch, but my kids are happy in the back, and with the seats folded it'll take a bike in the boot, and because it has a metal roof it can take roof bars for multiple bikes (M4s have carbon roofs with no roof bar mounts).
I'm clearly a BMW, and not a Ford, fanboy
I considered plenty of things, including a Focus RS mk2, or possibly a mk3. My wife had a 2017 Focus ST-line, which i really liked and actually preferred the infotainment (sync3?) compared to the M135i.
I looked at a few Focus STs and RSs and just couldn't face paying out what some people are clearly prepared to. For me it just didn't grab me enough.
I ended up looking at E92 M3s, then M4s, then finally finished up with a 2017 M2. I realised there wasn't anything i really disliked on the M135i, just that i wanted everything 20% or so better - power, handling, feel, looks, presence. Granted, it's not a hatch, but my kids are happy in the back, and with the seats folded it'll take a bike in the boot, and because it has a metal roof it can take roof bars for multiple bikes (M4s have carbon roofs with no roof bar mounts).
I'm clearly a BMW, and not a Ford, fanboy
Jamescrs said:
I owned a Mk2 ST a few years ago running an RS converted engine and over 400bhp. I was big into the Ford community at the time and spent a lot of time around Mk2 Ford Focus mainly ST's and RS's.
Mileage wise as long as it has been maintained and serviced properly they will take well over 100k without any dramas so I wouldn't be concerned about reliability.
Going from a 135i you are going to notice immediately the Mk2 Focus Interior is quite a step down in terms of finish and feel, they aren't fragile, quite the opposite, they are very tough but they don't have the quality feel and finish of a BMW, the stereo even with the upgraded options will be quite dated by now but could be easily replaced with a modern aftermarket option.
The seats are very good in the RS and seem to wear well.
The drive of them still stands the test of time in my opinion whether it's as good as your BMW is probably down to personal preference, I prefer BMW but I still love the Mk2 RS.
The main thing to look for is rust on the rear arch where the bumper meets the rear wing, it was a common rubbing point where the bumper rubs against the rear wing and can wear through the paint causing rust,I did get my ST bumper refitted and the wing sandblasted and resprayed to clear it properly and I know RS Mk2's are often affected in the same area.
Go into it with your eyes open, I suspect if anything it's the interior which will put you off.
Thank you for both of your replies, they are much appreciated.Mileage wise as long as it has been maintained and serviced properly they will take well over 100k without any dramas so I wouldn't be concerned about reliability.
Going from a 135i you are going to notice immediately the Mk2 Focus Interior is quite a step down in terms of finish and feel, they aren't fragile, quite the opposite, they are very tough but they don't have the quality feel and finish of a BMW, the stereo even with the upgraded options will be quite dated by now but could be easily replaced with a modern aftermarket option.
The seats are very good in the RS and seem to wear well.
The drive of them still stands the test of time in my opinion whether it's as good as your BMW is probably down to personal preference, I prefer BMW but I still love the Mk2 RS.
The main thing to look for is rust on the rear arch where the bumper meets the rear wing, it was a common rubbing point where the bumper rubs against the rear wing and can wear through the paint causing rust,I did get my ST bumper refitted and the wing sandblasted and resprayed to clear it properly and I know RS Mk2's are often affected in the same area.
Go into it with your eyes open, I suspect if anything it's the interior which will put you off.
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