Ford Focus ST (mk 3)

[bobsavage789]

Evening all and happy new year (in advance).

I’ve finally managed to convince my other half that her dreary 2019 Volvo S60 should go, so she can enjoy driving a bit more again.

Budget is around £25k.

Criteria:
- cheapish to run (e.g. a BMW m240i was on the shortlist, but tax/insurance is quite a lot)
- minimum 4 seats
- petrol
- manual or auto
- must have cruise control, parking sensors, smartphone connectivity (ideally Carplay)
- decent turn of pace (6s or less 0-60)
- no older than 2019
- max 40k miles


Current favourite is a 2019/2020 (so pre-facelift) Focus ST. It seems to offer the best blend of driving enjoyment, equipment and palatable running costs.

I’d prefer a Honda Civic Type R, but they’re out of budget for the above age/mileage criteria, and I’m struggling to sell the controversial exterior and interior styling).

We’ve also considered a Hyundai i30N, but it doesn’t excite us that much.

Have we missed anything?

Are there any (valid) reasons for avoiding the Focus ST? I had a 2007 one as my first “own” car, and loved it.

I’ve heard bad things about Ecoboost engines: is the 2.3 similarly afflicted?

Many thanks in advance.

[ZX10R NIN]

They're very good cars & a good steer, preferably one with the performance pack:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212122...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

But in all honesty if you want a drivers car take a good look at the PS 308 GTI it's a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203053...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210040...

[Xcore]

Golf R wagon?

[ConnectionError]

Piston rings on the petrol.

Depending on the year

[bobsavage789]

ZX10R NIN said:

They're very good cars & a good steer, preferably one with the performance pack:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212122...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

But in all honesty if you want a drivers car take a good look at the PS 308 GTI it's a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203053...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210040...

Thanks, as ever, ZX.

I’ll look into the 308 and shall run it by the boss.

[bobsavage789]

Xcore said:

Golf R wagon?

I think the estate would be too long for our requirements. I know the hatch is a great all-rounder, but having had cars stolen in the past, am put off by its attractiveness to ne’erdowells.

[bobsavage789]

ConnectionError said:

Piston rings on the petrol.

Depending on the year

Interesting.

Could you elaborate on the nature of the problem and the year(s) to avoid..?

[ConnectionError]

bobsavage789 said:

ConnectionError said:

Piston rings on the petrol.

Depending on the year

Interesting.

Could you elaborate on the nature of the problem and the year(s) to avoid..?

google is your friend for more detail

"focus ST piston ring"

[CG2020UK]

Plus 1 for the 308GTI ZX recommended I love them.

The Golf R would be perfect but understand your concerns so how about the Cupra?

Golf GTI is brilliant as well.

Megane RS also a potential option.

[Kuwahara]

Love the understated look of the 308,one thing though and this maybe folklore but aren’t the front discs and pads crazy expensive…..

[jamiem555]

I’ve had my mk3 ST3 from new. Had it delivered on March 1st 2016. It’s now on 58k miles and it’s been pretty faultless. Only thing was a split Intercooler pipe when it was under warranty. Pretty cheap to run. I still get it serviced at the main dealer with most services including the MOT for about £200. It does eat pads and discs but that’s probably me and I last did all four corners for £250. I bought mine on a 3 year PCP and was invited to get a new one at the end. I decided to pay it off and keep it. I commute from Perth to Aberdeen, 90 miles each way and it’s a great place to be. It easily does 30 mpg and will do 35 without too much bother.

[dtaylo2]

I think you’ve confused years and MK’s…?

2019/20 will be a MK4

In which case very little to be aware of. They wear inner edge of front tyres if you are vigorous with the right foot. Probably the biggest issue is that the battery is probably undersized, £150 for a bigger battery solves that… so not really any real issues.

[bobsavage789]

ConnectionError said:

google is your friend for more detail

"focus ST piston ring"

Happy to be corrected, but I’ve tried that and could only find references to the 2.0 engine (amongst links to lots of piston ring kits for sale). I also had a good trawl through the Focus ST owners’ club forum, but that also yielded no results.

[LightningBlue]

Is a Focus ST actually what she wants and does she like performance driving?

[bobsavage789]

jamiem555 said:

I’ve had my mk3 ST3 from new. Had it delivered on March 1st 2016. It’s now on 58k miles and it’s been pretty faultless. Only thing was a split Intercooler pipe when it was under warranty. Pretty cheap to run. I still get it serviced at the main dealer with most services including the MOT for about £200. It does eat pads and discs but that’s probably me and I last did all four corners for £250. I bought mine on a 3 year PCP and was invited to get a new one at the end. I decided to pay it off and keep it. I commute from Perth to Aberdeen, 90 miles each way and it’s a great place to be. It easily does 30 mpg and will do 35 without too much bother.

Many thanks, but as has been pointed out below, I seem to have mixed up my Mks/years!

[bobsavage789]

dtaylo2 said:

I think you’ve confused years and MK’s…?

2019/20 will be a MK4

In which case very little to be aware of. They wear inner edge of front tyres if you are vigorous with the right foot. Probably the biggest issue is that the battery is probably undersized, £150 for a bigger battery solves that… so not really any real issues.

You’re quite right: thank you for clarifying.

I think I was confused by the fact that there was no mk1 ST, so the 2019 one would have been the third iteration…

ETA: thank you for the info!


Mods: please could you change thread title to mk 4?

[dtaylo2]

There’s a very active and actually good FB group for the MK4/4.5. You have to be an owner to join though.

I got mine a couple of months ago and have done about 5k in it so far. Have done lots of reading etc. on issues, things to look for. The highest mileage cars in the group are pushing 100k now and really no issues. The battery one I mentioned, a couple of issues with door rattle for which there is a dealer fix… Honestly nothing like some of the other cars I have with their issues (Land Rover DS I’m looking at you)

Couple people had seats replaced due to excessive wear on the Recaro side bolster on drivers side..

Get a car with the performance pack. That’s the mandatory option.

[bobsavage789]

LightningBlue said:

Is a Focus ST actually what she wants and does she like performance driving?

She likes all the technology and the fact that it’s faster and smaller than her Volvo. She does enjoy a more exciting drive (not a euphemism!), and she is the driving force (pun not intended) behind the Focus ST idea.

[bobsavage789]

I like it when the OP returns to provide closure on a car buying thread, so thought I’d do the same…

2019 Focus ST with all the options arrived this week. I adore the colour, and the wife is very happy.

[resolve10]

Best colour and a sunroof, looks perfect. Enjoy!