Focus RS MK1

[GSE99]

Adament on purchasing one of these within the next few months or as soon as possible.!!!

Is there anything I specifically need to look for when buying one..? Typical faults..?
I am buying a reasonably low mileage one having just covered 20000 miles and it's completely standard. It's the phase 2 version.

Is there any cosmetic modifications i should make..?

Also, engine modifications.. I've heard the standard internals need to be replaced to cope with anything as they may be worn..? Not looking to do to much to her.. Current thoughts were panel filter, induction kit, re-map (Bluefin or Dreamscience??), new backbox, re-circ dump valve.. If i have enough money probably a full system too..
Any ideas of how much this will cost..?

I have read about how much of a money pit these cars can be once starting the modifying (as 'apparently' you can't stop ) but not looking to spend too much money on her!

Any info would be much appreciated!!
Thanks.

Edited by GSE99 on Wednesday 11th March 18:47

[neiljohnson]

Well mines done almost 70k, has a dreamscience remap, hybrid turbo, decat & induction kit & the engines still perfect (now ive said that will probably blow up later )

Watch out for knocking shocks as they are dear to replace & dont last, also check the chargecooler pump is working but apart from that i cant see you having many probs with a 20k one.

Prob worth replaceing the water pump & cambelt as soon as you can afford to though to be on the safe side. The pump is not driven by the belt but the belt has to come off to replace it.

[hot metal]

Don`t touch it just use it .

[Jamz]

Its down to personal choice what YOU want to do mate, people will say not to touch it, others will say change bits.

IMO, Manifold,decat,exhaust remap... thats it... nothing else (well maybe ST170 xenons)

[GSE99]

neiljohnson said:

Well mines done almost 70k, has a dreamscience remap, hybrid turbo, decat & induction kit & the engines still perfect (now ive said that will probably blow up later )

Watch out for knocking shocks as they are dear to replace & dont last, also check the chargecooler pump is working but apart from that i cant see you having many probs with a 20k one.

Prob worth replaceing the water pump & cambelt as soon as you can afford to though to be on the safe side. The pump is not driven by the belt but the belt has to come off to replace it.

I've been told to replace these.!! Why is it necessary..? Wear and tear on the old ones?
How much has yours set you back mate? Any pictures..?

[neiljohnson]

GSE99 said:

neiljohnson said:

Well mines done almost 70k, has a dreamscience remap, hybrid turbo, decat & induction kit & the engines still perfect (now ive said that will probably blow up later )

Watch out for knocking shocks as they are dear to replace & dont last, also check the chargecooler pump is working but apart from that i cant see you having many probs with a 20k one.

Prob worth replaceing the water pump & cambelt as soon as you can afford to though to be on the safe side. The pump is not driven by the belt but the belt has to come off to replace it.

I've been told to replace these.!! Why is it necessary..? Wear and tear on the old ones?
How much has yours set you back mate? Any pictures..?

I assume your talking bout theshocks??? they were about £350 ish from the dealer i dont remember exactly as was prob 2 years ago now. For the only pic i have managed to upload check out my profile (courtesy of a fellow ph'er)

Imho the remap made the car for me without i would have sold it by now but instead ive had it 3+ years which is more than twice as long as ive owned anything else!!

[Dubbed]

I think there was also an issue with the seats saging?? Ford ended up sorting this out by putting an additional stitch in the seat.

[Jamz]

There was, there should be a stich on the bottom seat running side to side

[neiljohnson]

Dubbed said:

I think there was also an issue with the seats saging?? Ford ended up sorting this out by putting an additional stitch in the seat.

As already stated this was sorted on 'phase 2' cars but also on others that were done under warranty. Included in the phase 2 package was a differant throttle cable identified by a pink grommet where it fits onto the throttle body (to stop vibration at the pedal) a slightly differant engine map (opinions are divided on weather this was an improvement or not) and a sticker by the start button that states 'engine start'.

Dont assume that a later car will be phase 2 though as a lot of cars appear to be older than the reg states mine is a full phase 2 models but the build no 23?? of 4501 (cant remember exactly) & is a 53 plate but ive seen cars with later build no's and reg that are not phase 2.

The only other thing to check is that the plastic wheel arch liner is not rubbing on the rear brake hoses (normally have just been trimmed back)this should have been sorted under a recall but if the car you are looking at is really low mileage it may have been missed.

Hth Neil