How easy is it to swap the seats on a Focus?

[NdPlume]

This may sound like an odd plan, but I quite fancy upgrading my 1.6 Focus Zetec and one option is an ST170. If I did my only regret would be losing the most comfortable leather seats I've ever sat in (IIRC they weren't available on the ST)! What would be involved in transplanting the seats?

[browser07]

not much I an guessing do they have airbags ??
a cd changer under the seat ?

besides that unbolt and then bolt in job done

[NdPlume]

Don't know about the ST170, but my lowly 1.6 doesn't have a CD changer anywhere. How would the airbag fitment affect things? Is it trigger by seat movement or something?

[t84]

Are they nice the Focus leather seats? I fancy getting a set to put in mine...

[Podie]

ST170 had half leather, with full leather as an option.

It's an easy job to swap over, but you'd struggle to shift an ST170 with the wrong seats...

[NdPlume]

Podie said:

ST170 had half leather, with full leather as an option.

Ah, I didn't realise they were an option.

Probably doesn't make much difference in reality, but I'm a bit of a convert given my current daily driver has the most comfortable car seats I've ever sat in.

t84 said:

Are they nice the Focus leather seats? I fancy getting a set to put in mine...

Probably answers the question.

Slightly random tanget now, but how different are the dynamics on the ST170? I love the poise and composure of my Focus, but the steering is a bit lacking in feel and it understeers pretty markedly unless you really provoke it with a massive lift. Admittedly some better tyres and a tracking check might go some way to solving that...

[Podie]

NdPlume said:

Slightly random tanget now, but how different are the dynamics on the ST170? I love the poise and composure of my Focus, but the steering is a bit lacking in feel and it understeers pretty markedly unless you really provoke it with a massive lift. Admittedly some better tyres and a tracking check might go some way to solving that...

The ST is quite a different proposition to the rest of the Focus range (RS excepted). Larger wheels and tweeked suspension means it does corners even better. The extra horses help get to them more quickly as well.

[NdPlume]

Podie said:

NdPlume said:

Slightly random tanget now, but how different are the dynamics on the ST170? I love the poise and composure of my Focus, but the steering is a bit lacking in feel and it understeers pretty markedly unless you really provoke it with a massive lift. Admittedly some better tyres and a tracking check might go some way to solving that...

The ST is quite a different proposition to the rest of the Focus range (RS excepted). Larger wheels and tweeked suspension means it does corners even better. The extra horses help get to them more quickly as well.

How do you reckon they compare for noise (as in lack of it on a motorway cruise) and comfort? In many respects it's probably the sensible answer to 'something like a 1.6 Focus, but more fun' and probably easier to part ex mine for another Ford (with specialists around).

[Podie]

NdPlume said:

Podie said:

NdPlume said:

Slightly random tanget now, but how different are the dynamics on the ST170? I love the poise and composure of my Focus, but the steering is a bit lacking in feel and it understeers pretty markedly unless you really provoke it with a massive lift. Admittedly some better tyres and a tracking check might go some way to solving that...

The ST is quite a different proposition to the rest of the Focus range (RS excepted). Larger wheels and tweeked suspension means it does corners even better. The extra horses help get to them more quickly as well.

How do you reckon they compare for noise (as in lack of it on a motorway cruise) and comfort? In many respects it's probably the sensible answer to 'something like a 1.6 Focus, but more fun' and probably easier to part ex mine for another Ford (with specialists around).

I had an early ST170 for a while when they first came out. Handled better than any other Focus, in fact handled better than most things on the road. 170bhp wasn’t really up there with the hot hatches, so was a bit more of a warm hatch.

There were some issues with the brakes on some cars early on, but I can’t recall exactly what it was, but worth checking for recall notices (I think Parkers list these).

They’re comfortable on the motorway, and can be a touch crashy on some B-roads, in my opinion. Options were things like full leather and xenon headlights (might have been offered in a pack together), but if you like your 1.6, you’ll probably love the ST. 6 speed box can be a bit of a pain, as it’s not the slickest change in the world, but you do get used to it.

Find a nice spec car that’s not in Capri Blue and it should see you right.