The B-road beaST. *** Irish Road Trip Done***

Aug 3, 2011
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SO I picked my Focus ST250 up a few weeks ago, ive done around 800miles in it so thought I should get a review/owners thread up about it. I noticed Sly200SX has also hopped on the ST wagon :)

FORD Focus ST250.

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Engine: 1997cc 16v 4-cyl K03 Turbo (Direct injection), 250PS and 265ftlb Torque
Transmission: 6-Speed manual, front wheel drive, Torque Vectoring Control, 3-Stage ESC
Performance: 6-6.5sec 0-60mph, 154mph

Spec

2013 Focus ST2
Tangerine Scream
18" Alloy Wheels
Auto Lights/Wipers/Dimming rear view mirror
Half leather Recaro seats with coloured inserts
Dual Zone Climate Control
Sony 9speaker system with DAB and FORD Sync
Spare wheel(as standard!)
Privacy glass


Reliability?

It's hard to comment on the reliability at the minute, as its brand new. I dont forsee any real issues. The turbo is good for around 300bhp so running at 250 shouldn't hassle it too much.


Practicality?

This is the first "family" size car ive owned, so I think there's bags of space. Huuuge boot to me(although not as big as its competitors apparently). Space for 4 adults very comfortably and 5 if you wana little squeeze.

Doors open nice and wide so getting children(if thats your sort of thing:blink:) in and out should be easy peasey

Visibility is okay, out the rear its not brilliant as the rear window/s are fairly high up.

Handling?

To sum it up in one word? Awesome. Two words? Very Fun. Three words? Likes to Slide. The Torque Vectoring Control system, which mimics a diff, hasnt been noticed yet but ive not been going 100% at it yet. Ease the power on mid-bend and it will just pull you out of the corner with minimal fuss just the occasional tyre scrabbling for grip- so it must be doing its job, its not intrusive or noticeable like the XDS system was in the Cupra. Its not as stiff as a VXR or Meg 265 but its not set out to be that hardcore, this is less focused(pardon the pun) on that but its certainly not a bad handling car. You do get torque steer on the power btu its not as bad as the reviewers seem to make it sound, even on country roads.

The ST has 3 different modes for the Stability control, being "on", "sport" and "off". The first setting is quite obvious, and the system is watching over your shoulder ready as soon as it thinks you've ran out of talent. I've not had the system in any other setting yet and i've still managed some fairly impressive/stupid*choose your preference* slides on roundabouts or corners with the back end out. Into the corner on the power, let off, slide, control with steering and/or throttle. So.Much.Fun.

The "sport" mode will relaxes the system, Ford calls it "Hero" mode, so you can do some... interesting maneuvers but the car will correct if you do something stupid. Lastly, "off". This is fairly explanatory, it actually turns it off fully as well, unlike most cars these days.

The brakes on the Focus are okay, but with the combination of thicker rubber, softer suspension and a bit more weight than my modded cupra it feels a little wallowy under heavy braking.

The turning circle, even though its a big car, I still find appauling. 3point turns are now 4 or 5 point turns.


Performance ?

Straight line performance is impressive the Mid gear pull is fairly out there. Last night I was passing a friend in 6th and the way it pulled up to speed impressed me, wasn't expecting that. Theres a small hint of Turbo lag and it feels limited boost in 1st but it would have to. Getting this car off the line will be no easy feat so the 0-60 is "slowish" but I really dont care, on the move its brill.


Comfort ?

I had 35mm springs on my last car but this car is soo smooth and well behaved on even bumpy roads, nice and planted.

The Recaro seats are brilliant, comfy, firm, being half leather has meant on these hot days wearing shorts doesn't end in sweaty leather seats and sticking to the car.

Running costs?

First day I had it I took a calm drive to the coast and back and got 37mpg. Currently on 27mpg and thats around town all the time. £200 tax for the year and its cheaper than the cupra to insure(standard vs modified would be the reason).

If you drive it hard it will chew up front tyres but manufacture fit ones are around 130 a corner. Depending on how I get on with them I will stick with them or change them for Vreds again.

Can I see some more pictures of the damned thing yet?

Yes, you can.

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Only mod so far..

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Twin 12" Fli subs. 800W rms
 
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Aug 3, 2011
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Not tempted by any mods ...yet. Dont like the exhaust that are out at the mo. Mountune (Fords OEM+ tuning branch) have just released a tune/intercooler/airfilter that takes it to 275ps, quieq reserved really. Seens a bluefin device map with an exhaust is making 285+ But a Mountune Kit keeps your warranty intact.
 

CraigFrTsi

"Dude I almost had you"
May 23, 2013
1,534
0
Stapleford, Notts
Since having the centre silencer removed on my car and getting the extra warble and DSG farts lol all standard exhausts sound (to me anyway, unless supercar range) sound tame and too quiet. Don't get me wrong though I am liking your car, but like you said yourself Jay only just having the car and not tempted by mods............yet!
 
Aug 3, 2011
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lol, theres a boc that flies around my end like hes on fire ALL the time, hes got an exhaust on it, sounds great tbh :)

Shame the 17" Sparcos with good rubber wont go straight on the ST, Ive not missed seeing brake dust build up... lol
 

Deleted member 49882

Guest
I really lime the look of the Focus ST. I would be sorely tempted by something like this for my next car. And to be honest, I dont think I would be arsed modifying again...keep it oem.
 
Aug 3, 2011
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With this car, its better than my cupra was modded power/handling/comfort wise. So modding as you say isnt really worth it. I might get a map on it and that be that. Not really one for changing exhausts or large mechanical parts of the car.

Its defo a head turner, causes a lot more comments than the cupra did, I think more people relate to the ST badge than the CUPRA badge, thats a shame really, because CUPRA should byword for fast too. The privicy glass in the back is brill, literally cant see in at night time.
 
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Aug 3, 2011
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Cheers Copey. It manages to put a smile on my face in so many different ways.
 
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Aug 3, 2011
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Nah thats okay. Nothing pleases everyone, You would forgive its looks from the drivers seat though lol

Jay
 

Jarre

Active Member
Dec 9, 2011
5,365
11
Stockton-On-Tees
Nice car :)

It definitely needs a triple r splitter on the front though, I don't think it looks that 'aggressive'. From the rear it's a nice looking motor thoug!
 
Aug 3, 2011
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It's between the two camps of smooth and agressive on the looks front, not sure they got it right but its not offnesive to look at, the smaller details you notice inside and out are better.

Thats kinda how it drives comapred to its rivals too. In the real world, it wont be any slower even with the more forgiving and fun suspension and slight power disadvantage (though I've seen that standard ones are producing rather more than claimed) again there is less lag on the focus compared to rivals(spesh the astra, was a little slow to spool when I test drove one) so in the real world on the move its more engaging.
 
Aug 3, 2011
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Nah took them all bar the map off, someone's guna have a good time!

Got the wheels ,brake pads and suspension left of my mods

Yeah I think the wheels I had on my cupra would look good, just being 17" I think it would look silly?
 
Aug 3, 2011
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EBC redstuff"'s really good IMO. Everyone's like, get new discs, yea they'll look good and stop hard but I was on track fairly going for it and they never faded... But we can't sell on here so yano... ;)

Jay
 
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