Most liked posts in thread: Ford Focus ST: A MINI Owner's Impression

  1. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    #8 Redbeard, Mar 4, 2013
    Partially related update:

    I have been surfing Focus ST related forums looking for any early adoption issues. I found two. One of which is valid and has a reasonable solution. The other us R56 (and related Turbo engined Mini) owners will find funny, at least I did anyway.

    There is a mechanical Achilles Heel: The rear motor mount (Folks call it RMM for short) is the same as the base level Focus. It is too soft and causes poor traction and wheel-hop on hard acceleration and cornering. There are already TONS of aftermarket units from a bit stiffer to metal to metal (not really but close). Prices vary from $100 to $200 The most reasonable solution is buying the Focus Electric RMM for $60 from Ford. It mounts right up and offers a good add of stiffness for the engine without hurting driveability (NVH).

    Second, is the age old carbon build-up on the backsides of the valves. To hear these guys talk it sounds like they just discovered something and/or it's somehow different from the Audi/VW/BMW/MINI issues. Lol. Same story over in that camp: Oil Catch Cans, Seafoaming, meth injection, etc... I, frankly, find it more humorous than anything else.

    On a side note I will mention there are MANY former Mini owners with STs. Mostly citing the reason for the swap was either reliability and/or a need for more room without sacrificing fun-to-drive factor.
     
  2. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    #19 Redbeard, Mar 13, 2013
    No different than the Shelby/Roush/Saleen Mustangs.

    You hit the nail on the head Jason: FoMoCo and the dealers all win in the profit department. :thumbup: :D
     
  3. grodenglaive

    grodenglaive New Member

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    #6 grodenglaive, Feb 18, 2013
    Thanks, it's helpful to read a review from someone with good taste (a given since you're on this forum)!:D
     
  4. Crashton

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    #9 Crashton, Mar 4, 2013
    Thanks for the update.
     
  5. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #10 BThayer23, Mar 4, 2013
    I've been looking at this car myself. A few thoughts:

    -Seats are much different, and great if you're a normal size human. Not so much if you're wider than 36" waist.
    -Brakes are good on the street, e-diff looks useful, though I'd worry about the computer killing the brakes on the track. Track pads would be a must to avoid fade.
    -Lots of issues reported with Sync and touch screen. I rode with a coworker in his base Focus, and he didn't have any problems at all with the screen.
     
  6. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    #13 Redbeard, Mar 5, 2013
    I have a few confirmed issues with Sync being iffy on cold mornings right after start. Otherwise fine. Most of the "problems" reported are people who don't know how to use the system and complain to CR/JD Power/Forums/etc...

    The e-diff thing leaves me feeling a bit like you do. I'd rather have a helical or Torsen style differential upfront. It does actually work though.

    The Recaro's come on the mid and upper level STs so you'd have to buy a base model to avoid them. That's not necessarily a bad thing depending on what you want.
     
  7. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    #17 Redbeard, Mar 13, 2013
  8. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #2 Jason Montague, Feb 17, 2013
    :cornut: Thanks Redbeard. We appreciate the write up.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  9. dannyhavok

    dannyhavok New Member

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    #3 dannyhavok, Feb 17, 2013
    Good review! Although I didn't (and don't) auto-x or track it, I had a good 45m of seat time in a new ST and I think it's a great car. The interior is fantastic, the brakes are phenomenal, Recaros are indeed a huge plus. I'm not a big fan of the exterior styling but I found it incredibly enjoyable to drive. There wasn't anything I really disliked, except maybe the touchscreen, which I think is a terrible idea in general.

    I preferred it over the handful of R56 S models I've driven.

    However I did not like it enough more than my beloved R50 to swallow the $33k+ (Thanks, Canada.) price tag and another five years of car payments :lol:
     
  10. Crashton

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    #4 Crashton, Feb 17, 2013
    Thanks for your MINI review of the ST, very well written. Given time the ST will have all the mods available to make it into what anyone could want. Stock it sounds like a great vehicle that will make many people happy. I'd be staying away from those Recaro's. :eek: If I end up in an ST.

    I plan to look closely at the Fiesta ST when they go on sale. For me I'd prefer a bit smaller package.
     
  11. rum4

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    #5 rum4, Feb 17, 2013
    Thanks Redbeard
     
  12. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #7 ScottinBend, Feb 18, 2013
    Nice write-up.

    Still hate that they won't offer the 3 door tho.....
     
  13. itsmewutup

    itsmewutup New Member

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    #11 itsmewutup, Mar 4, 2013
    Thanks much for this. I have been debating trading the R56 for an ST. Mostly for the fact that I work at a Ford assembly plant and would get a nice discount. I think I may take I for a spin though just to get a more personalized test. Very good review though.
     
  14. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    #12 Redbeard, Mar 5, 2013
    I highly recommended a test drive. People are gonna feel differently about it.

    Yeah, if you get Plan A pricing you can get a helluva deal on one.
     
  15. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #14 cct1, Mar 5, 2013
    I really want to drive one of these. But what I REALLY want to drive is an Focus RS, I hope they bring it stateside some day. I wish Ford would make up their mind, if they're either going to bring a Focus RS to the U.S., or Fiesta RS, or both.

    I asked a Ford Grand Pubah a few years ago why they didn't bring the RS here to the U.S. initially, and he said Ford simply didn't feel people would be willing to pay the pricetag for a "Focus"; it would have been so much more expensive then a base Focus, and people wouldn't appreciate the difference. I think they screwed that one up, I bet there would have a waiting list if they would have done a limited production run, and I think that car would have been a major feather in Ford's cap had they done it.

    The ST looks darned good on paper, and the reviews have looked good too, and, like the MINI, you should be able to mod it easily and with great effect.
     
  16. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    #15 Redbeard, Mar 13, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2013
    Futher notes for the aftermarket crowd:

    Since I am in Austin and they seem to be the most prolific tuner for the Focus ST I went to an open invite even at Cobb Tuning's headquarters. They have almost completed the finishing touches on their third stage tune/set-up for the Focus ST.

    I spoke with Braden who is the chief tuner/engineer for the project as well as an owner of an ST himself. He had tons of info which I won't go into great detail here but it was surprising how much more could be wrung out of the ST as far as power is concerned.

    The Stage 1 tune can be had with no modifications from stock. It gains you 15 peak HP and 38ft-lbs at the wheels. There is more torque and HP across the rev-range as well.

    The monster stage 3 tune gets you 46 more HP and 58 ft-lbs to the wheels. This requires upgrades to the intake, intercooler, and exhaust.

    Fairly impressive. I am still waiting on more suspension details but those will be coming soon.

    Lowering springs can be easily had by the major names: Eibach, H&R, etc... But true progressive stiffer springs and matched shocks/struts are a bit harder to come by.

    Like any FWD car rear sway bars are plentiful as well.

    Given what I saw an intercooler/cat-back/intake along with a RMM and a stage 2 tune would be very good bang for the buck. It actually reduces component wear during DD and gives you a great sounding car that will push the limits of the FWD system for road racing.

    Here is some detail on the Cobb stuff from the Focus ST forums: http://www.focusst.org/forum/cobb-tuning/2988-cobb-staged-packages-available-immediate-pre-order.html
     
  17. Nathan

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    #16 Nathan, Mar 13, 2013
  18. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #18 Jason Montague, Mar 13, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2013
    :cornut: Interesting that Ford doesn't mind Foust competing with the Shelby Focus. But then again Ford makes money from both of them and from the articles it seems that the projects are 'permission granted requests' from outside companies as opposed to 'in house projects' of Ford. Life goes on..........:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  19. PoonRacing

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    #20 PoonRacing, Apr 2, 2013
    Well I have my ST about 6 months now with hand full on mods(cat back, down pipe, tune, suspension) and compare with my Mini S(R53, 15%+2%, header, cat back, large intercooler, clutch, suspension)

    I have to say I still preferred to drive my Mini over the ST, for me Mini is still more a driver car have more "RAW' of go carts, don't get me wrong ST is awesome but it more as a daily for me(have 4 door). and till these day I still get people comment "how you like your Mini" vs "what's special about that Focus"

    and this year I'll be bringing the ST to the MOTD-11 badge up as a Counterfeit Mini. will see how it drive down there vs the Mini. :fingerscrossed: