Finally got myself a Focus st. few questons.

DJMONDY · 10 Jul 2013 at 11:50

Hi, ive finally hot myself a focus st 07 model and just curious if anyone has had some issues in having. Nothing major but...

Gearbox feels very stiff on first startup in morning. It will not go in gear for a good minute or so and my clutch pedal clicks.

Also had a body repair guy look at it and it appears the front end has been repaired in some way and not put back properly so it all out of alignment, bigger gap on side compared to other. IM having the front bumper resprayed due to flaking so hes going to align it for me but is this something the garage i bought it from liable to help with if its damaged badly behind the front bumper??

Many thanks

Janesy B · 10 Jul 2013 at 11:57

Did you run a HPI check on it?

DJMONDY · 10 Jul 2013 at 11:59

Unfortunately no. Ive only had it a few weeks though.

Anything i can do? I don't mind having small repairs here and there but not for massive work possibly something dangerous.

ins0mn1ac · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:02

Why not HPI it now? it's too late surely but still

DJMONDY · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:03

How much is it...where do i go. Never done it before.

Thanks

ins0mn1ac · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:09

https://www.hpicheck.com/

BeatMaster · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:14

Join www.focusstoc.com as lots of useful information

The gearbox can be a tad stiff, but most people tend to slot it into 3rd/4th and then will drop straight into 1st gear as aligned. The clutch pedal clicking could perhaps be a sign that the clutch is on its way out, especially if previously been remapped? Budget £800 fitted for an RS clutch if it does unfortunately go

Does it have any other signs, slipping?

Slinkie · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:20

The £6 fee to join focusstoc for 6 months has paid for itself many times in the short space I have had my ST. Deffinately sign up and ask questions there.

DJMONDY · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:28

Thanks everyone very helpful. I will definitely follow your advice.

Love the car btw, stunning to drive.

IM gutted though that the last owner has sprayed the grill black and very badly as its flaking. Can i use paint stripper or something similar to remove it and have it do e professionally? I like it black.

Tute · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:36

Is it stock or has it been mapped/tuned? If so, you might find it'll slowly devour it's clutch - as said above you want the RS clutch which is £800 including fitting.

If it's stock then get it mapped anyway. Mine makes 280bhp.

ahenners · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:42

Is there much point in doing a HPI check when it has already been bought a few weeks ago?

Vita · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:49

OP said garage, so I assume he also meant dealer by saying that. Surely if he bought from the dealer he has 6 months warranty? Didn't the dealer give you a HPI check certificate/documentation when you bought the car from them? I've found it to be normal practise that dealers have done HPI checks on cars which they purchase/sell.

DJMONDY · 10 Jul 2013 at 12:54

I didn't have a hpi cert and i don't know if it has been mapped. Would like to find out though. Ill keep it standard as i cant afford the rs clutch. Maybe in future.

robj20 · 10 Jul 2013 at 13:01

If its been mapped the turbo gauge will go beyond the halfway mark.
Anything wrong with the car i would be going straight back to the garage, its up to them to prove it wasn't like that when you bought it not for you to prove it was.

Catanonia · 10 Jul 2013 at 13:02

ouch, did you do any checks on this car before you parted with cash. I hope for your sake we don't see a whole load of issue threads regarding your new ST.

From outside, it sounds like a ragged car to me.

Fingers crossed and congrats on your new car, always nice to have the car you wanted.

Vita · 10 Jul 2013 at 14:43

DJMONDY said:
I didn't have a hpi cert and i don't know if it has been mapped. Would like to find out though. Ill keep it standard as i cant afford the rs clutch. Maybe in future.

By garage, what do you mean? Do you mean a garage like a reputable dealer, or do you mean some guy that uses a back street to buy and sell cars, and only has a mobile phone number?

Where was the advert, PH/Autotrader/eBay?

rhysduck · 10 Jul 2013 at 14:54

as above and how much mileage, price etc?

Slinkie · 10 Jul 2013 at 15:05

I HPI'd my car even though I knew the dealership would probably have one anyway just for my own peace of mind! I'd be tempted to do it as it seems you have no idea on the condition of the car you bought!

Janesy B · 10 Jul 2013 at 15:15

AndyH_Lufc said:
Is there much point in doing a HPI check when it has already been bought a few weeks ago?

Of course there is.

DJMONDY · 10 Jul 2013 at 15:17

I didn't do any checks as stupid as it sounds. I was out for one and i found this so i got it. I feel a tad ashamed but im in it now so let the work begin...

The company was pine tree....i know i know

Ive done a basic hpi and i will do the other mentioned here soon but as it stands the mileage (53000) is legit, no record of total loss claim, no accident claims, number of owners it accurate.

So far so good. It appears the last owner possibly had some work done and it wasn't done very well. Putting it back together i mean.