Focus RS Mk1
- Thread starter robj20
- Start date
Really not a fan of the newer focus, be nice to have an RS again. Zero chance of me having a Renault, its just not going to happen.
One of the things that drew me to the RS is the relatively cheap insurance, around about £1000, something like an M3 that i also looked at is around £2300.
Plus im a Ford fan so sticking with a Ford is a big factor, i have done the whole jap car thing and there just not as interesting to drive.
One of the things that drew me to the RS is the relatively cheap insurance, around about £1000, something like an M3 that i also looked at is around £2300.
Plus im a Ford fan so sticking with a Ford is a big factor, i have done the whole jap car thing and there just not as interesting to drive.
Soldato
When i mentioned how awful the interior was everyone disagreed with me lol....
Yeah the interior is awful and they are starting to rot, seen a lot of nasty sills. When these things are in good nick and bathed properly, they are absolutely stunning.
Yeah the interior is awful and they are starting to rot, seen a lot of nasty sills. When these things are in good nick and bathed properly, they are absolutely stunning.
Soldato
9k upwards will be the best region. Anything less is a risky.
Gathered this info from the RS lot when i was having a sneak peak.
Gathered this info from the RS lot when i was having a sneak peak.
Soldato
My old boss used to own one. It made me buy the cars I have bought to date, it's a stunning car! As for the interior, I really don't mind it at all. But if you are this fussy over interior spec and quality, then I have no idea why you would be looking at such a car in the first place.
This car belongs on the track, and I just hope one day I will be in a financial position to make that dream come true!
This car belongs on the track, and I just hope one day I will be in a financial position to make that dream come true!
Soldato
The looks are boring though... Unless you have 15k for the facelift.
Nope but assuming you are refering the handling that conclusion is pretty unanimous.
Every review i've read has said this.
All the other opinions are visual
Edit:
Actually I might be thinking about the standard model , im sure I read it in that evo review before though :S
Last edited:
I don't understand all the hate for the mk1 dash, it's not quite as smooth as a mondeo but everything is easy to find and pretty logically grouped.
The dials are nice to look at unlike the weird 50's fonts used on some jap cars, or the annoying sideways numbers on the fusion, maybe not in blue.
The steering wheel colour is nasty to look at though, it's not even a nice blue.
The dials are nice to look at unlike the weird 50's fonts used on some jap cars, or the annoying sideways numbers on the fusion, maybe not in blue.
The steering wheel colour is nasty to look at though, it's not even a nice blue.
Associate
Some stuff to watch for:
- The chargecooler pump has a tendency to fail "quietly", if it's not been noticed and the car has been driven as it was designed to be then the engine may have been running hot for a while (the lack of a temp gauge doesn't help in this respect). It's easy to check, take the top off the chargecooler filler reservoir while the engine is running and you should see water returning back in.
- The sump may well be resembling a teabag at 60,000 miles or so: Ford used the normal mild steel version instead of uprating it
Check for oil seepage etc. - You'll probably need to budget for a full geo and some bush replacements, the suspension gets a bit clonky at the sort of mileage you'll be looking at. The rear in particular.
- Water pump seal is a typical Ford weakness - check for coolant leaks/seepage around this area. Also ckeck all the hoses around the aux belt (front left of the engine). If they become unclipped it's very easy for them to lean against the belt and rub through.
- As previously stated, rust spots will probably start appearing on the arches, the underside of the bonnet and the tailgate around the numberplate. The front wings are just bolt-on rather than bonded as someone suggested, but they are becoming a bit difficult to get hold of if you prang it.
Other than that enjoy
Soldato
FFST club owner has a RS and he is having to buy a new turbo for his. £2000.
At that price i'd be tempted to put on a new style garett instead. Whihc would probably be better.
Not for more really power but and an improvement.
At 212hp from a 2.0 the original cant be doing much.
Lmao i sound chinese.
Sorry.
Not really for more power, but just as an improvement.
As its a newer turbo. will likely be more efficient run cooler and be cheaper.
You can get garretts that will give you 600hp for 900 quid so i assume that one that will flow for 200-350 hp will be the same or cheaper.
Obviously you would have to have it remapped but its still a saving over 2k
Sorry.
Not really for more power, but just as an improvement.
As its a newer turbo. will likely be more efficient run cooler and be cheaper.
You can get garretts that will give you 600hp for 900 quid so i assume that one that will flow for 200-350 hp will be the same or cheaper.
Obviously you would have to have it remapped but its still a saving over 2k
Heres my 340bhp Mk1 Focus RS on track at Donington Park:
These cars are now 10 years old and this is reflected in how the car drives (very raw) and the interior which is very marmite.
Prices have come down recently and you can now pick up a nice example for 9-10k.
Parts are hard to get now and this is reflected in the price on some things.
Paintwork is very soft and easily stone chips but this shouldnt be reflected on the overall car.
Huge amounts of modification can be done to them and 330bhp can be obtained still on the standard turbo, you'll be leaving those pesky M3s behind thats for sure.
Handling is however the Mk1s party piece! The car can go round corners like it's on rails thanks to it's suspension setup and Quaiffe diff. Mine on track with KW suspension and semi slick tyres can keep up with M3 CSLs easily.
Had mine for over 2 years now and have no intention about selling up, great car
These cars are now 10 years old and this is reflected in how the car drives (very raw) and the interior which is very marmite.
Prices have come down recently and you can now pick up a nice example for 9-10k.
Parts are hard to get now and this is reflected in the price on some things.
Paintwork is very soft and easily stone chips but this shouldnt be reflected on the overall car.
Huge amounts of modification can be done to them and 330bhp can be obtained still on the standard turbo, you'll be leaving those pesky M3s behind thats for sure.
Handling is however the Mk1s party piece! The car can go round corners like it's on rails thanks to it's suspension setup and Quaiffe diff. Mine on track with KW suspension and semi slick tyres can keep up with M3 CSLs easily.
Had mine for over 2 years now and have no intention about selling up, great car
Pumaspeed do a hybrid, fitted for £1400.
Caporegime
Some stuff to watch for:
- The chargecooler pump has a tendency to fail "quietly", if it's not been noticed and the car has been driven as it was designed to be then the engine may have been running hot for a while (the lack of a temp gauge doesn't help in this respect). It's easy to check, take the top off the chargecooler filler reservoir while the engine is running and you should see water returning back in.
- The sump may well be resembling a teabag at 60,000 miles or so: Ford used the normal mild steel version instead of uprating it
- You'll probably need to budget for a full geo and some bush replacements, the suspension gets a bit clonky at the sort of mileage you'll be looking at. The rear in particular.
- Water pump seal is a typical Ford weakness - check for coolant leaks/seepage around this area. Also ckeck all the hoses around the aux belt (front left of the engine). If they become unclipped it's very easy for them to lean against the belt and rub through.
- As previously stated, rust spots will probably start appearing on the arches, the underside of the bonnet and the tailgate around the numberplate. The front wings are just bolt-on rather than bonded as someone suggested, but they are becoming a bit difficult to get hold of if you prang it.
Other than that enjoy
He's Alive, haven't seen you post in ages!
Heres my 340bhp Mk1 Focus RS on track at Donington Park:
These cars are now 10 years old and this is reflected in how the car drives (very raw) and the interior which is very marmite.
Prices have come down recently and you can now pick up a nice example for 9-10k.
Parts are hard to get now and this is reflected in the price on some things.
Paintwork is very soft and easily stone chips but this shouldnt be reflected on the overall car.
Huge amounts of modification can be done to them and 330bhp can be obtained still on the standard turbo, you'll be leaving those pesky M3s behind thats for sure.
Handling is however the Mk1s party piece! The car can go round corners like it's on rails thanks to it's suspension setup and Quaiffe diff. Mine on track with KW suspension and semi slick tyres can keep up with M3 CSLs easily.
Had mine for over 2 years now and have no intention about selling up, great car
I have decided i want one, just got to save for one now, im in no rush really. If i aim to save 9k by the time i have that it should get me a good one.