MK3 Focus ST - Facelift vs Pre Facelift

[MikeGoodwin]

Have a pre face lift ST3 on lease that goes back in Sept which I got without ever test driving. I like it so much that I am considering actually buying a new face lift (along with other considerations). One of my main criticisms of the car is the torque steer and tram-lining as these can be a nuisance at times.

Has anyone driven both extensively, and can you compare the two given the face lift supposedly resolved the torque steer issue with its revised suspension?

The PH review seems to sort of suggest its been sorted but I dont think ive read a conclusive back to back comparison between the two.

[Ron240]

I bought a new 2014 ST3 then traded it in 15 months later for a 2015 ST3 so I am in an ideal position to answer your question.
First impressions were(and still are) that the facelift model is a much nicer car to be in, both in the improved dashboard layout and the way it drives.
My new car has 19" Style Pack wheels and a lot of people say the ride is firmer, but honestly I think it rides better than my previous car on 18's. The suspension tweaks certainly seem to have made a difference, and the perceived torque steer(yes I know it is not technically torque steer) has been improved also.
Right from day one I was impressed at how much tighter and more confident the car feels to drive.
I would have no hesitation in recommending the facelift model.

[MikeDo]

Just bought a new ST3 myself (well 3 weeks ago). Had previously looked at a pre face lift model 18 months or so ago and nice car as it was, dismissed it because of a number of reasons (old fashioned dash layout and torque steer being the main two). But got to say, that the new model is a big improvement. Lots of little tweaks here and there, have made it a lot nicer car to live with. Hence why I went out and bought one (race red ST3 with the optional 19 inch black wheels). Just make sure you get yourself a nice juicy discount if buying new (15-20% should be achievable) as like most Ford's, depreciation is glacial.

PS. As well as the suspension changes. I believe both the steering and torque vectoring system have been tweaked as well. Torque steer is still there, but much better controlled in my opinion. It's still there... no way of getting away from it, with some 250hp through the front wheels. So still needs some level of discretion in the wet etc.

Edited by MikeDo on Thursday 2nd June 22:30

[oobster]

Ron240 said:

I bought a new 2014 ST3 then traded it in 15 months later for a 2015 ST3 so I am in an ideal position to answer your question.
First impressions were(and still are) that the facelift model is a much nicer car to be in, both in the improved dashboard layout and the way it drives.
My new car has 19" Style Pack wheels and a lot of people say the ride is firmer, but honestly I think it rides better than my previous car on 18's. The suspension tweaks certainly seem to have made a difference, and the perceived torque steer(yes I know it is not technically torque steer) has been improved also.
Right from day one I was impressed at how much tighter and more confident the car feels to drive.
I would have no hesitation in recommending the facelift model.

I can only agree with the above. I had a prefacelift (bought it new) for 2.5 years on the standard 18's, then got a facelifted ST-3 in August 2015. My facelifted car is also on the 19" style pack wheels and the new car definitely doesn't pull you all over the road under heavy acceleration like my old car did.

Interior is much better, particularly placement of the handbrake. Also on the facelift you have the added bonus of the bonnet meeting the front bumper properly so you don't need to put up with being told, regularly, that you haven't closed the bonnet properly.