Focus ST Mk2 Things to Watch For

[vacant-100]

I'm looking at buying a Mk2 ST, preferred spec is the ST-2 without leather as I'd like the 5 seats.

The ones I'm looking at will be £4,500-£5,500 so pre-facelift, and pushing 80-90,000 miles.

What do I need to be aware of at that kind of mileage? Does the 2.5 engine handle high miles well- would one over 100k present any more problems than one at 80k?

Thanks in Advance

[Podie]

Cambelt and ideally cambelt and block mod.

Stick it in 6th and accelerate from lowish revs to check if the clutch is slipping (common on remapped cars).

Make sure there is no clicking or clunks from the front end - driveshafts aren’t cheap.

Check for rust on the rear arches where it meets the bumper.

[haggishunter]

As above really.

I’ve recently bought one,

I did the timing belt and water pump (pain in the balls to get the water pump out). Drive shaft gaiter was replaced as it was starting to split. The lower bolster was broken on the drivers seat, it’s plastic which seems stupid and it’s £100 for a new one so I repaired it.

I’ve modified mine slightly but it still looks standard.

They’re quite heavy on the tyres and if you’re planning on using the right foot often then I wouldn’t expect much more than 28 mpg.

[thebigmacmoomin]

20mpg around town is normal, even Ford quote this in their figures. I did get almost 35mpg on a long motorway run, about 340 miles on a tank with a little left.

My old one (2007) was remaped but never had an clutch issues but I haven't tried on my current one (2010).

Servicing costs no more than a normal Focus.

[Ron240]

thebigmacmoomin said:

Servicing costs no more than a normal Focus.

Try telling that to Evans Halshaw.
The ST definitely costs more to service, although I don't see any justification for it.
I think dealers try to pull the wool over our eyes by the fact that its a performance model so we should expect it to cost more to service.

P.S. This is for a Mk.3, so probably even less justification for increased servicing cost.

Edited by Ron240 on Tuesday 17th October 15:46

[zedx19]

I bought one 6 months back, to replace a Ecoboost Mondeo (engine out the new ST) as I found it dull. I ended up picking one of the very last ones, a 2010 ST2, wanted a 2 for the same reasons as you.

Things to look out for on PFL, where the back bumper meets the arch, it rubs and paint can wear eventually leading to rust. Also check round where the boot meets the body as again, it can rust. Ford applied a "patch" to the FL to prevent this, however still can occur.

The PFL has a weaker oil diaphragm assembly, it'll be obvious if it's gone due to a high pitched whistle which will go when you pull the dipstick out. Again, the FL has a stronger assembly.

Cracked liners! Lots of white smoke on idle, misfire and struggle to start might be a cracked liner, which will require engine replacement. Lot of cars have "block mod" now anyway. Mine doesn't but will be done next year along with cambelt.

Suspension bits, any knocking could be anything. I've had top mounts, wishbone bushes and droplinks on mine in 6 months, most covered under supplying dealer warranty however.

Boost! If the Turbo gauge holds past halfway or into the red, it's mapped. If it doesn't hold boost at minimum halfway, it has issues. If boost is erratic, usually points to failed solenoid.

MPG isn't as bad as people make out. If you drive like a tool, yes it'll struggle to do 20mpg. Personally I see 28mpg average, 33mpg on a run and I'm running Bluefin Stage 2 so around 280bhp.

I love mine, one of the best hot hatch's I've owned and driven. The engine dominates everything and makes such a good noise. I've "de-res" my exhaust for a bit more pops and bangs and put Bluefin Stage 2 on it. It pulls strong, it makes an amazing noise and I think it looks great.

Previous 240PS Mondeo with my current ST


Noise -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uRSKIRTCw8&t=...

[vacant-100]

Thanks for the answers, I'll let you know how I get on.

From here, the cam belt and regular servicing (plus potential rust, which is par for the course on any Ford I've ever owned from the late 80's to early 00s) are the big ones, otherwise the engine should go pretty long?

[thebigmacmoomin]

Ron240 said:

thebigmacmoomin said:

Servicing costs no more than a normal Focus.

Try telling that to Evans Halshaw.
The ST definitely costs more to service, although I don't see any justification for it.
I think dealers try to pull the wool over our eyes by the fact that its a performance model so we should expect it to cost more to service.

P.S. This is for a Mk.3, so probably even less justification for increased servicing cost.

Edited by Ron240 on Tuesday 17th October 15:46

Mine is a Mk2.5 & just had its 7th service on 50k miles. £306 but that included £100 for a new battery. Last years was £320 but that was a brake fluid change & spark plugs.

[thebigmacmoomin]

I did find rust on mine (2010 ST3) where the boot handle meets the boot. On both corners, it must have been rubbing. £360 later for a boot respray, its all fixed.

[swooshiain]

If you're thinking of an orange one, inspect the paintwork very carefully. Even a tidy low mileage one can have problems with the top coat breaking down, leaving unsightly matt areas. Re-spraying and colour-matching the orange is difficult, and needs a really good bodywork person.

[zedx19]

thebigmacmoomin said:

Mine is a Mk2.5 & just had its 7th service on 50k miles. £306 but that included £100 for a new battery. Last years was £320 but that was a brake fluid change & spark plugs.

I paid £320 for the exact same service (plugs & brake fluid) at TC Harrison, car was also returned valeted inside and out. Took a few cars there now and the service is spot on, good main dealer imo (Derby branch).

[thebigmacmoomin]

zedx19 said:

thebigmacmoomin said:

Mine is a Mk2.5 & just had its 7th service on 50k miles. £306 but that included £100 for a new battery. Last years was £320 but that was a brake fluid change & spark plugs.

I paid £320 for the exact same service (plugs & brake fluid) at TC Harrison, car was also returned valeted inside and out. Took a few cars there now and the service is spot on, good main dealer imo (Derby branch).

Mine was washed too.

[Ron240]

thebigmacmoomin said:

Mine was washed too.

I hope you told them to NEVER do that again!

[thebigmacmoomin]

Ron240 said:

thebigmacmoomin said:

Mine was washed too.

I hope you told them to NEVER do that again!

Why?

[DukeDickson]

vacant-100 said:

Thanks for the answers, I'll let you know how I get on.

From here, the cam belt and regular servicing (plus potential rust, which is par for the course on any Ford I've ever owned from the late 80's to early 00s) are the big ones, otherwise the engine should go pretty long?

Treated with some reasonable care, yes:

[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/JZY92fxh[/url


The oil diaphragm is the Biggie in my experience. Up until it went at somewhere near 100k, not a meaningful drop of oil was shed or burned between services. After that, still tough as, but not quite as.

Cam belt is 125k interval, which is long.

Rust on rear wheel arch is very, common.

Glad someone else mentioned that vaguely reasonable MPG is within grasp.

Interior is plasticky in places, but hard wearing. Seats are great, but seat bases creak like a haunted house. Known fault.

My ESP went mental for a while, but cured itself (which was nice, given replacement cost).



The big sellers are the cost, (albeit enhanced) sound of the 5 and the toughness inherited from the Volvo background. Still think it was a shame that they didn't fit the S60R engine, or a variant though. Far more receptive to a bit of a tune, which admittedly isn't my thing.

[haggishunter]

The oil diaphragm is the Biggie in my experience. Up until it went at somewhere near 100k, not a meaningful drop of oil was shed or burned between services. After that, still tough as, but not quite as.

Cam belt is 125k interval, which is long.

Rust on rear wheel arch is very, common.

Glad someone else mentioned that vaguely reasonable MPG is within grasp.

Interior is plasticky in places, but hard wearing. Seats are great, but seat bases creak like a haunted house. Known fault.

My ESP went mental for a while, but cured itself (which was nice, given replacement cost).



The big sellers are the cost, (albeit enhanced) sound of the 5 and the toughness inherited from the Volvo background. Still think it was a shame that they didn't fit the S60R engine, or a variant though. Far more receptive to a bit of a tune, which admittedly isn't my thing.

[/quote]


I was hoping that at 10 years old and 80k miles I wouldn’t have to worry about the oil diaphragm!

I’ve had 35mpg on a run but anywhere from 26 to 30 is normal.

The seat base creaking stops if you lift the height 1mm off the lowest setting in my experience.

I’ve removed the symposer and the car sounds far beeper for it, I found it too loud and it was difficult to gauge the engine speed so ended up spending half the time looking at the Rev counter.

[haggishunter]

It would be rude not to include a picture.

[thebigmacmoomin]

My old Sea Grey ST-3





My current Performance Blue ST-3

[haggishunter]

thebigmacmoomin said:

My old Sea Grey ST-3





My current Performance Blue ST-3

Is the new one standard? Looks good!

[DukeDickson]

haggishunter said:

The oil diaphragm is the Biggie in my experience. Up until it went at somewhere near 100k, not a meaningful drop of oil was shed or burned between services. After that, still tough as, but not quite as.

Cam belt is 125k interval, which is long.

Rust on rear wheel arch is very, common.

Glad someone else mentioned that vaguely reasonable MPG is within grasp.

Interior is plasticky in places, but hard wearing. Seats are great, but seat bases creak like a haunted house. Known fault.

My ESP went mental for a while, but cured itself (which was nice, given replacement cost).



The big sellers are the cost, (albeit enhanced) sound of the 5 and the toughness inherited from the Volvo background. Still think it was a shame that they didn't fit the S60R engine, or a variant though. Far more receptive to a bit of a tune, which admittedly isn't my thing.

I was hoping that at 10 years old and 80k miles I wouldn’t have to worry about the oil diaphragm!

I’ve had 35mpg on a run but anywhere from 26 to 30 is normal.

The seat base creaking stops if you lift the height 1mm off the lowest setting in my experience.

I’ve removed the symposer and the car sounds far beeper for it, I found it too loud and it was difficult to gauge the engine speed so ended up spending half the time looking at the Rev counter.

Change the diaphragm now. If anything, at your mileage, it is probably more important than an early cambelt change. If you don't, listen out for an odd kettle type whistle and restricted performance If you hear it, stop & call your breakdown service of choice straight away. I didn't & the engine was never quite as nails hard afterwards. Still better than most, but not quite the same. I suppose everything has a limit!