Buying a Mk3 Focus RS

[F7SHW]

I’m thinking of buying a Mk 3 RS, what MPG should I expect? Normal driving that is as this is going to be a daily. totally get it will plummet with more spirited driving. Currently own an M140i and getting 26MPG with the ZF auto would be happy getting around the same. Also what’s your options with the seat options? Heard a few complaints with the buckets on online reviews but they look so much better! Would the standard Recaro’s be better as a daily driver? Cheers 👍🏼

[neil-1323bolts]

Hi I've had my rs about 3 months now and it's saying roughly 24 mpg , I do mostly short journeys and not much motorway work at all , I guess it would improve a bit if you sat on the motorway at 70 , seats, I was totally convinced I wanted the shell seat option , I tried both and found the standard seats more comfortable and they fitted my body better actually more snug , and the bonus being they are heated and height adjustable ( still to high really but you get used to it ) , resale and desirability wise the shells probably are the way to go but I went for what was best for me , great car not perfect by any means but way better than the golf R it replaced .it does have the mountune 375 kit so maybe the mpg is a tad lower than a standard car ,it was on there when I bought it so have no comparison figure .

Edited by neil-1323bolts on Tuesday 13th November 20:17

Edited by neil-1323bolts on Tuesday 13th November 20:29

[neil-1323bolts]

I forgot a picture!

[Scotty982]

You should easly get 26mpg probably more if just commuting I get about 23mpg on my M400 and it’s all spirited driving 😁 as for the seats I have the shell seats and I love them had them in my MK2 RS as well only thing iv done to them is fit a JCR seat lowering kit reducing the seat height by 55mm as the standard seat height is a terrible driving position

[Adrian Hewson]

Had mine 18 months 26mpg and standard seats

[oobster]

Had mine for 14 months and get about 26/27mpg, my car has the standard seats which I prefer but then I am a bit of a big lad.

[Frimley111R]

neil-1323bolts said:

I tried both and found the standard seats more comfortable and they fitted my body better actually more snug , and the bonus being they are heated and height adjustable ( still to high really but you get used to it )

Edited by neil-1323bolts on Tuesday 13th November 20:17

Edited by neil-1323bolts on Tuesday 13th November 20:29

Exactly what I found. The shell seats are basically flat with edges. The std seats actually felt comfy and held me far far better.

[Ash170990]

Mine is about to go up for sale this week, had it just over a year, was getting around 22mpg i think it was but was only used for short journeys. Good cars though, sure youll love it.

As for seats, i had the upgraded CS seats, never had any issues with comfort, would happily use them daily, only issue some people have is finding them sitting high, but you can buy lower rails to fix this.

[SiT]

Interesting to read this thread, very much in love with the RS. Was shopping for E92 M3 but the RS ticks more boxes for me and doesn't attract M Tax wither.

Seems reasonable daily MPG can be teased out of it, I drive 12 miles each way at unusual times so anticipate my commuting would be ok.

I had the Recaro shell seats in a Clio 200 which although a slightly different application/height but the seats were super comfy - my wifecwhl suffers a bit with her back found them extremely comfortable.

I would probably plump for standard seats as I like heated seats but I am not sure about the bright blue panels - are these only on the NB exterior colour choice??

Si

[neil-1323bolts]

Hi, not sure about the blue cars standard seats , the ones I looked at did have the blue edges to them , so I am guessing there all like that , anyway mines white and my seats are black just with the blue stitching , go for a white car look better anyway !

[BraceyBoy]

Had mine about 14 months - done about 16,000 miles. It's my daily driver (general urban driving - not too many short runs). My average is 22mpg running on super-unleaded. I have never managed more than that but I suppose it depends how you drive it. On a long motorway run I can get about 31 mpg.

[SiT]

Something else that crossed my mind when looking at these, obviously there have been issues with headgaskets which is well documented.

When looking at a prospective purchase is there anyway of knowing if the head gasket has been replaced or not?

Appreciate if buying privately then the seller will likely know, but of viewing at a garage/dealer they might not necessarily know.

Can you carry out any visual checks, run the VIN by Ford or anything??

Si

[twing]

SiT said:

Something else that crossed my mind when looking at these, obviously there have been issues with headgaskets which is well documented.

When looking at a prospective purchase is there anyway of knowing if the head gasket has been replaced or not?

Appreciate if buying privately then the seller will likely know, but of viewing at a garage/dealer they might not necessarily know.

Can you carry out any visual checks, run the VIN by Ford or anything??

Si

Yep, VIN check is easy enough for a Ford dealer. Ping me the VIN when you find one and I can check any day I'm at work

[oobster]

You can, I believe, also check yourself online on the ETIS website.

https://www.etis.ford.com/

Type in the VIN or Registration number on the Vehicle tab and it'll tell you if there are any outstanding field service actions.

[twing]

oobster said:

You can, I believe, also check yourself online on the ETIS website.

https://www.etis.ford.com/

Type in the VIN or Registration number on the Vehicle tab and it'll tell you if there are any outstanding field service actions.

Pretty sure that just gives outstanding actions nowadays, username & password needed for previous work,etc

[SiT]

twing said:

Yep, VIN check is easy enough for a Ford dealer. Ping me the VIN when you find one and I can check any day I'm at work

Thanks Twimg that’s dead handy, will keep you in mind

Si