Ford Fiesta ST (Mk8) M235 | Spotted
The appeal of the final Fiesta ST never needed much explaining - especially with Mountune goodies on top
The first turbocharged Fiesta ST of 2013 was always going to be a hard car to replace because it offered up everything anyone could ever reasonably want from a small hot hatch. And from a junior fast Ford, in fact. It was cheap, it was rapid, and it was enormous fun. After so long without a decent fast Fiesta, it was a welcome return to form.
It meant the pressure was on the 2018 Mk8 replacement in a way that it wasn’t for the Mk7. Happily, Ford delivered another knockout. Perhaps not quite as determinedly silly, but still a hoot to drive, with a great new engine and a much improved interior. The 1.5-litre ST comfortably assumed the 1.6-litre’s position at the top of the small hot hatch class, and it stayed there for the entire production run. There were other brilliant alternatives out there - the Hyundai i20 N, most notably - but nothing that meaningfully improved on what the ST could offer. In case you were still wondering why it remains so missed.
The most desirable of the more recent Fiesta STs were the Edition cars, either in orange or blue. With their flow-formed wheels and coilover suspension, they were even more exciting to drive - and cooler to look at - without sacrificing any usability. But as a result, they do still command a premium (as they did new), with even the most affordable ones commanding the best part of £20k.
For thousands less, this ST-3 looks a great way into seeing what all the fast Fiesta fuss is about. As well as just about every single possible option - big sunroof, Performance Pack, five doors - it’s been kitted out with the first rung of Mountune goodies, meaning 235hp and 258lb ft. It wasn’t an expensive or extensive upgrade, however another 35hp and 44lb ft added to a car for £900 or so was a very attractive offer. Especially as the Performance Packed Fiestas, complete with Quaife LSD, was more than capable of taking full advantage.
This Performance Blue example is an early, 2018 car, yet has still covered just 44,000 miles. It looks smart on it, too, both inside and out. The most recent MOT test (carried out last month) threw up a few advisory items around wheels and brakes, though they could potentially be used as negotiating points for the next buyer.
Speaking of which, the asking price is £14,495. This era currently kicks off at about £10,000 for higher mileage three-doors that aren’t quite so comprehensively specced, all the way to £23,000 for the last-of-the-line facelifts from last year. While there are plenty on offer, and the split between three- and five-doors quite even, it’s rare to find Performance Pack, sunroof and Mountune on the more family friendly option. The nursery run looks set to get a whole lot more entertaining.
SPECIFICATION | FORD FIESTA ST (MK8)
Engine: 1,497cc, turbocharged 3-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@6,000rpm (standard, Mountune 235@5,550rpm
Torque (lb ft): 214@1,600-4,000rpm (standard, Mountune 258@3,500rpm)
0-62mph: 6.5sec (standard, Mountune 6.0)
Top speed: 144mph
MPG: 42.8 (WLTP, standard)
CO2: 149g/km (WLTP, standard)
Year registered: 2018
Recorded mileage: 44,700
Price new: £22,570 (standard)
Yours for: £14,495
not that it matters on an 18 plate but I don't think ford warrantied mountune this time around and always wondered why
They seem to be a fairly robust unit, there seems to be a perception that you can get mega power from a 4 cylinder, but a 3 pot will self destruct if its more than say 70 bhp.
Problem with the 1.0 was some early ones had a design flaw in the cooling system that caused quite a few failures and set the reputation.
They all had the wet belt which was a bad idea and they are now getting old, add in poor maintenance and harsh use and you can see why they fail, bits come off the belt and block the oil pick up, this sealed the reputation. Later 1.0 versions reverted to a chain.
Had a TRS tune making 250bhp, the third gear shove was similar to the 380bhp S3 I had before it!
Pano roof was a treat and the matrix LED lights are a must have.
Which is a shame as I drove a one of the (much) lesser Fiestas as a loan car a few years back and that was a hoot with a mere ~125ps, I imagine the ST is fantastic and would really like one!
Also worth noting that the 1.5 engine in these cars has a chain driven cam, not a wet belt. From early 2019 builds there is an oil pump belt (NOT cam belt) that runs inside the engine (hence it's 'wet') but these engines do not suffer in the same way that the 1 litre 'Ecoboom' engines do. I asked the guys at FJRS (well known indy in Braintree) about the ST models; they are experts in all things Ford and told me that the mk8 ST's are proving very reliable.
Cracking car, great handling especially with the Performance Pack, strong performance especially with a remap such as Mountune's and it even sounds rather good. You can get a low mileage one with some tasteful upgrades for under £15,000 which I think is great value for money.
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