Anyone compare a focus ST to a BMW 330i sport for me?
Discussion
I have a focus ST. 07 plate 26K, very good condition. I'm looking to trade it for a 54 plate 330i sport 40K on the clock. Looks in decent condition too. Values are similiar, I might get £500 back my way if I'm lucky.
I haven't been able to drive the BM yet though. Anyone offer any comparisons between the Foci and the BMW? I'm hoping the BM would be as quick as the ST, handle as well and if I'm really lucky less thirsty. I do mainly urban runs so the ST struggles to get 20mpg even when I go easy! Main reasonf or the change is I miss RWD, going back to FWB feels dull and just plain wrong.
Last question do the 330i's have stability control or at least traction control? I said I like RWD, didn't say I was very good at it lol!
I haven't been able to drive the BM yet though. Anyone offer any comparisons between the Foci and the BMW? I'm hoping the BM would be as quick as the ST, handle as well and if I'm really lucky less thirsty. I do mainly urban runs so the ST struggles to get 20mpg even when I go easy! Main reasonf or the change is I miss RWD, going back to FWB feels dull and just plain wrong.
Last question do the 330i's have stability control or at least traction control? I said I like RWD, didn't say I was very good at it lol!
Is the 330i a manual or auto? The manual will deliver 27mpg mixed urban driving and 37-36mpg at 70-80mph on the motorway. If it's the auto, knock about 6mpg off those figures.
As mentioned it is a nice place to be, yes it has DSC (dynamic stability control) and a finely balanced chassis.
As mentioned it is a nice place to be, yes it has DSC (dynamic stability control) and a finely balanced chassis.
Baz Tench said:
Is the 330i a manual or auto? The manual will deliver 27mpg mixed urban driving and 37-36mpg at 70-80mph on the motorway. If it's the auto, knock about 6mpg off those figures.
As mentioned it is a nice place to be, yes it has DSC (dynamic stability control) and a finely balanced chassis.
Its a manual thankfully. Oh I should have mentioned my ST is remapped to about 250bhp :-) As mentioned it is a nice place to be, yes it has DSC (dynamic stability control) and a finely balanced chassis.
The BM won't spin you about if you drive in a progressive manner - it's only when you stab at the throttle mid corner it'll bite.
It's an N/A so you won't have the same feeling of torque swelling from the lower revs and the sound it makes is different, but on par with the ST IMO.
Usual advice is to get a test drive in one - you'll either enjoy the balance and adjustability or you'll miss the torque and noise of the ST.
You didn't mention tuning, but as you have had a remap / chip it's wise, and I'm sure you know, to say that it's by far cheaper to get gains form the ST than the BM.
(By the way, I'd go for the BM - I would imagine it's a nicer day to day prospect)
It's an N/A so you won't have the same feeling of torque swelling from the lower revs and the sound it makes is different, but on par with the ST IMO.
Usual advice is to get a test drive in one - you'll either enjoy the balance and adjustability or you'll miss the torque and noise of the ST.
You didn't mention tuning, but as you have had a remap / chip it's wise, and I'm sure you know, to say that it's by far cheaper to get gains form the ST than the BM.
(By the way, I'd go for the BM - I would imagine it's a nicer day to day prospect)
I've had both (well a 330ci but close enough). The 330 obviously won't be as edgy as a rorty fwd turbo'd hatch. My ST was mapped as well and it was great fun, but the BMW felt so much more civilised and grown up in comparison.
They are swift rather than outright quick and hide their speed well. There's little sensation of gathering pace, until you actually look at the dial that is
. Engines are silky smooth and progressive across the rev range, with no flat spots, and they sound great the harder you press on.
Have a drive anyway, they are complete opposites really, not easy to break it all down...
My 330 tramlined terribly, but I've since found out that they're incredibly tyre-sensitive, and the right boots on each corner makes a big difference (can't remember which make is best, sorry).
They are swift rather than outright quick and hide their speed well. There's little sensation of gathering pace, until you actually look at the dial that is
. Engines are silky smooth and progressive across the rev range, with no flat spots, and they sound great the harder you press on.Have a drive anyway, they are complete opposites really, not easy to break it all down...
My 330 tramlined terribly, but I've since found out that they're incredibly tyre-sensitive, and the right boots on each corner makes a big difference (can't remember which make is best, sorry).
i have a facelift manual 330ci (same as the model your looking at)
dont expect the same level of toys as an st2 or st3. on the plus side in manual you can nurse the car to 36mpg on a run, and mine at the moment averages 30-32mpg
the rwd factor will only be if you drive like abit of a fool in the wet and you start to 'play' on roundabouts etc, in the dry i find the grip from the rear wheels very good even under hard acceleration.
although the engine is n/a, you have an extra 500cc so might not miss the turbo as much as you would think. the engine produces a very decent amount of torque right from the start and is perfect for lazy driving.
dont expect the same level of toys as an st2 or st3. on the plus side in manual you can nurse the car to 36mpg on a run, and mine at the moment averages 30-32mpg
the rwd factor will only be if you drive like abit of a fool in the wet and you start to 'play' on roundabouts etc, in the dry i find the grip from the rear wheels very good even under hard acceleration.
although the engine is n/a, you have an extra 500cc so might not miss the turbo as much as you would think. the engine produces a very decent amount of torque right from the start and is perfect for lazy driving.
rich85uk said:
the rwd factor will only be if you drive like abit of a fool in the wet and you start to 'play' on roundabouts etc, in the dry i find the grip from the rear wheels very good even under hard acceleration.
Negative "factors" of course RWD will be an obvious benefit in all conditions - no more wheelspin pulling out of junctions, no more torque steer, and no more understeer led balance with all the weight pitching over the front wheels. 
RobM77 said:
Negative "factors" of course RWD will be an obvious benefit in all conditions - no more wheelspin pulling out of junctions, no more torque steer, and no more understeer led balance with all the weight pitching over the front wheels.
& no more moving in ice/snow. Brilliant. RWD will be an obvious benefit in all conditions - no more wheelspin pulling out of junctions, no more torque steer, and no more understeer led balance with all the weight pitching over the front wheels. Dave_ST220 said:
RobM77 said:
Negative "factors" of course RWD will be an obvious benefit in all conditions - no more wheelspin pulling out of junctions, no more torque steer, and no more understeer led balance with all the weight pitching over the front wheels.
& no more moving in ice/snow. Brilliant. RWD will be an obvious benefit in all conditions - no more wheelspin pulling out of junctions, no more torque steer, and no more understeer led balance with all the weight pitching over the front wheels. 
I never had a problem this year in the 320D, and neither did the huge expanse of BMWs that my office window looks out on. Admittedly though, I do live in an urban area in the south where we only get a few inches. If you want proper snow ability, a set of winter tyres is a very good idea for any car. They will enhance the braking and cornering too, and that goes for any car. I've just bought a set of wheels and plan to fit them with winter tyres soon to make my car safer. Either way, there's no way I'm switching to a FWD car just so I'm ok for a couple of weeks of snow a year
I've had my 330ci msport for a month or so. It is an '03, done 42k miles and I picked it up for £7800. Lots of toys, it was £40k new! Full leather, sunroof, professional sat nav (wide-screen) with TV, cruise control, folding mirrors, headlight washers, 6 cd changer, bluetooth voice thingy.... it has many toys! focus had heated seats and the cool quick clear windscreen however, but lacked tv, bluetooth etc.
Also had an R32 which is fairly 'raw' a bit like the focus. 330 is far superior. Just as quick too - except without all that fuss and noise. Put your foot down when joining a motorway and before you know it you're at 100. Its more refined but can be lary if you want it to be.
Finally the E46 coupe has to be one of the most beautiful shapes ever Are you going for a saloon?
MPG is as above. Things to look out for: tyres, or to be honest front controller arm bushes. If these have play they cause a floating effect. £180 to replace from an inde or £50 + a trolley jack if you fancy it yourself (its easy). when the car has warmed up the temp gauge should be pointing straight up at 12 o'clock. If it isnt its probably the thermostat that needs replacing. Mine had thermostat + new expansion tank. Brake fluid needs changing every 2 years. If there is no record in the service manual get it changed. Mine's just been replaced and now the brake pedal is more firm. If its soft or travels a long way get the fluid changed. Lots of spare parts on fleabay so I have become more of a DIY mechanic recently.
Tuning wise there's not much to do unless you have a lot of cash to stump up. The tuning is spot on so a remap might make it a little more responsive but air filter etc wont do much. Of course it's N/A so you get a nice power delivery too.
I think that's about it.
Also had an R32 which is fairly 'raw' a bit like the focus. 330 is far superior. Just as quick too - except without all that fuss and noise. Put your foot down when joining a motorway and before you know it you're at 100. Its more refined but can be lary if you want it to be.
Finally the E46 coupe has to be one of the most beautiful shapes ever
Are you going for a saloon?MPG is as above. Things to look out for: tyres, or to be honest front controller arm bushes. If these have play they cause a floating effect. £180 to replace from an inde or £50 + a trolley jack if you fancy it yourself (its easy). when the car has warmed up the temp gauge should be pointing straight up at 12 o'clock. If it isnt its probably the thermostat that needs replacing. Mine had thermostat + new expansion tank. Brake fluid needs changing every 2 years. If there is no record in the service manual get it changed. Mine's just been replaced and now the brake pedal is more firm. If its soft or travels a long way get the fluid changed. Lots of spare parts on fleabay so I have become more of a DIY mechanic recently.
Tuning wise there's not much to do unless you have a lot of cash to stump up. The tuning is spot on so a remap might make it a little more responsive but air filter etc wont do much. Of course it's N/A so you get a nice power delivery too.
I think that's about it.
Edited by nixon1 on Tuesday 1st February 14:22
Edited by nixon1 on Tuesday 1st February 14:23
You need to go and have a test drive for yourself.
Personally I feel differently to most on here, I bought a 53 plate 330CI to replace my ST and sold it again within 4 months (thankfully I had kept hold of the ST).
I found it to be anything but the ultimate driving machine,You need to go and have a test drive for yourself.
Personally I feel differently to most on here, I bought a 53 plate 330CI to replace my ST and sold it again within 4 months (thankfully I had kept hold of the ST).
I found it to be anything but the ultimate driving machine, The interior was very nice with leather and all the bells and whistles and the finish was very good, however IMHO it was a boring rep-mobile.
I couldn't get it down my favourite twisties as quickly as the ST, The mid range grunt for overtaking was nowhere near as good, even pushing on it didn't sound anywhere near as good.
If I spent a lot of time going up and down motorways I would probably have kept it however my commute is A/B roads so I can have a lot more fun in the ST.
So get out in one and see how You feel.
Personally I feel differently to most on here, I bought a 53 plate 330CI to replace my ST and sold it again within 4 months (thankfully I had kept hold of the ST).
I found it to be anything but the ultimate driving machine,You need to go and have a test drive for yourself.
Personally I feel differently to most on here, I bought a 53 plate 330CI to replace my ST and sold it again within 4 months (thankfully I had kept hold of the ST).
I found it to be anything but the ultimate driving machine, The interior was very nice with leather and all the bells and whistles and the finish was very good, however IMHO it was a boring rep-mobile.
I couldn't get it down my favourite twisties as quickly as the ST, The mid range grunt for overtaking was nowhere near as good, even pushing on it didn't sound anywhere near as good.
If I spent a lot of time going up and down motorways I would probably have kept it however my commute is A/B roads so I can have a lot more fun in the ST.
So get out in one and see how You feel.
Yeah but isn't your ST pushing about 330bhp and big torque too? I remember reading about it a while ago. If it's still as modified as it was, it's hardly a fair comparison.
In it's defence the 330i had to be a bit of a jack of all trades when it was current. Something I think it managed very well.
In it's defence the 330i had to be a bit of a jack of all trades when it was current. Something I think it managed very well.
Sounds like a terrible swap to me. If you were thinking of getting a £4k 330i and putting £6k change in your pocket then i could see the reasoning definately but otherwise no way. The 330i just seems underpowered and boring, the focus`s seats are much better and it rides better over poor surfaces and is more fun.
Drive one and then have a think.
My standard focus st was a fair bit quicker than a friends 330ci too.
Drive one and then have a think.
My standard focus st was a fair bit quicker than a friends 330ci too.
Thanks for the advice guys. I am hoping to drive it tomorrow and will see how it compares. I recon it will a close call between the two.
The ST I like the torquey delivery but I don't like the all or nothing delivery the map and small turbo gives. In a FWD hot hatch it makes smooth/quick driving a real pain in the butt. This is running one of the less aggressive remaps too. Also the steering feels dull but I have just come from an MR2 roadster so I guess thats why!
Also getting a fair bit understeer in the ST. But it has the same cheapy tyres on all four corners at the moment and I think the eibach lowering springs it has maybe exagerating it. My missus has a new 1.2L micra with new contis on every corner and that will corner better than my ST at the moment.
The BMW had potenzas on the rear and cheapys on the front so that probably will underseer as well.
The ST I like the torquey delivery but I don't like the all or nothing delivery the map and small turbo gives. In a FWD hot hatch it makes smooth/quick driving a real pain in the butt. This is running one of the less aggressive remaps too. Also the steering feels dull but I have just come from an MR2 roadster so I guess thats why!
Also getting a fair bit understeer in the ST. But it has the same cheapy tyres on all four corners at the moment and I think the eibach lowering springs it has maybe exagerating it. My missus has a new 1.2L micra with new contis on every corner and that will corner better than my ST at the moment.
The BMW had potenzas on the rear and cheapys on the front so that probably will underseer as well.
Ok - so my experience wont be exactly the same, however you may be able to apply some of it to your sistuation.
I went from a 2004 330cd MSport to a 2009 Focus RS.
My driving is primarily Motorway, with some contry roads and town driving thrown in.
I found the BMW to be far more relaxing, on Motorway, traffic, town driving, just about everywhere, sometimes a little boring, and the feeling you just bleneded into everything else. Handling was spot on, main dealers are nicer, engine felt it would go on and on. The quality of the materials, was just better.
Are you looking at an M Sport Saloon?
The biggest mistake i made with it was putting cheap tyres on the rear when it went back, i drove it for a couple of days, and the handling was completley destroyed, cornering, stablitiy in a straight line. Just get yourself some decent rubber all round, good year F1's worked perfect for me.
Rob
I went from a 2004 330cd MSport to a 2009 Focus RS.
My driving is primarily Motorway, with some contry roads and town driving thrown in.
I found the BMW to be far more relaxing, on Motorway, traffic, town driving, just about everywhere, sometimes a little boring, and the feeling you just bleneded into everything else. Handling was spot on, main dealers are nicer, engine felt it would go on and on. The quality of the materials, was just better.
Are you looking at an M Sport Saloon?
The biggest mistake i made with it was putting cheap tyres on the rear when it went back, i drove it for a couple of days, and the handling was completley destroyed, cornering, stablitiy in a straight line. Just get yourself some decent rubber all round, good year F1's worked perfect for me.
Rob
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