Fiesta ST MK7s at the cheaper end - Avoid?
Discussion
Hey just hoping to get any perspective from anyone whos had any dealings with Fiesta STs which are higher mileage at the cheaper end of the market (Seem to be appearing at around the 7K mark). These examples are mostly ST2 examples and with mileage at around 80,000.
I used to have one (A Performance Blue ST2) and do indeed miss it as a practical fun to drive car thats pretty cheap to run. My current 125i is starting to fall apart and and im starting to learn that with BMW unless you have a lot of patience and money with sorting repairs with garages or are handy with pulling your car apart at the weekend its probably not a good idea especially with a car thats past its best. Ive long debated (even on here) whether its worth keeping but im starting to lose my enthusiasm with getting things fixed. Shame as the N52 + manual combo should hit the spot for me but currently it just isnt.
Ive looked at many alternatives and i keep coming back to the ST. The KIA Proceed GT and Suzuki Swift Sport also come up for the price id like to stay within, The Cooper S comes up but not so keen on that Prince engine - and the ST seems like the nicest drive compared to the others. Admittedly at around 7-8k there seems to be a few CAT S and D examples or examples with an alarmingly high amount of previous owners. One even had 8, why so high!?
Are the cheaper examples a high risk option and have these proved to be reliable into higher mileages? I know the much documented amount of thefts of these, especially with the keyless entry and also the overly firm suspension. They do seem to have a slightly dodgy image now depending whos driving them however i guess that can apply to most cars!
Given i use my car daily for work my mind says i should surrender and get something very economical and boring but i never experienced anything ruinous running the Fiesta before. Am i overlooking better options in this price range now or as a cheap to run/fun to drive practical car are these a good shout?
I used to have one (A Performance Blue ST2) and do indeed miss it as a practical fun to drive car thats pretty cheap to run. My current 125i is starting to fall apart and and im starting to learn that with BMW unless you have a lot of patience and money with sorting repairs with garages or are handy with pulling your car apart at the weekend its probably not a good idea especially with a car thats past its best. Ive long debated (even on here) whether its worth keeping but im starting to lose my enthusiasm with getting things fixed. Shame as the N52 + manual combo should hit the spot for me but currently it just isnt.
Ive looked at many alternatives and i keep coming back to the ST. The KIA Proceed GT and Suzuki Swift Sport also come up for the price id like to stay within, The Cooper S comes up but not so keen on that Prince engine - and the ST seems like the nicest drive compared to the others. Admittedly at around 7-8k there seems to be a few CAT S and D examples or examples with an alarmingly high amount of previous owners. One even had 8, why so high!?
Are the cheaper examples a high risk option and have these proved to be reliable into higher mileages? I know the much documented amount of thefts of these, especially with the keyless entry and also the overly firm suspension. They do seem to have a slightly dodgy image now depending whos driving them however i guess that can apply to most cars!
Given i use my car daily for work my mind says i should surrender and get something very economical and boring but i never experienced anything ruinous running the Fiesta before. Am i overlooking better options in this price range now or as a cheap to run/fun to drive practical car are these a good shout?
You can get a nice 208 GTI for around 5k with sensible miles & they're reliable too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309282...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309192...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309282...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309192...
My mk7 ST3 has just turned 80k miles.
It's a 66 plate and had 67k on it when I bought it just over 3 years ago. They were motorway miles done by one owner and the car had full Ford history and as I knew my mileage would be low I took a chance and got it for a good price.
It's been pretty faultless over those last 3 years and then only things I've replaced are tyres and brakes. The last MOT had an advisory for rear bushes but the garage told me they weren't too bad and I could just monitor them. Other than that no problems and it's been very cheap to run.
Last week I was offered 5.5k in part ex against a nearly new ST3. They did say they could push to 6k if I would deal on the day. I would imagine as a private sale it would be around 7k.
I guess it all depends how it's been looked after as with most cars. They do get messed with, remapped and the like so I'd try to look for a standard example. Quite a lot will have been driven hard as its just that kind of car. I'd look for service history and amount of previous owners and if you can buy privately as that way you can talk to the owner direct.
Brilliant cars. I'm struggling to find a worthy replacement given that it's worth so little compared to newer alternatives.
It's a 66 plate and had 67k on it when I bought it just over 3 years ago. They were motorway miles done by one owner and the car had full Ford history and as I knew my mileage would be low I took a chance and got it for a good price.
It's been pretty faultless over those last 3 years and then only things I've replaced are tyres and brakes. The last MOT had an advisory for rear bushes but the garage told me they weren't too bad and I could just monitor them. Other than that no problems and it's been very cheap to run.
Last week I was offered 5.5k in part ex against a nearly new ST3. They did say they could push to 6k if I would deal on the day. I would imagine as a private sale it would be around 7k.
I guess it all depends how it's been looked after as with most cars. They do get messed with, remapped and the like so I'd try to look for a standard example. Quite a lot will have been driven hard as its just that kind of car. I'd look for service history and amount of previous owners and if you can buy privately as that way you can talk to the owner direct.
Brilliant cars. I'm struggling to find a worthy replacement given that it's worth so little compared to newer alternatives.
I’m not too clued up on ST prices but I would imagine for about £8000 you could pick up a decent one.
I’ve had mine for 3 years now, it’s a 14 plate on 54k (so not high mileage) but it’s been very reliable. I did take care to buy a clean unmolested one. The only mods when I got it where a quick shift and the mountune 215 map. It’s not for sale but if it was i reckon it’s probably worth about £7500ish.
Only things I’ve had to do other than servicing are rear axle bushes, front brakes and tyres.
I do think about changing it from time to time but genuinely can’t think of anything as good for the money.
I think as long as you find one that’s been looked after and not been remapped with some dodgy pop and bang map you’ll be ok. The face ache groups are littered with posts about engines blowing up but these are cars that have been ragged from cold and had questionable remaps I reckon.
overall they are tough little cars if treated right.
I’ve had mine for 3 years now, it’s a 14 plate on 54k (so not high mileage) but it’s been very reliable. I did take care to buy a clean unmolested one. The only mods when I got it where a quick shift and the mountune 215 map. It’s not for sale but if it was i reckon it’s probably worth about £7500ish.
Only things I’ve had to do other than servicing are rear axle bushes, front brakes and tyres.
I do think about changing it from time to time but genuinely can’t think of anything as good for the money.
I think as long as you find one that’s been looked after and not been remapped with some dodgy pop and bang map you’ll be ok. The face ache groups are littered with posts about engines blowing up but these are cars that have been ragged from cold and had questionable remaps I reckon.
overall they are tough little cars if treated right.
Mine is a 15 plate ST2 and currently on 116k miles. Bought it with 23k on the clock in 2017 and have run it daily since then.
Almost none of the 90k+ miles I have done have been motorway miles so I’d say I’m qualified on how these cars age.
Mine has been very reliable, only thing that’s gone wrong has been the throttle control valve position sensor, went at about 40k on the clock and was about £400 to diagnose and replace.
It’s had its rear suspension bushes done recently but other than that all it’s had is tyres / brakes / oil and filters.
I change the oil every 10k.
I plan on continuing to run it for at least another couple of years and would love to see it hit 200k.
Will likely do cambelt next year.
Almost none of the 90k+ miles I have done have been motorway miles so I’d say I’m qualified on how these cars age.
Mine has been very reliable, only thing that’s gone wrong has been the throttle control valve position sensor, went at about 40k on the clock and was about £400 to diagnose and replace.
It’s had its rear suspension bushes done recently but other than that all it’s had is tyres / brakes / oil and filters.
I change the oil every 10k.
I plan on continuing to run it for at least another couple of years and would love to see it hit 200k.
Will likely do cambelt next year.
My brother in law had his ST go boom and Ford wanted £5k for an engine.
My old neighbour recently sold his due to a turbo problem of some sort.
Both were modified however and remapped by well known tuners.
Personally I’d be getting the best example I could find with full service history, low owners and no modifications.
A Peugeot 208 GTI is a cracking car and is a worthy challenger for consideration though prices are rising.
My old neighbour recently sold his due to a turbo problem of some sort.
Both were modified however and remapped by well known tuners.
Personally I’d be getting the best example I could find with full service history, low owners and no modifications.
A Peugeot 208 GTI is a cracking car and is a worthy challenger for consideration though prices are rising.
CG2020UK said:
My brother in law had his ST go boom and Ford wanted £5k for an engine.
My old neighbour recently sold his due to a turbo problem of some sort.
Both were modified however and remapped by well known tuners.
Personally I’d be getting the best example I could find with full service history, low owners and no modifications.
A Peugeot 208 GTI is a cracking car and is a worthy challenger for consideration though prices are rising.
Ouch! However am i right in thinking it shares its engine with BMW/Mini on the R56 which ive heard are best avoided?My old neighbour recently sold his due to a turbo problem of some sort.
Both were modified however and remapped by well known tuners.
Personally I’d be getting the best example I could find with full service history, low owners and no modifications.
A Peugeot 208 GTI is a cracking car and is a worthy challenger for consideration though prices are rising.
ChrisH72 said:
I'd be interested to know what you guys paid for rear bushes if anyone doesn't mind?? Given that mine needs them soon.
I did mine myself, not too hard a job. Went for the purple polybush ones, cost me £60 from eurocar parts. If you do yours yourself the hardest part is getting the knackered bushes out - just drill them out, takes 5 minutes.
If it goes to to a garage then it shouldn’t really take longer than an hour.
MK1RS Bruce said:
Mine is a 15 plate ST2 and currently on 116k miles. Bought it with 23k on the clock in 2017 and have run it daily since then.
Almost none of the 90k+ miles I have done have been motorway miles so I’d say I’m qualified on how these cars age.
Mine has been very reliable, only thing that’s gone wrong has been the throttle control valve position sensor, went at about 40k on the clock and was about £400 to diagnose and replace.
It’s had its rear suspension bushes done recently but other than that all it’s had is tyres / brakes / oil and filters.
I change the oil every 10k.
I plan on continuing to run it for at least another couple of years and would love to see it hit 200k.
Will likely do cambelt next year.
Up until recently I assumed the ST had the same wet cambelt as in the 1.0 ecoboost but then I read somewhere that it doesn't. Still not completely clear on that one.Almost none of the 90k+ miles I have done have been motorway miles so I’d say I’m qualified on how these cars age.
Mine has been very reliable, only thing that’s gone wrong has been the throttle control valve position sensor, went at about 40k on the clock and was about £400 to diagnose and replace.
It’s had its rear suspension bushes done recently but other than that all it’s had is tyres / brakes / oil and filters.
I change the oil every 10k.
I plan on continuing to run it for at least another couple of years and would love to see it hit 200k.
Will likely do cambelt next year.
CG2020UK said:
My brother in law had his ST go boom and Ford wanted £5k for an engine.
My old neighbour recently sold his due to a turbo problem of some sort.
Both were modified however and remapped by well known tuners.
Personally I’d be getting the best example I could find with full service history, low owners and no modifications.
A Peugeot 208 GTI is a cracking car and is a worthy challenger for consideration though prices are rising.
Boom and remapMy old neighbour recently sold his due to a turbo problem of some sort.
Both were modified however and remapped by well known tuners.
Personally I’d be getting the best example I could find with full service history, low owners and no modifications.
A Peugeot 208 GTI is a cracking car and is a worthy challenger for consideration though prices are rising.
Standard is safe.
scot_aln said:
E82_125i said:
Ouch! However am i right in thinking it shares its engine with BMW/Mini on the R56 which ive heard are best avoided?
That'd be the PRiNCE engine which is renowned on the net for flawless service 
ZX10R NIN said:
scot_aln said:
E82_125i said:
Ouch! However am i right in thinking it shares its engine with BMW/Mini on the R56 which ive heard are best avoided?
That'd be the PRiNCE engine which is renowned on the net for flawless service ingenieur said:
When I used to work on MINIs the problems were slipping timing chain sprockets and overheating / headgasket. Those engines were quite new at the time so didn't see any with snapped rods or melted pistons or anything like that. Oh, plastic valve covers were also a thing. It had the Bosch pencil coils on the spark plugs but those are on so many cars it's not really a MINI problem.
Yes its these kind of things that push me away from BMW. Nothing serious but stupid niggling issues that cause problem down the line. I think im having trouble with the plastic valve cover on mine.And yes I remember the ST had a regular dry cambelt as I remember changing mine. Exactly why im avoiding the 1.0 ecoboosts that litter the market.
So if im right in thinking its only when you start remapping these that the problems begin? Id most likely keep it standard or go for the mild Mountune map. Annoyingly i never got around to doing it last time but always wondered what the improvements were like.
As ZX10R NIN says the Peugeot 208GTI engine is by all accounts pretty reliable units especially now they been on released 10 years.
There is a face-lifted car with slightly more torque that is even more reliable again.
I’ve had 2. One was mine and then another my wife’s and they’ve both been problem free and utter troopers getting over 60k miles. My neighbour had a white one and a guy in my old gym a red one and we all loved them with no issues.
There is a face-lifted car with slightly more torque that is even more reliable again.
I’ve had 2. One was mine and then another my wife’s and they’ve both been problem free and utter troopers getting over 60k miles. My neighbour had a white one and a guy in my old gym a red one and we all loved them with no issues.
E82_125i said:
ingenieur said:
When I used to work on MINIs the problems were slipping timing chain sprockets and overheating / headgasket. Those engines were quite new at the time so didn't see any with snapped rods or melted pistons or anything like that. Oh, plastic valve covers were also a thing. It had the Bosch pencil coils on the spark plugs but those are on so many cars it's not really a MINI problem.
Yes its these kind of things that push me away from BMW. Nothing serious but stupid niggling issues that cause problem down the line. I think im having trouble with the plastic valve cover on mine.And yes I remember the ST had a regular dry cambelt as I remember changing mine. Exactly why im avoiding the 1.0 ecoboosts that litter the market.
So if im right in thinking its only when you start remapping these that the problems begin? Id most likely keep it standard or go for the mild Mountune map. Annoyingly i never got around to doing it last time but always wondered what the improvements were like.
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