Focus RS MK3 - Frozen White

[TheHighlander]

So after selling the M4 after an offer was made on it (it was not for sale) I found myself looking for another weekend toy as such.
I had a MK3 RS last year and loved it but fancied an M4 so did that.

My car list previously is vast, Imprezas, Evo 6/8/8MRFQ, 5 x E46 m3s, Escort Cossy, Focus RS MK1/2/3 and many many others.

But I keep coming back to the mighty RS.

This one has come from a collector, he had loads of Cossies, all under 2000 miles, delivery mile Focus RS heritidges, MK1s/2s.

He took this as his daily and it is immaculate.

Top spec - Lux pack 1 & 2
Shell seats
Forged wheels
Nitro blue calipers
On it's original dealership plates

Full Ford history
1 owner

Just had new brembo front discs/pads
4 new michelin ps5s
Full service

I collected it yesterday and had a 200 mile run home in it, and as expected, it was fun.









A photo of it on the way back with my colleague driving my Ford Ranger

---

So the first modifications have started.

It only has sync 2 so no car play - Ordered up a complete sync 3 conversion kit (new APIM unit etc) £490
Mountune recirc valve as the standard ones are poor
Alloy crossover pipe and ram air filter (retains the standard airbox)

The RS I sold last year I was speaking to the old owner today who has the Dreamscience controller I bought for it so I am buying it back off him as he said the car was drinking fuel with the map on it.

Other than that I will ceramic coat it, and enjoy it.

My wee girls loved the old focus and they love this, managed to take them a run last night in it.

Happy days!

Edited by TheHighlander on Friday 6th February 11:33

[Belle427]

Nice car, always fancied one myself but the stories of very harsh ride put me off.
How firm is the ride on them?

[TheHighlander]

Belle427 said:

Nice car, always fancied one myself but the stories of very harsh ride put me off.
How firm is the ride on them?

I find the ride fine in it.

The CS Recaros don't help it.

If you get the other available seats which I had in my old car the ride is fine.

This is my second and I will say the same - As standard they are just missing that extra bit or sharpness/poke.

The intake, recirc, remap made my one feel like a different car.

[Belle427]

Enjoy, I may try a test drive in one some day and see for myself.

[TheHighlander]

Thanks mate.

Put some miles on it today and it s been great.

Met up with the lad who bought my old RS last year, I bought my dream science handset back off him.

Stuck the map on the car and wow I remember why they are so fun, it just bring it back to life.

Here is my old nitrous blue one and my current one.



The Sync 3 unit I ordered yesterday arrived today, so set to fitting that. Straight swap, had to update the usb port in the armrest for apple car play but it only took 30mins to complete.





Ordered a few more wee bits today, new air filter.

Just a few bits to compliment the map.

I m not messing with the exhaust, I put a full system on my old one and it lasted all of 45mins as it sounded hellish.

Over the moon with the car tho!!

[TheHighlander]

Today I gave the car a good clean and will give it a good polish now it s in my garage.

Also found this hideous sound deadening in the boot. I ve managed to peel it all off at a weight of 2.6kg .





Clean interior


Freshly refurbished wheels and calipers






The factory subwoofer was removed so I assume they had another sound system in it. As there s not signs it s ever had another exhaust on it.

Absolutely over the moon with the car, with the map on it, it comes alive, point and shoot style so to speak.

So I m waiting on

Full intake kit
Drop in K&N as the current one is manky
NGK step cooler plugs
Carbon recaro plates for the side of the seats
Mountune recirc valve

That s it then I reckon, might renew all the drop links etc at some point.

Edited by TheHighlander on Sunday 8th February 13:02

[TheHighlander]

Parts are beginning to arrive now.

K&n drop in filter, seems to make a difference, had it fitted on my old RS, makes some nice noises as well while retaining the OEM airbox.



After putting the car in my garage as I am off to the UAE next week I decided to give it a polish.
Very happy with how it has come out.

[Retro_Jim]

It looks lovely in white, I still really want one of these.

[TheHighlander]

Retro_Jim said:

It looks lovely in white, I still really want one of these.

This is my second one, I had a Nitrous Blue one last year. I do like the white more to be honest.

They're such a fun car to drive, just jump in and enjoy it.

[Portofino]

How do they compare in your opinion to the Mk 2? I had a UG Mk 2 one & loved it & was looking to the new one but the looks put me off. Time has softened the blow & I think they look well resolved now.

[TheHighlander]

Portofino said:

How do they compare in your opinion to the Mk 2? I had a UG Mk 2 one & loved it & was looking to the new one but the looks put me off. Time has softened the blow & I think they look well resolved now.

I’ve now had the 1/2/3 x2

So for me the MK1 was the OG, then I got a MK2 and I figured it was more improved but didn’t drive as well (sounded awesome) the MK1 felt more raw.

Then the MK3 is the next level imo, handles really well, less traction go when it needs to as such, and is an all round great car again in my opinion.

When they first came out I saw the as “soft” but feel they have aged well.

[TheAngryDog]

These have dropped in price significantly! Seem a fair bit of car for not a lot of money.

How is the reliability around head gaskets on these? I seem to recall there was a problem?

[TheHighlander]

TheAngryDog said:

These have dropped in price significantly! Seem a fair bit of car for not a lot of money.

How is the reliability around head gaskets on these? I seem to recall there was a problem?

Yep, I think they’ve dropped to their lowest now and maybe creep back up, but either way it’s a buyers market. I got mine for a steal from a collector who used it as his daily.

Yep 2016 the first ones (this one included) had issues and Ford recalled them for head gaskets, easy way to check when viewing you can see a brass/copper style rivet sticking out from the gasket.

Other than that they are trouble free.

My first one I did abuse it to a degree but always looked after it in regards to oils etc etc

I just can’t fault them, fits the bill for what I need in a toy car.

[oobster]

Very nice, I also had a Nitrous Blue one, had the Mountune 375 kit on it, Scorpion cat back exhaust and a Pro Alloy front mount intercooler. Had H&R springs on it too.

Did you get it from James Glen?

[TheHighlander]

No mate.

Bought it in Hamilton privately.

The chap had a collection of around £1.5m of Old Ford’s.

3 door Sierra Cossy - 1200 miles
Escort Cossy - 1700 miles and the list goes on.

I put an exhaust on my old one but took it off 10 miles later as it was too loud.

I’ve got the power mods all on route.

Mountune intercooler
Intake kit
K&N drop in
Colder plugs
Mountune recirc
Dreamscience controller

That’s it so far.

[clarki]

That’s lovely. These are really tempting me atm.

In a mk4.5 ST just now and love it so can only think an RS would taste even better.

Great purchase.

[Portofino]

TheHighlander said:

I ve now had the 1/2/3 x2

So for me the MK1 was the OG, then I got a MK2 and I figured it was more improved but didn t drive as well (sounded awesome) the MK1 felt more raw.

Then the MK3 is the next level imo, handles really well, less traction go when it needs to as such, and is an all round great car again in my opinion.

When they first came out I saw the as soft but feel they have aged well.

Nice. Sounds like a good package.

[TheHighlander]

clarki said:

That s lovely. These are really tempting me atm.

In a mk4.5 ST just now and love it so can only think an RS would taste even better.

Great purchase.

Yep, I keep going back.

I was looking at all sorts of cars but this just ticks all the boxes for me.

[Wish]

I’ve owned some cheaky hot hatches in my time, Golf Clubsport S, A45’s A35’s but nothing got the attention like my Focus RS in Red. In fact it go so much attention I sold it after 3 months.

Enjoy the new car! Looks lovely.

[TheHighlander]

Wish said:

I ve owned some cheaky hot hatches in my time, Golf Clubsport S, A45 s A35 s but nothing got the attention like my Focus RS in Red. In fact it go so much attention I sold it after 3 months.

Enjoy the new car! Looks lovely.

Red ones are lovely, the lad I bought this off had a few delivery mileage heritige editions tucked away as well.

Well more parts arrived today.

Intake (getting it powdercoated black)
Mountune recirc

So when I get back from the UAE I’ll have a host of parts to fit.