0 1 5 6 AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

BUYING GUIDE

Fuelled by the success of the Fiesta ST, Ford applied the ‘Sports Technology’ treatment to its new-generation Focus.

urists might have questioned the lack of ‘Rallye Sport’

badge but the resulting ST was defi nitely the real deal, its turn of speed eclipsing even that of the earlier RS version to make it the fastest production Focus ever.

Able to crack 150mph and hit the 0-60mph sprint in a very un-hatchback like 6.5seconds, the ST packed a potent motor courtesy of Ford’s Global Shared Technologies Initiative or in layman’s terms, a Volvo.

The parentage of the 2522cc, all-alloy engine gave purists another chance to moan but when Ford’s technical big cheeses worked on it few could argue with the choice. 222bhp was screwed out of the KKK-Warner turbocharged, 20-valve motor thanks to a revision of the twin independent variable cam timing, new fuel injectors and re-engineered ignition.

FLEX APPEALA six-speed ‘box helped keep the ‘Duratec’ on the boil, even though its high compression and low boost combination made the engine fl exible. All-round disc brakes, the front’s being whopping 320mm ventilated items, and ABS reined the power back in again. An extra engine bay crossmember, recalibrated springs and stiffened dampers and front anti-roll bar all contributed to a level of handling that perfectly complemented the ST’s pace.

SHE’S ELECTRICIn true fast Ford fashion it looked good too, featuring 8x18in alloys, ST badging and a purposeful bodykit. The options of twin Viper-style stripes and the legendary Electric Orange paint made it possible for the ST to make even more of an impact.

Inside, customers enjoyed the obligatory Recaro

trim and Ford pulled a masterstroke

by offering three versions – the base ST, ST2 and ST3. The latter two versions came with

ESP stability control, while the range-topping

ST3 added such luxuries as leather upholstery and a Sony six-CD autochanger.

I PREDICT A RIOT Regardless of which ST they

plumped for, customers enjoyed a driving experience that was nothing short of a riot. The accessible, turbocharged power matched to masses of grip and a peach of a chassis prompted a certain Mr Clarkson to label the ST the automotive equivalent of an ASBO.

The tag’s stuck for the last three years but the ST’s prices haven’t, the inevitable new car depreciation wiping as much as eight grand off values of the oldest examples. Couple this affordability with reliable 150mph performance and we reckon having an ASBO to your name actually looks pretty damn appealing!

FOCUS ST P

TECH SPEC

ENGINE Type: DuratecCapacity: 2522ccBore/stroke: 83mmx93.2mmCompression ratio: 9.0:1 Max power: 222bhp @ 6100rpmMax torque: 320Nm @ 1600-4000rpmCylinders: fi ve, in-lineCylinder head: gravity die-cast aluminium, sintered valve guides and seatsInstallation: front-mounted, transverseBlock: high pressure die-cast aluminium with bed plateValve gear: four valves per cylinder, twin belt-driven double overhead camshaftsInduction: KKK-Warner turbocharger, one-piece precision-cast thin-wall iron housingFuel and ignition: sequential electronic fuel injection (SEFI), Bosch ME 9.0 ECU, electronic distributorless ignition

TRANSMISSION Type: fwdGearbox: M66 Getrag Ford Durashift six-speed manualFront: 1st, 3.39; 2nd, 2.05; 3rd, 1.43; 4th, 1.09; 5th, 0.87; 6th, 0.70; reverse, 2.62Final drive: 4.00

SUSPENSION Front: independent via MacPherson struts with offset coil spring over gas fi lled damper units, 21.5mm anti-roll barRear: independent via Short-Long Arm (SLA) Control Blade multi-link system, gas-fi lled dampers, 21mm anti-roll bar

STEERING Type: rack-and-pinion, power assistedLock-to-lock: 2.38 turns

BRAKES

System: dual circuit, diagonally split, hydraulically operated with vacuum servo assistance, electronically controlled anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution Front: 320mm vented discsRear: 280mm vented discs

WHEELS & TYRES Wheels: 8Jx18in alloysTyres: 225/40 R18

BODY

Type: computer-optimised, high-effi ciency three or fi ve-door unitary-welded steel bodyshell

PERFORMANCE

Max speed: 150mph0-60mph: 6.5seconds

FAST FORD AUGUST 2008 0 1 5 7

Words: Blakey

FASTFACT

The fi rst 1500 owners were invited to an

‘ST Experience Day’ held at Prodrive’s

Warwickshire base.

Dampers and springs should still be in fi ne fettle even after close to 40,000 miles, although do listen for a rattle or clunk from the rear arch area as a few owners have had to have dampers replaced under warranty to cure this.

Owners of newer cars have also reported that the packers which limit the car’s suspension travel during transportation have sometimes been left in place, so it’s well worth

checking the

springs of very low mileage cars to see if they were defi nitely removed during the pre-delivery inspection.

You need to be wary of lowered cars. Ideally you

want to see a

quality set of matched

dampers and springs – uprated springs will soon fi nish off standard dampers – and pay close attention to the front tyres as the increase in camber will quickly trash the inner tread. Correct OE tyres don’t come cheap...

SUSPENSION

FASTFACT

The ST’s fi ve-pot turbocharged motor is only 577mm long.

ENGINEEven if you’re buying from a reputable dealer, still check that the numbers on the V5 correspond with those on the ST. You’ll fi nd the identifying marks clearly visible through the front windscreen and under a fl ap of carpet between the driver’s seat and sill.

If you’re looking to buy an ST2 or ST3, then make sure that’s what you’re getting. ST2s build on the standard spec with an MP3-compatible Sony CD/radio system, Xenon headlamps, quickclear heated front windscreen and ESP stability control, while the ST3 features all this plus electric 10-way adjustable Recaros, full leather trim and a Sony six-disc CD autochanger.

IDENTITY

The Volvo-sourced fi ve-pot has no major issues and the problems that have been reported have in the main been relatively minor and simple to rectify.

A lack of turbo boost or a hesitation/

misfi re under light acceleration is often the MAF sensor at fault, while a high-pitched shrieking noise and a vacuum at idle that sucks a removed dipstick back into the block points to

the failure of the oil separator diaphragm.

It is always worth looking for the symptoms of head gasket failure – coolant loss, high-running temperature, poor performance etc – but don’t be too worried if there’s a bit of sludge on the fi ller cap unless the cooling level seems to be particularly low. The cap is known to sludge up and it’s more prone to occur on cars that are used for short journeys.

Finally, don’t forget to look for evidence of a full Ford service history too, as if it’s missing then not only is that a clear sign of a lack of care but it will also lower the car’s residual value and runs the risk of invalidating the manufacturer’s warranty.

AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

of ‘Rallye Sport’ badge but the resulting ST was defi nitely the real deal, its turn of speed eclipsing even that of the earlier RS version to make it the fastest production Focus ever.

Able to crack 150mph and hit the 0-60mph sprint in a very un-hatchback like 6.5seconds, the ST packed a potent motor courtesy of Ford’s Global Shared Technologies Initiative or in layman’s terms, a Volvo.

The parentage of the 2522cc, all-alloy engine gave purists another chance to moan but when Ford’s technical big cheeses worked on it few could argue with the choice. 222bhp was screwed out of the KKK-Warner turbocharged, 20-valve motor thanks to a revision of the twin independent variable cam timing, new fuel injectors and re-engineered ignition.

FLEX APPEALA six-speed ‘box helped keep the ‘Duratec’ on the boil, even though its high compression and low boost combination made the engine fl exible. All-round disc brakes, the front’s being whopping 320mm ventilated items, and ABS reined the power back in again. An extra engine bay crossmember, recalibrated springs and stiffened dampers and front anti-roll bar all contributed to a level of handling that perfectly complemented the ST’s pace.

looked good too, featuring 8x18in alloys, ST badging and a purposeful bodykit. The options of twin Viper-style stripes and the legendary Electric Orange paint made it possible for the ST to make even more of an impact.

Inside, customers enjoyed the obligatory Recaro

trim and Ford pulled a masterstroke

by offering three versions – the base ST, ST2 and ST3. The latter two versions came with

ESP stability control, while the range-topping

ST3 added such luxuries as leather upholstery and a Sony six-CD autochanger.

I PREDICT A RIOT Regardless of which ST they

that was nothing short of a riot. The accessible, turbocharged power matched to masses of grip and a peach of a chassis prompted a certain Mr Clarkson to label the ST the automotive equivalent of an ASBO.

The tag’s stuck for the last three years but the ST’s prices haven’t, the inevitable new car depreciation wiping as much as eight grand off values of the oldest examples. Couple this affordability with reliable 150mph performance and we reckon having an ASBO to your name actually looks pretty damn appealing!

cast aluminium with bed plateValve gear: four valves per cylinder, twin belt-driven double overhead camshaftsInduction: KKK-Warner turbocharger, one-piece precision-cast thin-wall iron housingFuel and ignition: sequential electronic fuel injection (SEFI), Bosch ME 9.0 ECU, electronic distributorless ignition

TRANSMISSION Type: fwdGearbox: M66 Getrag Ford Durashift six-speed manualFront: 1st, 3.39; 2nd, 2.05; 3rd, 1.43; 4th, 1.09; 5th, 0.87; 6th, 0.70; reverse, 2.62Final drive: 4.00

SUSPENSION Front: independent via MacPherson struts with offset coil spring over gas fi lled damper units, 21.5mm anti-roll barRear: independent via Short-Long Arm (SLA) Control Blade multi-link system, gas-fi lled dampers, 21mm anti-roll bar

STEERING Type: rack-and-pinion, power assistedLock-to-lock: 2.38 turns

BRAKES

System: dual circuit, diagonally split, hydraulically operated with vacuum servo assistance, electronically controlled anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution Front: 320mm vented discsRear: 280mm vented discs

WHEELS & TYRES

Wheels: 8Jx18in alloysTyres: 225/40 R18

BODY

Type: computer-optimised, high-effi ciency three or fi ve-door unitary-welded steel bodyshell

PERFORMANCE

Max speed: 150mph0-60mph: 6.5seconds

FAST FORD AUGUST 2008 0 1 5 70 1 5 70 1 5 70 1 5 70 1 5 70 1 5 70 1 5 7

FASTFACT

The fi rst 1500 owners were invited to an

‘ST Experience Day’ held at Prodrive’s

‘ST Experience Day’ held at Prodrive’s

‘ST Experience Day’

Warwickshire base.

replaced under warranty to cure this.

Owners of newer cars have also reported that the packers which limit the car’s suspension travel during transportation have sometimes been left in place, so it’s well worth

checking the

to see a quality set

of matched dampers and springs – uprated springs will soon fi nish off standard dampers – and pay close attention to the front tyres as the increase in camber will quickly trash the inner tread. Correct OE tyres don’t come cheap...

the standard spec with an MP3-compatible Sony CD/radio system, Xenon headlamps, quickclear heated front windscreen and ESP stability control, while the ST3 features all this plus electric 10-way adjustable Recaros, full leather trim and a Sony six-disc CD autochanger.

The Volvo-sourced fi ve-pot has no major issues and the problems that have been reported have in the main been relatively minor and simple to rectify.

A lack of turbo boost or a hesitation/

misfi re under light acceleration is often the MAF sensor at fault, while a high-pitched shrieking noise and a vacuum at idle that sucks a removed dipstick back into the block points to

on cars that are used for short journeys.

Finally, don’t forget to look for evidence of a full Ford service history too, as if it’s missing then not only is that a clear sign of a lack of care but it will also lower the car’s residual value and runs the risk of invalidating the manufacturer’s warranty.

0 1 5 8 AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

BUYING GUIDE

Not even three years old yet, you haven’t got to worry about ropy, rusted-out STs and even if you do fi nd one that’s seen a bit of a hard life you can bin it and move on to the next.

While they will drop in value, especially now the face-lifted Focus ST is available, not only have the earliest cars already swallowed the worst of the depreciation but, better still, they are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. One thing you do need to be aware of is that, like a lot of other late-model fast Fords, pre-owned STs can be overpriced.

Cars offered by the trade tend to be more expensive but watch for dealers trying to profi t from its specialised nature and over optimistic private sellers. Shop around and do your homework as in some cases the same money is being asked for cars that vary in age and spec.

DESIRED OPTIONS ST2s and ST3s are more desirable, although ST2s seem to be the most common of all ST variants, but the huge difference in asking prices hides any premium they may carry. It’s a similar situation for the fi ve-door car too, which

many consider to be more appealing due to its

practicality, and paint shades.

No matter which version you opt for, you’re going to lose on it. But while you can’t beat depreciation you can fi ght it by buying wisely, something that will also ensure that your ST stands out when you come to move it on.

We reckon you want something that couples a strong colour with the best spec possible as well

as low miles and number of owners.

Find an ST with all these attributes and

you’re onto a winner.

Rust should be non-existent but it’s still worth giving the ST’s exterior the once-over for cosmetic grot. In particular, check the often stone-chipped leading edge of the bonnet, the sills and the seams of the tailgate and doors, especially as the bottoms of the doors on some examples tend to be lacking a little in paint.

Any odd areas showing signs of rust could also indicate past accident damage. Look for overspray on the likes of the wheelarch liners and for differing paint shades. The four-layer process involved in

the spraying of Electric Orange can make any paint defects awkward to rectify so be wary of cars fi nished in this

shade that don’t satisfy you

100 per cent. However, don’t get too hung up about an ‘orange peel’ effect on the

paintwork, it seems that this

is unfortunately a standard trait of many an ST.

The ST’s low ride height also makes the bumpers susceptible to damage, but the biggest body problem reported by far is that of creaking door seals. In fact, so common is it that Ford has an offi cial fi x for affected cars.

BODY

FASTFACT

At launch, the base-level ST was

priced at a very competitive

£17,495.

BUYING ONE

CLUBSFocus ST Owners’ Clubwww.focusstoc.com

Ford Focus Owners’ Clubwww.ffoc.co.uk

ST Owners’ Clubwww.stownersclub.co.uk

0 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 80 1 5 8 AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

Cars offered by the trade tend to be more expensive but watch for dealers trying to profi t from its specialised nature and over optimistic private sellers. Shop around and do your homework as in some cases the same money is being asked for cars that vary in age and spec.

DESIRED OPTIONS ST2s and ST3s are more desirable, although ST2s seem to be the most common of all ST variants, but the huge difference in asking prices hides any premium they may carry. It’s a similar situation for the fi ve-door car too, which

many consider to be more appealing due to its

practicality, and paint shades.

No matter which version you opt for, you’re going to lose on it. But while you can’t beat depreciation you can fi ght it by buying wisely, something that will also ensure that your ST stands out when you come to move it on.

We reckon you want something that couples a strong colour with the best spec possible as well

as low miles and number of owners.

Find an ST with all these attributes and

you’re onto a winner.

0 1 6 0 AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

BUYING GUIDE

IN THE ADSFocus ST2, ’06, 21,500 miles, many mods, lowered Raid rear defuser, approx 300bhp, Bluefi n, Magnex, K&N, Samcos, GRS intercooler, dump valve, £15,000 ono Tel 07809 153382, Somerset

The ST can suffer from water ingress so check the carpets and trim for any dampness and watermarks. It’s most likely to arise from a poor seal around the boot hinges so look here fi rst. While you’re in the vicinity, lift the fl oor and see if the ST’s blessed with a space saver tyre, jack and wheel brace. If not, there should be a puncture repair kit fi tted on the right side of the boot.

Loose and rattly interior plastics aren’t

unheard of but more common are faulty Recaros. They often creak

and in extreme cases this can indicate

that the welds in the rear of the base frame have broken, which is a problem that Ford is aware

of. If you’re lucky enough to

be considering an ST3 with leather then inspect the stitching and look for any creasing, the latter on low mileage cars a telltale that the foam underneath isn’t completely up to scratch.

INTERIOR

TRANSMISSION HPIWith even the cheapest STs commanding the best part of 10 grand, an HPI check is essential. The check will show up if the ST’s been stolen, written off or if there is outstanding fi nance, all of which are more than a vague possibility considering the model’s desirability, fi ery performance and cost.

Any good trader should have already done the check, but if you’re buying private then the likelihood is that you’ll have to do it yourself online at www.hpi.co.uk for £39.99 or over the phone on 01722 422422 for £42.95.

INSURANCESteve is a 31-year-old personal trainer. He loves a bit of sports technology and, unsurprisingly, this is refl ected in his choice of transport too.

He owns a 2007 Focus ST, which is kept on the driveway of his Newport home and although likes to push himself to the limits in the gym, he’s not too keen on doing the same during any of the 7000 miles he covers a year. Hence, he has a lovely clean licence and a full No Claims Bonus. Steve pays £387.45 to insure his ST fully comprehensive. Quote provided by www.directline.com.

The six-speed gearbox has no known weaknesses but it does have a bit of a notchy shift, so don’t be alarmed if this is the case. However, if it’s anything more than slightly noticeable and engaging gears is diffi cult then it could be the cause of an iffy linkage, which we’ve heard of a few owners having replaced under warranty.

It’s unlikely you’ll come across anything as serious as the rumbling associated with bearing failure, but what you might well hear is a light metallic rattle coming from the front end when you pull away or an intermittent ‘click’, again occurring in fi rst and when reverse is taken up. The former is usually down to the driveshaft not being completely in place and, again, there is an offi cial Ford fi x for this. A broken rear gearbox mount often causes the ‘click’.

Check the clutch for any slippage but also to see if

the pedal returns after it is depressed. If it doesn’t then it’s likely to be the failure of the master cylinder or the secondary return spring on the mechanism, both of which have been experienced by a number of ST drivers.

FASTFACT

In Australia the ST was sold as the XR5 Turbo and was only available

with fi ve doors.

0 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 00 1 6 0 AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

IN THE ADSFocus ST2, ’06, 21,500 miles, many mods, lowered Raid rear defuser, approx 300bhp, Bluefi n, Magnex, K&N, Samcos, GRS intercooler, dump valve, £15,000 ono Tel 07809 153382, Somerset

watermarks. It’s most likely to arise from a poor seal around the boot hinges so look here fi rst. While you’re in the vicinity, lift the fl oor and see if the ST’s blessed with a space saver tyre, jack and wheel brace. If not, there should be a puncture repair kit fi tted on the right side of the boot.

Loose and rattly interior plastics aren’t

that the welds in the rear of the base frame have broken, which is a problem that Ford is aware

of. If you’re lucky enough to

be considering an ST3 with leather then inspect the stitching and look for any creasing, the latter on low mileage cars a telltale that the foam underneath isn’t completely up to scratch.

INSURANCEINSURANCEISteve is a 31-year-old personal trainer. He loves a bit of sports technology and, unsurprisingly, this is refl ected in his choice of transport too.

He owns a 2007 Focus ST, which is kept on the driveway of his Newport home and although likes to push himself to the limits in the gym, he’s not too keen on doing the same during any of the 7000 miles he covers a year. Hence, he has a lovely clean licence and a full No Claims Bonus. Steve pays £387.45 to insure his ST fully comprehensive. Quote provided by www.directline.com.

what you might well hear is a light metallic rattle coming from the front end when you pull away or an intermittent ‘click’, again occurring in fi rst and when reverse is taken up. The former is usually down to the driveshaft not being completely in place and, again, there is an offi cial Ford fi x for this. A broken rear gearbox mount often causes the ‘click’.

Check the clutch for any slippage but also to see if

the pedal returns after it is depressed. If it doesn’t then it’s likely to be the failure of the master cylinder or the secondary return spring on the mechanism, both of which have been experienced by a number of ST drivers.

FASTFACT

In Australia the ST was sold as the XR5 Turbo and was only available

with fi ve doors.and was only available

with fi ve doors.and was only available

0 1 6 2 AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

BUYING GUIDE

0 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 20 1 6 2 AUGUST 2008 FAST FORD

Unlike the majority of fast Fords, the ST isn’t known for warping its discs. And while constant, hard use will eventually cause them to fade and give rise to a spongy pedal, the standard stoppers are more than capable of taming the ST’s 222 horses. Nothing lasts forever though, so bank on a set of front rotors lasting about 30-40,000 miles before they need replacing.

The most likely source of brake grief originates from the front disc brake dust covers catching on the actual disc. You’ll hear a nasty grinding sound if this is the case but it’s an easy fi x by simply pulling them back a bit. One noise not to be bothered by is a metallic ‘ping’ that occurs in the fi rst few seconds after start-up, this simply being the ABS going through its self-checking process.

BRAKES

NEXT MONTHESCORT S2 RS TURB0

HOW MUCH?£9500-£12,000Cars for the more pocket-friendly side of £10K are out there but the majority of realistically priced early STs command around £11,000. For your money, expect a 2005, 55-plate ST or ST2 with a mileage of circa 30,000-40,000. However, the odd ‘06’ example is available if you look hard enough. £12,000-£14,000Traders are likely to offer 55-plate cars for this, but most 06-plate ones can be bought for £12,000-plus. The cheapest 56-plate cars, either 2006 or 2007, start at £13K from private sellers. £14,000-£18,000+£14,000 can get you a 07-plate ST, while a few hundred pounds more secures a 57-plate. Depending on specifi cation and mileage, ‘used’ STs will go up to £18,000 for a 08-registered car with delivery mileage. Expect to pay £16,500-£17,000 for the cheapest example of the Limited Edition ST500.

Don’t assume that the ST’s electrics are fi ne just because it’s a newish car. Check everything from the lights to the CD player, as at the very least it’ll still cost you the inconvenience of a trip to your local dealer for any warranty repairs.

It’s worth doing the aforementioned checks with the car running, as it will help highlight a duff alternator, which some owners have suffered from. A knackered one will be noisy under load and watch for the battery light emitting a

faint glow too. The air conditioning of non-Climate equipped STs isn’t thought to be that great by some

enthusiasts but if it does feel ineffective,

especially on older cars, then reckon on the system needing re-gassing.

If the ESP light is coming

on in a straight line then before

you start pulling the car apart take a look at the front tyres. Fitting new tyres that aren’t original equipment, especially to the front only, can play havoc with the Bosch system.

ELECTRICS

FASTFACT

ST colours were Electric Orange, Colorado Red,

Performance Blue, Panther Black, Sea Grey,

Moondust Silver and Diamond White.