[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Petay, sorry the 335d has gone, she was a very nice car. Good luck for the future.

Carlos, I ain't going nowhere You're not getting off the hook that easily

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Carlos, I ain't going nowhere You're not getting off the hook that easily

Good, bloody dont want you going anywhere.

The pic of the Merc and Mini do look very good and are very nice replacements. Wont replace those ponies tho


Carlos

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Squeez?


Petay, sorry the 335d has gone, she was a very nice car. Good luck for the future.


Gibbo, the Focus compared to a 335d aint a hot ford, its a cold soggy ford.

Are they soggy? I don't know never driven one but they always get good reviews so I would not mind driving one.

Anyway Carlos you did not answer the question- what will your next car be?

[Oli]

He waiting for his dad's next hand me down....he' had two BMW's so far!!!!!!!

[Cafe.Racer]

Mine will depend on deals/specs available at the time, 3 series will be a possibility if new one is out by then, A4 looks good if the Avant is out in time, and I've just seen spy pics of the new accord touring, which looks ace.

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by OliH

He waiting for his dad's next hand me down....he' had two BMW's so far!!!!!!!

Oli, this could be messy again. He brought the 335d off his dad and he's a working guy so I am sure he will buy his next car.

[Oli]

And previously he has had a BMW that his parents have owned - whats messy about that - lucky lad, still a hand me down , if he 's bought it or not!!

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Gibbo, the Focus compared to a 335d aint a hot ford, its a cold soggy ford.

I'm guessing you've never driven a new Focus, have you ? Down a nice twisty B road even a standard Focus has great poise, the likes of which the 335D with its big clod-hopping RFT boots can only dream of.

No logic or first hand experience is required for you to form opinions. You don't half talk utter, utter, utter pish.

D,

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by OliH

And previously he has had a BMW that his parents have owned - whats messy about that - lucky lad, still a hand me down , if he 's bought it or not!!

He is a lucky lad no question about that but I am sure he appreciates how kind his parents have been to him and what a great start to motoring he has had. I don't really consider a 9 month old 335d which he has driven from new a real hand me down!

I say it could get 'messy' as it's a provoking comment and can rub Carlos up the wrong way, insults are traded - then group hug. I personally enjoy the banter, really enjoy the different opinion which make this forum what it is and take it with a smile but sometimes you know how to wind him up a treat.

Yes he has been given a good start. But on meeting him he's a good guy and he now has a high standard in life to keep up. Especially with the pressure of buying houses, bills and living expenses in the future. I for one wish him well like I wish you well in your business and getting your 911 in the near future.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Are they soggy? I don't know never driven one but they always get good reviews so I would not mind driving one.

Anyway Carlos you did not answer the question- what will your next car be?

Hi mate, there not all they cracked up to be, they are front heavy due to the 5 pot engine and arnt half as sublime as the previous HAWT focus, the RS.

Im jus going off what a load have Owners of them have said.

They are not quick either. On timing gear and Ford Fair in the summer, the cars inadequate intercooler was hindering the focus ST performance in the sweltering heat and they were doing 0-60 (not 0-62) in 7.5-8 secs

Originally Posted by Dave_3

I'm guessing you've never driven a new Focus, have you ? Down a nice twisty B road even a standard Focus has great poise, the likes of which the 335D with its big clod-hopping RFT boots can only dream of.

No logic or first hand experience is required for you to form opinions. You don't half talk utter, utter, utter pish.

D,

you dont think a 335d would go round a track as quick as a focus ST? honestly?

have you driven the RS and the ST? please Dave darling, whats your opinion on which one is the Hawtwah?

I know the focus has a sublime chassis, so does a 20k ford have a better chassis than a 40k bm? Man weve all been ''done'' then

Originally Posted by Gibbo

He is a lucky lad no question about that but I am sure he appreciates how kind his parents have been to him and what a great start to motoring he has had. I don't really consider a 9 month old 335d which he has driven from new a real hand me down!

I say it could get 'messy' as it's a provoking comment and can rub Carlos up the wrong way, insults are traded - then group hug. I personally enjoy the banter, really enjoy the different opinion which make this forum what it is and take it with a smile but sometimes you know how to wind him up a treat.

Yes he has been given a good start. But on meeting him he's a good guy and he now has a high standard in life to keep up. Especially with the pressure of buying houses, bills and living expenses in the future. I for one wish him well like I wish you well in your business and getting your 911 in the near future.

Thanks Gibbo for the well wishing

I do appreciate everything my parents have done for me throughout my life, they pretty awesome to me really

OliH aint rubbed me up this time whether he wanted to or not i just laughed at his comment this time which makes a change

Honestly i would love an M5, and i prob coudl part ex mine and get one tomorrow. But altho i love the M5 and its one FRICKIN BEAST, it aint quite a sexy as the 3er coupe dare i say it.

Carlos

[beemerbird]

Have to agree on the comments re. the handling of the Focus. I owned a 2.0 ESP new in 2000. Apart from the badly fitted windscreen (replaced), wind noise (new door seals), re-call for brake servo and oil filler cap and most horrendous of all - flexing bulk head! not strengthened from the Escort era, oh and the appalling dealer 'service', the car was good fun to drive. I'm in no doubt that on the 'twisty stuff' the Focus will definately out handle my 335d. As usual with a Ford engine, the power IMO is given where you need it, for overtaking ie. mid range, not balls out 0-60 and top end. The grip and poise was very good on the car and you could 'throw it about' with confidence. I'm sure they've only improved it since 2000 and hopefully sorted out the early teething problems.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Im jus going off what a load have Owners of them have said.

Exactly. As I pointed out. Blah blah blah, mate down the pub heard, forum fan-boys, etc., etc.. No first hand experience - just the sound of a big parrot. You think the ST is more nose heavy than the whopping big 335D lump ...

I've never had a Focus RS out for a real drive, so can't give you my opinion.

Originally Posted by dxb335d

you dont think a 335d would go round a track as quick as a focus ST? honestly?

Who gives a flying f**k. I said B road - not some leafy Essex lane. See the ribbon of road in the pic ?

Most people up my way drive on those (40-70 is the realistic range regardless of car), and in some regions we NEVER go to a racetrack. Who cares about top trump statistics ?

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Man weve all been ''done'' then

Ever heard of the "Emperor's new clothes" .... I could sell you sparkly beads and mirrors all day long.

D.

[Oli]

baa!!!! he he

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Exactly. As I pointed out. Blah blah blah, mate down the pub heard, forum fan-boys, etc., etc.. No first hand experience - just the sound of a big parrot. You think the ST is more nose heavy than the whopping big 335D lump ...

I've never had a Focus RS out for a real drive, so can't give you my opinion.



Who gives a flying f**k. I said B road - not some leafy Essex lane. See the ribbon of road in the pic ?

Most people up my way drive on those (40-70 is the realistic range regardless of car), and in some regions we NEVER go to a racetrack. Who cares about top trump statistics ?



Ever heard of the "Emperor's new clothes" .... I could sell you sparkly beads and mirrors all day long.

D.

the 335d may be nose heavy but is RWD. The focus is nose heavy and FWD.

Not as good imho.


I will go test drive one tomorrow Dave (if i get time) and im very sure i will be very far from blown away from its oh so stunning drive and performance.

[peterg1965]

You need to talk to someone who has owned a 335d and an ST3.... anyone know of such a person

[Z4 Beemer]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

You need to talk to someone who has owned a 335d and an ST3.... anyone know of such a person

The floor is yours Pete... .go for it!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

You need to talk to someone who has owned a 335d and an ST3.... anyone know of such a person

YOU, and you said yourself the 335d was leagues ahead in handling and performance.

[scotw]

Carlos, didn't you tease us with an announcement about some coupe related news you had? I was under the impression a new car was in the works, or were you just winding us up?

Nice road Dave!

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

The floor is yours Pete... .go for it!

Haven't got time for a long post, suffice to say that both are great cars in different ways. The ST3 definately is the more 'chuckable' and there is much more positive feeling to the steering and handling. The ST3 delivers its power in a narrow rev band and required lots of gear changes to keep it in the power band. In contrast, the 335d is much more refined but the handling and steering is slightly more 'detached'. To drive the 335 is effortless compared to the ST3. I agree that the ST3 is an awesome car around the country lanes but in pure speed and acceleration terms the 335d is king. They both have their virtues and the ST3 is a lot of car for half the price of a well specced 335d. In my view the 335d wins overall but then again I am biased! The Focus proves that Ford is a car maker to be reckoned with, the new Mondeo also proves that. The gap between Ford and premium car makers, in terms of quality and performance, has narrowed considerably over the last 5 years.

I only owned the ST for 7 weeks, it was thirsty but at least I didnt loose any money when I sold it! In fact I made £300, the first (and probably last) time I will ever make a profit on a car

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by scotw

Carlos, didn't you tease us with an announcement about some coupe related news you had? I was under the impression a new car was in the works, or were you just winding us up?

Nice road Dave!

Originally it was a joke about a model 135i i bought. But in reality it was that the DXB is now mine officially

[Oli]

When I bought my MKV GTI, I tried one back to back with an ST3 - I hated the ST3, theC Pillar trim was hanging off, I felt like I was sitting about two inches too high, it felt laggy, and compared was juicy as hell - I of course ened up with the GTI.

But as I always say each to their own and the ST is a very good value car, I just wouldnt own one myself

[scotw]

Originally Posted by OliH

When I bought my MKV GTI, I tried one back to back with an ST3 - I hated the ST3, theC Pillar trim was hanging off, I felt like I was sitting about two inches too high, it felt laggy, and compared was juicy as hell - I of course ened up with the GTI.

But as I always say each to their own and the ST is a very good value car, I just wouldnt own one myself

I went for the GTi over the ST, but my friend has an ST. He likes it a lot and from the few times I've driven it, its great. Consumption is horrible though, I used to get near 30mpg, he does much the same driving as me and gets more like 16mpg....

I love Fords in general though, the Focus is probably the best handling compact at the mo, quality is at or near VW and they are cheap! The mondeo is great and even my wife's Fiesta drives quite well. Can't beat them for value.