[Oli]

for a week Monday, I have it from 9 till 5. I have just heard so much good about this car, I have been hassling Ford to let me borrow one, and have finally tracked one down.

I have tried several Focus ST's in the past and never liked the elevated driving position, and I think this will be the same.

We'll see......

Anyway, got a weekend in the Dam to get out the way first!

My RS4 is up for sale, and will only go at the right price, or I'll be keeping it, and still not sure what to replace it with, if I do!

[willhollin]

I thought the RS4 was the one Oli?

[Oli]

Yeah it is, but like someone else has said, you just get bored. If I can get past this next month of boredom, then all should be ok again! Mind you I haven't been for a good thrash in it this week.

I keep thinking sensible, and looking at the X5, or RRS!

[Dave_3]

Enjoy yourself.

The seat can be adjusted lower slightly - but only with a toolkit Fixed positions.

I'll need to get a spin myself when I have time.

Will be interesting to hear how you find it.

D.

[Hoops]

Oli - you know i had this dilemma recently too and you know im quite a fan of the new RS etc - but funnily enough i had one come tearing up my rear end on the M25 back home from Evolve today - he came alongside me and gave it the thumbs up and intimated he wanted to do a rolling race - we were side by side doing around 60mph, he gave it the 1,2,3 with his fingers and i saw him go to launch off so i floored the throttle and it was embarrassing for him, i just left him standing AND id forgot to put it in M mode - so he caught up and we did it again - and again he was left standing - i then let him in front of me and he started to slow down ready to launch off in front of me again, as he went off and floored it i nearly ran into the back of him - literally all i needed to stay fixed to his arse was 1/2 throttle - it really didnt go that well at all and i could tell he was giving it beans - he then came back alongside me and bless him just shook his head resolutely!! I then went back in front and this time floored it full throttle and in M mode and just left him like he was standing still. The reason i mention this is that i knew if i went from an M3 to the RS i would greatly miss the pure oomph of the M3 - and youre RS4 is no slouch so i guess you could feel the same. Be interesting to read your thoughts post test drive matey.

[Palmnuts]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Oli - you know i had this dilemma recently too and you know im quite a fan of the new RS etc - but funnily enough i had one come tearing up my rear end on the M25 back home from Evolve today - he came alongside me and gave it the thumbs up and intimated he wanted to do a rolling race - we were side by side doing around 60mph, he gave it the 1,2,3 with his fingers and i saw him go to launch off so i floored the throttle and it was embarrassing for him, i just left him standing AND id forgot to put it in M mode - so he caught up and we did it again - and again he was left standing - i then let him in front of me and he started to slow down ready to launch off in front of me again, as he went off and floored it i nearly ran into the back of him - literally all i needed to stay fixed to his arse was 1/2 throttle - it really didnt go that well at all and i could tell he was giving it beans - he then came back alongside me and bless him just shook his head resolutely!! I then went back in front and this time floored it full throttle and in M mode and just left him like he was standing still. The reason i mention this is that i knew if i went from an M3 to the RS i would greatly miss the pure oomph of the M3 - and youre RS4 is no slouch so i guess you could feel the same. Be interesting to read your thoughts post test drive matey.

Crikey - I'm shocked that the RS is that much slower than the M3.

I had the pleasure of driving an RS a couple of weeks ago for 10 minute or so... it still has the high driving position (made worse by a very short gear lever... you'll see what I mean when you drive one) and whilst m
quite nice overall, it cannot be compared to an M3 (but then I am biased ).

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by Palmball

Crikey - I'm shocked that the RS is that much slower than the M3

I think in the right hands it would have probably been less blatantly slow by comparison and there was no way of knowing how hard he was pushing it - but it did amaze me how easily i pulled away!! Mind you, i was on the way home from Evolve where my car had been "fiddled" with (Remus Race exhaust, Evolve remap and BMC filter = 440bhp) - so that might have helped!!!

[330cdsport]

Yep 50% more horsepower is gonna help

I bet you had a nice warm fuzzy feeling inside on the rest of the run home

[SiKkBaSs]

I'll just leave this here...

[marriedblonde]

But who had the bigger cock...

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by marriedblonde

But who had the bigger cock...

Do you need to ask!!!????

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Do you need to ask!!!????

I bet he felt the bigger cock...

[Hoops]

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Palmball

Crikey - I'm shocked that the RS is that much slower than the M3.

I had the pleasure of driving an RS a couple of weeks ago for 10 minute or so... it still has the high driving position (made worse by a very short gear lever... you'll see what I mean when you drive one) and whilst m
quite nice overall, it cannot be compared to an M3 (but then I am biased ).

How can you be shocked_

M3 does 0'100 in late 10secs earñy 11´s or with a shit driver 12´s but thats still 2 full seconds ahead of the RS which does it in 14.

[Pioneer]

Just drove one of these cars today but wasn't that impressed.

Interior wasn't bad, had a nice engine and quite a pleasing exhaust note but this is as far as my good points go.

Seating postion was just too high, the styling didn't excite me that much and when i drove the car over any sort of rough road, it felt like it was about to fall apart.

Maybe i'm just spoilt with driving bmw's.

I'd like to hear any other opinions of the car to see if there is any one who agree's or disagree's with my points.

[Oli]

Well I had it from 9 till 3 on Monday - what do I think??? ( Oh and before anyone asks its slower than a 335D in all occasions, especially down the 1/4 mile strip........ But seriously, this car is sooooo much slower than my RS4, and in reference to bmwbaileys earlier comments, I'm not surprised that he pulled away from one so easily on the roll.

Fantastic looking car, especially in white, really aggressive and a real head turner, but in a completely different 'in your face' look rather than the subtle way the RS4 turns heads!

Initial thoughts on getting in this £30k car, its still a focus, which to be fair isn't a bad thing, as it is a very good car, however this is thirty big ones, and that's the bit I still can't get my head round. Seating position too high, and my seat was adjusted down, as I checked, very similar seat to the RS4, but not as comfy. everything else is on the right place - this car had nav, bluetooth etc, so was a reasonably nice place to be, but still a focus (god I'm a badge snob)

Started the engine, nice gruff warble, but not loud enough - maybe I'm just used to the Milltek, and I suppose European noise levels etc, they have to keep it to a minimum.

Initial thoughts driving it, the car has usable power all over the rev range, with torque everywhere, and especially once the power is fully wound in. The roads were dry, and bar absolutely nailing it from a standing start, this car gets the power down very, very well, all down the the REVO knuckle, and LSD I suppose, however, on anything other than a flat service, I found the steering wheel was being pulled all over the place, and following any undulations in the road, which isn't a pleasant experience at 70mph, going down my favorite set of twistys! In fact, for me, this was a big put off for the car. I'm sure its something I could get used to, but having had very little experience of a front wheel drive car with LSD, it was just a little strange. The ride was nice and firm, handling was good with excellent turn in and feel, and when driving normally (with the family) it drove well and just like any other focus).

On dropping it back I averaged not much over 20MPG, which isn't great, and I wasn't hammering it all the time as I had the family in it - not that great considering my RS4 averages about 17!

Now the important question, if I was after a car of this size, would I buy one - For exclusivity - YES, but for lots of other reasons - NO IE, too expensive - It feels like a £20 to £25k car, I wasn't overly happy with the driving position, the LSD and how it makes it feel twitchy, and its a FOCUS. If I was rich enough I'd probably have one in the fold of cars.....but I'm not. I'd probably gor for the new Golf R or Audi RS3.

I am not taking away what Ford have done, and it does put the power down, like no other FWD car I've driven, and I'm sure I could get used to the rest, but just not for me, unless I have a serious midlife crisis!

[E902717]

great write up Oli, i think you hit the nail on the head! 30k for any type of focus is just plain crazy!!!! Wouldn't mind a blast though

[Oli]

Well worth a blast, however the dealers aren't allowing unassisted test drives, unless like me, you buy 100 or so fords a year, and have a fully comp trade policy, oh and I threw my toys out the pram until they agreed! ha ha

[beemerbird]

Interesting write up Oli and agree it does look the part.........but that interior from the pics. doesn't seem to quite do it for me or look part of the 30k.

Maybe we're all now so used to the Germanic style of interiors.

The MPG is a bit scary as well - less than mine and I defo don't drive like a granny.

[M3-FAST]

Looks Awesome, love it

BUT like you said, it's still a Focus, and a damned expensive one at that!

I could never spend £30k on a fast Ford but it will be a great second hand buy when down to £15k ish.

[E902717]

Originally Posted by Oli

Well worth a blast, however the dealers aren't allowing unassisted test drives, unless like me, you buy 100 or so fords a year, and have a fully comp trade policy, oh and I threw my toys out the pram until they agreed! ha ha

Unassisted or not if i drive it like i stole it there aint alot the salesman could do about it except scream for his mamma!

Your right Paul in a couple of years it will be a great buy at 15k ish....