Mk4 Ford Focus ST M365. Ford’s last proper Hot Hatch?!

This car is likely to be the last hot hatch from Ford as we know it. With smaller hybrid engines and dreadful EV’s on the horizon, it’s time to really make the most of cars like these!
This car can be found on Autotrader here;
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detai...
FJRS;
www.fjrs.co.uk

[@CarFocused]

This car can be found for sale here; www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401255900466

[@IronDrummer91]

Even the normal ST Line is fun to drive - can’t imagine what the ST is like!

[@CarFocused]

A good chassis from the outset 👌🏻

[@Diamus101]

Phenomenal. Had mine since 2020. 🙂👍

[@rexeverything100]

I've got the mk4 1.5 diesel st line handles great, so much fun

[@joshravnn]

Good to have you back 👍🏻

[@CarFocused]

Hey, thanks

[@essendon72]

Yeah I have a 2021 manual and it's magic to drive. Such an overlooked hot hatch. And they are fast! Not hugely in a straight line but on a windy road or up a mountain. Crazy what they can do!

[@micklawrence2630]

Great vid Gary ….. these really are a great, great car, sadly sold mine now 🙁….. good to have you back making vids 👍🏼

[@CarFocused]

Thanks mate. Shame you sold up. What did you replace it with?

[@Colette1972UK]

I have one of these in the same blue. Its the diesel thought which is enough power for me and 46;mpg combined. Love it

[@philmoffett366]

Had my 2020 focus st for coming up to 3 years now and other than the front headlight mounting points cracking (apparently common problem on early models slamming the bonnet damages them🤷‍♂️) it’s been a fantastic reliable car and just superb to drive!

[@CarFocused]

Great to hear mate 👌🏻👊🏻

[@Unclebob726]

I have a mk3 facelift with the mountune 275 and love it.

[@bigdhav]

I have the diesel automatic ST-Line and it is so refined and decent for every day use. I also have a GR Yaris for actual fun, but enjoy both. Focus definitely more comfortable and easier to drive.

[@Birmingham_racing]

I don't think I've ever seen one in person which is a shame because it's a really nice car

[@mrlavery]

Great video Gary mate , loved my dads old one - lovely cars .

[@CarFocused]

Cheers pal. Underrated motors, bit of fettling and they’re mega!😊

[@dreamscience]

Good review as always Gary, yes these cars are great and one of the most responsive to a few upgrades as you have noticed, hope to see you again soo mate. #TeamDS

[@CarFocused]

Hey mate. Good to hear from you. Thanks! The DS car I drove way back when they were hot off the press set the standard 😉

[@keithronson2624]

Absolute Classic! Incredible! So overlooked. Amazing piece of kit. Gone for ever. A real driver's car. No other brand can beat Ford for a good value, hot hatch. Thank You.

[@CarFocused]

You are indeed correct. It’s a shame how Ford are changing going forwards though 😢

[@Birmingham_racing]

Been a while good to hear from you

[@CarFocused]

Thanks mate. Been a few things going on in my life so had a little break. 👍🏻

[@davidbrownjohn327]

Good video Gary. I owned a mk4 Focus ST Edition and sorry I sold. A versatile car and I’ll say it, lovely looking.

[@CarFocused]

Quite an underrated car really isn’t it!

[@larrylong9367]

May 13th, 2024 ... I had a 2013 FOCUS ST Manual Tranny ... Loved it. It was my first American car in 4 or 5 decades ... 7 years, 44,000 ... had to change the battery at 6.5 years ... An almost prefect car ... Wait, it was a 'perfect' car. Other cars I've owned ... Many Mazda 626, 4 with Turbo's ... A 1988 BMW M5 ... 1993 Supra Turbo, Manual (Every car I've owned, Manual Tranny) Mazda Speed3 ... the aforementioned 2013 Focus ST ... Soon, this year or next ... I will go to Germany and get a Focus ST, as new as I can find ... it's a "keeper' ...

[@mrvoorhees2627]

I think hot hatchbacks are going to go up in value massively in the next few years as everything goes ev or eco friendly cars like this could be a good investment

[@CarFocused]

Hopefully - could do with my Cupra going up a bit 😂

[@rocfella]

they will not, they will sit on the lot 4ever. sad times coming

[@johnbevan7157]

Great video Gary, I must admit having seen this and the noise it can make it certainly makes up for the looks of this ST model. Great all rounder

[@CarFocused]

Seriously John they are a great bit of kit. An underrated car for sure. Mountune have done well too with this package 👌🏻

[@johnbevan7157]

@@CarFocused yeah I’m thinking of getting another day to day run around at some point and it’s going to be an ST badge for sure. I want something to take on weekends away with the family and not worry about dirt and be both sensible and fun when needed. It will be on a budget though 🙂

[@CarFocused]

@@johnbevan7157 mk3 ST diesel estate maybe? They are very nippy with a map 😁

[@johnbevan7157]

@@CarFocused yeah once I’m in a position to be serious about it I’ll look at the options on estate versus hatch back and engine etc. I have a problem Gary, I’m an car modding and collector addict 😀

[@CarFocused]

@@johnbevan7157 there’s nothing wrong with that 😂😉

[@crazy-diamond7683]

I love my mk4, its the nicest shape by far if you ask me. (everyone's different) It took me nearly a yr to find the right one, Mag Grey, Pan roof, Perf pack, Blis and still has the film over the pedal from new. only done 4.5k I decided to go for a 69 plate as they have everything loaded as it's before the chip shortage that reduced a lot options on cars after that. I also prefered the analogue clocks to the digital type as people say the screens are too blue for their liking but I see it as something less to go wrong! I'd love to tune her up but I think to keep her value it needs to stay original if I need to move it on but thats very doubtful at present as it does make me smile, I had the mk 3.5 diesel before and had nothing but a-holes up my backside in their Bm's Audi...Now, no one comes near me as they know it's petrol and bloody fast....quite strange when you notice it!

[@boss32233]

You have got me interested in the estate variant now 😂

[@CarFocused]

😂 get on it, estates are mega 😁

[@pmtb1960]

Had mine about 9 months now. Really great car in Orange fury colour!

[@CarFocused]

Nice 👌🏻

[@Nonegiven14582]

Good video and great car for the money.

[@Ianrobinson981]

I’ve got the Fiesta ST Edition but it’s got to go for something a bit more practical so the Focus ST must be a strong contender. Great video 👍🏻

[@CarFocused]

Good choice! Thanks for watching 😊

[@simon1066]

Perfect car with maximum fun included!

[@markb68]

Hello mate good to have you back with another great vid and review of the mk4 ST. Like you say a proper and sorted real driver’s car especially with the MT kit. As has been said it’s the last of a very impressive line of performance Fords. Just a shame the bean counters have sold out and jumped on the backward thinking EV movement sacrificing real driving enjoyment too. If only the engineers had a chance to bring us a run of proper high performance (ST & RS) versions of most of the range. One thing’s for sure they would have all sold out in no time! Anyway all us petrolheads will just have to enjoy the cars that we have or are still available now while we still can! 👍🏻

[@CarFocused]

This is it mate. Hang onto the cars you have now and make them last as long as you can!

[@WoodhouseF15]

Great video Gary 👍🏼

[@CarFocused]

Thanks 👍

[@micklawrence2630]

Me again Gary, you really should get the Mountune, Dreamscience, Revo etc version of these together on a track, and maybe throw in the mk3 RS and your RS, like you did in your Vid of the various RS’s …… that is the vid us fast ford fans want to see and nobody seems to be able to get it done, I think you could be the man Gary…. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@CarFocused]

Haha I do like the sound of this…😁

[@garrietimmons8617]

Now that would be fantastic

[@Diamus101]

Oh thanks for this. A M365. Interesting, mines a M330. Can't find a stretch of road? Tell me about it. These days with these cars?? One has to wonder, sadly. Just been driving a Lexus as a courtesy car, can't wait to have Orange back. Yes old school, but you can't beat it and with all the electronics that double the price of other german cars, the one you have here is a no brainer.

[@jasonsheeley7221]

Great video, such a shame Ford are shelving the Hot hatch. They have been part of my driving past for over 30 years. Sad to see them discontinued.

[@CarFocused]

Couldn't agree more!

[@PhoenixNLx]

Got a RS mk3 now... Wanted to switch in a couple of years to a mk4 ST wagon... but my wife doesnt like the design... she thinks it looks like an Iron... :-( So im sticking with the RS :)

[@CarFocused]

Don’t be influenced by what your wife says 😂 I do agree though, Mk4 doesn’t look great in estate form. Mk3 looks great as an estate though!

[@Taylor40667]

Just sold my frs mk3 after 6.5 years Replaced with a m3 touring Did look at mk4 but you dont get that feeling walking away as the rs

[@CarFocused]

@@Taylor40667that’s some upgrade! Enjoy the M3 - different league!

[@euan7260]

The mk3 rs’s are slooow as well for the power they have. I’ve got a mk3 st that’s got 555nm and it laughs at rs’s. It’s because they weigh so much and they lose sooo much power through the awd transmission. Yeah off the line a rs would have me but from a roll no chance. (Ive raced one so I know how slow they are stock)

[@LB83.]

Heb je tiktok?

[@davidwest667]

Miss my 20.25 ST, granddaughter came along so now driving a Kuga ST Line X 😢😢😢😢

[@CarFocused]

Sometimes sacrifices have to be made 😢

[@davidwest667]

@@CarFocused 😂😂 keep up the good work, love fast Fords 👍

[@garrietimmons8617]

Gary,how does the m365 stack up against the dreamscience stage 2 that you drove,do you have a preference or isnt there much in it

[@CarFocused]

It’s hard to say mate as it was a couple of years ago now since I drove the DS, plus it was a summers day with dry roads. There was a little bit of lag with the DS map if I remember rightly then it really got moving.

[@PeteVXR]

Great review mate. Cars is really nice & flys up the rev range 👌 What's the Max Torque? Also is there a difference in performance between the 'Dream Science' maps compared to the 'Mountune' set ups? Still driving my 58 plate Astra VXR so also not switching to an EV yet!

[@CarFocused]

Hey mate it’s 560NM so a fair chunk! As for the DS comparison it’s been ages since I drove a DS car and when I tested their stage 2 it was a dry summers day - so very hard to compare. Both super fun though 👌🏻

[@robsx4280]

Great to hear your thoughts on the ST, could be a decent upgrade from my Leon FR. Do the different drive modes reduce the pops and bangs?

[@CarFocused]

Hi mate, yes in normal mode the pops and bangs all but disappear. It’s a shame there isn’t an individual mode like on my Cupra so you can customise the drive modes.

[@alivekicking6247]

Nice video. I wonder what you would think of my Cupra 300. Same as yours but manual. I didn't want DSG.

[@CarFocused]

Thanks! It would be weird driving a manual Cupra, I think I’d keep forgetting to change gear!haha

[@alivekicking6247]

@@CarFocused I think in a Dsg I would keep reaching down to change.

[@David-rv9kj]

Mate! where is the first spring drive 2024 focus rs video!

[@BangersAndHashbrowns]

I’d love to know which tuner you’d go for? Dreamscience or Mountune? I’ve got a mk4.5 ST estate (magnetic grey); Mega mega car and pretty much the ultimate daily other than an M3 touring or something of that caliber Really appreciate the vids. Been watching for years and finally got the spot where I was able to get a car like this and join the club. Cheers

[@CarFocused]

Congratulations on your purchase, a great all round car in estate form! Plus, estates are just cool anyway, and super practical 👌🏻 Both tunes were really well sorted so I guess it would probably boil down to price or personal preference on the brand. Both good options though!

[@Elia1974-CA]

With the Montune 365 stage, is it also worth replacing the clutch or can the original one handle the new 560 nm torque?

[@CarFocused]

You’d best ask mountune about that one mate 👍🏻

[@Elia1974-CA]

​@@CarFocusedthank you very much

[@essendon72]

Yeah the original clutch can handle it.

[@NeoN_UK]

What do you prefer: Dreamscience stage 2 or Mountune M365?

[@CarFocused]

Very hard to say as it was quite a while ago now and the roads were dry when I drove the DS car.

[@Harry-mv3kb]

What is your opinion on the st 4.5 track pack?

[@CarFocused]

Haven't driven one, but damn they're expensive! This particular car is over 18k cheaper than a new ST with track pack!

[@marc3457]

Great review would you say it's quicker than your Mk2 RS ?

[@CarFocused]

As my RS stands at the moment, I would say so, yes. When I go to MR375 I think the Mk2 would have the edge. But they deliver power in such different ways it’s quite hard to gauge.

[@garyhaywood6013]

Great video I have the same car in black . Mountune m330 and I've just upgraded to m365 last week. I have the mountune springs complimented with a set of there mountune oz wheels wrapped in ps4 tyres .there full induction and exhaust . Just as you said not over the top noise but the pops and bangs are there if want them . I actually quite surprised how well my car handles the power . As I heard you mentioning the power kicks in top end . How would you compare the power to a mk3 rs standard firm 345 or even Mountune's m375

[@CarFocused]

Thanks for watching mate! 365 is a great package! I’m certain it’s faster than a standard Mk3 RS, as for MR375 it’s hard to say as the Mk2 delivers the power in such a different way. Be close though!

[@garyhaywood6013]

@@CarFocused that's good to know thanks for the reply I was torn between the mk3 rs and focus mk4 .

[@rhysfox6280]

Did you notice much difference between the M330 and M365? Currently running the 330 with full induction kit and exhaust and im just not sure if the extra power will be noticeable!

[@garyhaywood6013]

@@rhysfox6280 hi the 330 is quick the 365 makes it feel like it's gained a pair of lungs definitely takes off more mid top end you can feel the difference.i also added the Mountune's ic intercooler

[@chrisryanst]

My only dislike is that it's not a 3 door, my preference ofcourse

[@CarFocused]

Yea 3 doors are for the history books now 😢

[@michaelrobertson515]

I’ve got one of these absolutely love it

[@madanto2394]

Would prefer the tdci over the golf gtd

[@alandonnelly9788]

Great video Gary if I'm honest I've had a MK2 & MK3 focus st great looking cars the MK4 not a good looking car at all they have lost all the looks if u ask me & from the looks of things it looked like a handful didn't look as good as I'd like it 2 b with the mountine extras so don't think I'll be going MK4

[@CarFocused]

Hi mate, thank you! The roads were extremely greasy - the worst conditions for FWD. I can assure you the Mk4 ST is a great car, and I urge you to try one out. I think a 1.0 eco boost would have been struggling in yesterdays conditions 😂 Thanks for watching pal 👌🏻

[@alandonnelly9788]

I do understand that as my car is the same in the damp conditions just don't like the shape looks 2 much like a volvo

[@RowlandPeters]

So sad a car like this one would cost twice as much where I live :(

[@CarFocused]

😢😢

[@jonah406]

I’ll stick with my RS thanks

[@rossyp88]

Comparison with the cupra ?

[@CarFocused]

I did cover this a little bit towards the latter part of the video.

[@eddiec438]

Yeah a great fun car and especially that one with those upgrades, but they look so dull and the inside is like a coal hole. Rock hard seat bolsters put me off too. Sadly not for me.

[@robstaples6649]

Welcome to rural Essex lol. 😂

[@CarFocused]

Decent road when it’s clear 👌🏻👌🏻

[@dehv]

How come the cupra's value plummeted?

[@CarFocused]

I bought it at the height of the inflated car pricing period 🙈 I paid 21k for it in June 2022, trade value is coming in at around 13k now 😂

[@dehv]

@CarFocused inpressive how the ford focus mk4 stacks up then holding reasonably good residuals

[@mlukubone7134]

Can they ship to South Africa? 😂 We don’t get these anymore 😢

[@CarFocused]

😢😢

[@majorminor3367]

South African Police used Focus ST I think? Maybe the mark 3

[@tubalee3849]

I got mk4 ST hatchback (2020) for 2 years now and i will tell you just like it is for my perspective and ownership. I replace exhaust with Milltek resonated from gpf back, lowered the car and some spacers on oem wheels. Besides that all is original. Pluses: Great car for everyday, very comfortable, to this day very reliable, pretty much enough power for me, not too much expensive for maintenance, great car also for B roads Minuses: Very very big minus for me is artificial sound in cabin and you cant turn it off without forscan. This sound make me almost puke. I mean, car is sounding good but i dont know why they put this shitty sound in cabin. Next minus is that it doesnt have custom mode. You cant have rev match in normal mode which is shame. In driving modes i30n is far more advance. Next minus is sound. It sounds good with aftermarket exhaust but not so good like i30n or mk3 RS. It lacks bangs on downshifts and on oem map it bangs pretty rare and very lame. Last minus is how it looks or design. For me it looks somewhat soft, like 1.0 Focus. If you are not a car guy you cant know by look, that this car is fast Ford which is shame. Other than that is pretty good car. But if you on the market for one remember is it not RS. If you buying just a weekend car, ST is not your answer. ST is car for everyday and for all weather conditions

[@paddymckittrick8320]

Good video, swap the cars lol...

[@CarFocused]

Haha don’t have enough money in the Cupra to swap mate!

[@mohammedbostan9467]

For Car Guys, everything is changing sad times for Petrol heads.

[@CarFocused]

Hydrogen is coming mate hang in there 👍🏻

[@davidmontgomery8285]

13k for the cupra noway. Blimey

[@CarFocused]

Yea trade - private sale I could probably almost break even. I owe just under 16k. 🙈

[@extremegleamdetailing9680]

I really miss my mk4

[@CarFocused]

😢

[@5ivetimes1]

Compression test it first, lol

[@CarFocused]

These ST’s are much mot reliable than the Mk3 RS!

[@stevesmith9351]

last proper rs was the escort cosworth

[@CarFocused]

But this is an ST haha. This will deffo be the last proper hot hatch from Ford I feel….

[@trentsteels]

I’ve got a Mk4.5 ST, lots I like about, but equally lots I dislike about it. I think my Mk3.5 was better all-round.

[@CarFocused]

What don’t you like about it mate? I’ve only ever driven the pre facelift to be fair.

[@trentsteels]

@@CarFocused electrical gremlins, the gearchange is agricultural at best, I’ve driven ride-on mowers with a smoother and more precise change. Auto start-stop throwing its toys out the pram and leaving you stranded at the traffic lights, so have to remember to switch it off before your journey. Not massively keen on the Sync-4 as you have to take your eyes off the road for quite a lot of the controls, Don’t rate the tyres is comes with as unless it’s bone-dry then it struggles to put the power down in even the slightest of damp conditions, but that’s an easy fix. Auto-hold feature has a mind of its own and works when it feels like it, oh and the battery drain issues, which are common on the 4.5 apparently. Oh and the panel gaps which are atrocious, and don’t mention the crushing depreciation, but that’s no fault of the cars… you did ask. That said there are things I do like about it - The engine its torque which are superb, the handling and the steering. I’m not far from FJRS so if you’re about feel free to come and have a look.

[@trentsteels]

I’ve been trying to get out of it for the last six months but no one wants it, or they’re offering eye-watering px prices, anyone reading this then I’d say go for the pre-facelift, my friends got one and hasn’t had any issues in 60 thousand miles. Really don’t want to be a mood-hooverer, but I’ve always owned fast Fords and this has just been a massive disappointment.

[@CarFocused]

@@trentsteels sounds shocking tbh mate. It’s criminal they’re charging over 40k for these now, too! The one I featured in this video seems like a bargain by comparison! Ford have gone to rats now anyway compared with what they once were. It’s a massive shame 😢

[@trentsteels]

@@CarFocused I know the exact location where you started that video, so if you want to do a comparison video then let me know 👍🏼

[@malkummog]

Might be a great car to drive, but the styling!!! Not for me thanks. So bland! A good car should also look good! It doesn’t need to have RS mk2 style body kit, you can still have a stylish understated car

[@CarFocused]

Fair enough!👍🏻

[@MrBigSuka]

Just looks like a 2013 Mazda 3 (side profile) to me. Wouldn't really give them a second glance.Sorry.

[@CarFocused]

It certainly does look a little bland, but it makes up for it when behind the wheel 😊

[@polopowered]

Looks like a 1.0 Ecoblowup with cheap aftermarket wheels. What a mess. Mk3 Mondeo was peak Ford imo.

[@CarFocused]

Haha fair enough - taste is personal after all 👍🏻

[@harrysamwel3665]

Thank god it is! 😂 I own a green mk4.5 ST but even though this is the unique ST colour I wouldn’t say Ford has made it unique enough compared to a ST-line. IMO the mk4.5 is the best looking car as a whole of all the ST model years. Not the meanest looking, but the best.. You can fix some of it yourself by, lowering it, putting on spacers, maybe add some really great wheels.. Then you have the design skirt kits you could add.. Although not always the best thing to add after doing the lowering.. 😂 I lowered my car with H&R and put on some really nice 19” 8.5” bronze wheels. These are ET38, so in reality it is like I have +23mm spacers on. The wheels are exactly flush with the wheelarches. Looks amazing! Nice in the summer but not so in winter. I use the stock 19” as winter wheels. I bought some 12.5/17.5mm spacers for this setup. This looks ok, but is way better for winter as the tires are a lot more inside the arches and protects the car better. Btw due to the design of the car it looks way better lowered. The Shortiez mud flaps did help a bit as well. The wide and relative flat chassie with the thinner front and back lights make it look way more aggressive lowered.

[@Leehuss5582]

Stay away from Ford...Cambelt Headcasket, Water-pump overheating issues all the time I have had Focuses all serviced on time, but same problems occurred..