Driving a Mk3 Focus RS Edition straight after my Mk2 Focus RS - how does it compare?

Here’s the final part of the recent meet up with Sam and his Mk3 Focus RS. I get behind the wheel and give an honest option as to how it compares with my Mk2.

[@CarFocused]

FYI this car is Revo stage 2 with all hardware required. Running an estimated figure between 400 - 440 bhp.

[@PhoenixNLx]

Maybe put it on the dyno together with your mk2 and make a video about it?

[@SamAustin]

Really enjoyed the collab and the videos we filmed. Great watching this one back as it seemed like you had a good time in my MK3 👍

[@ThomMurphy]

Thanks to both of you for the collaboration. The later RSs had some damper revisions, which improved the ride, so yours should ride better than his did, but maybe not enough that the difference would be super obvious given the time gap. That said, I definitely recommend the DSC controller. It may be one of the best modifications available for the RS, and considering those you already have is likely the best next modification for your car. It not only improves the ride but also the handling. Obvious things like cornering, breaking, cornering and/or breaking on uneven surfaces are improved, but also less commonly discussed performance metrics kike 0-60 are improved because of it's unique suspension interactions during launch. The DSC controller holds its value well, so if you don't like it you aren't risking much, and it's "plug and play" so no permanent modification, yet is customizable if you want to change it up... If you want to reduce or likely completely eliminate the veering steering feeling, look into disabling PDC (Pull Drift Compensation). It completely changes the feel for the better. PDC, in short, is a system that uses the electronic power steering to try and compensate for things like gusts of wind and whatnot by adding steering angle input to try and keep the vehicle tracking straight and reduce driver fatigue. Ford should have disable this from the factory for this car (or at least reserved it for Normal Mode), but they spent money developing it and let it carry over. The big problem is, as the RDU applies torque to the outside rear wheel, the PDC system can apply opposite wheel angle. It's a VERY unnatural and awkward sensation. It's not felt in all circumstances, but one of the most common situations is while flooring it and making a passing move. Once PDC is disabled it just goes where you point it and is MUCH more confidence inspiring.

[@deanwoolnough9761]

Sam definitely get the DSC, I had one in my RS mk3 and it made a great difference

[@CarFocused]

Hey mate, of course, it was good fun! Both great cars 👌🏻👌🏻

[@andrewjohnston2901]

your face of horror ! haha

[@marc3457]

Had Mk3 tuned sold it bought Mk2 and will never sell its just so special to drive 5 pot sound never gets boring

[@markb68]

Morning Gary another really entertaining video mate. Regardless of preference (like you 5 pot if I had to!) or the pros and cons of either it’s great to see a couple of petrolheads sharing their enjoyment and enthusiasm for two superb cars. 👍🏻

[@CarFocused]

Hi Mark, thank you. These are the kind of videos I enjoy making, so it’s good to hear you enjoyed watching them 😊 Always good to have RS content on the channel.

[@markb68]

@@CarFocused It’s always good to have RS content and you can tell how much you enjoy it. Keep up the great work mate. 👍🏻

[@robertyates6913]

You guys got it spot on with your summary/comparison. I know as fortunately I have the Mk3 as my daily and the Mk2 as the garage queen.

[@CarFocused]

A great combo mate 👌🏻

[@rextetron]

This seems like a riot! ❤ I was pondering on whether to have the mk3 Focus RS or the Yaris GR to replace my Cupra ST 4drive. Drove them both and loved both. I chose the Yaris in the end because it's just somehow so special, and have had it for 3 days now. It's so tiny I can't wrap my head around it.😂 There's not much difference in the going department, and actually the Yaris might pull a bit harder even than the stock RS I test drove. Love the Focus as well though. Maybe next this then!

[@johnbevan7157]

The Focus RS MK2 & MK3 are great cars and their have their own plus point and bad points. They are both fun to drive and put smiles on your face. The DSC controller on the MK3 does really work but you have to drive it to appreciate the difference initially. Great vid gents 🙂

[@CarFocused]

Hi John, you are correct in all of your points 😊 You are also very fortunate to own both, definitely a great combo. The question is, if you had to let one go, which one would it be??

[@johnbevan7157]

@@CarFocused I wanted the MK2 Focus RS from the moment I saw the release images in a car magazine back in October 2008. I’ve never owned a car as long as my Ultimate Green MK2 (10 years in July this year). I don’t intend to let it go either so if push came to shove then I’d like the MK3 go.

[@davidbrownjohn327]

Great video Gary and Sam. Most of us can agree on one thing, we want both cars!

[@CarFocused]

Would be a pretty epic combination 👌🏻👌🏻

[@irelmo69]

100% get the dsc module. Makes such a difference.

[@CarFocused]

Yea I had it on mine and it was a game changer!

[@leebrown9226]

Watch all 3 vlogs . Enjoyed them with comparison on the 2 cars. 👌👍

[@CarFocused]

Thanks!😃

[@chrisball3337]

Love the mk3. Tight twisty road, or track, trust the drivetrain and it goes like a whippet.

[@CarFocused]

Yea they are good fun on a back road 👌🏻👌🏻

[@CarswithJamesMosley]

Great comparison, would love to get myself a MK3 as a daily to compliment my MK2. Maybe one day 😂

[@CarFocused]

Would be a nice little pairing wouldn’t it 😁

[@chrisbaxter5041]

Both great cars and both would put a smile on your face and that's what it's all about

[@CarFocused]

Exactly mate 👍🏻

[@rich9774]

I own the fk8 at 400bhp 400nm I really won't to give the focus rs a go just for the 4wd do you think I'd regret it or be a good upgrade

[@Mr330d]

So you’ve gained 80bhp but no torque ?

[@CarFocused]

Only you can decide…

[@alivekicking6247]

Potentially, all the power up high on the mk3 might have been map related. Some maps completely change the power band.

[@CarFocused]

Yea probably mate. First time driving a Revo tuned car!

[@alivekicking6247]

@Car Focused I had two cars remapped stage 1 (one was Revo, the other was Elite). Both had the power band changed from the middle to the top end. The Revo car had better mpg too. The Elite remapped car just felt a little too aggressive on the boost and definitely didn't have better mpg!

[@ypno8225]

Mk3 is for me just the best RS. 😁😍 Very happy with mine, more than before with my Mk2. No match 😋

[@CarFocused]

Fair enough mate 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kramshiron]

Agreed…but the mk2 looks so much better.

[@ypno8225]

@@kramshiron no too much fake things on bumpers for example. Mk3 is much angry 👹

[@kramshiron]

@@ypno8225 not for me...mk 2 has more presence

[@ypno8225]

@@kramshiron for sure it’s a really beautiful car too!

[@PhoenixNLx]

What upgrades are on the mk3?

[@CarFocused]

Revo stage 2 with full hardware inc oil cooler

[@PhoenixNLx]

@@CarFocused the whoosh is insane! Air intake of Revo then.. gonna gather some money for that one :-)

[@garymorris801]

Fab the mk2 not plagued with issues

[@andrewjohnston2901]

sam's pride and joy ....after his golf R

[@CarFocused]

He likes them both in equal amounts for what they are. But he did say the RS was a dream car for him. Fair play 👍🏻

[@Sherwood.Photography]

The focus forgot it wasn’t a Mustang 6:26 😂

[@gavinbetts4404]

Both great cars unfortunately Ford stuffed focus rs mk3 with a engine that was not up to the job so many failures my edition failed at very low mileage and standard. Running revo stage 2 I be very careful I like revo a lot but this engine. It was a Mazda engine it was going to be 300 bhp but then vw brought out a revised golf r with 300 bhp so ford wasn’t close to the standard bhp and most about 320 bhp even with a mountune 375 only make 350 bhp. When I worked for ford so many complaints about this engine and veering . the veering that u brought up it was dangerous if u over takes someone u had to hold on for dear life. Ford rs mk2 is the best rs and prices show that the five cylinder engine was a gem and the sound is 👌

[@stefmarr]

Not to slate the MK3 too much, but it seemed quite boring/numb. Compared to the MK2 which just seem more fun.

[@tracktimevideos5164]

You need to drove them, the mk3 is far more fun. Boot it around a corner and it kicks the rear end out which no FWD car can do.

[@stefmarr]

@@tracktimevideos5164 been out in one, was left disappointed sadly. And was standard power. Reason I said it looking boring/numb even with more power.

[@tracktimevideos5164]

@@stefmarr you didn't drive it properly if you didn't get it sliding around.

[@russrs959]

I’ve owned both and the mk2 is by far the better car for thrills, noise and looks

[@hugooliveira8772]

@@russrs959 Me too and I still have the mk3 and I can say that it is a much better driving experience, I won't even go into details, it's another league

[@chrisryanst]

All i will say is 5 pot 😊

[@jackward-ds1ue]

Stage 2 your cupra and it would walk it 😉

[@CarFocused]

It would wheelspin so bad though haha

[@jackward-ds1ue]

@@CarFocused just do 100-200 pulls low 8s 🫣

[@lastexile1187]

mk2 owner comes to the realisation that the mk2 RS is simply the better overall car :)

[@CarFocused]

Lol!

[@CHUNKYLOZZA]

For me MK2 all day long. MK3 is too refined & lacks the engine characteristics. Lovely car but it's not weekend special toy lovely. Sorry for me being harsh.

[@CarFocused]

I tend to agree mate 👍🏻

[@4pexPredator]

rs mk3 2018's had fixed pogo effect,a bit less harsh,and had standard lowered seats.

[@Birmingham_racing]

Nothing wrong with the mk3 but mk2 is much more exciting judging by those who have driven them

[@CarFocused]

Totally different experiences. Mk2 is more about the feel and emotion 👌🏻

[@mrlionrocks]

Brilliant 👍