Ford Focus ST Review - SMILES per Gallon in 2024

[@pooselpoosel]

ive owned THREE mk2 focus st's for around 8 years now. my second one got stolen so i would highly recommend a obd port relocation. The one i currently own for four years is the face lift. common problems i know of is - the oil filter diaphragm fault is only on the pre face lift i believe- it creates a goose honking sound. Drive shaft wobble makes your steering shake when accelerating (only use genuine ford shafts) as aftermarket ones still create the fault. Rust on the rear arches near the bumper as it rubs. Cracked liners if the engines been heavily modded to around 300bhp. Rear anti roll bar links knock. Click on the hub area when you set off, normally the splines are worn so you can fit a new bearing or try and cheat by locktighting the cv joint to bearing. Abs pump fault. Boost solenoid creating boost issues. And the noise symposer located near the alternator can split which you can just remove and blank off with a hose. I hope this helps people...

[@pittmotoring]

I'm sure all this will be super helpful to people, massive thank you for sharing these.

[@jasonwoo438]

Had the noise symposer issue not long after I bought the car, was diagnosed at a garage as being the maf sensor, ended up getting a maf from ford £330 ouch, then in the end the symposer pipe was spit , bought a delete kit for £35

[@pooselpoosel]

@@jasonwoo438 ouch, thats not good . Do you still have the car?

[@jasonwoo438]

@@pooselpoosel yeah all good now only bought it in January

[@joecarrolljnr]

Daily driving ST1 for 10 years. Car is a 2007 5 door. Only issue has been drive shafts (replaced with K9), dreaded cluster fault (sorted with a resoldering). Other than loose side skirts nothing major. Mapped with bluefin and RS clutch upgraded. Can achieve 35mpg. Car has covered 210k km. Love it.

[@roberts5368]

I've only ever had basic car's, ep2's, fiats, 1.6 zetec, nothing higher than 120bhp, and this Friday I'm picking my mk2 focus st up and I can't even begin to describe how excited I am. Be the Best car I've had yet.

[@pittmotoring]

Awesome, sure you will love it and have lots of fun smiles per mile. Loved it filming this one. Trying to get my hands on a stage 1 and stage 2 focus st to do a comparison video with.

[@roberts5368]

@@pittmotoring i really cannot wait to get it mate, it's the sound im looking forward to the most!. But I'd love to see a stage 1/2 on the channel so we can see the differences between them

[@pittmotoring]

@@roberts5368 the noise is definitely a good one, always puts a smile on your face.

[@notforthepurist3273]

Great video. Love the 5 pot. Did almost buy one many years back, they were still expensive then and couldn't bring myself to part with the money.

[@pittmotoring]

Cheers Jack, they held their money really well. They seemed to be quite low price wise at the moment for the mk2, prices on the RS though are sky rocketing.

[@paulmills9947]

Best car I've bought. Not without its faults but the smile it puts on my face is worth it by miles. 👍👍

[@pittmotoring]

Thank you for watching Paul 🙏. I have to agree it is very fun to drive, I've actually been looking for the unicorn which is a Ford S max which was fitted with the same engine 😀 so far to no avail. Epic fun for me and can fit in all the tribe I have 🤣

[@paulmills9947]

@@pittmotoring the ST has cost me a bit of money so far and I'm getting roughly 200 mile on a full tank of V Power, and that's not thrashing it everywhere!! But at the end of the day, nothing has made me smile as much as this car. I've even stopped smoking for 8 weeks so I can buy mods!! I'm a new subscriber mate so only just catching up with your videos but I love what I've seen. Honest opinions and no unnecessary waffle!! As a Yorkshireman I like straight to the point talk!! 😉👍👍

[@pittmotoring]

@@paulmills9947 thanks matey, must be hard, quitting is one thing I've not managed to do 😶. For what it it is, that isn't too bad, but for the enjoyment you get from it its worth it. As a fellow yorkshireman from west yorkshire now residing in Scarbados 😂 I'm the same 😂 plus I enjoy it and get to drive and try out a variety of cars that some folk may get something out of me talking/ranting about it 🤣

[@paulmills9947]

@@pittmotoring I knew I recognised the accent fella!! Haha. Love the east coast. Got a static in Ripon so will be bringing the Beast over that way at some point. I'll give you a shout once I've got mine sorted with more BHP. We'll have a meet up for some fish and chips. Hopefully you'll feature my car for a KZbin special!! 😉👍😁

[@pittmotoring]

@@paulmills9947 that would be awesome mate, I do a fair bit of car photography too so some photos would be there for you too 😀 been hunting a stage 2 ST to follow up on with this video

[@MightyStokefan]

18mpg for me, mostly urban. Amazing car for the price, and definitely a drivers car. I dont really get the torque steer though but i thinks that due to a diff mod maybe, it feels around 300bhp and has a decat but its still resonated so not dead loud but sounds brilliant

[@SamWorthReviewing]

I could tell you loved that car from the grin on your face at the end! Those five pot engines sound awesome! Great video by the way :)

[@pittmotoring]

Cheers Sam, yeah I loved it, its got me looking at the 7 seater S Max with the 2.5 5cyl Turbo engine 😁.

[@SamWorthReviewing]

@@pittmotoring Haha! I love those S-Max's. They look smart inside and outside. Get one!

[@pittmotoring]

@@SamWorthReviewing they do don't they, and practicality I need with 5 kids 😂. I'd love a project 😂

[@weirdmaninshirt]

Bought mine 6 months ago, a great car. I daily it, though my "daily" is about twice a week. The bottoms of the front fenders are crusty, though only visible if you take the skirts off. MPG wise I get 18-22, as I don't drive that often I give er the beans quite a lot.

[@pittmotoring]

Thats not bad to say your giving it the beans. Nice and fun car to drive. Thanks for watching 🙌🏻

[@danielbromilow3636]

I'm looking at buying one and also only drive back and to office 2 days a week (20 miles a week total). But the constant mention of poor MPG worries me. Think I'm worrying over nothing?? I'm coming from a 1.8 MX5 which doesn't have brilliant MPG itself.

[@weirdmaninshirt]

​@@danielbromilow3636 Poor MPG is a relative thing. In the ~2.5 years of ownership I'm averaging ~21.38 MPG. At worst: 15.79 (100% City) At best: 24.79 (Very little City) And yes, I have an Excel spreadsheet regarding everything about the car.

[@SirSSau]

i’ve got a 5 door XR5 (Australian) great little cars, yeah! the sound is special with a great exhaust system and map. They look ok - not a look at me type car, but that’s how I like it, keep it stock looking and just blend in. I recently brought a LG C1 65’’ TV and it fitted in the back - very handy, just had to hug the steering wheel a bit on the way home lol

[@pittmotoring]

Had a few of those moments before with a car full of IKEA furniture 🤣 hugging the steering wheel. They do sound awesome 👌. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@Peter2meter]

Hello! My MK2 ST2 is a joy to drive but I have problem that it vibarates a lot during acceleration and I changed the driveshafts but still the same problem?

[@rsrated5360]

Good video mate , iv been daily driving my MK2 ST3 for two years and I can honestly say that the mpg has not gone above 18 , on a motorway drive I can get 22 , the block mod has been done by myself on my drive and also driveshafts, I owned a MK1 focus rs years ago and I really do believe that the st is the better car as an all rounder , the rs was to hard for the UK roads . Good video

[@pittmotoring]

I'd love to have a drive in the mk1 RS, looks wise I prefer them to the mk2 ST and RS. I thought it would be lower than that mpg wise, I went with what was mentioned online. Thanks mate, hopefully have more like this to come on the Channel.

[@oliverp4115]

Love my st. Great cruiser. The smaller fiesta st from the same era though (05-08).... Lacking power etc but I do believe that it handles better. I said it. The focus is definitely a bit nose heavy. Having said all that the noise, the looks and the pace of a tuned one is all fantastic. I average about 23mpg. On a good motorway run it will do 37mpg which isn't far off my smax diesel.

[@pittmotoring]

Not bad at all isn't that economy wise. Is that the mk5 fiesta from 05-08? I can't comment fully on the handling as when I took this Focus ST it was very wet, wasn't bad what corners I did send it through but didn't push it, I really want to take one out in the dry to really see how it does. Thanks for watching and thank you for your comment.

[@dannyboyy31]

I bought a facelift 59 plate one a few months ago, same colour as yours. It's unmodified and 5-door, which suits me perfectly. The only minor annoyance is the symposer doesn't always work, particularly on hotter days, so I don't get the nice burble in the cabin. Other than that though, it makes me smile every time I drive it, which I can't say for the MK3 ST TDCi I had a few years ago :)

[@pittmotoring]

Great stuff, fun and engaging to drive and sound of the 5cyl is awesome. 5 door will definitely offer better daily practicality. Enjoy matey 👍

[@Researcher83]

Just get the symposer deleted. Less leaks too 👍🏻

[@SHIPMANANDDRONES]

Iv just bought an st but goes into limp mode when you accelerate and ideas goes off when you rest engine

[@SsR3AP3RsS]

Just picked myself up a st 2009 3 door the other day great to drive all standard atm as just passed my test 7 months ago

[@davidwood4271]

Got one, great cars that five pot engine is addictive T5 volvo legendary

[@pittmotoring]

It sure is addictive and that noise too makes it even sweeter

[@somethingfromnothing8428]

I kept my dads 2006 ST3 after he passed away last year. Its a lovely car and i never plan to sell it

[@pittmotoring]

Thats a lovely sentiment 😊 and family heirloom.

[@somethingfromnothing8428]

@@pittmotoring thanks. This summer i plan to begin the daunting task of addressing the rust that is starting to form to make sure it doesnt eventually rot the car

[@davidburke8831]

I owned ST3 in 2007 in Germany it would top out at 145 mph on the autobahn down to the Alps. Absolutely fantastic car for front wheel drive. Hammered fit rom Hannover to Hamburg returned 11 mpg 145 mph for one hour. 5 cylinder engine was sublime. New engine at 9 thousand miles un warranty it cost £10 k. Ford you should be ashamed.

[@X9Z17]

Got myself a Ford Kuga as I needed something to be able to transport my dog about, and sadly the Mondeo (in Australia) only sold the 5 cyl in the sedan/saloon, wagons/estates were 4 cyl or diesel-powered. Thankfully, the Kuga is just a big awd Mondeo 5 cyl, and the dog fits in the back too, so now I just need to save up for exhaust and a tune as they were downturned a bit as to not step on the toes of the sportier Focus.

[@focusedman5759]

Ive had one for 5 years now, in my opinion there's nothing affordable on the road these days with a 5 pot except the rs3 which is expensive. Another common fault is the rear lower gear box torque mount which can split and makes gear changes jerky, a poly bushed one sorts it.

[@pittmotoring]

The RS3's hold their money very well don't they, you're not wrong though they are affordable. Thanks for adding that common fault too 👍🏻 thanks for watching.

[@leeholland6635]

Great video Eddie mate 👍 What an awesome sound from that 2.5 litre engine

[@pittmotoring]

Cheers Lee, awesome noise 😁

[@garymcmahon3265]

I've wanted one of these for ages now and I've finally decided to get one but finding a stock one is proving to be a mission over here in nederlands. What's not to love about this car.

[@pittmotoring]

Finding a stock one here in the UK is a challenge too. There is a lot to love about it isn’t there. Great car, I'd love to get a stage 1 or 2 tuned Focus ST on the Channel to see how it compares.

[@garymcmahon3265]

Yeah of course my girlfriend is trying to talk me out of it but that's not happening especially as I just bought a new kitchen🤣. No seriously though the tips you have given for when buying one of these is so valuable because I was looking at some and thinking why is he asking nearly three grand more. Can you recommend a decent set of rims, the stock rims look OK but can't roll on stocks.

[@pittmotoring]

@@garymcmahon3265 rims... depends how you want it to look, that may different manufacturers, its all down to your taste and what you like. Thanks, hope it was helpful for you 🙏.

[@U7449]

i wanna buy the ST Facelift as soon i got the money for that, i think overall this car is pretty reliable. I have the Fiesta mk5 (2002), good car but i wanna buy something that would be more fun ;)

[@pittmotoring]

These are a lot of fun, the noise adds to the experience for sure. I'd love to get a stage 1 and stage 2 focus st on the Channel, see how they compare with a standard power st 😁. Thanks for watching matey and good luck in the search for a ST Facelift

[@marks3056]

Ace - and your face at the end!! 😊😊

[@pittmotoring]

Cheers Mark, 🤣 hard not to smile, loved it.

[@markbishop4098]

Boosted Chris, just stumbled on this vid..how ironic. I own the ST3 and the reg is also AV55Y** AND mines also at 85k miles. And full service history.. AND MINT CONDITION.... I love my fast ford's, and its my weekend toy. Absolutely love the noise the 5cyl makes.. Its totally addictive. Can't think of many better cars for the money... (out of interest what were the garage advertising your one at? Not that I will be selling mine anytime soon, just genuine interest)

[@pittmotoring]

Definitely know what you mean by the noise 😁 and yeah its so addictive. Thats close with the reg mate. I've popped the link for the car in the description, they have it up for £4,495.

[@markbishop4098]

@@pittmotoring wow... Appreciating in value... (that's my plan anyway... I'm. In my late 40s and the car is enjoyed whenever I can get away from the work van, I've always had fast ford's, but there is something about the ST.. I don't know why the ST-1 and ST-2 were 5 seaters but the ST-3 was only ever made as a 4 seater? Only Ford knows? Lol.. But Im not complaining.. I love it!) thanks for your reply... I'm now subscribed as I love your review method, and honesty.. You deliver it all so well! 👌

[@pittmotoring]

@@markbishop4098 thats something I didn't know about the ST-3, I've seen used ones for sale on ebay from £2,500 I think the prices will start rising at some point. Thanks Mark, thanks for the support, hopefully got plenty more to come.

[@boostedchris6120]

I’ve owned my focus rs mk2 since I was 18yrs old brilliant car in my opinion even the focus st mk2 they’re good. My friend got a focus st mk2 it went well but he had issues over the years of owning it like mainly drive shaft’s not cheap brand new. I’ve never had any issues with rs. Good content and good information giving for you’re own opinion, they’re a good daily driver just fuel economy sides isn’t that good that’s why I use my rs as one of my weekend toys

[@pittmotoring]

I bet the RS was interesting to insure at 18 mate. Thanks for the feedback Chris appreciate it. Yeah the fuel economy isn't great but still usable daily. Thanks for watching pal.

[@boostedchris6120]

@@pittmotoring For me it only cost me around £2,000 on insurance but my first car which was a Leon cupra r mk1 1.8t still got both at 21. Honestly no problem at all mate. Yes that’s correct fuel economy isn’t the best but it can still be used for a daily if needed to. Thanks for making this.

[@pittmotoring]

@@boostedchris6120 thats not bad at all. No problem mate hopefully have plenty more to come like this, got a few ideas and what not so now covid restrictions are being relaxed a bit I can get out and get them filmed.

[@boostedchris6120]

@@pittmotoring Yes I know personally I think it’s a bargain at the time and now I’m 22 it’s under £900 thankfully. Fantastic that’s what I’ll like to see just different things, best for yourself then. Looking forward to see future content from the channel.

[@pittmotoring]

@@boostedchris6120 that isn't bad at all mate, good to hear hopefully it won't disappoint 👍.

[@whitestar1199]

As a previous owner I have to say I miss my ST sadly she got written off by an idiot BMW driver doing a tonne + and rear ending her. I had mine for nearly 4 years and covered over 46k at the time of being written off she was on about 149k so had done some mileage. Mine was a 08 facelift mods wise she had block mod, stage 3 intercooler, full 3" turbo back exhaust, wisbech induction kit with a cosworth group A filter and symposer delete. on the dyno is ran 320bhp and 318 torque. When I first got mine it was a rocky relationship ended up having to sink about 1k into her fairly early on after I bought her to replace tyres, brakes, cat (long story but the dealer didnt disclose the cat was not there) full service after finding out the cat was missing and other little bits. Only thing that broke randomly on her was the thermostat housing apparently its common for them to warp as their made of plastic and they begin to leak. CV boots replaced (common) replaced drop links and tierod ends, replaced front suspension arms. I was just about ready to replace the drive shafts (with ford originals) when she got rear ended. I replaced the drop links, tie rods and suspension arms as I was planning on getting some bilstien coilovers and it was good to get them out of the way. Used to do a service on her every 6 months and then get things like spark plugs done every year.

[@pittmotoring]

Apologies for the late reply, thank you for sharing the common issues you had experienced. It sounds like yours would have been a fun beast 🙌🏻 shame about being rear ended, hope no long term injuries. Thank you for watching. I have been attempting to get a Stage 2 ST on the Channel but so far to no avail 👍🏻.

[@colleenmccabe1102]

Love the focus st

[@pittmotoring]

Me too, was a lot of fun. Thanks for watching.

[@Toecutter12]

Good video all covered, only thing is st3 has leather but sadly no 10 way electric adjustable seats, manual seats like the others and the rear seat is for 2 only. So its classed as a 4 seater. 👍👍

[@pittmotoring]

Thanks for that 🙏 I had read online the st3 came with electric seats, thanks for clearing that up. Thank you for watching

[@njp2k914]

I’ve been looking at one of these as my second car!!

[@pittmotoring]

Nice choice, they are fun to drive and the noise is incredible, not great fuel economy but that's to be expected I suppose. What else are you looking at too.

[@njp2k914]

@@pittmotoring I’ve had a 2013 1.2 Fiesta since I passed my test 4 years ago. Now I’m looking at the focus st, Clio Rs, Astra vxr, seat leon cupra R. I’m not made of money so it will have to be used probably a similar age to these!

[@pittmotoring]

@@njp2k914 nice, good luck with your search, I do like the Leon Cupra's. I had a Corsa VXR a few weeks back for a video and that was fun to drive, quick too.

[@njp2k914]

@@pittmotoring thanks mate! That’s how I found your channel earlier today! I was looking at Corsa vxr reviews

[@pittmotoring]

@@njp2k914 great stuff mate, hope the corsa vxr video and focus st video were useful for you 👍

[@NoName-gu9tf]

Best colour 👍

[@pittmotoring]

This blue always suits the performance fords doesn't it. Thanks for Watching.

[@NoName-gu9tf]

@@pittmotoring no problem awesome content 👍

[@pittmotoring]

thanks mate appreciate that 👍 hopefully more to come

[@A43R3W]

What is the bhp on it mate ?

[@pittmotoring]

The one in this video? To be honest its pretty much standard other than think the back box has been changed, an induction kit and bov (blow off valve) id say pretty much standard power 225bhp.

[@A43R3W]

@@pittmotoring that one goes nice, is a stage one remap where u don’t need to do mods they just alter engine slightly mate ? And stage two is where mods r done

[@pittmotoring]

@@A43R3W this one went really nice, power delivery is good and smooth, shame is was really wet when I took it out and borrowed it from the dealer for the video. Would have been even more fun in the dry 😁😁😁

[@A43R3W]

@@pittmotoring have u drove a remapped one at all mate

[@pittmotoring]

@@A43R3W I haven't mate, but after driving a pretty much standard one I need to 😂😁

[@saitamanr1239]

Please upgrade your camera to a go pro 4 k the video is great but the quality not really cheers !

[@pittmotoring]

All my videos are filmed with my Go Pro Hero 8. Storage for clips is an issue as I edit the go pro footage on my phone. It is filmed in 2.7k and exported in 1080. Thanks for letting me know about the quality. I am aiming to do 4k footage soon when I can increase storage capacity 👍🏻 Currently have to work with what I've got. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@robscousejones]

3:45 that cars coolant is below minimum not a good sign that

[@pittmotoring]

Good spot there mate, I'll let the garage know who are selling it to do a fluid check 👍🏻 enjoy your bank holiday and thanks for watching.

[@robscousejones]

@@pittmotoring you know what mate I’ve had mine for nearly 3 years now touch wood I’ve had no issues with mine love the car first thing i got done on mine was the block mod for peace of mind and i still always check my coolant level that’s the reason why i spotted it out of habit 😆

[@pittmotoring]

@@robscousejones to be honest mate after you've pointed that out if I take a used car out especially I'm going to make a habit of making sure the fluid levels are all good, I check all the fluids and tyre pressures in our family car weekly when I fill it up. How has yours been over the 3 years mate, has it been reliable for you?

[@robscousejones]

@@pittmotoring only thing that’s broke was the alternator that was covered by AA but to be honest I’ve spent alot of money on mine It’s running dreamscience mod x but going back in 2 weeks to get mod xrs map rs oil cooler and forge actuator So far This is what I’ve got done Block mod (done at KMS motorsport) RS clutch Full 3” exhaust system (KMS Thunderstorm ) with sports cat KMS crossover induction with cosworth filter,RS ecu holder,airtec air scoop and cold air feed pipe KMS rear diffuser Airtec plenum with RS vac pipe Airtec stage 2 intercooler Pro hose coolant hoses plus matrix hoses and cold side boost pipe (symposer delete) Zunsport front grill Fully polybushed front/rear including gearbox Whiteline rear antiroll bar Diewe Briosa 18” wheels RS Spoiler and RS bonnet vents Turbosmart recirc valve EBC BSD series front/rear discs Yellow stuff pads front/rear HEL braided brake lines with .5 fluid Eibach lowering springs Bilstein b8 shocks Whiteline adjustable drop links Hardrace 21mm balljoints Engine bay hydro dipped by hydromania I think thats all of it but it’s never ending mate ever time i buy something im looking at something else to get 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️💰💰💰

[@pittmotoring]

@@robscousejones nice list of mods mate, I bet its stiffened it up nicely with the poly bushes and anti roll bar, that's the thing with modifying you do one thing then you have to do another, a project is never finished 😁

[@chomahd5]

Lmao 35 mpg I wish

[@pittmotoring]

online facts are tosh, since speaking with a few st owners on instagram and Facebook groups it is way less and I can see why 🤣 the loud pedal is too addictive.

[@Hellndegenerates]

I get 22, 38 on motorway

[@pittmotoring]

@@Hellndegenerates that's pretty good on a motorway John, thanks for sharing.