Owning A Focus MK3 ST3, Modified Car Review

2015 Ford Focus MK3 ST3
2 Litre Turbo Charged Eco Boost Engine
Around 300 BHP
Dreamscience 3 Inch Decal Exhaust System With Screamer Effect
K&N 57S Induction Kit
Aortic Stage 2 Front Mounted Intercooler

[@snowman8157]

Best ST review on KZbin. And I've watched them all as I want this car..... you probably don't need telling. But well done

[@danielscott8628]

Good video Jamie, I really appreciate you making these videos

[@dannythomasbrown]

pleased i stumbled across this channel watching all your videos and subscribed good job man!!

[@ryanlobo7073]

Mate I see this car all the time round the island! Looks the dogs bollocks! Good review buddy

[@TOBvlog]

Nice one Jamie! I was waiting for a video with a newer car, I would like more of them! New RS, or some sort of new VXR etc, cheers bud :)

[@rmiah91]

I appreciate your videos Jamie. Thank you.

[@pendulum1997]

Patiently waiting for you to get your hands on a modified golf r!!

[@woodsy555]

Great video jamie ..keep it up fella.

[@LilMan2k14]

Love your channel i will be over in the isle of wight next week for the scooter rally there be great to bump into you when im out and about exploring the island... will be staying in a hotel in sanddown and will be going into ryde most days...

[@DuggZZZ89]

awesome. ive been waiting for this as have been deciding about doing something similar to mine. cheers.

[@georgetinawi8215]

yesssssssssssss thank you Jamie ! such a cool video as always

[@alandonnelly9788]

Great video makes me love my 2015 st even more just getting mine re mapped & got a toyo sport exhaust 3 inch but 4 inch tips looks so much better

[@ch35t3rd3]

This is a great review, Thanks Jamie 👋👋👍

[@akjl01]

Good review.. Videos are getting better all the time 👍 I think you wouldn't need to worry about Stop/Start. I'm sure Ford have spent millions on development of this system. Wouldn't be a concern for me. No surprise it's a great drive. Even my 1.0 litre ecoboost Fiesta is entertaining.. Keep the vids coming!

[@karlgallagher1320]

I have a focus st3 mk3 brand new in this colour and it's fantastic, my last car was a focus st3 mk2 running over 300bhp, and yes it was a proper machine the 5 pot engine really was something to go down in the history books for the grunt and pure sounds they made. this car is getting a bit of grief because ford has gone for a 2.0 eco boost engine and not the 2.5 5 pot, fors have does this for a reason it's called inavation, so this car makes more power the the 2.5 stock and does less harm to the environment and your wallet :)

[@BulldogBadger]

Awesome video as always 👌👍

[@RWL2012]

Being a 2015 car he can run the cheeky decat continuously until it's first MOT in 2018!

[@connorharwood3259]

+NutriFIT nutritie si fitnes yes if you no the wright one

[@connorharwood3259]

***** I no what you mean lol

[@rylandwiltshire5572]

that's a good shout about the start stop especially if you've been giving it some. I'd never use that feature anyway.

[@JonnyGTi180]

enjoyed the vid, still want you to test a 2.0 clio 200. such good cars

[@jamesm2131]

looks a good motor but the older ones with the 5 cylinder sound so much better .

[@MrJimbobrude]

The stop start only kicks in under certain conditions. When I've been hooning mine and everything is red hot it doesn't stop the engine.

[@hydraflyer]

I have a Fiesta ST that has been modified. So much fun to drive :)

[@coryebbutt9142]

Car sounds so good

[@HairyBeaver]

I own a focus st250 and I completely understand that stop start button problem you have! I have been hooning it around pulled up to my house took car out of gear and applied the handbrake to then suddenly realise the cars engines just gone off! I think it's a mistake by ford adding it or a way for them to claim better MPG but in the small menu on the dash you can select it off permanently so you don't have to keep hitting the button to turn it off which annoying glows orange!! great video I really want a decat and dreamscience cat back now! keep up the great work

[@mouserinternational847]

I would imagine that the manufacturing process of a high performance modern turbo is considerably different to that of turbos produced 10 years ago so I cant see stop start being an issue regarding stress on the turbo from rapid cooling. The temperature drop on the turbo in a normal stop start situation like waiting at lights wouldn't be enough to cause any stress due to you only being stationary for a few minutes. You do have to be careful with some older turbos and let them run down to idle temperatures before shutting them off so I can see what you're saying. I always let my Abarth cool steadily before pulling the key mainly because it has a cold start program to save the turbo and because I'm a fan of ' mechanical sympathy '. Love the channel bro keep up the good work.

[@NB_NB_NB]

i hate stop/start in any car but good point about the turbo

[@zachheath3825]

great video as always Jamie!

[@chrisc2233]

Great review buddy! With regards to the turbo issue you can disable the stop start system manually to allow the turbo to cool. If you have the AC on the car sometimes doesn't turn off as the AC drains the battery. I also think the car stays on if the DPF is regenerating (only applicable to diesel cars). Maybe the car is smart enough not to turn off if the turbo get too hot?

[@TheFrazfraz1]

I like it and others do too!!! - My daily driver last six years Golf R 6 but I'd give this a go

[@clivecalvert5336]

it doesn't switch off if the turbo is hot so stop start only works if it is at the right temp

[@johncarr8092]

I have a mk 3 facelift Zetec S estate 1.5 diesel and like you was not happy about the stop/start function. But the fact you can turn it off is good so you can make a choice. I sometimes even turn it on just to see if it works, and it does, but the system decides ultimately.

[@THEG12EG]

forget top gear this guys the man

[@slinkey123]

I have one of these in stealth grey. I'm pretty sure the start stop doesn't work after you've been hooning and the turbo is hot. You get a grey A with a cross displayed on the dash. I could be wrong though I'll have to test it

[@metaljew4456]

Beautiful!

[@lexburen5932]

im not a ford fan, but i do like this car very much, also the fiesta ST and focus RS are very good cars :)

[@Ad0akes]

Regarding the stop start, most modern turbo cars have a water cooling system flowing through them to avoid damage E.g on Astra VXR,

[@012aman012]

Owning a MK3, I quite like the stop start. Normal driving I don't see a problem with it however when hooning it about I always leave it off.

[@stevenbradley2e0cnd]

The Stop-Start feature is probably built in as a way of saving fuel around town when commuting, and as such is designed as to be switched off when "hooning". Probably why the on/off switch is in such a dominant position and not 5 menu's deep.

[@exploringwithdobby8877]

I’ve got stop start in mine and I always put it on so it doesn’t turn off the engine

[@redelevenmedia9500]

Had that conversation about start stop with a few mechanics when I worked at a Mazda garage. General consensus is it's a bit of a cheat to improve emissions/economy at the expense of long term reliability. At the end of the day though, Ford are going to be more than happy to sell you a new turbo once it's out of the warranty. ;)

[@gazg00]

Great car!!

[@beneaston4490]

The start-stop won't come on if the turbo is too hot for the engine to safely switch off. So if you've been hooning it it won't switch off.

[@FordMania]

Need to drive mine soon jamie ;)

[@DynamicCruve]

My father is getting an ST3 with the appearance pack in just under a month. However, diesel version for better MPG but they have a lot of torque. Looking forward to see how they drive and can only hope he'll let me have a litter dabble and my Eco-boost Fiesta has less than half the power lol

[@alexr3538]

I've got the Mk3 RS and there's a stop/start in that aswell. I just leave it off though!

[@chriselse515]

I'm progressing to the 300bhp mark 😉 still wanted my car reviewing😋

[@Jonathan-ww8un]

Can't comment on the Focus but I know the old man's Leon Cupra 290 has stop/start but won't cut out if the turbo is too hot to prevent damage. Obviously it can't stop you taking the key out(not that you would just after a hoon) but I think systems in general monitor the state of the battery and other parameters before actually cutiing out :)

[@dickdastardly396]

Totally agree about the stop/start button. Always an irritation and not good for long term health of the turbo.

[@pipoo1]

TBH if you have been thrashing it a bit the stop/start tends to turn itself off, the car does actually respond to your driving style.

[@karlgallagher1320]

and this engine it going to go a long way, my new focus mk3 has had a bluefin remap to 300hp only on a stage one and it is unbelievable the power is viscous and torque takes your breathe away, so it's just as fast as my focus st mk2 running on a stage 3 with all the upgrades exhaust, fmic, induction kit, 550 injectors and a full turbo back miltek exhaust, so that being said maybe you people who are slaging the eco boost engine should really open your eyes and appreciate what ford has done with this engine, or and my mk3 focus only has a stage one no other mods.

[@scuba_steve73]

Same for me too great comment. Love my st with DS Ultima on 99 fuel. Roll restrictor and mountune 're circ valve.

[@Spud-nc2qz]

That isn't the stop start button, that is for the headlights to come on automatically in tunnels and during the night. And I think the stop start thing is great!

[@johnywoodcock61]

Mate do a review on a BMW E92 335i coupe please.

[@sethalton205]

gotta mention the torque man... shit pulls like a diesel ;)

[@ericfader]

Agreed no start stop!

[@vazza7504]

Boss car, looking around next year for an earlier five cylinder job. In my budget. Can still see Roland rat in the newer car, :-) look directly at the steering wheel and clocks and there he is, sticking his tongue out at you. Search Roland rat Ford focus pics. Still love this car, fast Ford classic for the future without doubt. :-)

[@scottgardiner9964]

It's very nice

[@mattg7845]

if you connect a battery charger to both battery terminals that deactivates start-stop for 50 ignition cycles (at least on VAG cars it does, get to try on my ford)

[@333ginnie]

when you driving eco have the stop start button switched on, when you giving it some always have it off.

[@jakebeer9540]

+Jamie_FYD another very enjoyable review! I'm sure someone else has said it but if you could get your hands on one a comparison to this with a standard new RS would be great! Would love to see your reaction on that and maybe the drift button would be more preferable ;)

[@MrCwalker]

I've just swapped my mk2 focus st with the mk3 st, overall I think the mk3 is way better the only thing I'll miss is the 5pot engine noise Nd the crazy popping with the mongoose cat back and decat!

[@daveingley366]

Stop/Start is bad news on a turbo motor IMO, you hit the nail on the head about in 10/15 years time.

[@Birmingham_racing]

Torque steer was mad in the starlet Gt lol

[@mowcee1]

in your opinion, which is one do you feel is more exhilarating... this car, or a EG civic with a K series or B series motor?

[@Logsi27]

I was always under the impression that all ecoboost engines water pumps continue when the car is off so the turbo won't overheat.

[@mgd3757]

What are these like to tune ? I've just sold my 340bhp fiesta st and bought a mk3 st3 but heard the 2.0 in the focus isn't as solid as the 1.6 in the fiesta st. Obviously as standard the focus is nowhere near as quick as the fiesta I sold to buy the focus but it is a much nicer place to be on longer journeys, a lot more creature features in the focus st3.

[@Progress5355]

Epic

[@driventofightuk]

Stop start in ANY car is soooooooo frustrating! Surely it wears starter motors a lot quicker.

[@michaelb9757]

Speeding Turnip I agree. Apparently they put on HD batteries and starters though.

[@samcook7046]

Starters can handle it easy it’s a big fat motor there more likely to fuck up from sitting for weeks.

[@cliveprince9710]

The stop/start is to cut emissions and make the road tax cheaper, iv got it on my ST3 its ok to me iv got use to it

[@jamessmith84240]

How do cars like the get away with decat when it's MOT time? Swap it before every MOT?

[@alexamato9283]

Start/Stop; if anything, it uses more fuel with it on because it has to provide enough fuel to start the car. Need more smiles per gallon!

[@deyon100]

Pumaspeed can get the diesel version up to 280bhp with 600 nm of torque stage 3 I think that’s pretty good don’t you?

[@livingjustfordying]

With the stop-start, im sure the designers wouldve thought of it. With VWs anyway, the stop start wont work if engine is too hot, too cold, air con is on, shit loads of things. Its also probably got an additional electric coolant pump, so its not the end of the world. Yet I still hate start stop.

[@chriskerr6286]

I've worked for a ford dealership for 10 yrs now and the intro of the start/stop is for emissions reasons only ........... HOWEVER it's a DICK of an idea ... and the button should be there to switch it on if you want not to turn it off because everybody I know turns it of 👍🏻

[@coryebbutt9142]

Hey Jamie just letting you know you made two mistakes in the description it say's decal exhaust and aortic intercooler

[@2e0msw]

yo jamajam... another superb vid matey, however i still prefere my mkll st3 5pot monster much more this sounds like a vauxhall nova haha what have ford done, its lost all of the ford xr lines and 4 doors only wtf...... in my opinion they wrecked the st/xr and turned it into a mustard granny boat......ill stick with my leccy orange mkll but may recommend this to my nan pmsl..... tc matey keep um cummin.

[@jackevans4000]

With the stop start spose if you wona granny it up then it's pretty good but apart from that it's bit pointless

[@LukeBeasto]

Wonder how reliable the 2.0 ecoboost engines are compared to the 1.0 ecoboost which are not very reliable at all!

[@cIibsterd]

I have just got a dreamscience handset for my st which is stock. What tune could I run on it?

[@stuartharper2170]

It doesn't fully switch off. On some cars there is on the rev counter it says off and stop start. So with new cars the injectors keep going and the seals and the crank keep going it's the fuel that gets cut off pretty much, then it also stops the fuel injection. So the engine doesn't stop fully it just Re-gens. However everything is off but the alternator keeps it on re-gen. So in some respect what i'm getting at is yes the turbo will give out sooner but no by that much maybe 6 month - 1 Year. However by the time you count up saving from the fuel it's pretty much better off.

[@stuartharper2170]

Bunka i agree. However i wish they were the way they was in 70's - early 90's. By going fuck weight. " We'll have a couple seats. Carpets. Radio, a/c. " That'll do. "Now down to power we'll put in whatever we can get in." "Now down to drivetrain we'll go RWD why not? Should work " 2 weeks later the boy bad it round a tree or in a ditch.

[@Jack-wu3ie]

Unless you thrash the ass off the car right till the moment you stop at lights. No the turbo will not suffer. But suppose you're one of those who sits there waiting for their turbo to warm up before you move off..............

[@davetarbuck6539]

I won’t use a stop start button either but at least it brings the tax down 👍🏻

[@AznS0ulja]

I don't like how the Reverse gear is in the same direction as 1st gear, I feel I might accidently bang it across to reverse when taking off

[@AznS0ulja]

nah thanks for the info, i didn't know that

[@chriselse515]

Noon Jamie wanted you to review my mk3 st3 with 280bhp gutted

[@ScottZ370]

This has 300 though

[@RWL2012]

+S Miller wow, 20 more horsepower, does that disqualify his beloved car from being reviewed?! Chris - Jamie might still review it if you ask him :-)

[@ScottZ370]

***** Nah just saying there's not much reason to pick his over this one.

[@TangyyyOrange]

Do a 1.0 ecoboost fiesta, get a feeling you'll quite like them tbh

[@RWL2012]

A Black or Red edition mapped to 177bhp ;-)

[@colemorgan5079]

+RWL2012 or just a fiesta st mr230

[@RWL2012]

+Joshua Berry yep 177 with a map from the stock 140

[@TangyyyOrange]

+Joshua Berry capable of 210+ with a few supporting mods haha

[@karlgallagher1320]

I am on Portsmouth Jamie is you ever want to review my focus with the blue fin that's in it your more than welcome.

[@Lew86]

Karl Gallagher late to the party here but I’m just about to install the bluefin stage 1 tomorrow. How do you find it against the standard car?

[@karlgallagher1320]

@@Lew86 hello mate you will be pleasantly surprised 👍

[@ciaranpolson6558]

I know it's off topic and a question for everyone, but I'm guessing you know the optional 'black pack' you can get for the Focus ST? (red brake calipers- front and rear, rear privacy glass and the black 19 inch wheels)... Would you get the car in Stealth or Shadow Black?

[@LukeBeasto]

Shadow Black DEFFO

[@jasonevans8141]

What was you averaging MPG driving it normal, wanting to buy one with the same airtec mods, want to buy it buh thinking MPG

[@Hellndegenerates]

I've got the diesel version, 49 mpg 650 miles on a full tank

[@MrCube17]

The only thing stop start is good for is scaring unruly pedestrians.

[@shorey66]

Yeah I wish you could turn it off for good.

[@mrrees7558]

i got the focus 1 .0 eco boost got a turbo with it has 125 bhp as standard

[@FordMania]

#fordmania

[@Nick-wb2mc]

prefer the mazda 3 mps.

[@Tambo74]

It would be a total nightmare if the put the start/stop function on permanently with NO option or button to turn it off! Imagine that!.

[@samwarburton2672]

Bit of a boring question but are there any cup holder's?

[@Hellndegenerates]

2

[@jpatt5825]

once you drive a subaru and own one nothing can beat the sound of the flat 4 boxer engine.

[@rh_8599]

I've got a blob eye wrx and have to say it's got to be one of the most over rated cars I can't wait to get rid of it

[@jpatt5825]

+Richard Hinks sorry to hear that. before i got mine i hated them. seriously i did.. now i just drive it for the hell of it. i wouldo preferred an evo

[@rh_8599]

+J Patt am a bit gutted with it tbh oh well good to try different cars, I'd also like a evo but running costs would kill me

[@jpatt5825]

+Richard Hinks yeah man. ma limit was 5g but trying to get a car the finance company was happy with was impossible. i had a choice of a 3.2 v6 audi but it was too far. i have the hawkeye wagon 2.5 wrx with the ecutek map.

[@MrJockeyHD]

Until you get an equal length manifold

[@Elim_84]

Bit more of a in depth review. The first ones were orange? Mk2 ST come in orange?

[@PikeKing]

Mk2 is Electric Orange and the Mk3 is Tangerine Scream, different shades of orange :)

[@Elim_84]

+Andrew Webber I know bud, "the first St's" weren't in any orange though...Mk2's and (these) Mk3's are avaliable in a Orange

[@PikeKing]

ah right, I missed your point. ST170s were what? sliver and dark blue?

[@Elim_84]

+Andrew Webber yup, and black

[@mattybates78]

There was a few colours , * Capri Blue - Solid Colour * Deep Navy - Solid Colour * Imperial Blue - Metallic * Magnum Grey - Metallic * Panther Black - Metallic * Stardust Silver - Metallic

[@amonero1]

Dear ford , Please go back to the 5 pot engine Cheers Alvin

[@brianfreeman8290]

Stop/Start. I would worry about the lifespan of the starter motor.

[@garethedwards2883]

Should definitely not have auto start/stop on a turbo car as also it will stop the oil flow for the turbo bearings, not good 😢

[@samjones6261]

I absolutely hate the stop start. I work for Ford. And every car I have owned that had this in I automatically turn this off. It's just a pain

[@TheTonywaters]

stop/start is far more intelligent than you think. For instance if there is too much drain electrically the car won't cut the engine, if the engine cooling systems are needed it is the same. The ECU knows what its doing, plus without this tech bringing down the CO2 emissions in the tests cars like this might not exist or at least be more expensive to tax.

[@eoin730]

fucking mint

[@Zakkday]

that exhaust sounds like a fucking honda beanermobile.