THE FORD FOCUS ST ( MK 3) BUYERS GUIDE | DON'T BUY until you watch this! Petrol + Diesel

A review of ALL the common problems with the Ford Focus ST MK3 to make sure YOU buy the best car possible.
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[@DarkAngel1979fuck]

Thanks for the buyer's guide, just picked up a 14 plate st3 and with Ur guide I knew I've got a good un.

[@mikeb7615]

I have an ST3 diesel on a 17 plate and only issue ive had is was sold to me with a reoccurring alternator problem which obviously the previous owner could not work out. turns out there was a fuel leak dripping into the alternator and after fixing this the car has been a dream to own and drive every day. looks stunning in stealth grey i must say

[@G4RY1159]

Great stuff man, my daughters had a few Focus's and I really like them too, been looking online for a ST Estate but it needs to be the right one as I'm mega fussy, colour - age - mileage - even location as would only travel if all the boxes are ticked. Interesting guide from you so cheers.

[@johnwall1105]

Had mine 2016 ST3 5 years this year never missed a beat. Last week on holiday just short off a thousand miles in 5 day's average 28 to gallon

[@tommyblackburn7896]

Awwesome video! im buying a 2016 ST tdci this week and ill keep my eye out for these things. also this one im going to view is a st-3 and has heated steering wheel! which im guessing is another piece of optional extra to add to your list.

[@FungusLabel]

I love this car, but what I love even more is that pure, Scottish accent. Nice guide.

[@ScottishCarClan]

Thanks very much!

[@Alanst1xx]

Great video thankyou a few things clarified for me even though I have one

[@ScottishCarClan]

Glad to hear that Alan. Enjoy your ST!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great little buying Guide Grant, defo make sure you up the security and hide the key, friends of my wife had their St stolen off the drive and has never been seen again!

[@ScottishCarClan]

Thanks for watching! That’s awful, sorry to hear that. Hate hearing someone’s pride and joy has been stolen.

[@cy9nvs]

Had a Petrol ST wagon for 3 years before buying the new mk4 ST Edition earlier this year. It was a great car and extremely reliable, there's loads of people with over 200k miles on them, and everytime I see a post about a blown engine it's a tuned car. While there's also a lot of very high mileage tuned ones out there, if you keep it stock there's nothing to worry about, you can beat the shit out of it every day and as long as you take care of the oil every year or 70000-10000 miles it'll be alright.

[@mark-1rc502]

I’m running a Blufin remap in mine ,. I don’t ask for max power from her very often . If I do it’s mainly on the motorway when I decide to go a bit cukoo . I hope Superchips have kept it in a safe tolerance . I would like the Mk4 , however I live in London and their making it really difficult to use a car so I really don’t feel like spending my money out on a new st just to sit in traffic jams .

[@cathalmccionnaith8268]

Cracking Review... 👌.... But when did Brain McFadden start doing reviews 😬.... Keep up the great work 💪

[@viprk24OC]

I'm on my 4th 2.0 Ecoboom, 2 failures were because of heat. Average summer day is 100-110f and the stock intercoolers are Terrible. Charge temps quickly rise to 150-190 understress, they began to consume coolant cause of head failure after overheating, Third one died because of HPFP PSI dropped at high rpm went lean and roached #4 cylinder. My most recent 2016 Focus ST Full bolt ons, and tuned 26psi and its stronger than ever. My advice if you keep your car running is to run high quality Gas Ford recommends 91 or higher, and get your Valves cleaned once every 1-2 years by ford. Local dealership does it for $250 USD

[@stachujones7820]

Nice review, only thing I would add is that the Focus STs have the turning circle of the titanic.

[@DB-dx8xu]

Also is servicing of the vehicle, including carbon build up on the intake valves, have mine professionally walnut blasted, between 30,000-50,000 miles include a mishimoto oil catch can fitted

[@B16KVB]

Great vid, good to see a fellow Scotsman on here. I've had my Focus ST-3 Diesel for 2 years now and it's such a solid car, didn't know about that intercooler pipe issue though, might need to go check that 😂

[@johnboy2436]

im going mad iv played the video numerous times and cant see him mention intercooler pipes anywhere? are you trolling me bro?

[@Hali88]

@@johnboy2436 in the driving bit he said if the acceleration doesn't feel strong it might a leaking intercooler hose

[@johnboy2436]

@@Hali88ur the man!! thanks

[@Bcwilderness]

positive guy, decent to hear

[@ScottishCarClan]

Thank you!

[@180del]

Had 2 of them,great cars

[@ScottishCarClan]

Have to agree… great car!

[@humphreybaloyi476]

Hi, thank you for a great video.Does it include all the models?

[@theupstartcom]

Nice one

[@2004lesk01]

I had a 2016 i regret selling it, it still ooks amazing today

[@TheAshman306]

Had my 2018 st3 since new. No problems. Nice car to drive and its neqrly 4yrs old love it.

[@ScottishCarClan]

Fantastic that’s great to hear!

[@thandomthembu4913]

How many miles are you on now? Still no serious issues, was really concerned about lspi? Really considering purchasing one.

[@TheAshman306]

​@@thandomthembu4913im on 35k still going strong.lspi will only happen is you floor it at low rpm.

[@BobMc87]

Nice! You drove past my old house! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@ScottishCarClan]

Ah, shame your not still there. Could have popped by for a brew 😂

[@BobMc87]

@@ScottishCarClan 🤣🤣🤣 Yeah.... I could have tool the ST for a spin! 🤣🤣🤣

[@CeltSfodster]

Is it bad that I’m watching this almost 4 years after buying one? Only thing I would add is broken auto headlight level bracket. Made of plastic so snap at the sight of a pot hole. Luckily meccano is a perfect fix!

[@k1701d]

Love my ST-3. Only wish it had Apple CarPlay instead of the sync 2 which crashes every now and then.

[@superdaz75]

Can this guy stand up straight! 🤣 joking aside.. thanks for the info on the Focus ST

[@ScottishCarClan]

😂 thanks for watching

[@surfbug1]

Yeah what'd that about???

[@mcnailz8244]

At last. A scottish guy on the internet 🙂

[@ScottishCarClan]

At your service

[@k956upg]

My keyless ford has keys kept in scan proof bags at the back of the house…I found the keyless entry handy…so do thieves as they don’t have to break anything they just open the locked doors & raid it..5 times in 3 years so far..no damage but I have to just clean up the mess after them.I like the keyless but it literally means thieves will just walk through security..

[@ScottishCarClan]

Wow, that’s terrible. 5 times! Are you in England?

[@crazy-diamond7683]

The windscreen in these models are prone to break the bond at the top - a real naff design by ford and cheap primers at manufacture also the cause of creaking. You can normally tell during the cold months if you have been out and the car keeps steaming up inside after checking for the normal leaks in the boot and bottom of doors it could be your bonding on the windscreen, you won't get initial leakage but moisture does get in. Also that ruddy clutch pedal drop - another "never happens and denied fault" by ford quite problematic on the mk3.5. Mine failed just out of warranty and I had to replace the master clutch cylinder at 22k miles. Engine strong as an ox but they do have their weak points in other places.

[@user-bl8ut9qf9w]

Regarding the shorting loom. I have a mk2 focus diesel which when i come to a stop or feathering the throttle in slow moving traffic my revs seem to go up slightly and back down. Kind of like its over reving. Could this be a similar issue with a mk2? Thanks

[@Fordfocusstmk3250]

Dude when I have foot on clutch my revs drop and rise back up n steering wheel seems OK so could be on way out?

[@mrlionrocks]

They are super reliable cars, get a fsh, use 99 fuel and you should be ok Main fault is water in the boot from vents behind the rear bumper

[@paulicely1751]

Hi I'm going to look at a focus ST3 18 reg petrol at a main dealer 27k miles 2 owners, any more tips including cambelts intervals and waterpumps pls

[@samfisherchaos]

Put the key fobs in a metal box and it will stop the signal as it acts like a faraday cage. Also moving your obd port to a new location will stop them nicking it as they often smash your window connect to the OBD and there off. If they can't find it they won't hang about they wil be on their toes the shites

[@ScottishCarClan]

Have heard on people putting the keys in the microwave too! Seems to have the same effect.

[@samfisherchaos]

@@ScottishCarClan till some twat turns it on by accident haha

[@simplywinning1170]

Who’s car is that? 😍 What spoiler? What rear lights are they?

[@appygolucky1]

I’ve had my ST-3 for 5 years. It is spot on but the only thing I would say it should have been all wheel drive 👍

[@ScottishCarClan]

Great to hear it’s been a good reliable car! Petrol or diesel?

[@appygolucky1]

@@ScottishCarClan petrol 👍

[@Osos-man]

Totally agree.. Even 3rd gear at 40mph it's a little torque monster esp in the rain.. {not as bad as my friend's fully modded Mazda speed3.. that thing will pull you into the woods quick under power! ) the RS was awd but $10-12k more. My 2018 St is coming up on 75k miles and a third set of tires. No troubles.. bone stock.. Fast enough for what I need. Great car..

[@addj7093]

There’s an RS for that 👍🏻

[@addj7093]

SCC mk2 or mk3 ST?

[@MattHealey.]

Do the mk4 lad

[@jasonwilliams42]

I find my 2016 st3 headlights get water in looks horrible but does go away now and then

[@ScottishCarClan]

Yep… unfortunately common Jason :-( We haven’t seen it cause any actual harm. Just a bit unsightly as you say.

[@brendanroberts4544]

Ye just happened to mine had stage one tune by a mate and 12 months later it has gone wrong going to a garage soon but it’s been looked at and they think turbo gone and piston gone 🙈🙈🙈🙈💷💷💷🙈🙈🙈🙈

[@ScottishCarClan]

Oh no 🙈 I take it all was well before the tune?

[@Hali88]

I wish manufacturers would make keyless go optional - I mean really, how lazy do you have to be to find putting a key in the ignition and turning it a chore?

[@Marvindorfler1]

I'm looking at a 2016 estate version, petrol model with 48k on the clock ( not sure if there even is a diesel estate st ) is the estate a good buy?

[@ScottishCarClan]

Absolutely! And yes, there are diesel estates out there if you’d prefer.

[@flippy66]

I have a soft spot for these, but not a fan of the fake engine noise in the diesels.

[@bakuskun]

St Diesel dont have fake sound its only exthasus no speakers...

[@humphreybaloyi476]

what is your advice,in terms of buying petrol or diesel?

[@ScottishCarClan]

Diesel for economy and a bit more reliability. Petrol for a more exciting drive.

[@miguelramirez644]

👍🏽

[@danverleukes1057]

I need some funding to fix my dream car, which was ripped off from the dealer. Seeing it broken depresses me daily. As a family man, I only have enough money to support my family, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@richeastwood44]

What’s the fuel economy like on the petrol model? I’ve heard it averages around 20-25 mpg

[@ScottishCarClan]

High 20's if driving (mostly) sensible, creeping into 30's if going easy.

[@Hellndegenerates]

I've got a pumaspeed stage 3 with 279 bhp and 580nm, I get exactly 46 mpg.

[@mrlionrocks]

30 average... 40-45mpg average on a long run

[@Osos-man]

27-29 mpg 5 year average... Depends on RPPI.. ( Right Pedal Pressure Index..)

[@HillJamie17]

Would you pick the petrol or the diesel?

[@mark-1rc502]

Depend if you want economy or Speed , The Diesel Feels Faster than it is, I’m sure it’s quite good at short blasts 50-70mph for ex. But If you don’t mind winding the petrol up to 6500 then it’ll drop the Diesel . But will hurt the pocket 🤓 my Take ? Well I’ve owned a 07 ST focus a 2013 ST focus now a 2017 ST focus . I’d say the Facelifted 3.5 is the Nicest . And 17 onwards gets Sync 3 much better IMO. My Only Grip is the rubber door seals under the door are only held on with a Smidgen of glue and will come off you’ll glue them back on . And the Drivers Window Squeals when winding down . Happened on mk3 & Mk3.5 Which is annoying As my Mothers 2003 ghia focus works 100% Ford’s answer was to grease on the window rubber leaving me with a Smeared window every wind. Down .

[@HillJamie17]

@The Lone Ninja 82 that’s a fair choice. I’ve driven a MK3 Focus ST diesel and I thought it was decent. The only thing it was an auto and I’m not keen on the gearbox but the engine itself pulls nicely

[@richardhawley7726]

What about the so called "Eco Boom" Eco boost engines, are these engines on the petrol ST very reliable?

[@ScottishCarClan]

Richard, as I mentioned in the video there has been a fair share that've given up, usually modified cars. Overall its still a small proportion of engines produced but still a consideration!

[@FatHead1979]

That moniker is generally associated with the 1.0 units and to much less extent the 1.6 unit (once the cylinder head recall has been carried out, the 1.6 is pretty solid).

[@mark-1rc502]

My Mk3 and My Mk3.5 both have had these two issues : Issue 1 - The rubber seal on the bottom of the door came in glued . Issue 2- Drivers door window Squeals when winding down . Ford don’t seem to be able to resolve it charges me £70 to put a bit of Grease on the window .

[@cy9nvs]

Had a 2017 ST wagon with the same issue about the bottom of the door seals. Just glued them back together myself. 🤷‍♂ Definitely a common problem, both my doors and both the doors on my father's Kuga had the same thing happen.

[@mrlionrocks]

That's great if thats all that happens. Some cars are littered with faults

[@shauncorless8965]

If ford made 100 million engines and only 10% failed well that's only 10 million

[@hiddendragon4207]

Got a stage 2 + r tech GTi Mk5 ed30. Give us a shout if u want a go for a video.

[@TheZar76]

I prefer the STD

[@johnboy2436]

WHICH ONE? HERPES?

[@KTLaz]

Mk 2 better

[@ScottishCarClan]

Did you watch our mk2 videos ? Love them 😎

[@simon_1987]

Just avoid. Cheap tax and insurance. They are slow and have to be driven hard. So lots of teenagers have ruined them

[@simon_1987]

@@MK-rs9uw no the petrol ones

[@simon_1987]

@@MK-rs9uw yes but its slow. You have go drive one hard go to quick but even then it isn't fast

[@simon_1987]

@@MK-rs9uw it sounds fast on paper. But when your physically doing it you realise that it's painstakingly slow.

[@simon_1987]

@@MK-rs9uw most German cars are cheaply made crap now. Gone proper down hill the last 20 years

[@simon_1987]

@@MK-rs9uw they are all built down to a cost. Shocking people still see them as premium cars