Mk1 Ford Focus RS

[B3n]

Hey Folks

Bit of a random question to ask on a Golf GTI forum

But has anyone on here either owned one themselves or know someone who has owned a MK1 Ford Focus RS??? If so what were your experiences and thoughts of it?

Reason being is that I want one

Yes I know its a Ford but ive always had a soft spot for the Focus RS and as ive now been away from the VW group for a while Im not feeling so bad about making the change from a GTI to one. Ive already started browsing the relevant forums etc but I thought it would be a good idea to ask the question away from the Ford enthusiast websites.

Thanks
Ben

[Greeners]

My mate has one and I love the look of it, but my god is it fragile!! 

Never seems to be on the road, but when it is he loves it!

[B3n]

Cheers for the reply

That is the one MAJOR thing that is putting me off getting one the whole FixOrRepairDaily thing. But saying that I also heard that the Clio's were monotonous for they're reliability but i've so far  (touch wood) not had a single hicup with mine so far.

Ben

[Janner_Sy]

i looked at buying these as well.  really good residuals as well.  old school, bare knuckle raw driving experience.  no nannying or wallowing which is whats great about it.

i did abit fo research on the tuning and once at around 270hp they seem to get a bit temperamental unless you start to uprate internals etc.

FWIW i had an XR2i, XR3i, St24, ST200, STTDCI, Scorpio cosworth and focus ST and id still have another ford without any issue.  Mine never went wrong at all tbh apart frpom the escort which in all honesty was ragged from day one of ownership so was expected

[B3n]

Cheers fella.

Yeah im seriously suprised at the residuals on them atm here was me thinking MK4 anniversary's held they're value

 

[Bennett vrs]

My mates got one, he must have replaced near enough every nut and bolt on the thing and has spent fortunes but now its a mint condition perfect example of a classic. The interior and build quality isnt anywhere near the newer vw, or the newer fords for that matter, but when your in it it feels wild, and goes brilliantly. His is tuned to about 300 horse, fully polybushed, coilovers, arb's, uprated everything and it holds the road, puts the power down pretty well considering and is a fast 300bhp, and with running a charge cooler rather than a front mount theres much less lag.  Looks the busines, awesome colour and goes well, but it just depends what your into. His was pretty unreliable when he got it, but hes a ford machanic and has replaced everything, hes actually looking to sell it soon  Wants a new challenge! Id go for it, one of those cars you need to experience!

[Bennett vrs]

Said car, first pic i came to 

[Poverty]

AMD work on these alot, some of the staff there are big fast ford fans. Ben has a mint, highly modified garage queen, they would be able to give good advice!

[Moschops]

Get one with FSH and one that's had the recalls done. (interior, drivers seat base, falling to bits, now has the extra stiching across) Bonnet coming away from it's frame, boost hose blowing off and poor paint finish.

Have a look on the Focus RS forum and also the Ford RS Owners Club websites too.   You could also pick up a minter from those forum's too. 

[simonp]

I've always loved these, but the interior just doesn't do it for me and that's the bit you have to look at most of the time.

[B3n]

Thanks for all the input folks.

My main goal of getting one is just to be able to say to myself ive owned one I intend on keeping it absolutely bog as it left the factory standard As in my mind its how cars like that are best kept plus it would help keep the residual up.

Get one with FSH and one that's had the recalls done. (interior, drivers seat base, falling to bits, now has the extra stiching across) Bonnet coming away from it's frame, boost hose blowing off and poor paint finish. Oh god not much to look out for then . Yeah im aware there were a few recalls and getting a phase 2?? with all the relevant improvements and a FSH is a must in my mind

Have a look on the Focus RS forum and also the Ford RS Owners Club websites too.   You could also pick up a minter from those forum's too.  Just signed up to both these forums so ive now got my reading glasses on and preparing to do some research

I've always loved these, but the interior just doesn't do it for me and that's the bit you have to look at most of the time. Hope I dont come across you on the road if you spend most of the time looking at the interior I agree its a marmite interior but I actually like it

So all ive got to do now is shift the Clio and let the hunt begin

Ben

[nick_johnson]

Here is my old Phase 2 - MK1 Focus RS, personally I think this car was so much more than just a "Hot Hatch" the bear fact that Ford lost money on every example that was ever sold only tells half of the story. My most vivid memory was the grip in the dry, even when remapped it was truly staggering. 

[psw mk5]

I used to have one RS 53 BAD quality machine just make sure both hands on the wheel  loved it but always had the feeling somebody else wanted it more   

[v2brett]

i say go for it fella, get the clio shifted and enjoy something you want.  

 i had a mk1 Focus (not an RS) about 6 years ago but it helped me decide on getting my RS,  variety is the spice of life, get 1 and enjoy  

[GTIjames]

Whats the spec on your clio and how much you looking to get for it? Pm if you like as coud be interested,

Cheers

James