Focus RS mk1

[Jamie.]

Anyone had one or know much about them.

I am thinking about getting one.

[DaneC]

Mate of mine has one, loves it. Wheelspin in 5th.

[Jamie.]

Any common faults?

Things to look for?

Help would be appreciated.

[wilber1986]

mates got a 310bhp focus rs. gave an m5 a little scare the other night. they have forged engines so nothing to worry about there. there normally in quite good condition cos they are kind of collectors cars. good fun to drive, 210bhp standard is pretty crap tho.

[MatBrown]

Paul Acko has one he might be selling soon.


Mat.

[richy]

Any common faults?

Things to look for?

Help would be appreciated.

few little things to check for from what i remember....

front seat bases need extra stitching to stop them going all funny(should of been done uner warrenty etc)
depending which ecu map they have (AE or AF) one stalls when cold, other has flat spots
throttle cable fitting needs to be a pink one, supposedly sticky or something if not
airbox mount bushes(only small rubber things) fail, and charger cooler pumps can be tempermental

best checking RSOC focus section for more detail but generally there sound, good engines too, and seen a few running std b/e making near or about 400bhp

[Tommo]

Very good choice dude, I'd be thinking of one of these for my next car. One of the best looking hot hatches imo, and very tuneable (if you want to go that route). Personally I hate the seats and steering wheel, I'd have to change these, but otherwise a stunning looking car, and fast!!

Problems.....I always read about the diff being too vicious causing the car to torque steer all over the place, some worse than others though, I've got a buying guide in an old EVO, I'll try and dig it out for you...

Get one so I can have a drive...lol!

[Jamie.]

I am finding it hard to think of much better tbh.

I NEED a car to do decent mpg, say 32 plus of which the FRS will do.

It's only FWD so no 4WD power losses or crazy mpg. Also want to spend about 9k which seems perfectly reasonable.

Really cannot think of any other cars which do this. Evos are out so to are Subs, don't want another clio and the only jap crap which is a step up is the DC5 which is JDM (£1,000,000 insurance) and very expensive for what you get.

A R26 is another thought but they are at least 11k which is another 2k for a bigger car with non-forged internals.

[Daz.]

how much you got to play with fella?

a frs lives near me - they do look bloody good but can you cope with that interior? :D

I'd be retrimming all the bluw straight away - alcantara ftw!

[Rich]

An FRS does 32mpg? Maybe as standard, no chance once mapped though.

agreed, steve who sometimes pops up on here still (i think) had one and frequently on the ring trip a couple of years ago he was filling up more than bayliss in the V6 and we thought that was bad on petrol. that didn't have many mods either iirc but was like shit off a stick!