[fcman]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

Strange; it's getting rave reviews here and is about the same price as a base spec M135i.
However it is rather heavy and Ford warranties and service here is very suspect.

It's more powerful, more practical, and more technologically advanced than the M135i for a similar price (a little cheaper), what's strange about the reviews? And the weight is almost identical to the M135i as well.

[Em135eye]

The strange bit is the lukewarm reviews posted here. Maybe the US press doesn't like it?

More practical? The boot is way smaller so it isn't.

More advanced? Okay it has trick 4wd but the engine is now pretty old and the in car tech is very, ermmm Ford.

Faster? Well the official 0-60 is 4.7. Autocar had the M135i (pre launch control) at 4.6. I've not seen a 0-100 yet but the previous RS was actually very slow considering its power. I'm sure the new RS is quick but so is the RS3 and that's already been given a bloody nose on some circuits by the humble M135i.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

The strange bit is the lukewarm reviews posted here. Maybe the US press doesn't like it?

More practical? The boot is way smaller so it isn't.

I've only seen glowing previews so far. Here's it's cheaper than a 228i, but offers similar or greater performance to the M2, certainly quicker and more grip than an M235i.

Interior volume is 90 cubic feet with 19.9 behind the rear seats. Works out to 560 Liters, which is a smidge more than the 360 listed for an M135i.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

The strange bit is the lukewarm reviews posted here. Maybe the US press doesn't like it?

More practical? The boot is way smaller so it isn't.

Not that cargo space is the only measure of practicality but Ford's website lists the Focus RS seats-up cargo space as 19.9cuft (563.5 liters) vs the M135i which is listed at 12.7 (360 liters). Maybe it's a difference of measurement method though.

As far as you comments about more advanced, the 2.3L motor just debuted last year vs 2010 for the N55? And it's making 152hp/l vs 107hp/l in the N55

And I never said it was faster, we don't know that yet. I said it was more powerful. However to say that the BMW will beat the Focus because it beat the RS3 is being a bit daft. Also you're comparing 0-62 time of the auto M135i vs the 6speed focus. Official m135i 0-62 is 5.1seconds for manual vs 4.7 for Focus RS manual.

[Red Bread]

The RS3 is a Haldex setup, not surprising that the 1er can clean it's clock.

The Ford engine is a thorough rework of a two year old engine, not sure how that qualifies as long in the tooth.

[Em135eye]

Well someone is wrong on boot space. I quote;

In terms of practicality, on the Focus RS almost everything is the same as the ST, but actually because of the extra drivetrain features on the rear axle you lose the spare wheel well in favour of a tyre inflation kit, so boot space drops to a maximum of 260 litres. This expands to 1,045 litres with the rear seats folded.

[FriskyDingo]

MotorTrend said it was great on track, but less than engaging and exciting on the street. They said the ST was more fun in the real world. Bummer.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

MotorTrend said it was great on track, but less than engaging and exciting on the street. They said the ST was more fun in the real world. Bummer.

Similar to the GTI/R in that regard. R is underwhelming on the road and the GTI feels much more fun. Weight is the devil, mmkay?

[XM_Rocks]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

More advanced? Okay it has trick 4wd but the engine is now pretty old and the in car tech is very, ermmm Ford.

Its got a twin scroll turbo and is forged.

Its the first Ford 2.3 to get this treatment.

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by XM_Rocks

Its got a twin scroll turbo and is forged.

Its the first Ford 2.3 to get this treatment.

So has an M135i; twin scroll turbo, forged pistons.

Anyway, it definitely looks like a decent car and I hope it knocks the shine off the Golf R that has been stuck on a pedestal here but not for me.

I still want to drive one though.

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Similar to the GTI/R in that regard. R is underwhelming on the road and the GTI feels much more fun. Weight is the devil, mmkay?

Well, I didn't even find the GTI very fun.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

Well, I didn't even find the GTI very fun.

Mk7 is pretty fun. 6 was still pretty heavy and the Focus ST is a little more direct.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Similar to the GTI/R in that regard. R is underwhelming on the road and the GTI feels much more fun. Weight is the devil, mmkay?

I think it may be more the AWD. In a FWD car you can pound around on the limit of grip all day. With AWD you'd have to have a deathwish to try to find the limits on the street.

[FriskyDingo]

This was a Mk7 I'm referring to. It was nice, but not a whole lotta fun. Focus ST was loads more fun, I thought. 4 door Cooper S was more fun, too.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by fcman

I think it may be more the AWD. In a FWD car you can pound around on the limit of grip all day. With AWD you'd have to have a deathwish to try to find the limits on the street.

A little bit, Haldex really acts like fwd though with plenty of understeer. Sounds like the Focus setup may be better, but the lack of enthusiasm for street driving is concerning. As is the 3,500 pound weight.

[KingOfJericho]

Yes the Haldex decouples the rear axle for most of your everyday driving. I have toyed with the idea of getting an RS next but fear I would constantly get pulled over. Looking at possibly getting into the Golf R. It's far more subtle and the fit and finish will be miles better.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

More advanced? Okay it has trick 4wd but the engine is now pretty old and the in car tech is very, ermmm Ford.

Old? Its a brand new engine with a twin scroll.

Originally Posted by Em135eye

Strange; it's getting rave reviews here and is about the same price as a base spec M135i.
However it is rather heavy and Ford warranties and service here is very suspect.

BMW's warranty service isnt much better, and constantly has to be used.

[Em135eye]

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

Old? Its a brand new engine with a twin scroll.




BMW's warranty service isnt much better, and constantly has to be used.

In two years and 26k miles I've had one recall item done without hassle.
My previous 335d didn't miss a beat in 5.5 years.

Ford has a tiered warranty; one years "proper" warranty then a limited one. It's caught many people out.

Okay maybe the engine is techically "new" but the Ecoboost family has been around since 2009. The 2.3 version is also available in a truck. A Ford Explorer.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

MotorTrend said it was great on track, but less than engaging and exciting on the street. They said the ST was more fun in the real world. Bummer.

I was reading that article and thought to myself this has to written by that annoying pos Jason Cammisa. And who's name was at the end of the article...Jason Cammisa. That man has single handily ruined a perfectly good car review channel on Youtube. Can't wait for the day he either moves on from Motor Trend or is let go.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

In two years and 26k miles I've had one recall item done without hassle.
My previous 335d didn't miss a beat in 5.5 years.

Ford has a tiered warranty; one years "proper" warranty then a limited one. It's caught many people out.

Okay maybe the engine is technically "new" but the Ecoboost family has been around since 2009. The 2.3 version is also available in a truck. A Ford Explorer.

They may handle things different for Ford in the UK warranty wise but thats not the same in the US so my apologies.. The " Ecoboost " name they tag all there turbo engines with from 3-8 cylinders... The motor in the RS is only shared with the 4 cylinder Mustang I believe and its tweaked more..

[Em135eye]

No worries and TBH, I'm splitting hairs now...!
Anyway, looks like a good car; the mk2 RS was a big disappointment. This looks much more promising.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by Em135eye

No worries and TBH, I'm splitting hairs now...!
Anyway, looks like a good car; the mk2 RS was a big disappointment. This looks much more promising.

In America we never got the RS so it will be cool to see them, Closest thing we ever had was in the 80s a model that was basically a sierra cosworth watered down.