Focus ST-3

[Leevr]

Can anyone with current info or prior ownership give me and info pertinent to the Focus ST-3. Around the 2015 -2017 era. Good bits, bad bits. What subtle bits to look out for. Going to look at a few with the better half, forewarned is forearmed and all that. She has the bug for a bit more power. It's her money, she can spend it on what she wants.

 

[BigBill]

I owned this one for about 14 months before I bought the S3. Enjoyed my time with it, good value as the spec is pretty high for what you pay and not many options can be added to the ST-3 as just about everything is included as standard (there was ST-2 and ST-1 variants which were more basic).
I was impressed by it, good seats, nice to drive, fairly quick and handles well and I actually put down a deposit on a Focus RS as a result but when the waiting time for that went out to 14 months I changed to the S3.
The only issue I had was with the headlights which at times would jump all over the place as if they were trying to self level or suddenly point to the side of the road as I was driving along. I believe this was a fairly common fault and quite a few people had them changed under warranty.
I would certainly recommend if you find a decent used one. Good luck with your search

 

[Leevr]

Coincidence. She ended up with this one.

 

[Ron240]

This was mine - owned it from new in October 2015 until September 2017.
Was my second ST3 with the previous being a pre facelift Mk.3
Have to say this car has been one of the best all rounders I have owned. Quick, comfortable, refined, practical and 100% reliable. For the money there was no better car at the time IMO.

 

[Leevr]

This was mine - owned it from new in October 2015 until September 2017.
Was my second ST3 with the previous being a pre facelift Mk.3
Have to say this car has been one of the best all rounders I have owned. Quick, comfortable, refined, practical and 100% reliable. For the money there was no better car at the time IMO.
View attachment 196642

That colour was one of her choices. Unfortunately on the day we got this one we looked at a tangerine scream, but it had no toys and had a few issues that we couldn't live with. Nice car you had there.

 

[Leevr]

Both cars together

 

[Ron240]

I see it's had a Mountune upgrade.
Do you know what exactly?
The MP275 kit was very popular.

 

[Leevr]

I see it's had a Mountune upgrade.
Do you know what exactly?
The MP275 kit was very popular.

I'm lead to believe it was done when it was a demonstrator. Yes the MP275. goes well. Turned the traction off. Spins up silly easy on the wet and greasy roads. Turns very well. Really positive steering. Good exhaust note. Seats are awsome. Shame audi didnt go down the recaro route.

 

[Ron240]

Yes the Recaro seats are brilliant.....complete night/day compared with the standard seats in my S3.
I first had them in a 2014 pre facelift Mk3, and although they eventually became very comfortable they took a bit of "bedding in" to get to that stage.
The seats in my 2015 facelift looked identical but were instantly supremely comfortable, so I can only assume that some modification was made to the seats because there was a lot of people reporting the same initial issue that I found.