MarkCup's 2017 Ford Focus RS

[Smiffyboy1990]

I find it utterly mental people would want to mess around with a brand spanker, apart from Mountune for obvious reasons.

 

[McGherkin]

No car needs more power, until you get used to the power you've got, lol.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

They are indeed, I've come to learn that. Is it from the days of obsession over massive power easily available from the Sierra Cosworth?

I expect so. I've been around the Ford scene for over 15 years now and it's always been the same. Plenty of people who will turn their noses up at anything that isn't 400+bhp. Plenty who will do the same to cars that don't have a turbo or even an RS badge. The cliques within the Ford scene are pretty terrible.

 

[McGherkin]

I expect so. I've been around the Ford scene for over 15 years now and it's always been the same. Plenty of people who will turn their noses up at anything that isn't 400+bhp. Plenty who will do the same to cars that don't have a turbo or even an RS badge. The cliques within the Ford scene are pretty terrible.

I'm sure there's a point to it all somewhere.

Still FWD, LOL.

 

[MarkCup]

No car needs more power, until you get used to the power you've got, lol.

The thing is my car genuinely doesn't feel fast in a straight line, at all, being honest my MR230 ST felt faster.

Am I used to it? I think so. Do I want more. Nope.

Driving in this morning in the pouring rain made me realise that I actually prefer driving this thing when it's wet...it's so easy to get properly sideways whenever you want and it has enough power to do that be it wet or dry. Just enough. The perfect amount in fact.

I expect so. I've been around the Ford scene for over 15 years now and it's always been the same. Plenty of people who will turn their noses up at anything that isn't 400+bhp. Plenty who will do the same to cars that don't have a turbo or even an RS badge. The cliques within the Ford scene are pretty terrible.

"I haz 700bhp."

"Great build mate. Luv what uv done."

"Thks mate."

Repeat ad infinitum. Sigh.

I'm sure there's a point to it all somewhere.

Still FWD, LOL.

FLOL - that is pointless, completely pointless.

 

[mr bognor]

As much a I may joke about more power there does come a point where you have a car that is just too fast to drive and enjoy all of the power band unless you are doing some silly speeds .

I think it is like money every one wants more of the stuff .

Alan

The thing is my car genuinely doesn't feel fast in a straight line, at all, being honest my MR230 ST felt faster.

Am I used to it? I think so. Do I want more. Nope.

Driving in this morning in the pouring rain made me realise that I actually prefer driving this thing when it's wet...it's so easy to get properly sideways whenever you want and it has enough power to do that be it wet or dry. Just enough. The perfect amount in fact.





Repeat ad infinitum. Sigh.



FLOL - that is pointless, completely pointless.

 

[gambit]

How about less weight, surely pulling weight out would up the driving dynamics.

 

[charltjr]

That's one of the reasons I quite like the new FK8 Civic Type R when looking at these uuber hatches, it's considerably lighter than the 4WD competition. OK that means it doesn't do well in a drag race off the line, but everywhere else it benefits.

 

[MarkCup]

That's one of the reasons I quite like the new FK8 Civic Type R when looking at these uuber hatches, it's considerably lighter than the 4WD competition. OK that means it doesn't do well in a drag race off the line, but everywhere else it benefits.

I'm never normally interested in taking test drives for the hell of it but I'm drawn to the new Civic. It sounds nice and sharp

 

[MarkCup]

Picking this up this morning. Nice.

 

[Mr Plums]

Picking this up this morning. Nice.

View attachment 1334212

Yours broken again?

 

[MarkCup]

Yours broken again?

Not at all! It's my mate's new car, I've taken him to collect it this morning. It's a lovely lovely thing, sounds epic. Makes my four banger sound positively agricultural.

 

[charltjr]

There were some ridiculous deals on those 440’s recently, was quite tempted myself. Then again, I’m tempted by everything

 

[Mr Plums]

There were some ridiculous deals on those 440’s recently, was quite tempted myself. Then again, I’m tempted by everything :smiley:

Can i come to yours tonight babes?

 

[charltjr]

Can i come to yours tonight babes?

Animal, vegetable, or mineral, I’ll try anything once.

 

[Mr Plums]

Animal, vegetable, or mineral, I’ll try anything once.

Hahahaha

 

[MarkCup]

For the fans of data here's some data...

 

[Ian_182]

That's a tiny tank

 

[MarkCup]

That's a tiny tank

It is almost ridiculous. Considering how much it can drink the tank is miniscule!

Normal driving is fine but on track? I reckon I'll have to fill up after every second session LOL

 

[Silent_Scone]

Seen a few of those 440s about, they're deceptively quiet until you press on.

 

[Waitey]

Can't you just use the BMT function to model depreciation? It models the front load really well. Then the over factor change can be changed to match any assumed rate.

 

[culpz]

What colour's that mark? I assume it's BMW individual paint? I'll take a punt and say Atlantis Blue. It looks similar to the colour you can get on the M2.

 

[Silent_Scone]

What colour's that mark? I assume it's BMW individual paint? I'll take a punt and say Atlantis Blue. It looks similar to the colour you can get on the M2.

Luscious Listerine I think is the official name.

 

[MarkCup]

Seen a few of those 440s about, they're deceptively quiet until you press on.

It was sooo quiet! It does pop and bang a bit on startup though.

Can't you just use the BMT function to model depreciation? It models the front load really well. Then the over factor change can be changed to match any assumed rate.

There's many many ways I could do it...but they all depend on one particular thing which is difficult to quantify right now...and that's exactly what, in 2027, a 10 year old one owner completely 100% standard immaculately maintained and well presented 75k miles Magnetic RS that has a series of several hundred YT videos backing it's life up is likely to fetch?

What colour's that mark? I assume it's BMW individual paint? I'll take a punt and say Atlantis Blue. It looks similar to the colour you can get on the M2.

It's Snapper Rocks Blue. Nothing special...I think it's the free standard colour for the 440.

 

[culpz]

It's Snapper Rocks Blue. Nothing special...I think it's the free standard colour for the 440.

Looks gorgeous IMO. What a name for a colour too.

 

[culpz]

Luscious Listerine I think is the official name.

Sounds like one of them toilet block products!

 

[Ian_182]

Bit of a sleeper really the 440i, if you spec the de-badge nobody would know what it is.

 

[MarkCup]

So, this is now fully run in...I should get a day blasting about in it back to back with my RS next weekend.

Nervous is an understatement...I've gotten used to the safety and security of AWD and the thought of all of that power and torque through just one axle makes me poop a little bit.

 

[mace¬]

Who knew you'd one day be the chat show host equivalent of Parkinson cross Martin Lewis

 

[Speedy300]

Mark, with the number of cars being stolen around the country have you considered any security upgrades like the Ghost system? RS must be a target.

 

[MarkCup]

Mark, with the number of cars being stolen around the country have you considered any security upgrades like the Ghost system? RS must be a target.

I'll say that I've added more layers but for understandable reasons I'm not going to detail or vlog about them!

Am I concerned about it being taken?

Not really...sleepy village, private work car park, relatively crime free area...as @ColinG said in another thread, if they want it versus putting my family in harm's way they're welcome to it.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

When I saw the title of that last vid I thought you'd gone mental and bought a 440i! (not even a GC!!)

Please educate Gordon about seating position and how to hold a steering wheel! Then show him the JB4 website.

 

[MarkCup]

When I saw the title of that last vid I thought you'd gone mental and bought a 440i! (not even a GC!!)

Please educate Gordon about seating position and how to hold a steering wheel! :wink: Then show him the JB4 website.

Ha ha, never...I'm staying put in the RS! A day hooning about in the 440 yesterday has convinced me of this even more!

Seating position is/was hilarious...when I climbed in it was as high as it could go, the wheel was as far away as possible and the backrest was f***ing horizontal. I got quite a good driving position after some fiddling...gotta love electric memory seats!

Your 135 treating you well?

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

You had it to yourself? Or the owner in the passenger seat?

They're a lovely car, but without a diff they just feel so plain. Guess it's just the case that they're not 'sold' for that demograph but the numbers and spec attracts people anyway. The 135 was a bit of a punt in that respect, I've always been around BMWs and I know that for years, the normal cars are made SO much better with a few basics (diff, CDV delete if they're manual and some stiffer anti-roll bars).

135 is ok, with 380hp or whatever it's on it's downright ballistic. 60-100 is circa about 5 seconds.... BUT it's just a bit normal now. Fancy something proper now though, M3 or C63S once we've moved I think.

 

[MarkCup]

Having been sensitively run in 7k miles ago, driven enthusiastically ever since, and run exclusively on Tesco's Finest 99 since day 1, it was time to see where it's at...

Compared to book figures it's slightly down on power (-7bhp/-2%) but up on torque (+14ftlb/+4%). I'll take that. 300ftlb available all the way from 2,400-6,000 rpm. Nice.

Charlie said he's seen them run as a low as 320 and very occasionally they nudge 340...mine's one of the better ones he's seen. :smile:

 

[mr bognor]

I put this down to you running last and the rollers freeing up

A good result and running in correctly must have helped this .

Having been sensitively run in 7k miles ago, driven enthusiastically ever since, and run exclusively on Tesco's Finest 99 since day 1, it was time to see where it's at...
View attachment 1341796
Compared to book figures it's slightly down on power (-7bhp/-2%) but up on torque (+14ftlb/+4%). I'll take that. 300ftlb available all the way from 2,400-6,000 rpm. Nice.

Charlie said he's seen them run as a low as 320 and very occasionally they nudge 340...mine's one of the better ones he's seen. :smile:

 

[Silent_Scone]

Nice result - sometimes it's good to know these things lol

I make more than that in low boost, bruv. x

 

[c4pob]

Good numbers those. Did you run in 2wd dyno mode or was it a 4wd dyno?

 

[Mr Plums]

Its no doubt a lovely car, but when you floor it, it doesnt seem to go like a 337hp car?

My clio is 285hp, although a lot less weight, mine literally snaps your arms off like your smashing an R1 up the straights.

I like the tin can feel of mine, it adds to the fun and character, i really do like the rs tho, that blue colour is proper stunning.

I really enjoy your videos, its like watching a professor, or a rocket scientist eat a banana.

 

[McGherkin]

Its no doubt a lovely car, but when you floor it, it doesnt seem to go like a 337hp car?

My clio is 285hp, although a lot less weight, mine literally snaps your arms off like your smashing an R1 up the straights.

They are quite heavy. Pace wise, whilst I've not played with one yet, my mate has and it wasn't as quick as his 290ish hp impreza wagon. I've seen video evidence of that, too.

Snaps your arms off?