The Psychedelic Socialist's Focus ST

[cs_rich]

I just think he has a new car and is probably excited and likely doesn't need peoples inner most thoughts about an i30n, whether or not I love it is beside the point tbh and I'm just happy he is happy.

I'm just happy to be included in the conversation.

*internetfriends*

 

[Touring_Rob]

I'm just happy to be included in the conversation.

*internetfriends*

 

[R3k1355]

Certainly can be in my Golf. Agreed that it’s a total s**t feature. Mainly as it doesn’t just pick up signs on the road you’re on but, also those on backs of vehicles, side roads and any temporary limits (I’m thinking those 20mph school limits that are active when the lights are flashing). Absolute gash.

Must be hilarious being in one of those vans that has several speed signs printed on the back of it.

 

[Brigsy]

I wonder if it would pick up the one on the rear of my Kangoo. It says 60 but ive modified it with a sharpie so it says 160mph

 

[R3k1355]

I've decided to keep it standard for the time being at least, with a view to maybe have the Mountune M330 map and intercooler fitted next year which would take it to (funnily enough) 330bhp and 515nm of torque, both comfortably more than the old Fiesta.

Do certain Mountune maps retain the original warranty? Have I remembered that right?

 

[cs_rich]

Do certain Mountune maps retain the original warranty? Have I remembered that right?

Nope. That hasn't been the case since the Mk2 IIRC.

My warranty only runs until next Feb I think, so that's an ideal time to start spending...

 

[-Jamie-]

You know you don't have to talk about Volvos, don't you?

I just mean we have fantastic chassis these days, cars that handle brilliantly, but they all sound exactly the same. I could put you in a dark room and play you the sound of a Megane, Focus, i30N and Civic and you simply would not know. I just wish manufacturers could build something that sounds different.

Likewise, you stick one of these next to an i30n and take the badges off.... same car.

Like I said, these are great cars, absolutely. I just wish they had a bit more soul like the old ones had. Especially as the Focus was one of the least restrained in the styling department.

Least restrained?

They looked like a boggo focus with two exhaust tips

 

[cs_rich]

Batter is definitely fucked.

Left it on a charger overnight and it's only made it back to 63% SoC so it simply can't take a charge. Faulty buttons did all work though post-charging so I'm confident they'll work full-time once the battery is replaced.

Only annoyance now is that I can't book it in with Ford until the 16th and even then it's for a diagnostic which may then require another booking / wait to actually get a battery out of them. It'll be particularly annoying if they then just replace it with another 60Ah unit.

What are my chances of asking the supplying Ford dealer to simply go halves on a Halfords 75Ah battery?

 

[MLB]

If they're anything like BMW I've dealt with less than zero

But can always try, especially on such a new car.

 

[Hixle]

I like that. Gel badges next?

 

[ForceIndia]

I like that. Gel badges next?

 

[Gally]

I like it! Driven a few and they always seemed more... tighter than the mk3 ever felt. Can't think of another word. Also felt lighter on it's feet than the mk3.

My brother had his Puma in this colour, love the brakes and wheels, i'm not normally a black wheel fan, atually I dislike them, but that green doesn't suit silver/lighter wheels for some reason. My Brother's Puma ST had the twisted grey ones, they looked alright.

 

[Rojer]

Batter is definitely fucked.

Left it on a charger overnight and it's only made it back to 63% SoC so it simply can't take a charge. Faulty buttons did all work though post-charging so I'm confident they'll work full-time once the battery is replaced.

Only annoyance now is that I can't book it in with Ford until the 16th and even then it's for a diagnostic which may then require another booking / wait to actually get a battery out of them. It'll be particularly annoying if they then just replace it with another 60Ah unit.

What are my chances of asking the supplying Ford dealer to simply go halves on a Halfords 75Ah battery?

If it's under warranty just let them replace it and change the state of charge then it's a future you problem.

 

[Gally]

Why would you buy a halfords battery? Wouldn't you just get a good yassa one or something?

I highly doubt they will fit anything upgraded, as it's not the correct battery, even offering to pay extra. I assuem it's needs coded etc for stop start?

 

[cs_rich]

Why would you buy a halfords battery? Wouldn't you just get a good yassa one or something?

I highly doubt they will fit anything upgraded, as it's not the correct battery, even offering to pay extra. I assuem it's needs coded etc for stop start?

The standard Halfords recommended battery is a 75Ah EFB one which is an upgrade on the 60Ah EFB OE one.

I think the only thing you need to do is a BMS reset which either the installer does, or I can do in Forscan.

I'll probably just hang on for the warranty work and see what they say.

 

[JamesBryan]

Yuasa make the batteries for Halfrauds.

Suprised it's an EFB battery and not an AGM on a car this age.

 

[cs_rich]

Yuasa make the batteries for Halfrauds.

Suprised it's an EFB battery and not an AGM on a car this age.

Me too, but all the online reg battery checkers say EFB and the forum reckon EFB too. I think because there's no hybrid gubbins whatsoever they cheaped out on a low capacity EFB.

 

[JamesBryan]

Me too, but all the online reg battery checkers say EFB and the forum reckon EFB too. I think because there's no hybrid gubbins whatsoever they cheaped out on a low capacity EFB.

You can step up to an AGM if you wanted, you just can't go the other way from AGM > EFB

Have a look on Tayna Batteries if you do replace yourself, cheaper than most places.

 

[ForceIndia]

I can do in Forscan.

I definitely didn’t misread this and make the yuk face

 

[cs_rich]

Glorious weather so thought I'd get around to the first proper clean. Nothing too fancy, just a wash and some SRP but the paint seems to be in pretty great condition so no need for any clay beforehand:

 

[Clart]

What a fantastic colour that is

 

[cs_rich]

What a fantastic colour that is

When I was shopping for one I was struggling to get the right spec so I started expanding the search to include grey ones as well. So glad I held out for the green...

 

[fakeConcern]

Looks fab!

 

[JamesBryan]

Reminds me of Alien Green where the metallic in the paint comes out in the sun.

Lovely colour that.

 

[cs_rich]

Sigh. And now the adaptive lights are failing-safe due to the battery and illuminating only the 2m in front of the car. So now I can't drive anywhere at night until Ford sort the f**king battery.

 

[Touring_Rob]

You can step up to an AGM if you wanted, you just can't go the other way from AGM > EFB

Have a look on Tayna Batteries if you do replace yourself, cheaper than most places.

Tanya batteries are superb, arrive quick and have a great range.

 

[cs_rich]

Presumably the minute I buy a battery myself I'll have no chance of getting it paid for by Ford?

 

[Touring_Rob]

Correct I suspect.

Have they said anything useful?

 

[JamesBryan]

Surely they'll need to sort it asap.

Bit dangerous driving at night when it could fail at any time?

 

[cs_rich]

Correct I suspect.

Have they said anything useful?

"Earliest we can book you in is 16th"

 

[Matt Cup]

"Earliest we can book you in is 16th"

Do you not have manufacturers breakdown cover?

When the boot failed to lock on my Leon a quick call to the breakdown company which Seat have resulted in them taking my car to the dealers to be fixed and also arranging a hire car for me. Surely you could use the lights messing up as an excuse for them to pick the car up for you?

 

[Touring_Rob]

"Earliest we can book you in is 16th"

s**t bags. Tell them you are rejecting the car and bringing it back tomorrow. I bet they can suddenly fix it on the spot.

 

[cs_rich]

s**t bags. Tell them you are rejecting the car and bringing it back tomorrow. I bet they can suddenly fix it on the spot.

Problem is it's two different dealers. I reckon the supplying dealer would sort me tomorrow but it's a five hour round trip. Local dealer is the one I'm booked in with but they clearly don't give a f**k because they didn't sell me the car.

Going to call the dealer tomorrow and try to get them to cover the cost so I can sort directly.

 

[cs_rich]

Just spoke to the supplying dealer and they didn't argue / haggle at all, just told me to book it in for a replacement with Halfords and send them the invoice.

Have got a replacement Yuasa 75Ah battery coming to be fitted on Sunday.

Result.

 

[MLB]

That's so shiny you won't need headlights at night, looks stunning!

 

[Pep]

That’s a nice looking car!

 

[RustyMojo]

I thought it looked a bit boring in the initial pictures, but the ones you’ve just posted the car looks bloody great! Really nice car mate. Top purchase

 

[OssPoop]

I thought it looked a bit boring in the initial pictures, but the ones you’ve just posted the car looks bloody great! Really nice car mate. Top purchase

They look good in the metal. I had a good look around a green one last year and was very impressed with it. I'd say they are much more appealing than any previous ST.

 

[davo172]

Just spoke to the supplying dealer and they didn't argue / haggle at all, just told me to book it in for a replacement with Halfords and send them the invoice.

Have got a replacement Yuasa 75Ah battery coming to be fitted on Sunday.

Result.

Just for ref the rac will do this also fit, any battery you want even it'll you not covered by there breakdown,

 

[cs_rich]

New battery fitted last night by Halfords and all my electrics are now working again. Bit of an effort though as he turned up with the Halfords battery, not the Yuasa I paid for but by this point I couldn't really give a s**t, so I let him fit it and will get the difference in price refunded. Same capacity, warranty and cranking power and likely still made by Yuasa anyway. He did have to remove the airbox to get it fitted as it's longer than the original, with a bracing block having to come out too. Makes me wonder if Ford had originally allowed for a larger capacity battery but then cheaped out at the last minute. Would explain why so many owners have battery issues...

Took it out for a proper spin round my local roads now that I have the confidence it's not going to crap out on me. I was somewhat worried when it started making an odd whining sound on acceleration until I realised Halfords man hadn't reinstalled the airbox properly, but that was a quick fix. Overall impressions are that the cornering ability of the car is night and day compared to my Fiesta. Instead of having to wait for the car to settle before you get on the power you can just mash the throttle mid-corner with plenty of lock on, and it just grips and goes. Probably a different kettle of fish in the cold and wet, but in the dry it's really allowing for some stupid cornering speeds.

Also figured out the cruise control now as it does have the ability to automatically raise and lower the speed based on road signs / GPS under the 'intelligent' setting. Not sure if I prefer it to the normal 'adaptive' that just follows traffic but it's still a novelty to have it automatically accelerate once you get to a NSL sign.