1 BAR, but the most unbiased review so far
"hi guys
been meaning to do this for a while but just haven't had a chance, (so i decided to nick a write up one of the other rs bods has just written up!!) he's just sold his RS and it seemed a fitting review as i agree most of it....
Introduction
My RS has now gone. This is my review of the car.
Specification
Model: 2003 (03) Spec Ford Focus RS
Engine: 4 cyl, 1997cc, Ford Zetec/Duratec, Turbocharged
Power: 223 bhp at 5020 rpm
Torque: 276 lb/ft at 3500 rpm
Modifications: None
ECU Upgrades: None
0-60: estimate 5.8s (never timed)
0-100: 14.3s (digitally confirmed)
Price as New: £19,995
Retained Value: 100%
The Numbers
A lot of discussion has taken place regarding the exact performance statistics for the Ford Focus RS. This has not been helped by many conflicting figures being published in the motoring press. I believe the problem has been traction - in any FWD car with this kind of power output, getting a good start will make a massive different to the readings. With warm tyres, on a good surface with a driver who has had a lot of practice, extremely good performance figures are possible with the RS.
Ford's official figures were actually the slowest recorded. They measured 6.3s to 60 mph and 16.4s to 100 mph. Autocar magazine figures tend to be fairly conservative and they recorded 6.3s and 15.5s respectively. Evo magazine recorded 5.9s and 14.9s and despite heavily criticizing the car they conceded that the RS is the fastest car in a straight line in this sector. At Santa Pod I ran a 14.3s at 100.88mph. For a totally standard car off the production line that impressed me.
These figures already mean that to 100 mph the RS will outpace a Sierra Cosworth, an Escort Cosworth or a Subaru Impreza. But the thing to remember is that zero to x style measures are not even the RS's best area. Standing starts have never been a strong point with the RS, so in gear performance is often cited as it's strongest point. I have personally seen off a 53 plate Impreza STi from a rolling start. This is undeniably a devastatingly fast car.
Driving It
Interesting as performance statistics are, they are at the end of the day just statistics and can never really explain the experience of driving a car.
The RS is a great car to drive. The most accurate way I can describe it is that it's as if you are in the Matrix and are controlling the forces of physics. The grip, cornering ability and road holding really do feel impossible at times. There are very few cars that can go from A to B as quickly as this car, and I can't think of any that are FWD. The handling of this car is an amazing achievement by Ford and perhaps the most impressive thing about the car as a whole.
Every time you drive the RS it's a magical experience; the perfect weighting of the controls, the brutality of the power delivery, the directness and competency of the thing just leaves you breathless.
The brakes have been highly praised in the press. They are indeed very good brakes, with excellent feel and no fade, but they don't amaze in the same way as the handling does. Very good, but not amazing.
Traction was better than I expected. On good tarmac you could put the full power down in first without any wheel-spin (admittedly, first gear is restricted by the ECU to 177 lb/ft). Second gear feels more powerful than I was led to believe by other owners. Maybe later cars had an improved ECU. Third gear is a masterpiece; very long, and very powerful. At motorway speeds the massive torque makes the gearing very flexible; at 70 mph, 3rd, 4th and 5th all deliver great performance.
The torque-steer issue that was so widely reported in the press is a strange one. Find a very dodgy B-Road and you probably won't be able to keep up with a Focus ST170. The steering tugs you around under power in lower gears, and the firm ride makes the RS feel less sure footed than it should do on bumpy surfaces. On average, good, or excellent quality tarmac the problem is non-existent; you can floor it in 1st without any hint of a problem.
I'll be bold and say that on the track, the RS is on a par with an M3, and on the road it's on a par with an Impreza STi. People will disagree; that's just my opinion based on my experiences.
Problems
Having previously owned a standard shopping Focus I was already familiar with the excellent build quality that most modern Ford's are blessed with. Ford products are still often incorrectly seen as being unreliable or cheaply made. People in-the-know know that the Focus is very well built and one of the most reliable cars on the market.
I therefore had high expectations with the RS; perhaps too high. To put it simply, it doesn't feel as well built as other Fords.
1) The interior rattles; unlike any other Focus I have been in. Some might say this is a result of the very firm ride, but I'm not so sure.
2) Some of the bespoke components are not up to scratch. I managed to accidentally rip the handbrake completely away from the car. It went back together again easily enough, but the custom bits are definitely flimsy.
3) My front grill was deformed from day one. I'm pretty sure it had got out of shape due to the massive heat coming from under the bonnet. Replaced under warranty.
4) While driving to work one day the power steering packed in altogether and I had little or no power assistance. Worrying at the time. Went over a bit of a bump and full power assistance came back. It only happened once and I couldn't face getting the dealer to investigate because of scare stories I had heard from other owners.
5) My car developed a coolant leak which caused coolant to run to empty. Problem identified by dealer and fixed under warranty. No recurrence.
6) The engine at one point starting making a loud unpleasant whining noise. Only happened once.
7) Occasionally after hard use the engine would make a tinny noise at higher revs. Didn't happen very often and I wasn't motivated enough to try and get it fixed.
Ultimately, I see these issues as minor and they certainly didn't spoil the ownership experience or tarnish my opinion of the RS. With a limited edition, bespoke vehicle like the RS you have to accept quirky problems like these. If I had planned on keeping the car for several years I would have been more vigilant in trying to identify and fix these problems.
Other Comments
Visually, the RS is stunning. Everyone I have met loves the way it looks; male, female, young and old, enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts. Despite the reported paint problems, the paint does look great in my opinion. The flared wheel-arches are much more noticeable in the metal; the car looks much more mean, closer to the ground, and wider. Drive the RS through a busy high street and you'll pull more stares than in an M3, Evo, or 911. The attention it gets is incredible. People come up to you and ask questions and children whisper;Look mummy, it's an RS. It's a nice feeling owning a car like that.
One thing I notice is that other road users act differently towards you depending on the car you drive. The main thing you notice is people letting you past when they spot the RS nose in their rear view mirror. The car does look intimidating.
The insurance classification of 16A and the low price of £19,995 make this a very affordable car, even for younger drivers such as myself.
The car has the kind of magic in it that's in the Escort Cossie. It feels special, but it's difficult to put your finger on exactly why it does. Some members of the RS Owners Club have said that the Focus RS is not a real RS. I disagree. The Focus RS is a more race-bred, more hardcore experience than the Escort Cosworth. It is definitely an RS. If it had a Cosworth engine under the hood, it would be the Focus Cosworth; the drivetrain, handling and looks are up to the standard we would expect.
Owning this car has been an incredible experience and I'm sad for it to come to an end. I am confident that the next generation Focus will bring new high performance models including a hero; model such as a Focus Cosworth. Based on what Ford has done with the Focus RS, the future looks bright for Fast Fords.
the only bits i would vary on, is that i am yet to experience any of the problems david had with his car
will try and post some pics for you guys soon
cheeRS max "