Is the extra weight of the 5 door really noticeable, its around 25-30kgs, in performance terms?

 

I've driven 3 door ones and owned a 5 door and there's absolutely nothing in it IMO handling or performance wise.

 

I owned a 3dr st17O and it was a cracking car. They handle well and go ok.

 

The price difference between the two cars I like is around 2k that's why I asked if it was a big difference between them.

 

In bulgarian money the 5d one is 3300 the 3d one is 5200.. Thats huge for roughly the same car. Regarding torsional rigidity, I don't think the 3 door chassis is stiffer as it doen't have pillars..

 

ok that makes more sense, in simple physics terms the 5 door should be stiffer as it has 2 pressings in the side of the bodyshell

i think if you drove 2 it would come down to the car thats in better mechanical condition though....i would lose any sleep over it.

if the same spec car was 40% cheaper in 5 door, i would buy a 5 door and pocket the difference.

 

I'd say if it's for family duties then a 5 door, if not then it's gotta be a 3 door

 

It would be interesting to know the weight difference. I can't imagine it's a lot.

 

Where did you find that info? Got a link to it?

 

Looking out of my window and my neighbour has a mk1 Focus saloon. Back in the day, I remember the Orion 1.6i Ghia being thought of as a better handler than the XR3i due to the fixed rear window and the joining of the rear suspension turrets under the rear seat. I bet the Focus 4 door is even more stiff than the hatchbacks.

My 2p worth is, the 30kgs is the least of the ST170s problems, the fact it makes 155bhp on a good day and the long gearing need to be solved first. Also that heavy DMF, get that removed too

 

I have to add, I do really like the ST170 but Ford could have made a really excellent car, all the ingredients were there but they held it back with the transmission. Wasnt it pegged back due to the RS?

 

Didn't the Onion have a rear arb whereas the hatch didn't?

 

I think you are right, lifted from the RS Turbo

 

I'm sure this thread has had loads of posts deleted....

 

Yup, 31kgs of difference, if anyone thinks that makes a difference on a shagged 14year old snotter they're on crack, it's barely a tank of fuel

As for posts deleted, I guess a mod must have been made to look stupid.....