Hello lads,

Just joined up to get info for now as I have always loved the look of the Focus RS mk1 and I have an itch that needs scratching.

Anyway I'm a fan of rally and Colin McRea was my god for years. Because of this I have driven Subaru Imprezas since 2002 owning 9 in total in that time three of which where limited edition STi models.

I have how ever always wanted an RS in the back of my mind but have never took the steps to owning one.

I'm going to look at two this week and wouldn't mind a few pointers.
A few questions.

1. What should I look out for when buying one second hand. Common problems? There are 5 on donedeal and they all look great similar mileage and condition.

2. What mods would be good upgrades as i'm going to look at one with a few mods so I have an idea what should be done. Do they need to be remapped everytime you touch the engine in anyway like the Subaru does. The lad said it was chip is this still common practice with fords.

Thanks in advance lads for any help.

Just learning, Eric.

 

Anyone?

 

This might help you advise me.

If it was you looking and both these cars where as described which would you go for the standard one or the one with the mods.

Modded one:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2002786

Standard one.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1772666

Are the mods on the first one the usual mods that lads go for.

 

53 views and no one has anything to say?

Have to say all the Subaru forums and XRV bike forums I'm on lads are only to happy to help and give advice especially when its a specific car in a section specifically for that car.

Thanks anyway.

 

Should look for normal things 1st like any car corrosion, panel matching distance between panels. Service history is a must, listen for the aux belt squeaking, blue smoke any rattles. Knocks on full lock while stationary. When driving clutch slip an look for worn shocks. Look for leaks in the passenger footwell. See if the car comes with the leather wallet, 5th full spare wheel, smokers pack all little bits that can get lost owner to owner but can retain its price. With modding the chassis can handle 280+ an this can be done with just a new actuator chip manifold and de cat an updated chargecooler pre rad.

 

Thanks for the reply.

This is the car I'm kind of set on at the minute. Going to look at it today.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fo...t?channel=CARS

I take from what you are saying that it at least sounds like its been modded correctly. The lad recons it to be 250bhp approx.

What exactly was the smokers pack?

 

You might get more replys posting on the link below mate. I had a standard one for 6 months when they first came out and i loved it but i always wanted a cosworth so it had to go.

http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=134

 

Just looked at the two, me personally would look to the airtec one. Seems more history only things to concern me would be the it say belt kit is this fitted or already applied, also its got 2001- headlights with the indicator still in so who done the wiring??? If the history an changes are documented it can all come down to the drive. The second rs, I've never been a fan of tints on the car an it looks like it may have a rear space kit fitted could have been tuned an returned to standard for the sale. Comes down to quality, history, preferred an ultimately the drive. With the airtec rs there may be more done or again returned to standard apart from this part. The stirring wheel is a good indicator on how hard a life its had. When you do make the choice buy a scanguage best product € for € an peace of mind best thing I've bought so far for mine.

 

That latest one is pretty much a carbon copy with the engine part I have a uni chip over the superchip, its lovely should be looking at a healthy 250+ belts been done so would say defo have a look. Just check the clutch an brakes but a really nice one.

 

If you get the chance drive all 3 with the least wanted 1st variety us the spice n all that an you should be able to pick out any little quirks an defects.

 

Thought there was something up with the head lights on it. I'll ask today why they where changed. But been honest with myself theres only one reason why someone would change two head lights and the fact they didn't get original ones is a concern to as corners where cut somewhere. I won't discount it just yet, I'd need the original exhaust for the emission test on the NCT so if he doesn't have that I might just have to walk away.

Thanks for the replies lads.

 

Well just by chance I have a full cat an downpipe on gumtree but happy hunting fella but they really are that good.

 

Will you not need the above for NCT. What price have you on it in case the seller hasn't got his and the car is otherwise good?

 

I use a specialist an he's got a spare to use when the MOT is due but I got mine as a spare from the other owner. It's up for £175 but would do £150 if it needed shipping to ROI. 78979722 on UK gumtree

 

HI mate whan looking for a frs see witch spec it is phase 1 or 2??? ie stitched seat base pink throtle gromitt,also check for rust doors were wing mirrors meet the door, boot just above number plate were the plastic goes across ,front wings are prone as well check for oil leaks well any leak tbh, fsh i could go on but you no the score ,hope this helps,great car but remember to mod one is big bucks

 

Going to look at the one with the fmic in the morning when I finish work. As him what the crack was with the head lights and he said when he bought it it had after market head lights that he didn't like so he bought that set. He was aware they where the wrong ones. Suppose that can happen.

A mate pointed though that with the bad whether we've had the last two years now that I may be asking for trouble getting on of these as a daily runner. What are they like in the snow lads. Are they a total lose or can they still get about with the Diff?

 

hi mate any car with wider tyres are gona be pants in the snow,

 

i use mine everyday even in the snow,got me to work and back everyday in the snow and ive got 19's on mine. wrong tyre choice will stop any car from getting through the snow not just the frs,i got a set of tyre socks incase i got stuck but never needed to use them

 

Thanks for the reply.