Fordmad!

What are they like to own? Common problems?
Went in my mates the other day and it felt really smooth, nice inside etc.

I like the mk1s anyway. Wanted a rs but cant afford one so its the next best thing!

LukeDaisley

iTrader: (1)

there alright. they drink fuel though.

jay.woody

i'm same as you, couldn't quite afford the RS, so i got a st170, but i wish i hadn't bought mine, they lack any real power and are heavy on petrol.

STeve

iTrader: (11)

Been driving one for a while as daily and cant fault it, if you drive it normally its no worse than a 1.8 zetec on fuel but they are heavy if and only if you boot it, its reliable and I find pretty bullet proof and ticks all the boxes, come buy mine as Im getting a new toy, the only thing to watch out for with these is the clutch as it will cost you around Ł700 to replace and they suffer from the odd instrument cluster fault, as I had to replace mine as the rev counter and speedo used to do a dance everytime I started it up, 3 door models are more sought after

stevenr

I had one for 2 years,wasn't the most reliable of cars i must say.I eventually got rid when my foot got covered in brake fluid dripping from above the clutch pedal,something to do with the hydraulic clutch had burst.

I traded mine in for a Clio 182,best move ever,far better car IMO.

STeve

iTrader: (11)

hardly a common fault though as you was just unlucky with a bad one

stevenr

There were many faults,the clutch was just the last of a line of problems.

I always wished i'd kept the ST24 that i had before the Focus to be honest,grass was greener and all that though

Oranoco

Mate jade one for 6 years and only failure he had was the VVTi box packing up which Ford did under warantee and a HID lamp which I swapped for him. Not bad for 70,000 miles.

Not very quick but nice chassis and interior is a nice place to be.

Fordmad!

Hmmm was expecting better comments than these tbh always thought they were a good car!

STeve

iTrader: (11)

wrong forum to ask really as most think due to it not having a turbo its poo, but very few have actually driven one day to day

TOOTALL

I've always liked them. Never driven one, but the shape is great and the handling has had good praise. I have out accelerated a couple in my mk6 RS2000 and up to reasonable speeds too, so they are not that quick if a lowly RS2000 can beat them. Still wouldn't put me off though. If one was bought at a good price and given 190-200bhp, it would be a real hoot to drive I'm sure. Am I right in thinking the are just as costly to tune as an n/a motor as the RS2000's 14 ?

STeve

iTrader: (11)

bluefin, decent exhaust and a filter should see mid 170s, the biggest problem is ford called it the st170 should have really been called the st150 as never seen one with that power as standard, but chassis is great and outhandles the rs2000 with ease and better brakes too as OE

Fordmad!

I like the rs2000s aswell so would probably be a toss up between them!

Id probably say the rs2k would just win, have to be a mk5 though!

TOOTALL

I love my RS2000 to bits as sad as it sounds. It's been a great car. And I have only seen one other around here in the 3 yrs I've owned it. However, an ST170 would be a great base to start from. As said above, I really wouldn't fancy my chances on a good B road against one.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

I had one for a year, it was quite slow in a straight line. Heavy on fuel for a 2.0 N/A too, i was averaging about 25-26mpg. Although it handled really well and was easy to chuck around I found the whole package pretty disappointing. It wasn't quick enough to be a hot hatch yet too thirsty and pricey to be a family car.

Gazzonator

iTrader: (9)

I've only had mine just over a month and I really like it!

I always thought they were shit when I used to work for a Ford main dealer but my opinion has changed!

It's not the fastest thing I've ever driven but wind it up and it is a good fun car to drive IMO.

It handles well, looks nice and is nice and comfy too!

It is thirsty but fuel costs don't really bother me a great deal so not an issue.

It's the best car I've ever had for just all round, everyday stuff tbh.

bullsrs

I owned a five door for nearly a year, yes they're thirsty bout 260 miles to a tank but I don't drive slowly, clutches are a problem, more so now they're getting older, the main thing with them feeling slow is that the traction control is extremely over active, my st170 would pull mint out of bends with it off(wheelspin light on), Yet was always holding back with it on, even in the snow it was better being off as the power would be cut so much that the engine would practically stall make, thats how strong the traction system is, make sure you do your homework on what to look for to find a good one and change the timing belt, idler pulley and tensioner including new bolts if it hasn't been done for more than 30,000 miles ignore the recommended schedule as its mainly tensioner failure what wrecks these, a bouncing rev counter at idle is an indication of a worn tensioner but not alway the case, other problems are worn rear bushes and front drop links.
Check out www.fordst170.co.uk good tips and info on there, of I didn't have my focus diesel I'd have another st170 no problem, don't be put off by problems others have had just make sure the one you go for doesn't have any like I did, a good tip is to hold in the trip reset button turn on the ignition keeping reset pressed til display shows 'test' then release reset and keep pressing until you get to dtc this shows fault codes, but a better thing would be to take a code reader

dojj

iTrader: (3)

both ford mags have st170 write up in them this month form what i can remember

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

This shows cluster faults only, not engine dtc's!

Bungle

This worries me as I've been looking at them too and I currently have an st24 lol

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

A lot of people say there slow but tbh i think they go well.A lad from.work bought one last month.I drive it home from where he bought it and i was impressed with it.I wouldnt of said they are slow.

Why do you go and test drive one and make your own mind up.

stevenr

Don't let it worry you,they're not really bad cars,there's just better out there for the money IMO.

I would have another as they're getting very cheap just now,i was quite tempted by the one that was advertised on here for under a grand not long ago,it would have been good for the winter then have the engine out of it for my 16i next year.

I think i just had a bit of bad luck with mine to be honest,i still think the Clio i had after it was a far better car though.

STeve

iTrader: (11)

exactly glen a poorly maintained one will be crap like any car but decent ones still command a good price, I would let any of you drive mine if you have the correct ins cover

bullsrs

Mine once showed the dtc 0303 which is misfire on number 3 cylinder, it was misfiring and nowt to do with the cluster

Shings

If you like cars that are not particularly quick, heavy on juice, over priced and expensive to insure for what they are - go for it.

Plus side, they look well and are a nice place to sit. Handle brilliantly and are well braked for the car.

Supposed to be ultra reliable but I destroyed the engine in mine after 16k miles on a 60k car.

I'd own another one because none of the stuff above particularly bothered me because it was great when you pushed it.

rsfido_1989

Would own another in a heart beat, Decat, remap and remove the resonator box and its raspy and little pops.
Not the best on fuel but keep the revs low and it's bearable.
Good spec cars for the money.
Vvt control will benefit from removing and greasing inside, be careful with flywheel/clutch, mine went and cost 1k to fix.

botters

iTrader: (2)

ive been running one for a few weeks after taking it as a trade in against another car, it handles and brakes superbly and is real nice to drive but feels underpowered to me not too bad on juice tho but i am comparing it to my cossie lol

scortpower

I've had 2 st170s. First one was written off and I liked it that much I got another. They handle great and brakes are pretty good however my st2 is about the same on fuel as the 170! They are pretty nippy providing you rev the Sh1t out of it. I found they are well built and after a women hitting my first one it came out the crash more intact than the women's new fiat punto lol

sammy h

Hi can some one please help me iv got a 1.8 focuse mk1 and wanted to fit thé st170 will this be ŕ direct fit and is it worth it??

rsfido_1989

Lots of work, would tune the 1.8 imo

huddo

Reading this thread has cheered me up no end !!! I bought an ST170 on Friday !

My thoughts so far are, drives really nice, as for fast ? Not really why I bought it just wanted something a little different. fuel economy, no idea yet as I haven't been very far in it and being somewhat mature in years I dont drive everywhere like my arse is on fire so I'm not expecting to keep having to stop at every other petrol station. I say go and try a few and make your own mind up, if you decide to buy one good for you.

Doug2300

Not the fastest car i`ve ever had but it will still clock 140mph and return 42 mpg on a run. Handle absolutely brilliantly !! Also has been very reliable apart form service items brakes and the odd wheel bearing. Not bad considering it was on 44K when I bought it andnow just rolled past 153k. Very very underated car.

vaughant

iTrader: (1)

Good cars generally but as said above,poor on fuel,not too quick and feel a bit heavy if I'm honest!!!
Generally reliable and easy to work on and certainly look pretty.
There are much better hot hatches out there but for a grand or so you can thrash it and break it a year later and get your monies back.