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Mk1 focus rs living and buying one

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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 06:20 PM
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Default Mk1 focus rs living and buying one

Ive wanted one for aslong as i can remember. I am now in a position to save some cash up and hopefully get one next year.

I want reviews on them from people who own them. Always hear they are a cracking car to live with.

I know prices have risen slightly but i always see the odd car around the 7-8k range. Seems 10k is the average mark but 8k is going to be my target i know at cat d car maybe an option at that money.

Currently have a rs2000 which ill be keeping as i love it and will never sell unless i really have too. Have a fiesta rs1800 project that i will complete and sell along with a few other bits to fund the focus (carp fishing gear, escos alloys etc)

Ill be looking for one thats around 300bhp as i think that would be enough for me.

Will all the work saving and selling be worth it in the end?
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 06:30 PM
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They are OK as a daily driver but need a decat and remap ideally to make them fun on the road.
Abit plastic inside and basic which I struggled with at the time coming from an M3 but probably the most fun car I have owned.
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 06:49 PM
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I ran mine as a daily for over 6 years. Very reliable and never let me down. Mines was 280-300 when i bought it and ended up spending a small fortune on it and got it upto 392bhp. Gutted to sell but was time to move on.

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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 07:01 PM
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Nice motor. I like the focus interior used to driving them. Wouldnt be a daily would be a 2nd toy and now used very much at all.

Im after decent power with reliability but can't stand st's anymore
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 07:10 PM
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Brilliant car to drive. My lad's one was great fun to drive when it was totally standard. Currently off the road having a full engine and suspension rebuild before going off to Sabre for a 450bhp conversion. Looking forward to having a go in it when that's done!!
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 07:34 PM
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They are great cars I've had mine 6 years and it was totally standard it's now running about 300bhp as said above they really come a live with a few mods. You need to watch out for rotting coolant pipe behind the wheel arch, thermostat housings leak and basic rust around wheel arches and where the door mirror touches the door and sills are starting to go there has been a few threads on sills being replaced but these cars are great fun
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 08:08 AM
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Never liked the styling especially the interior and I feel you sit to high in the car but apart from that they drive really well and from what I have seen from friends cars ect they are very reliable cars
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 08:24 AM
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We all know you love the deckchairs really Jay!!

I really liked my Focus RS, best car I've had and I really regret selling it!

I'm actually considering breaking my cossie and buying another one.
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 08:56 AM
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Very reliable.. I bet the higher mileage ones will have end float in the crank though. All those people who sit at the traffic lights/junction with the clutch pedal depressed
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 01:59 PM
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Very good cars. I'd expect the 6-7-8k cars to have a few 'old car' issues now though, like worn bushes etc. they are 13 years old after all.
strong engine as standard when tuned properly (like any really). Strong gearbox

Chargecooler not working properly and water leaks are the classic problems.

Mine only has a decat pipe and a dreamscience map, and it made round 280 bhp on two different RR. Ideally they need a bit more power than that really IMO.

Standard suspension is a bit soft by today's hot hatch standards.
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 04:25 PM
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I bought one bout 3 months ago now and I'm very impressed with it, one of the best cars I've owned without doubt.
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Gazzonator
We all know you love the deckchairs really Jay!!

I really liked my Focus RS, best car I've had and I really regret selling it!

I'm actually considering breaking my cossie and buying another one.
Brother Gaz you tit
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 06:14 AM
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Still looking daily. Everyone telling me i need 10k for one. Seen a good few under that. See a lot at 10k+ but they ant selling. Interesting once i have the cash and space for one too see what i do actually pay for one
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 10:43 AM
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love mine. got it Decemeber last year, never liked them when they first come out, now i love them, there to new too call old skool/retro but there the last of hot hatch before electronics started taking over which is what i like about them, ive only done 1k in mine and is in garage most of year, must bring it out to play.
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Old Oct 6, 2016 | 07:05 PM
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We've had ours a year now. Other than a service and the thermostat housing extension it's not cost me anything. The misses drives it mainly to keep the miles down. It's on about 250hp. Front brakes are expensive and anything on it that's unique to the rs. Rides about the same as a new fiesta st so pretty hard.
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 12:09 PM
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had mine nearly 9 years, love it.

alot are suffering with rust, and you get what you pay for, prices are on the up so some people are overvaluing theirs a little but they are RS models

soem parts are almost impossible to get now, front wings (they all rot at the bottom), and alot of cars have been poorly modded
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 12:24 PM
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Interesting to read the responses on here.

Always wanted one and plan to have one in next couple of years. Never driven one yet but have the feeling would want one even more if I drove it!

Would have to sell the Saff to get one, that's my only reluctance.
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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 05:38 PM
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I sold my cossie i owned at the time to buy mine and didn't regret it.!! Loved the way they drive and it's a great place to sit, I had mine wrapped to be a little different.







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Old Oct 10, 2016 | 11:01 PM
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Had mine 4 years now, was standard when i bought it but now it's just over 300 BHP with a remap, decat, Mongoose system (which sounds lurrrrvvvly) and Forge actuator. Love mine when it's behaving but repairs can be a bit pricey if it's anything peculiar to the RS. Hoping to move on to a mk2 RS maybe late next year/early the following year when one of my mortgages is paid off and have a bit more dosh.

ircossie76, do you mind me asking how much it cost to get the wrap done on yours mate?
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 11:04 AM
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I ran mine for over 12 months daily. Setup by demon Pete running 380bhp on switchable map. Was a cracking car
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by STAFFY OWNER
Had mine 4 years now, was standard when i bought it but now it's just over 300 BHP with a remap, decat, Mongoose system (which sounds lurrrrvvvly) and Forge actuator. Love mine when it's behaving but repairs can be a bit pricey if it's anything peculiar to the RS. Hoping to move on to a mk2 RS maybe late next year/early the following year when one of my mortgages is paid off and have a bit more dosh.

ircossie76, do you mind me asking how much it cost to get the wrap done on yours mate?
It was about Ł800 if I remember rightly to wrap it and have carbon on the roof. It was so easy to clean as well.
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Old Oct 12, 2016 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by ircossie76
It was about Ł800 if I remember rightly to wrap it and have carbon on the roof. It was so easy to clean as well.
thats a great price, most places want Ł2k to do this nowadays
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Old Oct 12, 2016 | 12:02 PM
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Owned one years ago. Bluefin, Mongoose, K&N and decat gave 280 ish and it was great fun.

Diff takes some getting used to on damp/cambered roads but was brilliant fun on track. Std front brakes were garbage, destroyed a set of 1144's and EBC discs at Donington the week before I sold it.
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Old Oct 12, 2016 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by gingeRS
thats a great price, most places want Ł2k to do this nowadays
It was a bit cheaper than the norm. My mate does it for a living, he sorted me out and did a great job.
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Old Oct 13, 2016 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ircossie76
It was about Ł800 if I remember rightly to wrap it and have carbon on the roof. It was so easy to clean as well.
Thanks for the reply mate, my mrs had the rear windows on her mk7 Fiesta tinted a couple of years ago and the guy that did them offered to wrap my RS for about Ł900 (or it might have been Ł1200, both figures ring a bell for some reason) and that was in a pale blue chrome but I was unsure so never did any more about it but I still ponder on it occasionally.
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Old Oct 15, 2016 | 08:19 PM
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I bought my first mk1 Frs about 4yrs ago a d it was completely standard. I had been using a 400bhp Saff Cossie as a daily for the previous 8yrs and decided to give the Cossie a break and get a newer car for daily stuff. I bought the Frs standard and had read that subtle mods really transformed the car so I fitted a decat and exhaust which made a lot of difference even without a remap. The Frs is an awesome car and 2yrs later the car had only needed a thermostat housing replacing. At that point I sold the Saff Cossie as I had no real use for it as the focus done the weekly shop and could also go out for nice drive at weekends. 6 months later I sold the Frs and bought my dream car! An escort cosworth but only 2-3 months later I was back in a Frs again. The Escos looked awesome but the focus won in every other department, handling, comfort, reliability and the 300bhp Frs felt quicker than a 330bhp Escos by a lot. My current focus rs is a lot nicer than my first one, interior is very clean and it's running hybrid turbo etc at about 350bhp. My current Frs is for sale at the minute in car for sale section for 10k ono. I just bought a diesel daily to save some money so thought I'd get another classic for weekend use. My mate earlier did say I should keep the Frs for weekends which I'm now thinking is a good idea lol

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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 08:44 PM
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I've just bought one this weekend, looked at some 8k and 10 k cars, minefieild!!
Cheaper cars very rough sills going ,arches,under the spoiler,under the mirrors. Be very careful when looking and do go to the top of your budget.
I was about to go buy a 110k mile car for around 9 as it was in good overall honest condition.
Luckily a mate of mine put me onto a 57k mile car , pampered and in fantastic condition , it was well over my budget ,but a little haggle and I got to where I needed to be .
Can't wait to take it out now.

Take your time and wait for the right car mate , look at lots before you jump in ����
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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 08:46 PM
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I did consider going to look at Bil n Kel's at one point
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Old Oct 20, 2016 | 12:43 PM
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Now then Clive. Have you still got your black 3dr too?
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Old Oct 20, 2016 | 10:29 PM
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Sounds like you got a very nice car righthooker
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Old Oct 21, 2016 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by righthooker
I've just bought one this weekend, looked at some 8k and 10 k cars, minefieild!!
Cheaper cars very rough sills going ,arches,under the spoiler,under the mirrors. Be very careful when looking and do go to the top of your budget.
I was about to go buy a 110k mile car for around 9 as it was in good overall honest condition.
Luckily a mate of mine put me onto a 57k mile car , pampered and in fantastic condition , it was well over my budget ,but a little haggle and I got to where I needed to be .
Can't wait to take it out now.

Take your time and wait for the right car mate , look at lots before you jump in ����
They are great cars and days when I miss mine.
What number did you buy mate as my old one has that milage on it.
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Old Oct 21, 2016 | 10:11 AM
  #32  
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I`ve had mine since 2008. loved and still love the car to bits and enjoy every minute in it.

I can not agree that the car is a reliable daily driver. I had to get towed at least 10 times in 8 years. thermostat housing cracked 4 times, oil and water leaks every once in a while, fuel pump went, chargecooler pump went etc. etc.

and all this with a mild tune (remap and exhaust / 269PS on the rollers).

until now I did not have any rust issues...but what also bothers me is that the interior wears out really quickly.
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Glenn_
Now then Clive. Have you still got your black 3dr too?

Your having a laugh mate , Jacko was involved in stealing it 4 years ago 😔 Police weren't interested and the thieving cunt says a gypo "John freeman "had it as said police not bothered glen
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by BIL N KEL
Sounds like you got a very nice car righthooker
Yep , well pleased with it 😎
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Old Oct 24, 2016 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by stevos
They are great cars and days when I miss mine.
What number did you buy mate as my old one has that milage on it.
I have build number 1891 fella , very clean
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Old Oct 26, 2016 | 10:43 AM
  #36  
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Bought one after my selling my 3 door cosworth roughly 2005, owned it for 3 years, I would say by far its the best car ive owned.

It was roughly 300 bhp with some of the useal mods at the time, perfect car and fond memories. Sold it with 40k on the clock to a guy in Ireland, infact be good to know if it is still alive reg- PX03 WBu

Looking like I will be going to get another and will be looking to spend roughy 14-16k , it would not be used as a daily and more of a toy this time around as I realise they are getting on a bit, ideally keep this one for a long time and get it to a decent standard, they wont lose much money and if anything will only go up.


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Old Oct 26, 2016 | 11:46 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by rabmc

Looking like I will be going to get another and will be looking to spend roughy 14-16k ,
should get a good one with that budget
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Old Mar 21, 2018 | 06:41 PM
  #38  
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Wanted to restart this thread as I never did get one in the end. Now this year I’ll have a good amount to pick one up.

I have been reading up though and these cars do scare me. Parts you just can’t pick up anymore. Reading somewhere a lad waiting 18 months to find a 2nd hand head. 1k each for front wings ( if you can get them) etc etc

It’s the only car I’m really interested in buying next if I do get something as I’m done with the older 90s classics.

Can’t help thinking I’d be buying another massive expensive headache though
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Old Mar 21, 2018 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Fordmad!
Wanted to restart this thread as I never did get one in the end. Now this year I’ll have a good amount to pick one up.

I have been reading up though and these cars do scare me. Parts you just can’t pick up anymore. Reading somewhere a lad waiting 18 months to find a 2nd hand head. 1k each for front wings ( if you can get them) etc etc

It’s the only car I’m really interested in buying next if I do get something as I’m done with the older 90s classics.

Can’t help thinking I’d be buying another massive expensive headache though
Don't be put off by the price of repairs or parts that you probably won't ever have to worry about. Get the car you really want and go enjoy it, you would 100% not regret it. I still look at them myself.
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Old Mar 22, 2018 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by righthooker
Your having a laugh mate , Jacko was involved in stealing it 4 years ago 😔 Police weren't interested and the thieving cunt says a gypo "John freeman "had it as said police not bothered glen
I never knew that - what a dodgy cunt
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