Candy Red Diesel Sport - first impressions & pics!

[Nolz]

So it's been a good week since I took delivery of my Focus. The day I picked it up was the scorcher of a Saturday before the big wet. High 30's and not a cloud in sight.
Good news is that the climate control held relatively well. Left it on AUTO and allowed it to do its thing. Not convinced it managed to get to the 22 degrees it was set at however it did a good job of keeping temps at bay considering how warm it was that day. I wasn't uncomfortable.

I chose to go with the diesel as I have long been convinced that it's benefits as far as economy and torque were concerned far outweighed the price of diesel (still cheaper than PULP in the XR6T I had) and any diesel engine rattle or roughness. And more importantly, diesels are generally built tough...and respond well to tuning

It's been fantastic so far, 600+km's in 9 days. Handling is extremely competent, suspension certainly NOT on the plush side. You can sense that it is the "sport" version by the way some bumps certainly dont go by unnoticed. Having said that though, the slight firmness is a small price to pay for how well it handles. And it does seem to be loosening up a little. I can sense that sway bars will more than likely be my first "performance mod". I do prefer my twisties and can feel that the Focus will benefit in this area.

Tyres are a good compramise between styling, grip and comfort. But a ***** to keep clean with the euro brake pads. Soft and dusty! Braking is ok without being good. It could do with feeling a little more confident on the stoppers. Better brake fluid, braided lines and a change of rotor and pad combo should help out a lot.
Having spent a little bit of time behind the wheel now I'm starting to think that the 18"s on the Ti with the 235's could be a little over tyred. Given the power of a stock focus and the trade off in comfort.

The stereo dash and dials are just to my liking. Coming from the FG however I MISS MY DIGITAL SPEEDO! Getting sat nav for free was massive bonus and am so glad it worked out that way. Maps are loaded via an SD card above the screen and sits in permanently. SATNAV is very easy to use, very fast to load and pick up on changes of direction. Programming is a bit fiddly (think texting before smart phones and touch screens).
Stereo is GOOD for a stock system, but I do have gear on order already

Seats are perfect for my frame and style of driving. At work I drive an STi and although the seats are perfect for track days they suck for every day life. My old falcon seats were too big and offered no support. The focus is a good in between.

Currently getting 850km per tank at 6.8l/100km. That's with giving it a good squirt here or there to aid with run in.

Pretty bloody impressed so far, could waffle on longer but will wait to answer specific Q's

[Turbodiesel]

That looks and sounds good, glad you're a happy customer

Yes diesels do have a lot of tuning potential, I know from experience. I'd be interested to see how the newies fare.

The engine bay doesn't look too different, maybe a little more cramped.

[Nolz]

There's bugger all space to work with. Cables, lines, tubes left right and centre. A bit different from the ol Falcon!
Can't wait to start tinkering. I had a day off today and was tempted to drop by an exhaust shop. Had to make sure I didn't get there because I have no self control haha

[Turbodiesel]

Originally Posted by Nolz

There's bugger all space to work with. Cables, lines, tubes left right and centre. A bit different from the ol Falcon!
Can't wait to start tinkering. I had a day off today and was tempted to drop by an exhaust shop. Had to make sure I didn't get there because I have no self control haha

Haha you're keen, it took me 3 years and a track day to start playing with mine. I don't know much about how warranty works with mods.

But it sure is fun

[ConradP]

Don't quote me but i've heard as long as it isn't the cause of a fault they can't say modding is to blame, so catback or something is fine if the engine dies, but if you've put bigger cams in or something they wont cover it.

[Nolz]

Yup! Been through all of this with previous cars. I know what happens when I start to chop and change it up. Just can't help it =P

[makattkd]

Love to know what you have in store for the stereo upgrades.

I am surprised with 9 speakers there is no sub?

[Polyal]

Thats a great looking machine...does it ride harsher than say a B or F series XR?

[DJM83]

Im warming to these, cant wait for the ST. I like it, nice pick up.

[sysh]

Originally Posted by Nolz

Yup! Been through all of this with previous cars. I know what happens when I start to chop and change it up. Just can't help it =P

Do tell when you start modding, I'm thinking of tinkering a bit shortly, wanna give myself an early Xmas or New Year's present. Probably sway bars (can't seem to find the engine strut brace though) and K&N.

Lovely ride indeed, now I'm half regretting not plonkin' the additional $2.5k for the Sports Petrol

[Nolz]

Originally Posted by makattkd

Love to know what you have in store for the stereo upgrades.

I am surprised with 9 speakers there is no sub?

No sub.

Will probably delete (disconnect) the centre speaker. Definitely keeping the oem head unit. Will be looking to add an Audiocontrol LC6i to send out the audio signals via RCA to then amp up a set of splits for the front doors.
Will dynamat and pretty much invest what I have in amping up and replacing the front speakers. Depending on budget, I will add a monoblock and a small sub in the boot. If I'm out of funds I'll re use my clarion mononblock and shallow mount 10" which I made for the ute.

[Nolz]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Thats a great looking machine...does it ride harsher than say a B or F series XR?

Can't say re: B series. However compared to my old FG XR6T ute, the Focus definitely deals with bumps more competently....but that is a comparo with a UTE after all.

Mind you that's with my 215/50/17's I suspect the tyre package with 18's could be a little too jarring.

[Nolz]

Originally Posted by sysh

Do tell when you start modding, I'm thinking of tinkering a bit shortly, wanna give myself an early Xmas or New Year's present. Probably sway bars (can't seem to find the engine strut brace though) and K&N.

Lovely ride indeed, now I'm half regretting not plonkin' the additional $2.5k for the Sports Petrol

Got a phone call from Tunehouse today. The focus is too new at this stage so they don't have the software available as yet. However I was told to check in in a month as it's no the way!!! W00t! :

I'll probably start with an exhaust and tune, then sway bars and brakes. Hoping to make my way up to hitech mufflers on my next day off for a quote. I want it to flow better as prep for a tune however I'm well over noisy cars so it will have to be extremely QUIET!...with a nice note

Do you think you'd get a strut brace up in there? Barely enouh room for dust to settle! I'd definitely look into sway bars before that.

[Nolz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Im warming to these, cant wait for the ST. I like it, nice pick up.

Thanks mate.

The ST really looks to be a pearler. But that would have taken away from my "sensible" down grade

Can't wait to see them around though. I think are onto something with this one. I just hope that once supply switches over to the Thailand plant that quality doesn't start to suffer.

[ConradP]

Originally Posted by Nolz

Do you think you'd get a strut brace up in there? Barely enouh room for dust to settle! I'd definitely look into sway bars before that.

If it's anything as cramped like the LV you can fit a strut, but it's one that bents away from the windscreen, check out my thread "time to mod my lv" i did an install of one in that, tight but fits.

[sysh]

Originally Posted by Nolz

Got a phone call from Tunehouse today. The focus is too new at this stage so they don't have the software available as yet. However I was told to check in in a month as it's no the way!!! W00t! :

I'll probably start with an exhaust and tune, then sway bars and brakes. Hoping to make my way up to hitech mufflers on my next day off for a quote. I want it to flow better as prep for a tune however I'm well over noisy cars so it will have to be extremely QUIET!...with a nice note

Do you think you'd get a strut brace up in there? Barely enouh room for dust to settle! I'd definitely look into sway bars before that.

Yep, I guess the tune up for the LW Focus will take awhile.. Do keep me up to date, that's something I'm game for if it's not too expensive..

I think you'd be able to fit a strut brace there, but prolly a 3-point type and follows the contour of the hood. Whiteline sway bars are available now, so will look at that. Waiting to see now if any bodykits are out. A low bassy twin pipe exhaust would look good no doubt

[jonohoang]

great write up of a review and love the colour of your car.
Makes the wait for our white sports petrol feel worthwhile.
Maybe should of paid extra for the diesel, but a bit late now as it would delay the order to next year :(

I'm sure you'll enjoy the focus for years to come
Jono

[SpoolMan]

Nice car, enjoy the new ride and the fuel savings...

[Nolz]

Just a photo I like


And another for those wondering what the LED's in the rear look like.....=HOT!

[ConradP]

Badass.

http://www.european-parts.net/catalo...roducts_id=817

That's the strut bar I have on mine, see how it follows the shape of the trimmings, it might just suit your car as well, there isn't one for the mk3/lw on their site yet, but could be worth an email.

[Nolz]

Thanks ConradP, I'll do my best to NOT email them just yet. Bad things happen when I find that bits and pieces are available =P haha

Thanks mate!

[Nolz]

It happened!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpTrnOPMKdA

[sysh]

Originally Posted by Nolz

It happened!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpTrnOPMKdA

Nice, not too noisy either. Felt any performance gains? And how much did it set you back?

[Nolz]

Definitely revs a lot cleaner, smoother, more freely.

$850! Which isn't cheap but I was happy to pay it for the workmanship and peace of mind : )

[harveyr]

Does the sat nav have fixed speed camera and school zone warnings?

Cheers.

[Nolz]

Unfortunately not :(

[Nolz]

Just a few more photo's from the weekend. Managed to find time to wash her for the first time and even wack on a coat of wax. Such a relief to be washing and waxing a small car again. So quick, so easy and the results outstanding.

The best way to fully appreciate how your car is designed and looks is by waxing it. That way you better appreciate every curve and angle and all aspects of the cars design. Love it even more now!

[SpoolMan]

The wheels on the Sport look like they will need a bit more effort in the cleaning department compared to the Titanium wheels, have you found cleaning them a pain and are you seeing much brake dust on them?

[Nolz]

Being of euro heritage it does come with particularly soft pads so yes brake dust is a massive ******!

And yes it is also a massive pain in the **** to clean. There's simply no nice way of putting it haha

Having them nice and shiny for about a week could be worth it though...maybe :p

[Fast Eddie]

Nolz, I just noticed something that I hadn't previously. Have you done your own DRL's? Second from the bottom "horizontal" slat in the blank air intake I can see a silver part.