Ok peeps, as per the title, do you think the ST feels like it has 150bhp? I guess this is something only owners can comment on, and potentially a spoiler for those that are waiting, but having done a few miles now I don't know if the ST feels as quick as it should be. I appreciate that its not a 400bhp Aston Martin or whatever, but 150bhp in a small hatch should equate to decent performance, right?

The only reason I've brought it up is that whilst you can undoubtedly get one over on numerous other cars, I find that I'm also getting done by some really mundane stuff too. Take this morning for instance, I'm joining the motorway to go to work and there's about a 500 yard dual carriageway slip road. Its normally a good opportunity to despatch all the idiots who think its safe to join a motorway at 40mph and get up to 70-odd. I've got an X3 in front of me, no badges on the back to give away what its packing, but its an X3 for Christ's sake, a Chelsea tractor and a poor man's one at that. I put my foot flat down expecting him to move over to the slow lane but he puts his foot down as well and I can't get past. He doesn't necessarily edge ahead, but I back off at 80mph with egg on my face. What the hell is that all about? I'd surely expect to be able to bomb past cars like this...

My mates Dad's just got an X3. 3.0 straight six with 258bhp and 4 wheel drive. If it was one of these, no wonder you couldn't get past!!!
I had 3 ST170's before the Fiesta ST and I feel its just as quick as those, if not a touch more responsive because of the lower weight.

Oh yeah, X3 engine denominations are on the front wings (unless it's been de-badged, of course) so you wouldn't have know from behind it what kind of firepower it had.

Sorry if I've pissed on your chips a little bit, Parksey!

also.. it could have been a diesel x3?
I dont regard the ST as being particularly quick - infact, personally I think its a bit slow but when you look at the whole picture - the handling, cost, styling / look and the fact that it has a reasonably punchy engine, I think the overall package is what makes it desirable. If you want something to blitz most other people should you got for something like an impreza or evo or a high powered diesel like the seat cupra 160 ?

Interesting post. I haven't got mine yet but would look forward to hearing the views of current ST owners.

I dont own mine yet, but...

I would imagine its fast enough and seeing as a 3 stage modification can increase BHP to over 200+ then I am not going to complain. I saved £3600 on the list price by buying through Ford privilage so that might just go on the improvements once the warranty has expired.

Well i've noticed that since i've hit 2000miles the car is now getting significantly faster. If feel a lot more responsive and putting your foot down the power seems to hit quite a bit earlier now.

I think you have to be careful when talking about the power of the In the right band (above 3000-4000rpm) the car is very quick, but if you run it about just below that band then the car doesn't feel very fast, but that makes it great for pottering around town, and if you want the power drop back a gear or two and off you go.

I did wonder if it was the 3.0 X3, LocalFordDealer, which would explain why I couldn't get past - my chips are indeed very soggy.

The problem with the X3 is that it looks so mundane with the black bumpers all over it, it could have had the engine out of the M5 in it and I'd never have known! It may just be that, because I came from having a lowly 75bhp 206, I expect the ST to be blindingly quick when, in all honesty, 150bhp isn't that much in a 1.1 ton car. I had the revs well up when I was trying to get past this thing though (I thought changing up at 6000rpm would be enough) but it still didn't work. Nevermind, I just hope I haven't got used to it already, that'd be disappointing...

*off topic* LocalFordDealer - what are the opening hours of your service department? I was amazed to find that mine is only open 9am-5pm!

Our Service Department is open 8am-6pm Monday - Friday, 8am-2pm Saturday and is closed on Sunday.

parksey i had the same prob vs a mondeo 2.0 TDCI, but to be honest ST vs an X3 no chance for the ST, if it were me i of would expected for the X3 the be hard to get by, all that torque for that big thing!!!!!!!! i have had my car from january now, and to be honest the i cant tell differance from the day i bought it to today, still drives the same still goes the same, but i did notice the car was really really slugish in all the hot weather

Dude - yeah, I see what you're saying, I guess it was a high-end diesel one or something, if it was the bog standard 2.0 petrol then I reckon I would've sailed past, the X3 weighs about twice as much as the ST!

This morning, same slip road, same situation, but I had a Caterham Seven in front of me. I didn't even bother...

That said, last night coming back from the gym I came up to a set of traffic lights, red, which lead into a 60 zone. Prime opportunity to try an (almost) legal 0-60 sprint. Revved it up and dumped the clutch at about 4k revs, little bit of wheelspin but I was away. It wasn't the most technical, or accurate test, but I'd not counted far past 7 before I hit 60. Very impressive, I was most amazed by the grip (I don't have ESP) when you're sending that much power through the front wheels.

Dealer - mine's not even open Saturday! Its a pain because I work 9-5 Mon-Fri so its difficult to get up there. Might have to go elsewhere.

yeah true parkey, only thing witht he diesel is that once they get going they are hard to beat!!!!!!

thats the next to i goota do is practice setting off form a standing still start

Supply & Demand

Your supply a service to a high demand LFD - Good business sense!

All the other dealers, especially in your area are loosing out

You,ve got a 0-60 fixation.There,s hundreds of cars that,ll cream the in a straight line,but that is not what it is all about.I guess you,ve all noticed that you can take almost any corner at the legal speed limit.That is what the is about 2nd and 3rd gear on a twisty poorly surfaced road screaming at 6500+,who,s going to beat you not some stinky X3/5.Had a blast against a Porsche Cayenne turbo S (0-60 in 5.6 on the above road ,he didn,t stand a chance I entered and left every corner way faster than him.He was all over the shop ,I mean his stability control electronics probably cost 10000 squid,when he let me past I left him standing.4x4,s too big to heavy yes on the M-way he,d trounce me,but everyday driving forget it.70000 grand v,s 13000 who made the right choice.