Hi Guys,

Always found forums the best place for advice and I am in need of some.

I am considering buying a Fiesta ST and have a couple in mind. Is there anything that I should be looking out for. I plan on buying one from a dealer (Not Fords) so I get a warranty.

I'm keen to know any common faults that I should look out for.

Fingers crossed I will be an ST owner in the next few weeks.

Thanks

Russ

Like any ford, the engine is solid as long as an ape didn't look after it previous.
From the top of my head I can think is if the mirror's fold in when the car is locked make sure they don't click the whole way and make sure the electric windows work too, if one fails the whole motor has to be replaced if I remember?
I'm maybe not the best person when it comes to this but I'm sure the others will muck in and help

Thank you for a quick response.

I am keen to get one of these but have been burnt before when buying second hand cars, more research needed

I heard horrible stories of the bottom end going on these cars, however as you have said it depends on how it was looked after before.

Thanks

Russ

I've never heard much serious going wrong with the Fes ST, odd gearbox spitting a gear through casing, coil packs can go, driver side seat catch likely broken, just to flimsy to incline a heavy seat, check both sides. Some bad tyre wear if tracking out. Had mine 8 years from new, had a seized rear caliper replaced and still on factory pads/discs and only this year a new battery.
Albeit I now have an engine warning light twice in as many months, worse case senario for me is the MR200 updates are taking a toll on the PCM which won't be cheap. Get a low miles one, few drivers, older owners better, check oil, look for leaks, look for clean and clear fluids, good gear change etc, no smoke all usual basic stuff, would be a good buy now too.

To be honest we had the same engine (albeit 140hp) in a R reg mondeo and it was the best car the family ever had. Pulled like a train and my one now still does. The Duratec engine is known for being tough, used in a variety of cars with little problems, good performance and pretty good economy too. Doesn't use any oil either really
Good shout on the gearbox, it's not the best but you have to be constantly abusing to mash it really

Welcome mate Steve has covered most of the common faults and what to look out for

Thank you for all your help. I am now a proud owner of a Fiesta ST.

Cool!

Nice one

Congratulations on your purchase. Sign up as a member and come and meet us all!

Belated welcome to the site. Hope you enjoy your new

Thank you absolutely love the car. It really is best of both worlds. I get 37 mpg to and from work but its still so fun. Do need to check the AC though as its not cold at all.

I've managed 41mpg since sunday. And that's around 130miles to work + back

Welcome and nice one on your purchase, the Mk6 is a cracking package , get some picures up or your new stead

Ahh I will take some this weekend. I do however have a question and it could be me being paranoid. When I pull away only in 1st there is sometimes a whining noise. It doesn't judder and the bite is still there. Does this happen to any of yours. I'm still not used to finding the bite and how much gas to give it yet. If I pull away quickly it's not a problem

Not sure if this is what you're hearing but I think a few s make a funny noice at low throttle, and at a certain revs. Mine does it - although never in 1st. Not sure what causes it.

Had my dad have a look and he thinks it could just be the fact it was getting hot as I was in stop start traffic. Bloody roadworks. Anyone else have this ?

Thank you for your reply Jimmy. In had so many problems with my vw golf I am on edge with any noise

air con is naff in the ST, mine was poor from new, had it serviced recently not sure what they did but after 8 years I now finally have cold air and it's great, not icy cold like some but for certain proper cold.
TB doesn't make much noise, probably only hear it's actuations if bonnet up, power steering can whine, mine never has. If you on PZero tyres they can judder from the off, too hard will last but awful in damp/wet and as I say don't grip initially, you need to get grip then plant it.

I did read somewhere that the reccomended dosage ha-ha is about 450 however this was a mistype by ford and should be 650. If you get it charged to that the aircon is good.

It is 450ish for UK cars. European (and hotter climates) use 650g as they fit bigger capacity condensers for better heat rejection.
When I 1st got mine I was having problems with it. I went to a smaller independent ford garage and the guy was sound. He actually brought the laptop out with ford's software on it and showed me. Thats where it said it.
The only difference with the condenser is the tubing on the coil is larger. Quite a common practice I think now. The receiver is still the same size I think though, which I don't think should be right
Won't be long until you won't be able to buy virgin R134a due to quota regs from the goverment. And it really won't be long till it sky rockets. Just bought 9.8KG for a little under £60.

I was always under the impression that the ST had a larger capacity air con system as it had the running gear from effectively a mondeo but the stickers on the slam panels werent printed to reflect the higher capacity?