MartynS

I don't actually own a mk3 Focus, but I'm considering one later this year and wondering if the satnav option is worth it or not?  It's a lot of money compared to standalone ones (though it does include the reversing camera), and at the moment I simply use the one on my phone when I need to so I don't really know if I can justfy it!  I just like the idea of having an integrated one, plus the extra little display in the area between the dials sounds good too.  For people who have it, would you say it's worth getting?

 

I've heard it gets live traffic updates over the radio, for this do you have to be tuned in to a particular station like you do for the radio announcements or does it work regardless of what station you're on?

 

And lastly, how does updating work?  Can you put the sd card in a computer and do it yourself for free, or is it a dealer jobby which they charge ridiculous amounts of money for?  And speaking of the sd cards, how come they cost so much on ebay?

 

Cheers!

I'm thinking of changing my car later this year and was half set on the new Focus ST, but the more I see about the Fiesta ST I can't help feel this would be a much better idea.  Basically because it costs a lot less, will be cheaper to run and is nearly as quick.  I need to test drive both but it seems it may be a while before dealers start getting demo models in so was wondering if anyone here has had the chance to drive both?

 

I prefer the interior and wheels of the Focus, but this alone really doesn't justify the extra cost!

 

Thoughts?

The clutch master cylinder in my Dads 2003 Focus has started leaking a tiny bit, not puddling or anything but the mat is slightly wet so it needs replacing.  Looking at past threads it seems people have got them for around £50 new, but all I can find is one on ebay for over £80 and another on a parts site for something like £76 plus vat.  Does anyone know the rrp for this part (finis 1595244) or anywhere else we can get a genuine one cheaper?  There's loads on ebay for a lot less, but these probably aren't genuine as they cost less than £40!

 

Also, does anyone know how long the current one could last for?  Could it suddenly go fully and leave him clutchless or will it be fine for a week or two?

 

Cheers

Ever since I've had my car (from new, 2 and a bit years now) the coolant level has remained at the midpoint, right where the join in the tank is.  When I checked last week the level had dropped slightly and it was near the min mark.  I've just checked again now and it's on if not slightly below the min line.  I can't see any signs of leakage on the pipes or tank by looking down into the engine bay, but I'm guessing there is a leak somewhere and it's not just contracting because of the cold.  I should probably take it into a garage, but is there anywhere else I can check for possible leaks?

Hopefully it's not in the heater matrix pipes and leaking inside the car or getting round the head gasket!

Cheers

I'm thinking of maybe selling my Fiesta towards the end of the year when it's 3 years old, and although it's a long way off yet I'm already considering a new Focus Zetec-S (or maybe even an ST). Something I'm wondering though is how is the ride with the 18" wheels? My Fiesta Zetec-S with the 17" is quite harsh and crashy (plus there's a few rattles which get set off by bumps!) and although I know the Focus is a higher quality car, from looking at pictures there isn't much in the way of sidewall so I'm guessing it's not great in comparison?

Comparing my dad's 2003 Focus LX to my car there's a huge difference in comfort, speedbumps are so much smoother in his and don't sound like they're causing damage! I assume the new Zetec-S isn't anything like this though and only models with much larger tyres have the extra smoothness?

Cheers!