Hi all, 

This is my first post so apologies if I got it all wrong. I think you'll like this one.

Yesterday, I went to test drive a used mk3.5 Focus (2015 model) from a private owner. The car is UK model, imported to Cyprus some time back, got 25000 Km on it, but that's all I can say for sure.

It's got all the ST characteristics; interior lighting, leather seats, loads of extras, and the ST badge at the front grill. So far so good. However, it came with a factory fitted 1.0L ecoboost(!), the sticker at the driver's door clearly states "titanium" and when I contacted Ford, the VIN search returned that it should be an ST-line. It also has 19" wheels(!!), obviously aftermarket, while Ford said it came out of the factory with the standard 16" wheels. The guy sells it too little money and says he bought it used like that a year ago.

What is happening? 

Nick. 

Has it got the ST engine fitted? If not then its just someone who has modified it to make it look like an ST.

Ford said it's an ST-Line, but came with 16s?  Not possible, ST-Line came with 17s minimum.  Sounds like it's a modified Titanium as the door sticker suggests.

Cars that have such extensive modification are often previous write offs.  I don't know how the systems work in Cyprus but if it was ever driven on UK plates let us know the reg and I'll see if I can find out what's happened.

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Luke4efc, no it looks like a standard 125bhp 1.0L ecoboost, although I would claim that it's had its ECU reprogrammed, given all the other mods. 

TomsFocus, that's what I suspected, especially after I found pieces of plastic wrap on the frame at the driver's side. My take on it is that it used to be a stock Titanium but moded to look like an ST. 

 

Thanks for your input, I'll probably pass on this one. 

Definitely walk away, if the seller is mis-representing it now then I wouldn't trust anything they say for sure.

If I remember correctly the ST Line was not yet available in 2015. It was released in 2016. 

I do not know the exact specifications of the UK trim levels but in most other European countries Ford offered the Titanium S-Edition and Titanium-X S-Edition versions which offered the Titanium / Titanium-X trim level combined with the full body kit and suspension of the Zetec-S / ST-line.

 

Run away.

2 hours ago, JW1982 said:

If I remember correctly the ST Line was not yet available in 2015. It was released in 2016. 

I do not know the exact specifications of the UK trim levels but in most other European countries Ford offered the Titanium S-Edition and Titanium-X S-Edition versions which offered the Titanium / Titanium-X trim level combined with the full body kit and suspension of the Zetec-S / ST-line.

 

We never had a Focus Titanium S over here.  We did get a Mondeo Titanium X Sport which always seemed contradictory!  We did get a Focus ST-Line X which had the sporty looks and suspension but got a few of the Titanium comforts inside, leather seats and climate control etc.

Hi guys, as I said in my first post, this car was imported from the UK, so we are on the same page about trim levels. The owner doesn't really seems to know what they have. Completely forgot that ST-line came out in 2016, plus the colour supports the theory that it used to be a stock Titanium. I'm now definitely walking away,it was too good to be true anyway. 😅

Hi again, 

I just thought I should post an update in this, hopefully to raise awareness. 

It seems that there are more than one cases like the one above. I discovered another "ST" a couple of weeks ago, posted on Facebook's marketplace. This is a great example of why people must check all documents, as well as make sure the details on different sources match the car. These cars are probably write-offs, bought cheap and dressed to look like something better. 

Nick

Edited February 27, 20215 yr by NikP
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