Hi, I've got the St Line Ford Focus with the torsion beam rear suspensions for a second year now and the suspensions have been a constant hassle for me. I live in a city where the roads are not the smoothest. There are quite a lot of bumps and the harder suspensions on the ST line can make the ride uncomfortable.
When I got the car, I knew that they are stiffer, but overall, i didn't expect that much of a difference from what I am used to with other cars. 
According to a review I read recently: overall rigidity is increased by 20 per cent, while the suspension mounting points are an impressive 50 per cent stiffer. 
What notice is that suspension do well at higher speeds, but when cruising in the city at lower speeds, potholes and irregularities on the road are quite noticeable and create quite a lot of rattle and noise and sometimes the car wiggles quite a lot. And with bigger potholes and dips you can really feel and hear the suspensions hitting hard. 

What is your experience with the st line suspensions?

My question would be, is there a possibility for retuning or replacement of the suspensions so that they are not as stiff and so that I can make my ride more comfortable? And if this is possible, would it be a foolish move?

UK is the land of the potholes!  The ST Line suspension is rock hard , torsion beam doesn’t help for sure.  Should’ve bought a titanium . I sometimes wish I had. 

I have a Titanium with 16" wheels and 60 section tyres and it's not much better than an ST-Line. Very choppy

11 hours ago, Alex.S said:

UK is the land of the potholes!

Yeah. The government had just started to ease austerity and make a bit more money available for road maintenance then Covid hit. Now back to square one, if not worse. Sod's law!

First time I went out after the latests lockdown I was shocked at the state of the roads around my way.

20 minutes ago, mjt said:

First time I went out after the latest lockdown I was shocked at the state of the roads around my way.

I can't tell if we're just more focussed on it now as a 'new' experience compared things slowly worsening over time...or if they really are that bad!?

Admittedly I'm very sensitive to ride, but it feels like every road has been replaced with a washboard around here!!  

 

1 hour ago, DaveT70 said:

I have a Titanium with 16" wheels and 60 section tyres and it's not much better than an ST-Line. Very choppy

I have an Active Vignale with IRS and 215/50/18s and previously a Titanium X with IRS and 215/50/17s, both very choppy...  I don't understand how Ford have managed to ruin IRS on the Mk4s!!  I'm guessing it's a ploy to make twist beam seem less of a downgrade.   Seriously though, my Golf has IRS and 205/55/16s and is considerably more compliant than either of the Focus's.  Even so, I still couldn't call it comfortable over most road surfaces now.

22 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I can't tell if we're just more focussed on it now as a 'new' experience compared things slowly worsening over time...or if they really are that bad!?

They really are that bad.

I have recently bought a 19 plate 1.5 Titanium MK 4 (16" Wheels), but have also kept a 65 plate 1.5 Titanium (17" Wheels)  for my son.

I have to admit the older car is far more comfortable over bumps, and the seats are also much better, I almost look forward to driving the older car more than the new one, its my own fault, I only did a test drive on good roads and a motorway, and didn't realise how firm the new Focus is.  

Once read a similar enquiry but it was the Fiesta ST, owner has a bad back so wanted to remove all the hard suspension & replace with bog standard soft suspension! The mind boggles as to why he got a sports car knowing he has a bad back, maybe trying to relive his youth.

10 minutes ago, Ian Lanc said:

Once read a similar enquiry but it was the Fiesta ST, owner has a bad back so wanted to remove all the hard suspension & replace with bog standard soft suspension! The mind boggles as to why he got a sports car knowing he has a bad back, maybe trying to relive his youth.

There's often a large chasm between what we want, and what we actually need...   

Manufacturers seem to think that anyone wanting comfort won't have any interest in looks or interior, and vice versa...  I'd love to buy a GTi or ST myself, for the looks, the sound, the interior, the general 'package'...but know my body can't deal with the suspension.  It's been a fight I've had with myself everytime I've changed car over the last 10 years!  Wonder if I'll ever grow out of it...  

Interesting one, this. I've not driven a Focus 4, but find the ST-Line suspension on the Fiesta (similarly torsion beam) quite acceptable (it's no limo, mind), even speaking as an OAP with long term back problems. Is the Focus that different? Anyone got experience of both?

No doubt in my mind that the roads are the worst they've been in my time. There is an unclassified road near us that we increasingly avoid due to its condition. Recently it was closed altogether for repairs. We were expecting the usual "surface dressing" bodge job but when we next drove on it we were absolutely gobsmacked. They'd actually resurfaced it properly with smooth tarmac. - it was how most roads used to be.

29 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Interesting one, this. I've not driven a Focus 4, but find the ST-Line suspension on the Fiesta (similarly torsion beam) quite acceptable (it's no limo, mind), even speaking as an OAP with long term back problems. Is the Focus that different? Anyone got experience of both?

I had a Fiesta Active courtesy car for 5 weeks that had very low profile tyres and the ride quality was just as good as my Focus with 65 profile tyres. 

They both have the same suspension and my own thoughts are it is the difference in the wheelbase that makes the Focus not very good. The MK 4 Focus is a big car on the outside compared to the Fiesta. 

47 minutes ago, Tizer said:

I had a Fiesta Active courtesy car for 5 weeks that had very low profile tyres and the ride quality was just as good as my Focus with 65 profile tyres. 

They both have the same suspension and my own thoughts are it is the difference in the wheelbase that makes the Focus not very good. The MK 4 Focus is a big car on the outside compared to the Fiesta. 

That's an interesting thought...  I wonder if that explains the difference between the Focus and Golf for me..  The Focus tramlines like mad on a few local roads but I'd never considered it being much wider in wheelbase.  I thought it was all bodywork giving it the bigger stance.  Might have to get the tape measure out!

 

I would be interested in the results @TomsFocus. The Torsion Beam arrangement seems to have been designed for the Fiesta originally but that does not explain why the Independent in your car is not that good either.

2 hours ago, Tizer said:

I had a Fiesta Active courtesy car for 5 weeks that had very low profile tyres and the ride quality was just as good as my Focus with 65 profile tyres. 

Interesting, John.

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

That's an interesting thought...  I wonder if that explains the difference between the Focus and Golf for me..  The Focus tramlines like mad on a few local roads but I'd never considered it being much wider in wheelbase.  I thought it was all bodywork giving it the bigger stance.  Might have to get the tape measure out! 

@TomsFocus The Focus 4 is certainly a fair bit bigger than the original - the Mk 8 Fiesta is not far off the size of a Mk1 Focus. I wonder if you would find the Fiesta Active more comfortable than the Focus equivalent?

it is a pity you can't test drive cars @TomsFocus I did like the Fiesta and it was fun to drive with the 140 bhp engine. 

I might have bought one when I changed cars but I sometimes have to carry a folded up wheelchair in the boot and it would not fit in the Fiesta without one of the back seats down, hence why I went for the Focus after carefully measuring the boot space.  

11 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

The Focus 4 is certainly a fair bit bigger than the original - the Mk 8 Fiesta is not far off the size of a Mk1 Focus. I wonder if you would find the Fiesta Active more comfortable than the Focus equivalent?

I was thinking this last night...  I've read many reviews of the Fiesta Active being comfortable...and the Mk4 Focus (in general) being uncomfortable.  I had assumed it was just different audiences, and maybe Fiesta drivers had generally only owned small cars before...but maybe there has been a switch in comfort!  I must admit, I was also really surprised how similar the Mk8 Fiesta looks inside compared to the Mk4 Focus, hadn't taken much notice until checking for drum brakes last week.  The Vignale honestly just looks looks like someone put the Focus on too hot a wash!  I never did like the Mk7 as I felt claustrophobic with the dash protruding into the cabin.

 

10 hours ago, Tizer said:

it is a pity you can't test drive cars @TomsFocus I did like the Fiesta and it was fun to drive with the 140 bhp engine. 

I might have bought one when I changed cars but I sometimes have to carry a folded up wheelchair in the boot and it would not fit in the Fiesta without one of the back seats down, hence why I went for the Focus after carefully measuring the boot space.  

Yes, it's extremely frustrating tbh.  I'm now just trying to find a newer equivalent Golf rather than risk any more changes but even that hasn't gone well...turns out one of the most common cars in Europe is also one of the rarest as soon as I start looking for one!  

I was using the boot regularly a couple of years ago, so boot size was another factor in keeping a Focus sized car...  But I have no idea whether I'll be able to get back to that point or not.  Currently the largest thing I put in the boot is a weeks shopping...I'm sure even the Fiesta could take that.

I think my local council is leaving potholes on residential roads as a traffic calming strategy! 
I’ve lifelong back problems too, bought my STX without driving one, I knew it’d be firm. Doesn’t affect my back very much although ironically the lumber support is terrible! Turned it off...no problem. 
Roger if you don’t already use them , medicated plasters lidocaine 700mg are a godsend. 

16 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

speaking as an OAP with long term back problems.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

I was using the boot regularly a couple of years ago, so boot size was another factor in keeping a Focus sized car...  But I have no idea whether I'll be able to get back to that point or not.  Currently the largest thing I put in the boot is a weeks shopping...I'm sure even the Fiesta could take that.

Believe me, the concept of "travelling light" is entirely unknown to my Mrs, but we manage perfectly well with the Fiesta.😀

Yeah, it's funny about the Focus 4. Most of the motoring media continue to praise the ride  but many real life drivers on here, don't.

The roads are never going to be repaired, they need to hit CO2 targets and with all these cars on the roads, that aint gonna happen!!

Watch the news and observe the demise/death of the car over the next 10 years. Electric vehicles aren't the answer, fewer vehicles are.

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

I had assumed it was just different audiences, and maybe Fiesta drivers had generally only owned small cars before...

I think there are 2 factors there.

One is that a lot of people have owned larger cars in the past, but lifestyle changes mean that they don't need them any more.

Second, cars have got much bigger in the last thirty years or so and people who were once happy driving an Escort/Astra/Golf find a current Fiesta/Corsa/Polo just fine. I did a check some time ago and found that the 1987 Astra SRi that I had was actually shorter and a fair bit narrower than the Mk 8 Fiesta.

1 hour ago, Alex.S said:

I’ve lifelong back problems too, bought my STX without driving one, I knew it’d be firm. Doesn’t affect my back very much although ironically the lumber support is terrible! Turned it off...no problem. 

The lumbar support on the Vignale seat is terrible also...  Reminded me of family holidays with my sisters feet firmly planted in my back!  Even with it completely off, the seat pushes into my back too much.  

The headrest is also too far forward for me on both the Mk4 Focus and Mk8 Golf...I have to wonder what sort of odd shaped person seats are designed for now.  People with a semi circular back and right angled neck I think!

 

56 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

I think there are 2 factors there.

One is that a lot of people have owned larger cars in the past, but lifestyle changes mean that they don't need them any more.

Second, cars have got much bigger in the last thirty years or so and people who were once happy driving an Escort/Astra/Golf find a current Fiesta/Corsa/Polo just fine. I did a check some time ago and found that the 1987 Astra SRi that I had was actually shorter and a fair bit narrower than the Mk 8 Fiesta.

Yeah, that wasn't meant to be a dig at all.  I just meant that if they were coming straight from a C1 for example, a Fiesta probably will feel like a luxury ride.  Although it was too much of a generalisation anyway, my Dads Mk3 Mondeo had an awful ride...V6 Ghia X with firm, flat leathers and 18" alloys!

14 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The lumbar support on the Vignale seat is terrible also.

It’ll be the exact same , I read somewhere Ford had orthopaedic professionals help design it. It’s definitely not a one size fits all feature! My lumber support now isn’t working, I know it’s a warranty issue but I also know they’ll take days fixing it, they are pretty good at supplying curtesy cars tho. It’s stuck on the off position so I’ve no motivation to book it in ..

One of the reason I got a Titanium.

I see all the car reviews go on about tight and firm suspension and think I want a car that wallows around like a pig in mud, rides like I'm sitting on a lilo. Do I want 20" wheels, do I hell, I what 14" wheels so tyres have massive sidewall with lots of bounce 🤣

4 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

, that wasn't meant to be a dig at all.  

Lol, didn't take it as one, perfectly reasonable comment!😀 Some of the smaller cars are not at all bad for comfort though. I did some pretty long trips in my Mrs's SEAT Mii (while waiting 6 months for the Fiesta!) and the only issue really was lack of power.