Hey mates,

yesterday I've been to the Nürburgring with my '13 Fiesta 1.25 Duratec and driven two laps over the famous Nordschleife.

And what can I say? It's a really great pleasure! :D

Track conditions were pretty good (25° Celcuis outside temperature and after the morining no rain in sight).

The Fiesta did well on the Nordschleife. The standard zetec chassis and overall suspension are good enough for a beginner on the Nürburgring but also make really fun. Afterwards I was passagener in a F21 BMW 1 Series and the suspension there, hasn't been much different in performance.

Actually the Ford was a bit mor "lively" in the corners.

Only thing that really suffered a bit after my second lap, has been the brakes. But you know, when you smell the brakes the in cabin, you might should do a break. But they didn't really suffered in performance until the end of the second lap.

So, did you drive on a track with you Fiesta or especially on the Nürburgring?

Best regards

David

Ps. I did see quite a few Mk7 Fiestas. 4 or 5 STs, one Zetec S/Sport and another "standard" Zetec.

i would love to go - it looks awesome

I'd love to do this there are some pretty good videos on YouTube of ST's going around the ring

Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC mobile app

Looking good out there, would love to do it.

Theres a video somewhere of an F1 driver in a Fiesta Ecoboost 125bhp thrashing around the ring with passengers and showing up BMWs and many other much bigger and more expensive cars

Got a link to that video snc

I've not watched it again and it was a few weeks ago I originally saw it but its this one with Andrea Montermini:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lVHlc2tUiao

If I remember correctly it's slow to start but later after taking a couple of cars he kept up and nearly took a bmw 135 (I think) until another older bmw let it past and held the fiesta up and he has a laugh getting wheel to wheel with something in one corner.

do you think a brake upgrade for the ring is a good idea? how were the brakes afterwards?

Well, these were my first two laps (5 Minutes break between these laps), driven quite fast but not on the maximum limit (of the car) and the brakes got quite hot and "smelly", but they didn't fade or were lacking brake pressure.

Main "problem" regarding heat, are the drum brakes at the rear, although most weight is on the front of the car, the drum brakes can't circulate the heat away from the drum, so I'll guess two laps in a row max, then you'll have to stop to let them cool down.

At the moment I've still got the factory Ford brakes on my car and I'll observe the wear of the brakes over the next months.

I'm planning to do another two laps on the 'Ring in late July.

An Upgrade to disc brakes at front and rear is on the cost side (for me) no consideration.

But after this year, I'm planning to change the front brake discs and brake pads to a good "brand" product. And a good set of summer tires, the Goodyear EfficientGrip, that has been installed from the factory is okay for normal days, but I'm planning for something bit "sporty" (no real sport tyre, but something like a Conti SportContact, Dunlop SportMaxx or Bridgestone Potenza, depending what's availabe in 195/55/15)

good info. i was looking at a rear disc conversion, to see if it would be worth doing. i see on your fiesta you only have the mesh upper grill - are you looking to do the lower and the fog lamp areas too?

good info. i was looking at a rear disc conversion, to see if it would be worth doing. i see on your fiesta you only have the mesh upper grill - are you looking to do the lower and the fog lamp areas too?

Why are people going for the mesh front and converting it from the chrome Aston Martin style grill. I just don't get it it looks worse to me and doesn't stand out as much.

Theres just so many cars with mesh grills:

Seat MII, Renault Twingo, Nissan Duke, Dacia Sandero, Vauxhall Corsa etc and they just don't stand out that I thought everyone would love the fiesta's front. I don't think the audi mesh fronts look that good although I do like this studded one.

Am I missing something?

Why are people going for the mesh front and converting it from the chrome Aston Martin style grill. I just don't get it it looks worse to me and doesn't stand out as much.

Theres just so many cars with mesh grills:

Seat MII, Renault Twingo, Nissan Duke, Dacia Sandero, Vauxhall Corsa etc and they just don't stand out that I thought everyone would love the fiesta's front. I don't think the audi mesh fronts look that good although I do like this studded one.

Am I missing something?

I thibk the mesh looks far more sporty and aggressive, but I agree to an extent if it's not got the Ford kit on it don't look much better

I think the Ford Fiesta Zetec, got no chrome on it at all (not at the boot lid, the door handles or the window surroundings), so the chrome grill at the front, looks kinda out of place.

That's why i swapped to the Sport/Zetec S grille.

I like the look and will upgrade the other parts (fog lights and lower grille) to the Zetec S look, too. Although these patts arent't a bargain. :D

somebody here wrapped the chrome front in black - it looked great