Hi guys,

This is my first post. I currently have a 2009 Ford Fiesta Mk7 Style + 1.25l 3 door in red. I have had this car since June 2014 and figured it'd be nice to do a few things to it. I have looked up a few of the threads on here looking at mods but wondered specifically what people thought would be good on my car. Here is the car:

Are there any optional extras or features available in the more premium models like the zetec and titanium that would be fairly simple to add using existing wiring looms/connectors? I thought that a nice idea might be to change the interior footwell lighting to red like some other users have done just for a nice change.

I know that an obvious change would be to scrap the steels and find a good set of alloys but unfortunately i'm not sure my budget could stretch that far. They're definitely what let it down at the moment. However, as a first car i do still get a fair number of compliments to how nice it looks. I really do love the shape of the Mk7.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Barny

Changing the footwell lighting is a simple job, & a set of alloys shouldn't be that expensive.

Yes it seems fairly simple. The problem is the posts are found are all quite old so the links no longer work to parts. It looks like my car has no footwell lighting so I may need all the parts not just bulbs/leds. If someone could link me to parts required thatd be appreciated.

In terms of alloys how much would I be looking to spend? Does anyone have a set for sale?

Yes it seems fairly simple. The problem is the posts are found are all quite old so the links no longer work to parts. It looks like my car has no footwell lighting so I may need all the parts not just bulbs/leds. If someone could link me to parts required thatd be appreciated.

In terms of alloys how much would I be looking to spend? Does anyone have a set for sale?

Set of Team Hecko Wind Reflectors

Silvatec indicator bulbs in all units

Cree 6000k reverse bulb

Some alloys (350-500 with Tyres)

mudflaps

Perhaps lower on eibach springs

Paint brake calipers & rear drums

Footwell lighting & ignition barrel light

Boot door tow strap

Additional boot light

I've created many guides with links to parts etcetera.

Including installing front & rear footwell lighting with illuminated ignition ring light

All guides performed on a mk2.5 Focus however the principles are exactly the same on any other 12V vehicle,

Only difference is removal of panels

Link:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/68214-full-list-lennys-guides/

Mudflaps, armrest, alloys

Thanks,

What advantage does changing the external bulbs have? Is it just a crisper light than that of the stock ones? At the lower end of that bracket then alloys may well be affordable! If only I could get something for my steels as a p/x to soften the blow.

I'll be honest o hadn't even thought of mudflaps, lowering on eibachs or painting the calipers but thats exactly what this is for so thank you! Armrest could be interesting too.

I have already seen some of your guides Lenny, glad to know the focus ones may still be useful. The only thing I struggled with was the link to the footwell lighting bulb holder didn't seem to work as was very old?

Thanks,

What advantage does changing the external bulbs have? Is it just a crisper light than that of the stock ones? At the lower end of that bracket then alloys may well be affordable! If only I could get something for my steels as a p/x to soften the blow.

I'll be honest o hadn't even thought of mudflaps, lowering on eibachs or painting the calipers but thats exactly what this is for so thank you! Armrest could be interesting too.

I have already seen some of your guides Lenny, glad to know the focus ones may still be useful. The only thing I struggled with was the link to the footwell lighting bulb holder didn't seem to work as was very old?

Here's a link to bulb sockets mate

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321806869290

Silvatec bulbs are;

Indicator bulbs with a mirror coating, they still shine orange when active and are completely road legal.

They look better than standard as they eliminate the orange from light units blending in with the mirror finish.

Cree reverse bulbs are 6000k white led with a light output equivalent to 55watt light bulb,

Again a straight swap and looks great.

Osram NightBreaker bulbs are a fantastic road legal upgrade for high and low beam driving lights aswell.

Ford supply eibach lowering springs in there parts catalogue and also available through eBay.

Genuine mud flaps will give the impression of a lower car aswell as protecting the body work and slightly reducing road noise.

When changing to alloys you're best wait until existing tyres need replacing then purchase an alloy & tyre package this way you get most value for money.

Keep steel rims in storage useful to have for spare wheel or if sending alloys off for repair or colour change at some point in future,

Steel rims retail at around 40 pounds each brand new, there not worth a whole lot second hand to be honest probably more valuable selling in for scrap metal for weight in steel rather than for purpose.

Another upgrade is cross drilled & grooved brake discs.

Having fitted alloys your brake discs will be visible, when the brakes are due to be replaced maybe consider replacing with upgrade set available from EBC and eBay.

get your plastics resprayed?

Great, I think I'll look more into the light related mods for now. Am currently at uni with the car parked on the road so no driveway to do more detailed stuff.

I found these for sale on the forum and they look pretty sweet for the price. Can't say I've heard of the brand though:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/74619-kei-racing-17-alloys/?fromsearch=1

My steels are of mixed wear so wouldn't be phased by getting alloys now.

Which plastics are you referring to MPX?

Great, I think I'll look more into the light related mods for now. Am currently at uni with the car parked on the road so no driveway to do more detailed stuff.

I found these for sale on the forum and they look pretty sweet for the price. Can't say I've heard of the brand though:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/74619-kei-racing-17-alloys/?fromsearch=1

My steels are of mixed wear so wouldn't be phased by getting alloys now.

Which plastics are you referring to MPX?

I feared you would suggest 17's

When fitting bigger alloys your effectively replacing tyre side wall with a bigger rim, this makes the car much more stable at high speeds and cornering when combined with lowered suspension

However bigger rims contribute to "unsprung mass"

This is the term given to describe the overall weight which is carried outside of the chassis.

The lower unsprung mass the easier the wheels are to rotate and build up speed.

Fitting bigger alloys or bigger brakes contributes to the level of unsprung mass which has a negative effect on performance.

now if your engine is putting out 120bhp or above;

Then 17's aren't going be be that noticeable in reducing rolling 0-60 or performance

but on a 1.2 you would notice it as car would become sluggish and clutch would wear prematurely.

Ideally fit 15" at the most.

check out RotaShop.co.UK

for a set of Rota alloys there known to be light weight as well as some nice options for hatch vehicles

Ah OK thanks for that, being an engineer you'd have thought I would have worked that out! The only issue is that I find tiny alloys can often look fairly pathetic, almost as pathetic as just having steels with a plastic trim.

I did notice the precious owner of the ones linked had them on a 1.0 ecoboost car. Maybe that's why they're getting rid of them. To be honest I didn't actually look at the size specifically. I was just looking at what was on the lower end of the budget on the forum already!

Thanks for taking the time to explain it!

Edit: aren't alloys significantly lighter than steel wheels anyway? Surely that would mean you could get slightly bigger alloys to have the same unsprung mass?

Ah OK thanks for that, being an engineer you'd have thought I would have worked that out! The only issue is that I find tiny alloys can often look fairly pathetic, almost as pathetic as just having steels with a plastic trim.

I did notice the precious owner of the ones linked had them on a 1.0 ecoboost car. Maybe that's why they're getting rid of them. To be honest I didn't actually look at the size specifically. I was just looking at what was on the lower end of the budget on the forum already!

Thanks for taking the time to explain it!

Edit: aren't alloys significantly lighter than steel wheels anyway? Surely that would mean you could get slightly bigger alloys to have the same unsprung mass?

I wouldn't go bigger than 15" personally

if lowered it will take the look off the small alloys,

If fitting some Volk TE37 Magnesium alloys then 17" all the way

Maybe go for the euro look? 15s (dub), lowered. . . there's a panel you can buy to replace where the rear wiper goes (if u don't think you need it) will clean the back up abit. remove badges and stuff?

Maybe go for the euro look? 15s (dub), lowered. . . there's a panel you can buy to replace where the rear wiper goes (if u don't think you need it) will clean the back up abit. remove badges and stuff?

I've removed my rear wiper before summer; using RainEx kit to repellent works well

I've had a look around today and realised 15s wouldn't be that bad at the end of the day. Plenty of sets of 4 used in good nick at the same size spec I already have on eBay for not much money at all. As you say MPX probs worth lowering. Would that be using the ford recommended Eibachs? I find I often nead the rear wiper so not sure I'd want to risk removing it and not being able to see out the back! Does look like a clean looking mod though!

Lenny, I've seen your guide for footwell lighting and it says you can tap into the illuminated ignition loom which is like to do to avoid splicing into the main loom.

I can only seem to find the illuminated ignition ring for the focus but would it also work with the fiesta? If so would the parts be interchangeable?