Much has been posted on the subject of 125/140 Zetec S comparisons. I've read many of these and now with the benefit of first-hand experience feel able to summarise my personal findings on the two Zetec's and some additional random notes on the ST. (I stand to be corrected on any tech errors I may have made?).

We owned a Zetec S 125PS for over two years. It was a most delightful and enjoyable car. I didn't like the renowned notchy reverse gear or the fact that it was distinctly over geared, a pain at times particularly on town/urban roads and the 'bogged down' moments on unfamiliar lanes/'B' roads. Conversely the over-gearing was of some benefit on motorways. Just about everything else about the car was a positive for me. So long as you go in with your eyes open on Ford's rather optimistic mpg figures and tedious reverse gear selection issue I cannot fail to see how anyone would be less than impressed with this fine car.

We had our hearts set on an ST2 replacement. That was before the road tests....Yes, it was everything we expected, it was simply fantastic BUT we just could not live with the ride. Each time we went out our initial thoughts were further reinforced. It wasn't so much the larger pot holes as its slower speed noisy, harsh, tiresome, fidgety ride when the roads were in reasonable condition. Difficult to explain: you have to experience the cars back-to-back. Similar characteristics were to some extent also evident on the motorway. As one wag put it "we went over the M62 at the weekend....rattled all the way there and all the way back....great car but wearing at times". Our sentiments exactly. We really wanted to like the ST but now some weeks later we are relieved that we didn't let our hearts rule our heads. Very disappointed at the time, yet now very pleased with our decision to go for the Red Edition.

The back-to-back Zetec S Red Edition 140PS drives immediately after the ST very much to our surprise brought into sharp focus their differences, much more than we had anticipated. It obviously didn't have the sheer outright grunt/torque and the incredible confidence inspiring drive or Recaro seats, or better brakes etc but the Red Edition felt a far more accomplished and civilized all-rounder; still with excellent power, torque and delightful 'lighter' if not ultimate handling and grip and that lovely familiar 6-cylinder like burble too! Its steering/ride on 17" wheels is obviously inferior to the 16" ones on our previous 125 but also having had previous experience of a 125 on 17" wheels the Red's steering now appears to have been more finely tuned? It provides a near perfect setup - for us. Apart from the remap I understand (only) the following Technical Differences apply between the 125PS and Red Edition 140PS:

Uprated head gasket - Something particularly important to bear in mind if considering a 'higher' state of tune?....Revised differential (not individual gears) fitted to provide lower overall gearing....at 70mph our previous 125 was roughly pulling just over 2500rpm, the Red Edition just under 3000rpm. This lower gearing results in having to change up before 62mph is reached hence the modest improvement in the 0-62mph time. Boost/torque is restricted in 1st and 2nd to protect the gearbox. Not a bad thing!

Won't rattle-on much more except to say delighted so far with its distinct extra all round 'edge' now endowed on an already very impressive 125 ZS. As mentioned brakes not up to ST but not too far off. Discs at rear would have been the obvious answer. Don't particularly like the paint job, borderline acceptable but was Hobsons Choice if we wanted the desired spec, mileage, year, price, warranty, deal etc. 

 

 

Really good read and almost mirrors my current situation so I found it interesting & informative 

I have still not managed to test drive an ST yet, however the harsh ride quality does concern me 

One question which I wouldn't mind knowing more about is, can you feel a noticeable difference in power between the 125 and 140 ZS ? 

I had a similar experience when changing from my focus.

I wanted to go back to a petrol and with my wife on her 2nd fiesta and having driven and liked it that's what I opted to go for.

Like you wanted an ST(3) with nav and so on, so booked a test drive and loved the power and handling and like you said the recaro seats but , I couldn't get passed the very firm ride for daily driving .

After the drive we sat discussing the pros and cons with the sales guy who then suggested the zetec s black edition ( same as your red ) and drove that . To me it was just as much fun but more comfortable and as it wasn't as "full on" better for a daily driver and as the car we drove had every option from the list it was just as well spec'd apart from leather and is only £20 a year road tax whoo hoo .Had the car for wo months now and love it .

oh I'm also getting an average mpg of 50 .   Happy days.  

Thanks for your kind words Damian. Your question? Well I need to know a little more myself to judge it at this very early stage of ownership too! As said in my post, I feel there is a distinct 'edge' present, compared to the 125, also it seems to have a bit more in mid-range pick-up for want of a better description, not outright torque as such, it just does not seem to take such an effort 'labouring' to get up to what feels like a better 'top-end' too.... so it seems? Being an ex-demo it was pretty hesitant to start with that's for sure, and much improved after a couple of 40 mile runs with an 'Italian' road test or two thrown in. I've yet to fill it with my usual Shell V-Power which they say cleans the engine after a while and is also a very healthy 99 octane rating too which is a good, simple way to increase power, so my biochemist sports car (2x Lotus Esprits amongst others in the past) enthusiast friend tells me. Its only done 6K so it will loosen up a bit more up to 10K or thereabouts I would have thought. We once worked out how much more power would be needed to go x% quicker taking into account all the relevant aspects and using his slide rule we (he!) came to the conclusion it had to be a minimum of 20bhp (on a 118bhp car) to be 'meaningful/noticeable so the way the 15 extra horses initially feels would suggest/reflect that? Bottom line. Quite promising so far, need more time to fully realise its potential/get a better idea. Take nothing here as Gospel!!

Cool, yeah I understand 

 I have a cat back exhaust on my 125 and a K&N air filter so that must bridge the gap between the 125 & 140 by 3-4bhp so the difference might not be as apparent to me 

56 minutes ago, zetec steve said:

I had a similar experience when changing from my focus.

I wanted to go back to a petrol and with my wife on her 2nd fiesta and having driven and liked it that's what I opted to go for.

Like you wanted an ST(3) with nav and so on, so booked a test drive and loved the power and handling and like you said the recaro seats but , I couldn't get passed the very firm ride for daily driving .

After the drive we sat discussing the pros and cons with the sales guy who then suggested the zetec s black edition ( same as your red ) and drove that . To me it was just as much fun but more comfortable and as it wasn't as "full on" better for a daily driver and as the car we drove had every option from the list it was just as well spec'd apart from leather and is only £20 a year road tax whoo hoo .Had the car for wo months now and love it .

oh I'm also getting an average mpg of 50 .   Happy days.  

Much agree with your comments. First time out ST felt okay-ish then subsequent outing really brought it home in no uncertain terms! Wife commented same too. Got into a Red/Black: ooooeeerrr, so 'light' and compliant, balanced, quiet....then of course ah, no torque/punch in the back (bit over dramatic there), need more brakes please  BUT can live with both, def could not live with ST - as desperate as we wanted to. Sounds like Peugeot 208 GTI might be full Hot Hatch for us but really cannot see it happening...Very happy with what we chose.

The Pug GTI 208 is meant to be more comfy but I don't think I could get past the fact I have never ever seen a bloke drive any type of 208 and the steering wheel which obstructs the dials 

59 minutes ago, 666Damian666 said:

Cool, yeah I understand 

 I have a cat back exhaust on my 125 and a K&N air filter so that must bridge the gap between the 125 & 140 by 3-4bhp so the difference might not be as apparent to me 

Ford figures for 4th gear 30-60mph acceleration help show the difference.. For the 125, 140 and ST it's 12.2, 8.6 and 6.4secs respectively. Would like to see the "through the gears" figures..

What about red edition with 125 (in Croatia/Slovenia/Austria u can order a red/black with 125)? Any idea which "benefits" it has?

"Through the gears", FoFi sport 125.

The page doesn't have data for the 140 model.

 

 

 

I think i would be the same with the ride and noise,i was with my titanium i have now(mainly road noise) coming from ''yes a vauxhall''

I have been all through the getting stuff just to make it that bit faster so i tend to just stick to what i buy on the speed/bhp side.

Is this why a lot go for the middle option,not a ST and not a Titanium but say the ZS or red edition but still with the options to add stuff.

I'd say the Red/Black Editions offer the best compromise for the less "hardcore" drivers.

More comfort, better economy, cheaper insurance all make, in my opinion, the Black / Red more of a car for the masses with a lil bit extra as opposed to the ST which says more about the drivers need for something other than comfort.

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC mobile app

9 hours ago, Ffoxy said:

I'd say the Red/Black Editions offer the best compromise for the less "hardcore" drivers.

More comfort, better economy, cheaper insurance all make, in my opinion, the Black / Red more of a car for the masses with a lil bit extra as opposed to the ST which says more about the drivers need for something other than comfort.

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC mobile app

That's exactly why I ended up with a Red Edition. The ST is a brilliant car, but I do 18-20k miles a year and the fiesta is also the family runabout on occasion.

23 hours ago, dfriel2 said:

Ford figures for 4th gear 30-60mph acceleration help show the difference.. For the 125, 140 and ST it's 12.2, 8.6 and 6.4secs respectively. Would like to see the "through the gears" figures..

Thanks for the figures. These pleasingly confirm my initial impressions as mentioned (in my second post) yesterday perfectly! As you say 'through the gears' figures  would be nice to see. 'Autocar' and the now defunct 'Motor' used to have really detailed road tests; standing quarter mile with speed, 0 to 30mph in 10mph increments to 100mph and beyond and much, much more. 'Autocar' still do I think? Will check when next in WHS. Chances of doing a 'Red Edition' though somewhat remote I guess.