08 Focus ST or 05 3series Convertible

bf

Have been offered a strong trade in value against my 07 Passat Petrol - I'm looking for something a little more fun.

Dealer has a 2008 Focus ST (Newer Model) and a 2005 3 Series MSport Convertible Auto. Cost to change into both is the same.

Very different cars - heart says Focus (power, fun to drive) Head says 3 Series (less depreciation, high spec)

Any ideas/advice?!?

Gumbo

what model is the BMW vert?
320d, 320i, 330d 335d etc?

also is it an E46 or E92 shape?

if its E46 i would go with the Focus tbh as the E46 oldermodel will depreciate like a rock over the next few years as the E92 Vert become more affordable.

bf

The beemer is an E46 318 MSport Convertible

Gumbo

bf wrote: »

The beemer is an E46 318 MSport Convertible

i would go with the focus St.
any links to the two cars in question?

bf

BMW:
http://www.carsrus.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200915192458061

Focus:
http://www.carsrus.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=200929194646275&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Ford%20Focus%20ST%2C%20Dealer%3A%20Cars%20R%20Us%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=2147634&CFTOKEN=70399190

Gumbo

BMW is nice, good colour combo but very heavy and under powered.
focus is nice too, powerful, remappable to 275bhp with minimum effort but the 2.5 lire engine will place it in the higher tax bracket - is it cc based or co2 based?

BArra

id get the ST if i were in your position

a dreamscience unit that is simply "plug and play" will up the bhp to 270 no bother at all

qz

The 3 looks the biz with that colour combo and wheels etc., but the ST will surely deliver that "little bit more fun" you're looking for (and then some).

Henry Ford III

ST every time. Plenty of power as standard tbh.

The 2 cars are really chalk and cheese.

.Longshanks.

Henry Ford III wrote: »

ST every time. Plenty of power as standard tbh.

The 2 cars are really chalk and cheese.

Would have to agree

copacetic

it has to be the ST, if the bmw was a 330 or something it would be a better bet. but it's not.

leeroybrown

If it's 'fun' you're after then of those two it has to be the Focus ST.

AÆ

If it were only those 2...i would go for the BMW...the vert would be fun.....not a fan of the ford ST.

Probably depends on ur age....the BMW Vert is late 20's-early 30's...the ST...40's married man with beard!

spartacus93

AÆ wrote: »

If it's 'fun' you're after then of those two it has to be the BMW vert. The BMW is class and looks sweet whereas the Ford ST has that shiny tracksuit look about it.

I don't agree with that at all at all! I'd go with the Focus every time, lovely car, good engine, and should be good fun too!

Alanstrainor

I have to agree with almost everyone here. Focus wins hands down. Had the Bmw been even a 325i or 330i i wouldn't be so sure. But the 318i just wouldn't cut it if fun is a requirement!

VolvoMan

It's an absolute no-brainer if you ask me. The Focus ST wins hands down.

Henry Ford III

AÆ wrote: »

If it were only those 2...i would go for the BMW...the vert would be fun.....not a fan of the ford ST.

Probably depends on ur age....the BMW Vert is late 20's-early 30's...the ST...40's married man with beard!

I'd almost bet you've never driven one.

jozi

AÆ wrote: »

If it were only those 2...i would go for the BMW...the vert would be fun.....not a fan of the ford ST.

Probably depends on ur age....the BMW Vert is late 20's-early 30's...the ST...40's married man with beard!

You sure it's not the other way round?

ST - Young
Vert - Old

I'd go for the ST btw, if i could afford it.

galwaytt

ST, no contest.

If the 3-series was either larger engined, or auto, or a special colour, I'd give it more credence. As-is, it's a very ordinary car, albeit nicely clothed. When it gets a bit older, and rattly (and it will), then you'd see it for the cosmetic job with a weedy engine that it is.

bazz26

5 cylinder turbo Focus ST v 4 cylinder 3 Series.

No contest for me, the ST. That's a good price for a 08 too.

x in the city

bmw is nicer if you want the creature comforts, but for the 'fun' factor ford has to win

plus is the old model bmw as pointed out

galwaytt

x in the city wrote: »

bmw is nicer if you want the creature comforts, but for the 'fun' factor ford has to win

what creature comfort is there in the BeeEmm that's not in the ST ?

HashSlinging

ST and its the facelift version bonus, the beemer is so boring compared, there'll always be a market for a fast hatch.

Johnny Utah

I'm going to go against the tide and recommend the 3-series. The BMW oozes class. If you turn up in a green Focus, on the other hand, people will think you have an ASBO and live in a council estate.

EPM

The Focus is blue and the only thing that BMW oozes is hairdresser

TestTransmission

Johnny Utah wrote: »

I'm going to go against the tide and recommend the 3-series. The BMW oozes class. If you turn up in a green Focus, on the other hand, people will think you have an ASBO and live in a council estate.

nice to see ignorance is alive and well in Ireland

Johnny Utah

EPM wrote: »

The Focus is blue and the only thing that BMW oozes is hairdresser

You're wrong, EPM, very wrong. BMWs are technically brilliant. A true motoring enthusiast wouldn't consider them to be a hairdresser's car. :mad:

Johnny Utah

Sorry, I was thinking of the vile lime green one. The blue focus is not too bad, but it's still a Focus and the interior is full of cheap plastics, seats look terrible etc

gears

Johnny Utah wrote: »

You're wrong, EPM, very wrong. BMWs are technically brilliant. A true motoring enthusiast wouldn't consider them to be a hairdresser's car. :mad:

It maybe technically brilliant but it wouldn't have enough power to get out of it's own way...

+1 Ford.

EPM

Johnny Utah wrote: »

You're wrong, EPM, very wrong. BMWs are technically brilliant. A true motoring enthusiast wouldn't consider them to be a hairdresser's car. :mad:

Well when you consider this that comment doesn't suprise me. A 2 litre convertable, while probably the best of it's kind at the time, is not the choice of a true motoring enthusiast. That would be one of the 6's at a minimum. In that spec it's nothing special

Johnny Utah

gears wrote: »

It maybe technically brilliant but it wouldn't have enough power to get out of it's own way...

+1 Ford.

enough power compared to what?

jimboddb

I think the focus is a bit of 'chav' mobile to be honest & the BM is way under powered but a nice package.

Can a man over 25 get away with driving a hot hatch apart from a Golf?!


I'd save my money & get a 6 cylinder 3 series coupe.

Tea_Bag

Im also againsed the crowd here and gonna say the bmw. if you're 18 and have a shaven head get the focus, and drive it like your ass is on fire. but one day when its sunny and you see that bm next to you with the top down, you're gonna remember that you drive a ford with a rock hard seat, while yer one feels like a million dollars. who cares about 270bhp? the lads? tell a girl that and she'll step right out, and into the guy with the bmw, who is, admittingly, having a mid life crisis, but at least he's doing it in style////

.Longshanks.

jimboddb wrote: »

I think the focus is a bit of 'chav' mobile to be honest & the BM is way under powered but a nice package.

Can a man over 25 get away with driving a hot hatch apart from a Golf?!


I'd save my money & get a 6 cylinder 3 series coupe.

Sorry but WHAT?!?! Be prepared to back that statement up

Tea_Bag wrote: »

Im also againsed the crowd here and gonna say the bmw. if you're 18 and have a shaven head get the focus, and drive it like your ass is on fire. but one day when its sunny and you see that bm next to you with the top down, you're gonna remember that you drive a ford with a rock hard seat, while yer one feels like a million dollars. who cares about 270bhp? the lads? tell a girl that and she'll step right out, and into the guy with the bmw, who is, admittingly, having a mid life crisis, but at least he's doing it in style////

Ahem - this is the motors forum aint it? Any motoring enthusiast that would pick a 318 Convertible over a focus ST needs their head seen to

jimboddb

Im serious & I love my cars. I think the focus looks tacky and cheap, bit of a 'fools' car. The golf is the only car in its class i'd even consider.

Johnny Utah

Tea_Bag wrote: »

Im also againsed the crowd here and gonna say the bmw. if you're 18 and have a shaven head get the focus, and drive it like your ass is on fire. but one day when its sunny and you see that bm next to you with the top down, you're gonna remember that you drive a ford with a rock hard seat, while yer one feels like a million dollars. who cares about 270bhp? the lads? tell a girl that and she'll step right out, and into the guy with the bmw, who is, admittingly, having a mid life crisis, but at least he's doing it in style////

Thank you TeaBag, that is a very good analysis if I may say so. I had a horrible orange ST up my ass (no pun intended) the other week and guess who was driving it? A young hoodlum in a baseball cap.

MarkN

Johnny Utah wrote: »

You're wrong, EPM, very wrong. BMWs are technically brilliant. A true motoring enthusiast wouldn't consider them to be a hairdresser's car. :mad:

I'm a motoring enthusiast, I think 318s or anything else 4 pot from BMW should be banned.

You talk about that 318 with the passion of someone describing an M5.

In this market you should be well able to get a 325ci for the same price as the 318 - then I would say it's a harder choice.

Biro

Johnny Utah wrote: »

You're wrong, EPM, very wrong. BMWs are technically brilliant. A true motoring enthusiast wouldn't consider them to be a hairdresser's car. :mad:

It's like this. No motoring enthusiast would rate a 318Ci convertable. Simple as that. A 6 cylinder coupe or nothing in the 3-series ranks, and of those two the Focus is the only one worth considering. Forget what it looks like, just drive it!
Only posers sit in their convertables with the top down looking at themselves in the reflection of shop windows thinking to themselves "All the girlies must love me in my beemer - I'm so cool!". The reality is they're a bit gay. Or metrosexual, if they prefer!

.Longshanks.

^ Agree

And for the record.....
>
Every single time

gears

Johnny Utah wrote: »

enough power compared to what?

The FORD.........

Sqaull20

gears wrote: »

The FORD.........

I wouldn't take either, Focus ST is getting into warm hatch territory now thanks to the RS.

I would be going for the MPS if I wanted performance.

It takes 22.7 secs to go from 0-200kmh, while the ST take 26.8 secs.Its also 2 secs quicker than the EVO X 300bhp :pac:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200919192736559

Solitaire

jimboddb wrote:

I think the focus is a bit of 'chav' mobile to be honest

Look at a MG ZR and compare. Now are you sure the ST is really that chavvy?

I do admit Ford have been a bit foolish flirting with the "citizens" of Chavdonia with the styling of the ST and RS but the cars themselves are too decent and reliable to be considered chav-fodder :P

The crucial thing is that, so long as no full body-kit is glued on, the ST manages to avoid looking silly or outrageously chavvy, even with the retardedly garish paintjob. Just wish Ford would realise that sometimes rational human beings (i.e. not chavs) want a hot hatch rather than a hot saloon!

gazmc

Teabag your wrong there!! The first think any girl thinks of when she sees a guy in a convertable especially a BMW vert is poser!
Honestly could you drive around your local town in a bmw with the top down without trying to hide your face in shame?? you would feel like a complete muppet! I know i would anyway..
ST without a doubt!!

What spec does the BMW have that the ST doesnt?and before you say it the st seats are not that bad either!

inforfun

How many days a year can you have fun with the Focus? About every day i guess.
And how many days a year in the BMW? When the sun shines and the roof can go down...
/looks outside....

Johnny Utah

MarkN wrote: »

I'm a motoring enthusiast, I think 318s or anything else 4 pot from BMW should be banned.

You talk about that 318 with the passion of someone describing an M5.

In this market you should be well able to get a 325ci for the same price as the 318 - then I would say it's a harder choice.

Bit harsh to ban the 4 pots- they sell in huge numbers and probably finance r&d for the higher end stuff like M3, M5 etc.

I agree that a 325 coupe would be a better choice. And btw, I wasn't talking about the 318 convertible with great passion or anything- just said the BMW oozed class. In other words, it wouldn't look out of place at the golf club. If you drive around in the Ford, people (not me) will label you as a chav.

gears wrote: »

The FORD.........

Not comparing like with like. How about a 325 coupe v the Focus ST?

EPM

I reckon if you look at the petrol engines on the whole the 6 cylinders outsell the 4 pots. We are comparing a 318 with an ST. And i can see a lot of people respecting someone driving that ST a lot more than the 318. You see examples of many cars being driven by kn*bs, just because its not a prestige badge one the back doesn't mean its more likely to have a kn*b behind the wheel

colm_mcm

There's an 08 Mazda3 MPS for 15k on carzone

Gumbo

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Not comparing like with like. How about a 325 coupe v the Focus ST?

it is fair to compare these as this is what the OP asked for.

the 325 wasnt an option for the OP, so by your method i can introduce an M3 into the equation and say the focus just doesnt compare to the M3.

the BMW is wayyy under powered, witll have the roof down maybe 5-10 times a year, and when you do, you'll look like a pratt!

focus wins hands down every time, but i agree with other posters here that the MPS would probably be a better choice imo.

sunshinediver

I wouldn't go for either,

The ST will always scream out Chav and any rag top bmw will scream hairdresser.

Fun wise i'd go with the ST but when you start getting into that level of tax and running costs you'd be aswell get an E46 M3. Going for less than 20k now and way more fun than an ST. I've driven both, they'll both make you smile but the M3 even more.

torrents29

I'd hold out for an ST-3

colm_mcm

link for the 15k 08 MPS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda3/MPS,-2.3/200926194444273/advert?channel=CARS