What’s faster

alanm73 · 10-28-2017, 03:37 AM

So after a diversion along some Cumbrian backroads last night between J37 & J34 of the M6 what do you think is faster.....

A 53 plate MK1 Ford Focus 1.8 driven by someone who was local

Or a 435d driven by someone who has driven the road maybe 6 times this year

Answer posted later

Hanchurch · 10-28-2017, 04:07 AM

Local knowledge is worth a lot, I once overtook and lost a 911 turbo in a fiat bravo hgt across snake pass!

teaston · 10-28-2017, 04:15 AM

Whichever one is the rental car!

InquisitiveA · 10-28-2017, 04:26 AM

I got obliterated by a 10 year old Audi S3 over Dartmoor earlier this year in similar circumstances. I had never driven the road, he was heading somewhere local so probably knew them well.

So I say it was close but the Focus won.

Watsey · 10-28-2017, 04:27 AM

Local knowledge and experience counts for a huge amount.

My guess is that you got past him, just, through outright power but you couldn't shake him until one of you turned off.

isleaiw1 · 10-28-2017, 05:10 AM

That focus had a great chassis and he probably wasn't as bothered about it as you were yours - so I would say no contest! How far behind were you??

NISFAN · 10-28-2017, 05:15 AM

The one with less points on their license?

dopper99 · 10-28-2017, 05:45 AM

If the 435d didn't have ACS springs (or the like) then it wouldn't stand a chance really.

Standard suspenion is "ok", but not much use for a proper cross country rally.

I'd say the Focus would just have it, *if* it's around the twisties. Lighter and more agile. But for the long straights, then no chance for the Focus.

mikeoz · 10-28-2017, 07:23 AM

Did the Focus appear in front of you after you over took him earlier? Due to a short cut? Etc

AlwynMike · 10-28-2017, 07:57 AM

Back in the very early 80's, I tried to follow the Isle of Man TT Course car at Roads Open - over the Mountain.
Remember, no speed limits there.
Course car was a TR7.
I was on a Suzuki GS1000 - no slouch in those days.

I got hammered!!

Hooded · 10-28-2017, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm73

So after a diversion along some Cumbrian backroads last night between J37 & J34 of the M6 what do you think is faster.....

A 53 plate MK1 Ford Focus 1.8 driven by someone who was local

Or a 435d driven by someone who has driven the road maybe 6 times this year

Answer posted later

Depends on driver skill if it involves lots of twisty bends

rickyjones1209 · 10-28-2017, 11:21 AM

The 435d...blindfolded.

I suspect the focus was ahead and thought he was keeping you from overtaking while you kept up in eco pro?

alanm73 · 10-28-2017, 12:19 PM

The answer is, I caught up with the Focus on a longish straight.

When we hit the twisty bits I couldn’t believe how agile and nimble the focus looked, on a series of bends he would pull a few car lengths easy. Easily pulled him in on the straights but I was rather enjoying watching how good it handled so I didn’t pass.

The 435d which is standard feels a bit floaty and disconnected round the twisties but traction is superb, but I reckon my old F30 325d would show it up too.

SteveChester · 10-28-2017, 12:22 PM

I use to own a 1.6 Mk1 Focus - it was a great car really handled well.

MarkG_M5Comp · 10-28-2017, 01:29 PM

I used to enjoy a good Focus rental car - just perfect.

Hooded · 10-29-2017, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanm73

The answer is, I caught up with the Focus on a longish straight.

When we hit the twisty bits I couldn’t believe how agile and nimble the focus looked, on a series of bends he would pull a few car lengths easy. Easily pulled him in on the straights but I was rather enjoying watching how good it handled so I didn’t pass.

The 435d which is standard feels a bit floaty and disconnected round the twisties but traction is superb, but I reckon my old F30 325d would show it up too.

Get the stig in your 435 then try again

McBeemer · 10-29-2017, 07:16 AM

I've got an old (60 plate) Ford Focus as a second runabout, with 110k miles on the clock, but only does around 5k per year now.

It passed its last 2 mot's with a new number plate bulb on one and a new sidelight bulb on this years. It's been used as a skip, been slept in, can be parked anywhere and being silver, is virtually invisible ...... you just don't get noticed at all ;-)))) It handles really well with great steering feel ...... oh and £30 a year road tax (1.6 diesel)

Oh and when I got my last 320d (xdrive) and drove it around it's first set of bends ...... I was astonished at how bad it felt compared to the Focus!

The ACS Springs have sorted the issue on my new 335, which corners very surefootedly.

1966-TR4 · 10-29-2017, 03:10 PM

The Mk1 Focus is a much better handling car than my F31, even after getting the springs done.

Watsey · 10-29-2017, 03:46 PM

I completely agree with all the comments about the Focus. We had a 1.6 Zetec 03 plate that was a great drive, for what it was. Light on its toes, keen turn-in, and great fun to hustle along. Cracking little car.

10-28-2017, 03:37 AM	#1
alanm73 Private First Class 26 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 435d Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: St Asaph iTrader: (0)	What’s faster So after a diversion along some Cumbrian backroads last night between J37 & J34 of the M6 what do you think is faster..... A 53 plate MK1 Ford Focus 1.8 driven by someone who was local Or a 435d driven by someone who has driven the road maybe 6 times this year Answer posted later
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10-28-2017, 04:07 AM	#2
Hanchurch Captain 322 Rep 716 Posts Drives: tesla model 3 performance Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Local knowledge is worth a lot, I once overtook and lost a 911 turbo in a fiat bravo hgt across snake pass! __________________ Tesla Model 3 Performance June 2021 Past - BMW 335d touring xdrive m sport June 2016 Audi S4 B7 avant 4.2l V8, Alfa Romeo 156 V6, Fiat Bravo HGT, VW Polo coupe S, VW Polo gl Mrs Hanchurch - Fiat 500 La Prima Electric, Mini Cooper S cabriolet Past - Mini Cooper S 7 5 door, BMW 120d m sport, Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 turbo, Mazda RX8 231, Mini Cooper S
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10-28-2017, 04:15 AM	#3
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	Whichever one is the rental car!
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10-28-2017, 04:26 AM	#4
InquisitiveA Lieutenant 218 Rep 403 Posts Drives: F30 340i MSport MG 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I got obliterated by a 10 year old Audi S3 over Dartmoor earlier this year in similar circumstances. I had never driven the road, he was heading somewhere local so probably knew them well. So I say it was close but the Focus won.
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10-28-2017, 04:27 AM	#5
Watsey Major General 6422 Rep 8,501 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	Local knowledge and experience counts for a huge amount. My guess is that you got past him, just, through outright power but you couldn't shake him until one of you turned off. __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
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10-28-2017, 05:10 AM	#6
isleaiw1 Lieutenant General 8781 Rep 12,255 Posts Drives: iPace / Mini Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	That focus had a great chassis and he probably wasn't as bothered about it as you were yours - so I would say no contest! How far behind were you??
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10-28-2017, 05:15 AM	#7
NISFAN Major General 3489 Rep 9,709 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bedford UK iTrader: (0)	The one with less points on their license?
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10-28-2017, 05:45 AM	#8
dopper99 Lieutenant General 3533 Rep 11,292 Posts Drives: Golf R Mk8 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	If the 435d didn't have ACS springs (or the like) then it wouldn't stand a chance really. Standard suspenion is "ok", but not much use for a proper cross country rally. I'd say the Focus would just have it, if it's around the twisties. Lighter and more agile. But for the long straights, then no chance for the Focus. __________________ Current: Golf R Mk8 Previous: Golf R Mk7.5 Mercedes AMG C63 S Coupe F80 M3 Competition Pack
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10-28-2017, 07:23 AM	#9
mikeoz Major General 2856 Rep 5,608 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40d LCI Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: cambs iTrader: (1)	Did the Focus appear in front of you after you over took him earlier? Due to a short cut? Etc
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10-28-2017, 07:57 AM	#10
AlwynMike Lieutenant Colonel 337 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: F36 440i GC. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands iTrader: (1)	Back in the very early 80's, I tried to follow the Isle of Man TT Course car at Roads Open - over the Mountain. Remember, no speed limits there. Course car was a TR7. I was on a Suzuki GS1000 - no slouch in those days. I got hammered!!
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10-28-2017, 11:21 AM	#12
rickyjones1209 First Lieutenant 39 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (1)	The 435d...blindfolded. I suspect the focus was ahead and thought he was keeping you from overtaking while you kept up in eco pro? __________________ f87 M2 Competition f36 435d M Sport e92 335i M Sport
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10-28-2017, 12:19 PM	#13
alanm73 Private First Class 26 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 435d Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: St Asaph iTrader: (0)	The answer is, I caught up with the Focus on a longish straight. When we hit the twisty bits I couldn’t believe how agile and nimble the focus looked, on a series of bends he would pull a few car lengths easy. Easily pulled him in on the straights but I was rather enjoying watching how good it handled so I didn’t pass. The 435d which is standard feels a bit floaty and disconnected round the twisties but traction is superb, but I reckon my old F30 325d would show it up too.
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10-28-2017, 12:22 PM	#14
SteveChester Brigadier General 2472 Rep 4,653 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chester iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW F82 M4 [0.00]	I use to own a 1.6 Mk1 Focus - it was a great car really handled well. __________________ Steve Roberts UK F82 M4 I'm running the 2024 London Marathon for the British Forces Foundation - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sr5/
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10-28-2017, 01:29 PM	#15
MarkG_M5Comp Supreme Being 1804 Rep 5,425 Posts Drives: M5 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I used to enjoy a good Focus rental car - just perfect. __________________ Current: F90 M5 Competition Gone: F80 M3 Competition Pack / M135i / F15 X5 M50d / Saab 9-5 Aero HOT / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
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10-29-2017, 07:16 AM	#17
McBeemer Lieutenant 261 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 335d Xd MSport Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: Scotland (Nr Edinburgh) iTrader: (0)	I've got an old (60 plate) Ford Focus as a second runabout, with 110k miles on the clock, but only does around 5k per year now. It passed its last 2 mot's with a new number plate bulb on one and a new sidelight bulb on this years. It's been used as a skip, been slept in, can be parked anywhere and being silver, is virtually invisible ...... you just don't get noticed at all ;-)))) It handles really well with great steering feel ...... oh and £30 a year road tax (1.6 diesel) Oh and when I got my last 320d (xdrive) and drove it around it's first set of bends ...... I was astonished at how bad it felt compared to the Focus! The ACS Springs have sorted the issue on my new 335, which corners very surefootedly. __________________ Current: 2017 F31 335d M Sport - Estoril Blue, ACS Sports Suspension (Springs & Dampers), Black Grill, HK Sound & some other bits'n'pieces Gone: 2015 F31 320d M Sport Xdrive Auto
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10-29-2017, 03:10 PM	#18
1966-TR4 Captain 268 Rep 609 Posts Drives: F31 330D xDrive MPPK ACS Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Edinburgh & Glasgow, Scotland iTrader: (0)	The Mk1 Focus is a much better handling car than my F31, even after getting the springs done. __________________ F31 Mineral Grey 330d Xdrive, ACS, Adaptive, MPPK. Gone but not forgotten: 1967 Triumph GT6 Mk1 (6 pot 2 litre widowmaker) 1966 Triumph TR4A (4 pot 2.2 litre, huge torque, lovely car) 2004 Audi TT 3.2 DSG Quattro (weak springs & nose heavy) 2006 VW Golf GTI (brilliant on good tyres)
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10-29-2017, 03:46 PM	#19
Watsey Major General 6422 Rep 8,501 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	I completely agree with all the comments about the Focus. We had a 1.6 Zetec 03 plate that was a great drive, for what it was. Light on its toes, keen turn-in, and great fun to hustle along. Cracking little car. __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
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