i have a mk8 st, loads of mountune bits fitted and stage 1 map on mine so its 250bhp, milltek exhaust as well, a map transforms them and they really fly. mountune short shifter improves the gearchange a lot, had mine nearly 4 years now and still puts a smile on my face.
Got one of the last ones last week. 23 plate in black with winter pack. Had one before but moved to focus st. Worst mistake i made. These are fun and economical. So glad picked one up before it was to late.
I picked up a 3 door mk8.5 ST in race red with panoramic roof, B&O and winter pack last weekend there with just under 6000miles on it, fantastic upgrade from my mk7.5 ST i had for almost 7 years. The whole interior, especially the seats, are a massive upgrade. Its’ been great jumping into it after work and hearing the nice exhaust sound compared to the previous model, just a great car to drive.
Indeed, it's the same if not little bigger than a Mk1 Focus 😄 It's like a Mk1 Focus RS. The Mk8.5 did come in a 3 door, it was stopped last year, and only 5 door is now available. I got very lucky and managed to get a 3 door ST-3 last year in boundless blue 🙏
I traded in my MK7.5 ST200 for the MK8.5ST ultimate (Full option) Mean Green, received it last week. Despite my previous Fiesta being 7 years old, the leap in electronics, media and interior is amazing. It's basically has at least as much power as the ST200 but it's more mature to drive. I wasn't planning on switching, but this is the last fun Fiesta ST. There is no way I will be wooed by a fiesta badged ID2 EV.
I own a 2020 ST2 with Performance pack......previously I have owned 3 Renaultsports and 2 Seat Cupra's. I would honestly say my current MK8 ST is the best of the lot. I cannot find a single fault with it. Even the interior is absolutely rock solid and certainly of a good enough quality, especially the Recaros, best seats I've ever sat in. I had a CUPRA 290 directly before my ST and by comparison the ST feels like a bespoke sports car. I've owned it for 18 months now and every single morning I cannot wait to get in it and the first few hundred yards still feel amazing each morning. I just cannot see how another 25k hot hatch could match one of these
@MM-jl1ws Hi mate, I've had 3 Clios before, 172, 197 F1 and a 220 Trophy. In terms of feel the ST is closest to the 172 in my opinion, that is it feels like a small car with a big engine. Clio 197 had the best steering of any car I've ever had but lacked a bit of punch and brawn. 220 Trophy had a fantastic chassis, but the steering was very lifeless, and the engine lacked any real character, but it was very quick. The ST seems to combine the best parts of all the Clios into one ! Awesome car
@@paulallwood6033 that's great to know. I'm also super happy with my ST edition :D I have a stage 1 and an enclosed airtec induction kit on mine and its made it even that much better than stock!
Great video.They are epic cars and will be missed. I agree with you on remaps. The stock engine is terrific and is plenty quick enough. I've now got the Puma ST and it too is brilliant to drive and surprisingly nimble.
Get the Mountune (or alternative) short shifter! Throw reduction is about 25% but the real benefit is in how accurate and smooth the gear changes are when fitted. It's not bad in it's standard form but much much better afterwards! I don't like the look of those seats but most folks say they are more comfortable. They look a bit like Dracula's cloak to me (?) I also heard the side bolsters get in the way of your arm when gear changing - is this true?
Nice to see the Fiesta review. Just such a shame Ford scrapped it for the ev era. I have a 2020 Fiesta ST although doesn't have the lsd unfortunately as i got second hand. Still enjoying it though and will hold onto it for sure
Same here. I had the option of a silver fox ST2 5d with 30k miles and pp or a ST3 3d in performance blue with 10k miles on it but no pp. same money so took the ST3, no regrets. Lotta people say the PP is a must have but unless you are on the ragged edge all the time you wouldn’t miss it. getting a low miler 3 that has been well looked after is better imo
Got mine in April 23, great change from a normal Fiesta mk5. Dont like the digital speedometer and that you cant plug horizontally any normal 6'' phone to charge, apart from that, great car, sporty and a thrill to daily drive. Any forum that people can recomend?
Gear lever requires a little stretch to change gears little notchy as well,l also find the seat is a little too high even at its lowest setting my Mrs has had her ST3 for 2 weeks, we paid £29k for ours with metallic paint and winter pack Sync 3 ie is £600 extra but Ford build all the ST3"s with it
I had a megane rs 250 tuned to 320 bhp but had to sell it because of family commitments, now my daughters 4 and theres a family car these mk8 fiesta sts keep grabbing me. If its anywhere as good as the megane rs 250 i had then im going to buy one.
It drives very similar to the RS250 (obs won’t be as quick esp compared to a 320bhp tuned RS250) but the core to the driving dynamics is there in spades. Great car, only let down by an av. gearbox/shift. You should try one 👌
@Fast and Fun thank you, I keep getting told this bar the gearbox, it's ment to be a good one but as with the megane rs they could be a bit temperamental, if its anywhere near say 9/10 of the mk3 megane rs than its a winner for me. The megs steering ie direction changes and cornering ability was something special. And this car is the benchmark in my eyes, so if the fies comes close then 👍👍👍👍
Got mine few weeks ago, it's amazing in everything, also managed to average 18km/l on a 600km trip😂. I still need to find a way to get out of the car without stressing the seat.
Watching kinda-US car makers give up on anything that isn't an EV/crossover/pickup trying to chase whatever looked like the most profitable platform two years prior is one of the most soul-sucking transformations of the auto industry.
It’s the last of the ST’s as we have known them. Let’s hope that Ford can recover with something because I’d argue it’s not been a lull but an ever decreasing decline in Fast Fords over the past 5-10 years.
I just don't trust Ford Fiestas, had 3 and ALL had camshaft head gasket issues. I stay away because sick of constantly overheating and mayo on oil cap issues...
I’ve also had three Fiesta’s, two MK7’s and a MK8.5, all ST Line’s so not the ST. The only issue was with the first MK7 which lost 1st gear but I traded it in before it cost me a small fortune no doubt.
It's a shame that Ford stop the fiesta production (standard model or st): very nice, efficient car. 185.000 km during five year with one 1.0 100 manual gearbox (3 door ans panoramic roof). And always the same pleasure. really bad new. We get all in the wall with this F.. EV mode.
I thought the Mk8 looked worse than the Mk7 until they grew on me. The MK8.5 has quickly grown on me although it looks slightly less sporty even if it isn’t.
They probably are good cars but I just can't take fiestas seriously, driven by little boys usually that think they are the quickest thing on the road lol
I have the 8.5 and it’s the worse car I’ve ever had. I’ve had the mk7 STand the mk8 ST. The 8.5 feels like a parts bin car. More expensive but less features: no heating seats, no heated steering wheel, no power fold mirrors. Seats are shoddy and poorly made, much worse than recaros due to poor build quality and extremely uncomfortable. Performance wise the car is very flat in every mode. Put your foot down in sport mode and nothing happens other than those fake chavvy pop sounds. Gear box is awful and clunky. Looks wise I hate new exterior and new alloys as well. It’s telling that I’ve never bothered to d taking photos of this car or even cleaning it inside or out after 12 months of ownership, whereas I enjoyed taking care of the mk7. A sad pathetic end to the long history of the fiesta really.
My gearbox on my 8.5 was clunky for first 3k but now it’s lovely. Engine pulls well too must admit cannot fault the seats either and mine has heated seats/steering. My issue is the looks I agree the MK7 was better looking and was peak FST (I had 2 and bloody brilliant cars kinda wish I kept it tbh even though it had done 120k still looked mega). I had my 8.5 a year now and whilst I thought it would be a keeper (last of the bread the looks from the rear are awful/bland… now the I20n😊
Nice review, i will get mine in 2 weeks. Will be mine third ST. Best car ever.
Thank you for this wonderful review. Tears in my eyes. Ford is making a massive mistake imho, this run towards 100% EV is asinine if you ask me.
they dont have a choice. politicians decide everything these days. its EV or nothing now
i have a mk8 st, loads of mountune bits fitted and stage 1 map on mine so its 250bhp, milltek exhaust as well, a map transforms them and they really fly. mountune short shifter improves the gearchange a lot, had mine nearly 4 years now and still puts a smile on my face.
Brilliant car! Any videos on it on your channel mate?
Got one of the last ones last week. 23 plate in black with winter pack. Had one before but moved to focus st. Worst mistake i made. These are fun and economical. So glad picked one up before it was to late.
I picked up a 3 door mk8.5 ST in race red with panoramic roof, B&O and winter pack last weekend there with just under 6000miles on it, fantastic upgrade from my mk7.5 ST i had for almost 7 years.
The whole interior, especially the seats, are a massive upgrade. Its’ been great jumping into it after work and hearing the nice exhaust sound compared to the previous model, just a great car to drive.
Indeed, it's the same if not little bigger than a Mk1 Focus 😄
It's like a Mk1 Focus RS.
The Mk8.5 did come in a 3 door, it was stopped last year, and only 5 door is now available.
I got very lucky and managed to get a 3 door ST-3 last year in boundless blue 🙏
I traded in my MK7.5 ST200 for the MK8.5ST ultimate (Full option) Mean Green, received it last week.
Despite my previous Fiesta being 7 years old, the leap in electronics, media and interior is amazing.
It's basically has at least as much power as the ST200 but it's more mature to drive.
I wasn't planning on switching, but this is the last fun Fiesta ST.
There is no way I will be wooed by a fiesta badged ID2 EV.
I own a 2020 ST2 with Performance pack......previously I have owned 3 Renaultsports and 2 Seat Cupra's. I would honestly say my current MK8 ST is the best of the lot. I cannot find a single fault with it. Even the interior is absolutely rock solid and certainly of a good enough quality, especially the Recaros, best seats I've ever sat in. I had a CUPRA 290 directly before my ST and by comparison the ST feels like a bespoke sports car. I've owned it for 18 months now and every single morning I cannot wait to get in it and the first few hundred yards still feel amazing each morning. I just cannot see how another 25k hot hatch could match one of these
Which Renault Sports did you own in the past? Curious to know how the ST compares tho those as well :)
@MM-jl1ws Hi mate, I've had 3 Clios before, 172, 197 F1 and a 220 Trophy. In terms of feel the ST is closest to the 172 in my opinion, that is it feels like a small car with a big engine. Clio 197 had the best steering of any car I've ever had but lacked a bit of punch and brawn. 220 Trophy had a fantastic chassis, but the steering was very lifeless, and the engine lacked any real character, but it was very quick.
The ST seems to combine the best parts of all the Clios into one ! Awesome car
@@paulallwood6033 that's great to know. I'm also super happy with my ST edition :D I have a stage 1 and an enclosed airtec induction kit on mine and its made it even that much better than stock!
Don't understand the gearbox criticism, unless you had a duffer, it's super smooth & slick and certainly not too low imo. Good review though.
i drove it on Spa, very good handling; braking, very precise steering0 Soon video here
Great review Rich - took it up to the lakes last week and double the mileage! Breaking in nicely.
I bagged an unregistered showroom car in March, a 24 plate Fiesta ST. Love it to bits
Great video.They are epic cars and will be missed. I agree with you on remaps. The stock engine is terrific and is plenty quick enough. I've now got the Puma ST and it too is brilliant to drive and surprisingly nimble.
Good review !
I’m lucky to have one it’s a great drivers car.
But 100% agree with you about the low position of the gear lever.
We have a mean green Performance and winter pack coming in a few weeks, maybe really the last off the production line!?
Get the Mountune (or alternative) short shifter! Throw reduction is about 25% but the real benefit is in how accurate and smooth the gear changes are when fitted. It's not bad in it's standard form but much much better afterwards!
I don't like the look of those seats but most folks say they are more comfortable. They look a bit like Dracula's cloak to me (?) I also heard the side bolsters get in the way of your arm when gear changing - is this true?
I never noticed the side bolster getting in the way but the gearstick did feel too low to me.
Nice to see the Fiesta review. Just such a shame Ford scrapped it for the ev era. I have a 2020 Fiesta ST although doesn't have the lsd unfortunately as i got second hand. Still enjoying it though and will hold onto it for sure
Same here. I had the option of a silver fox ST2 5d with 30k miles and pp or a ST3 3d in performance blue with 10k miles on it but no pp. same money so took the ST3, no regrets. Lotta people say the PP is a must have but unless you are on the ragged edge all the time you wouldn’t miss it. getting a low miler 3 that has been well looked after is better imo
@@jonathantaylor3750Yes definitely,that sounds like a good buy with the lower mileage. Hope you are continuing to enjoy
Got mine in April 23, great change from a normal Fiesta mk5. Dont like the digital speedometer and that you cant plug horizontally any normal 6'' phone to charge, apart from that, great car, sporty and a thrill to daily drive. Any forum that people can recomend?
I get mine next friday 15th dec. ST3 winter pack, cannot wait to sample the LSD.
The one i would take is the 7 over this one. The st200 edition. More simpler dashboard and analog, smaller but still modern and performant
I have a 3 door they just stopped production early on so hard to get hold of
thanks, great review - just ordered mine although no longer can get it in the green, sob, sob - its going to be the grey one!!!
Magnetic Grey is probably the best colour in my opinion.
I have just bought the Africa special edition. Yeah Man
Gear lever requires a little stretch to change gears little notchy as well,l also find the seat is a little too high even at its lowest setting my Mrs has had her ST3 for 2 weeks, we paid £29k for ours with metallic paint and winter pack Sync 3 ie is £600 extra but Ford build all the ST3"s with it
29k? 😱
The Mountune short shifter will improve the accuracy and feel of the gear change.
Great vid man👍 im ordering one 2mo for shore 😎👍💯
I had a megane rs 250 tuned to 320 bhp but had to sell it because of family commitments, now my daughters 4 and theres a family car these mk8 fiesta sts keep grabbing me.
If its anywhere as good as the megane rs 250 i had then im going to buy one.
It drives very similar to the RS250 (obs won’t be as quick esp compared to a 320bhp tuned RS250) but the core to the driving dynamics is there in spades. Great car, only let down by an av. gearbox/shift. You should try one 👌
@Fast and Fun thank you, I keep getting told this bar the gearbox, it's ment to be a good one but as with the megane rs they could be a bit temperamental, if its anywhere near say 9/10 of the mk3 megane rs than its a winner for me. The megs steering ie direction changes and cornering ability was something special. And this car is the benchmark in my eyes, so if the fies comes close then 👍👍👍👍
@@Greenie5902 it comes close …. very close 👍🏻
Got mine few weeks ago, it's amazing in everything, also managed to average 18km/l on a 600km trip😂. I still need to find a way to get out of the car without stressing the seat.
Watching kinda-US car makers give up on anything that isn't an EV/crossover/pickup trying to chase whatever looked like the most profitable platform two years prior is one of the most soul-sucking transformations of the auto industry.
Don’t think I could have worded that any better myself.
This is not the last one, this is the lull before the jump. Ford is obliged to make a hot electric Fiesta new generation. I really hope so
It’s the last of the ST’s as we have known them. Let’s hope that Ford can recover with something because I’d argue it’s not been a lull but an ever decreasing decline in Fast Fords over the past 5-10 years.
@@FastandFun I really love this Fiesta. With respect to you!
But my Fiesta is level 5 - i.ibb.co/2kf2Nxj/FF.jpg
No sync 4 screen
No one pays this amount for it. 99% of them will be taken with a leasing contract.
The gearbox oil is cheap shite. Meant for economy. Change it to decent stuff like Ravenol will eliminate the notchyness
I just don't trust Ford Fiestas, had 3 and ALL had camshaft head gasket issues. I stay away because sick of constantly overheating and mayo on oil cap issues...
I’ve also had three Fiesta’s, two MK7’s and a MK8.5, all ST Line’s so not the ST. The only issue was with the first MK7 which lost 1st gear but I traded it in before it cost me a small fortune no doubt.
@@amnril
No more Fiestas of any type 4me..
It's a shame that Ford stop the fiesta production (standard model or st): very nice, efficient car.
185.000 km during five year with one 1.0 100 manual gearbox (3 door ans panoramic roof). And always the same pleasure.
really bad new.
We get all in the wall with this F.. EV mode.
Not leather seats
@@dominicedwards9117 leather seats aren’t great in a performance car
Completely lost those mean looks with this latest version.
I agree, although I am slightly biased as I have the MK8, something looks off with the facelift version and think the MK8 is the ultimate Fiesta.
I thought the Mk8 looked worse than the Mk7 until they grew on me. The MK8.5 has quickly grown on me although it looks slightly less sporty even if it isn’t.
They probably are good cars but I just can't take fiestas seriously, driven by little boys usually that think they are the quickest thing on the road lol
Try one and you will be able to form an educated opinion.
I have the 8.5 and it’s the worse car I’ve ever had. I’ve had the mk7 STand the mk8 ST. The 8.5 feels like a parts bin car. More expensive but less features: no heating seats, no heated steering wheel, no power fold mirrors. Seats are shoddy and poorly made, much worse than recaros due to poor build quality and extremely uncomfortable. Performance wise the car is very flat in every mode. Put your foot down in sport mode and nothing happens other than those fake chavvy pop sounds. Gear box is awful and clunky. Looks wise I hate new exterior and new alloys as well. It’s telling that I’ve never bothered to d taking photos of this car or even cleaning it inside or out after 12 months of ownership, whereas I enjoyed taking care of the mk7. A sad pathetic end to the long history of the fiesta really.
My gearbox on my 8.5 was clunky for first 3k but now it’s lovely. Engine pulls well too must admit cannot fault the seats either and mine has heated seats/steering. My issue is the looks I agree the MK7 was better looking and was peak FST (I had 2 and bloody brilliant cars kinda wish I kept it tbh even though it had done 120k still looked mega). I had my 8.5 a year now and whilst I thought it would be a keeper (last of the bread the looks from the rear are awful/bland… now the I20n😊