[wenklaw]

Personally I would go for a FL if you want an ST but only due to it being a newer car with revised set up etc. I owned a PFL and when it came to change the FL didn't feel a great deal better either inside, outside or in terms of its road manners although I do agree it is less twitchy than the PFL.
The FL is an approvement but imo not as much as others claim hence why I didn't buy one.

 

[ST-Matt]

I'll leave this here both ST 3 one pre facelift one post facelift and both haven't got the style pack added. Couldn't resist a quick picture really shows off the enhancements granted I have a splitter and lowered but that's it.

 

[superted]

I'd love to get mid 20s! Thanks to my short commute and general lack of miles it's generally low 20s.

Just a question, do you perform a reset when you get back in the car next day, reason is I always saw low to mid twenties then one day reset and bingo, 30+ just a thought. To get that you kind of think either the cars ECU software code is bad or you're ragging tha backside off it! Just a thought.

 

[DarrenM]

When I was looking into buying, I had no doubt the FL was a marginally better car but as a cash buyer could I justify the £7k difference (based on my pre-owned 14 plate PFL ST3 against the equivilant new FL version from cheapest source, ie drive the deal etc.)....NO CHANCE!!!

If I was doing pcp / finance and chopping car in every few years it might be a different story though..

 

[Bob Kelso]

Just a question, do you perform a reset when you get back in the car next day, reason is I always saw low to mid twenties then one day reset and bingo, 30+ just a thought. To get that you kind of think either the cars ECU software code is bad or you're ragging tha backside off it! Just a thought.

Nope. Who resets their trip computer every day? As I said, I have a stop\start commute over a short distance, which is why I can't rag it and why the economy isn't great. On a run it's much better. There's nothing wrong with the car.

 

[Ecomatt]

I get about 28mpg doing local driving and 36mpg on motorway runs. I did have it up to 41mpg when I first got it but now I am just enjoying the power 😈

 

[GoFasterStripes]

After reading some of the comments here, it is only fair if I'm allowed a go at FL and Pre

I have a Pre and I think it looks on par with the FL apart from one thing

What the hell did they do to the back of it? Look at the pics that is one awful design and the pre in my opinion looks loads better from the rear

The only thing on pre that lets it down is having a number plate in middle of grill, mine got removed and a US grill installed

 

[Ron240]

I have a Pre and I think it looks on par with the FL apart from one thing

What the hell did they do to the back of it? Look at the pics that is one awful design and the pre in my opinion looks loads better from the rear

I traded in my pre facelift 4 weeks ago and can definitely see where you're coming from about the rear.....and would tend to agree that the pre facelift looks better. I preferred the louvered bits on either side of the exhaust rather than running straight across.

However the front of the facelift looks much better so more than makes up for it.

Plus the interior is better and the whole car feels and rides better in general.

Things like this will always come down to personal opinion though.

 

[Adam-ST3]

Wouldn't take much to add a pre facelift lower section of the rear bumper, considered it myself but just painted the large rear grille gloss black instead to make it look a bit nicer.

 

[Gipized]

I think Ford have done this with all of the Focus's. The MK1 wasn't as pretty as the MK1.5. The MK2 wasn't as pretty as the MK2.5.....etc.

Of course that is all opinion rather than fact . I only ever seem to find the facelifted versions pretty!

 

[Sean B]

Wouldn't take much to add a pre facelift lower section of the rear bumper, considered it myself but just painted the large rear grille gloss black instead to make it look a bit nicer.

You'd need to shorten the exhaust tips a little as well if you didn't want them to stick out. Then there's the fog light to consider - where would you put it on the PFL bumper?

 

[Adam-ST3]

Exhaust part numbers are the same between pfl and fl, I checked. Fog light was my stumbling block so that's where it stopped.

 

[Sean B]

Exhaust part numbers are the same between pfl and fl, I checked. Fog light was my stumbling block so that's where it stopped.

They are the same, but the tips are fitted slightly more forwards on the FL

 

[Ecomatt]

The bumper shape where it meets the rear light cluster is a different shape so the pfl bumper would need a lot modifying to fit.

 

[Adam-ST3]

They are the same, but the tips are fitted slightly more forwards on the FL

It's the lower section of the facelift bumper that sticks out more rather than the exhaust being shorter.

 

[Adam-ST3]

The bumper shape where it meets the rear light cluster is a different shape so the pfl bumper would need a lot modifying to fit.

Rear bumper is in two halfs, the fitment of the lower section is the same on fl and pfl so technically could be swapped, all focus's have the same top half of the rear bumper except the RS which looks to be a one piece rear bumper.

 

[Sean B]

It's the lower section of the facelift bumper that sticks out more rather than the exhaust being shorter.

Yes, I know.... Which is why the tips on the FL are positioned slightly further forwards so they are level with the edge of the bumper. Replace the bumper with a PFL one and the end of the tips will be further out than the edge of the bumper

 

[Adam-ST3]

Yes, I know.... Which is why the tips on the FL are positioned slightly further forwards so they are level with the edge of the bumper. Replace the bumper with a PFL one and the end of the tips will be further out than the edge of the bumper

Look, black is white ok? Glad that's sorted :thumbsup:

 

[Adam-ST3]

I think me, you and @Alec M could have a good debate over a few beers :lol:

 

[GoFasterStripes]

Interesting debate, I would go for a FL but I have fallen for my ST now and sorry MK2 but it is miles better than a MK2 as I had one. Even with a Mountune 260 kit and other bits my MK2 is no where as good as the MK3

I have done the Aston look on the front of mine to improve the front end, I like the roundness of it, but the FL is more pointed and angrier looking lol