Just a heads up I have a 2016 RS that was in the head gasket recall. I never had a single problem with it before the swap and it has continued to run flawlessly up to this very day. I wouldn't let that issue scare you off from buying one of these cars. Just make sure it has been or gets addressed. This car is the perfect daily driver imo! So much fun
Hey man, I know this is an older video but I'm looking at getting an RS, always been a fan and prices are nice now, but I was wondering did yours come with the RS push to start button or did you install that? Thanks.
I don't know if this is still relevant to you (or anyone else wondering about RS reliability..) or if you are still even considering a RS, but I have some decent experience with the Mk3 RS and am happy to help with what I know if you or anyone viewing this post are happy to do a bit of reading(?!) I'm about to buy a RS for the first time myself, but fortunately I have a brother and a work employee whom have both owned one and I've benefited from their experiences. The channel host was absolutely correct about the two potential issues he covers at the start of the video, and like he said.. Just keep an eye on those areas and if they do become problematic you can catch the issue/s early and sort them with minimal outlays/cost if they should occur... But neither of these issues have occurred on my bothers 016 or my employees early 018 Mk3s. The biggest issue of concern is the 016 & early 017 recall issue, Ford fitted the wrong head-gasket and it was damaging the bore cylinders which often lead to a new engine being needed, but the Recall Fix certainly worked if done in time and done properly. ... The problem for potential used RS buyers if considering the early 16/17 Mk3s is that, many garages out there did not always do a bore inspection (Which Ford stated was necessary during the recall...) or acknowledge damage discovered even if they did, so long as the engine was still running (and to avoid the warranty work of fitting a new engine..) many simply fitted the repair kit and gave the cars back to the owners,, though this didn't mean they were all about to suddenly break down, it did mean that the unfortunate customers of such garages/dealerships had RS engine/s which were not (and never would be..) running at optimum performance and would inevitably cause replacement issues before they should be expected to normally occur. There is only really one way to know if a early Mk3 has some internal damage and that's to have a bore cylinder inspection done, so I would personally avoid any early Mk3s unless the recall work was carried out by a respected Ford specialist like Mountune. Late 17 models onwards should have been fixed before even being sold and certainly seem to be free of any issues other than the regular issues that ALL high power turbocharged engines are prone to having regardless of brand. Other than the odd easy fix dash light annoyances my brother has found his RS to be one of the most reliable cars he's owned over his 30yrs of driving and my employee is of the same opinion. From the RS owners I know and the numerous specialist tuning engineers I've spoken (A LOT!) with, the general consensus and experience of the Mk3 RS is that, (If the recall work was done properly..) ford have actually delivered a focus with a better build quality, better reliability and for tuners the potential performance improvements being much higher than any of Fords ST-3s and other usual Focus models of the same years,, And that if well maintained and looked after will offer many years of good reliability and performance. Many don't know that Ford actually built the Mk3 RS in Germany, using German engineers which is why it's build quality and reliability is better than it is for the other Focus models, my brother moved from a Focus ST-3 to his RS after running it for nearly five years, he's ran his RS for just over four years and his annual mileage has remained the same across both, he's absolutely certain that at 30k miles in both cars.. The cabin and usual parts that get loose and start to rattle are far less notable in his RS than the St was and he says that compared to the car in new condition, his RS is still holding together really well and still all felt pretty tight.. Especially in comparison to his ST at the same milage. The thing about reliability for most cars (especially high performance ones), is that the more a owner looks after it the more reliable it will be, but sadly many people today think that so long as they clean it regularly that's considered being "looked after",, It's not(!) Oils and lubricants should be regularly monitored and topped up, whatever period between services a dealer recommends,.. half it (dealers would prefer your car doesn't last as long as it could!). Nor do they tend to use the best fluids/oils, so it's always best to go to a RS owners forum and see what they've concluded to be the best to use in your country/environment and aim to get your RS using them ASAP if you decide to buy one. As friendly as they may appear to be, Dealerships have no vested interest in your car being reliable and lasting the years, so it's best to avoid any advice they offer and seek advice purely from Ford Specialists like Mountune whom care more about the running of car than the selling of a new one. I've spent the last year pondering over getting a RS and like yourself, reliability (especially after a recall issue) was foremost on my mind,. It's a lot of money, (even for a used Mk3) to blow by ending up with a lemon and my wife would not quickly forgive such a costly blunder,.. However, I am confident that the RS does not deserve the negative comments of it being poorly built or unreliable,.. It had a rough start but Ford (to their credit!) rectified the primary problem and the RS engine is now considered to be one of the best engines Ford has ever produced, and so long as I follow my own above advice... I think it's going to be a great car to own. It is still a Ford though and I don't expect it to have the reliability of a Toyota, but it should definitely be better than a usual Ford Focus and in terms of value for money, it beats most of its class rivals... You can even get a Mountune 375 power upgrade and still get a manufacturer's extended warranty for it. So I'm definitely looking forward to getting one (hopefully in the next week or so!?), however... If reliability is the highest of concern for you, then you can get into a used FK8 Pre 2019 Type R GT with about the same mileage as a pre 2018 RS (In the UK at least) and though it doesn't quite have the power of the RS it's certainly as good if not better than a RS in all other areas, though Honda slipped slightly with reliability for a while, it seems from FK8 owners I've spoken with that, they are back on form with their Type R FK8, but it's not perfect... Like the RS and any other car, it still has its own little issues that can develop into a costly affair if not monitored for and addressed when/if they first start to appear. I'll finish with what the most experienced mechanic I know says about owning a reliable car and is what I first stated in this ludicrously long post (luckily I'm a fast typer), "The reality of owning a reliable car is that 99% of the time,.. A car is only as reliable as the owner makes it(!),, Put the right fluids and oils in it, keep it topped up with them and learn what common issues ALL turbocharged engines are likely to develop and get them addressed ASAP if they do appear, 'far' too many people realise they have a small issue and think so long as the car is still running a inspection/repair can wait, they don't realise that modern cars/engines are often working in direct conjunction with other parts and ignoring original said issue can quickly cause other problems with other parts which all build up and eventually cause serious and expensive repairs,.. Such people won't admit that 'they' actually contributed the most to the failures on the car and rather start branding a car as being unreliable, people not looking after their cars properly.. Is the number one cause of most cars being declared as unreliable!". And I certainly have to agree having owned multiple cars over the years that I were forewarned to be unreliable, yet I actually had very few issues with during my ownership of them, because I've always looked after my cars properly. Just make sure that the recall work and damage inspection was carried out properly and you should have a pretty reliable performance car, just look after it properly and it should look after you in return.
@@CDL96 LOL,.. That is sadly true my friend(!) Since I had to release my employees and close the door to my company (Due to convid policies..) I do find myself with nothing to do quite often of late, and being a fast typer I can write a lot in a very short period of time before I realise that for most,.. I'll have practically just written a small book, I think it's the slightly OCD teacher side of myself that's used to writing considerable pieces of work, having to remind myself that I am only writing in a Internet comments section is something I'm admittedly still working on. ......Before I were forced to close my business, I didn't have enough hours in the day, I were always on the move and now I suddenly have more spare time than I know what to do with,..and I'm certainly spending far too much time browsing the net.
I've been thinking about buying one. If you do a RS vs ST comparison I'd watch it for sure. I got to do a pre-delivery inspection on one when I worked at a Ford dealership. Couldn't believe how peppy it was. Pleasure to drive.
Hey, Yea I can get one done for you! Biggest thing is interior comforts and powerband. The RS comes full equipped with everything from different drive modes to heated steering wheel. The power comes on early and dies out soon, great car from a holeshot. The ST being FWD performs better in a roll but same issue with turbo dying out soon. Turbo upgrade options are more vast on the ST as well. I'll make a video this weekend highlighting the two! Appreciate the feedback definitely recommend getting an RS
Hello! May I kindly ask you to write things, what are you talking about in this video, because it's hard for me to understand all of you saying by ear. Thanks so much!
High powered 4 cylinders with turbos dont last long. Really hard on them to put out 300+ hp for long periods. Would have been better for them to make the ST and RS as rear wheel drive cars with the 305HP 3.7 v6, 6 speed clutch and 4.10 gears on the rear end. Would be a missile.
Nonsense of the highest degree, look at for example VAG's EA888's that have been reliably putting out tuned 400bhp+ with just a software map (pages up on pages of proof on multiple international forums if you want). They are not flawless, and failures happen, but this can be expected of any engine and with any brand. If you want a Ford example, look at the ST 2.0 blocks, pretty much same story.
@@ZenzDeluxe after owning a used 2015 gli it had so many problems stock turbo sucked the wastegate was apart of the turbo so if the waste gate failed you had to buy a whole new turbo the cars themselfs are nice but reliability aint it had to constantly dump money into it
Just a heads up I have a 2016 RS that was in the head gasket recall. I never had a single problem with it before the swap and it has continued to run flawlessly up to this very day. I wouldn't let that issue scare you off from buying one of these cars. Just make sure it has been or gets addressed. This car is the perfect daily driver imo! So much fun
Agreed! Had the head gasket replaced around 9K miles and never had an issue, even well passed 110k
Ugh they’re such gorgeous cars. I’m driving a 2015 ST due to finances. RS would be a dream
Hey man, know it's been a year since you posted this but thanks so much. Really useful.
Glad it helped!
Your rs looks beautiful 😍
thanks for the vid. I’ve been wanting an RS since they came out but I wasn’t so sure. Nice to know info
No problem 👍
That beat was hittin
Nice car. I'am waiting now for my own...
Hey man, I know this is an older video but I'm looking at getting an RS, always been a fan and prices are nice now, but I was wondering did yours come with the RS push to start button or did you install that? Thanks.
They come with it!
since you posted this have you had any major issues with the car? i’ve been trying to figure out reliability but no one really touches on it
Honestly no major issues with proper maintenance upkeep. Keeping it within its limits and letting it warm up before hammering it down
I don't know if this is still relevant to you (or anyone else wondering about RS reliability..) or if you are still even considering a RS, but I have some decent experience with the Mk3 RS and am happy to help with what I know if you or anyone viewing this post are happy to do a bit of reading(?!)
I'm about to buy a RS for the first time myself, but fortunately I have a brother and a work employee whom have both owned one and I've benefited from their experiences.
The channel host was absolutely correct about the two potential issues he covers at the start of the video, and like he said.. Just keep an eye on those areas and if they do become problematic you can catch the issue/s early and sort them with minimal outlays/cost if they should occur... But neither of these issues have occurred on my bothers 016 or my employees early 018 Mk3s.
The biggest issue of concern is the 016 & early 017 recall issue, Ford fitted the wrong head-gasket and it was damaging the bore cylinders which often lead to a new engine being needed, but the Recall Fix certainly worked if done in time and done properly.
... The problem for potential used RS buyers if considering the early 16/17 Mk3s is that, many garages out there did not always do a bore inspection (Which Ford stated was necessary during the recall...) or acknowledge damage discovered even if they did, so long as the engine was still running (and to avoid the warranty work of fitting a new engine..) many simply fitted the repair kit and gave the cars back to the owners,, though this didn't mean they were all about to suddenly break down, it did mean that the unfortunate customers of such garages/dealerships had RS engine/s which were not (and never would be..) running at optimum performance and would inevitably cause replacement issues before they should be expected to normally occur.
There is only really one way to know if a early Mk3 has some internal damage and that's to have a bore cylinder inspection done, so I would personally avoid any early Mk3s unless the recall work was carried out by a respected Ford specialist like Mountune.
Late 17 models onwards should have been fixed before even being sold and certainly seem to be free of any issues other than the regular issues that ALL high power turbocharged engines are prone to having regardless of brand.
Other than the odd easy fix dash light annoyances my brother has found his RS to be one of the most reliable cars he's owned over his 30yrs of driving and my employee is of the same opinion.
From the RS owners I know and the numerous specialist tuning engineers I've spoken (A LOT!) with, the general consensus and experience of the Mk3 RS is that, (If the recall work was done properly..) ford have actually delivered a focus with a better build quality, better reliability and for tuners the potential performance improvements being much higher than any of Fords ST-3s and other usual Focus models of the same years,, And that if well maintained and looked after will offer many years of good reliability and performance.
Many don't know that Ford actually built the Mk3 RS in Germany, using German engineers which is why it's build quality and reliability is better than it is for the other Focus models, my brother moved from a Focus ST-3 to his RS after running it for nearly five years, he's ran his RS for just over four years and his annual mileage has remained the same across both, he's absolutely certain that at 30k miles in both cars.. The cabin and usual parts that get loose and start to rattle are far less notable in his RS than the St was and he says that compared to the car in new condition, his RS is still holding together really well and still all felt pretty tight.. Especially in comparison to his ST at the same milage.
The thing about reliability for most cars (especially high performance ones), is that the more a owner looks after it the more reliable it will be, but sadly many people today think that so long as they clean it regularly that's considered being "looked after",, It's not(!)
Oils and lubricants should be regularly monitored and topped up, whatever period between services a dealer recommends,.. half it (dealers would prefer your car doesn't last as long as it could!). Nor do they tend to use the best fluids/oils, so it's always best to go to a RS owners forum and see what they've concluded to be the best to use in your country/environment and aim to get your RS using them ASAP if you decide to buy one. As friendly as they may appear to be, Dealerships have no vested interest in your car being reliable and lasting the years, so it's best to avoid any advice they offer and seek advice purely from Ford Specialists like Mountune whom care more about the running of car than the selling of a new one.
I've spent the last year pondering over getting a RS and like yourself, reliability (especially after a recall issue) was foremost on my mind,. It's a lot of money, (even for a used Mk3) to blow by ending up with a lemon and my wife would not quickly forgive such a costly blunder,.. However, I am confident that the RS does not deserve the negative comments of it being poorly built or unreliable,.. It had a rough start but Ford (to their credit!) rectified the primary problem and the RS engine is now considered to be one of the best engines Ford has ever produced, and so long as I follow my own above advice... I think it's going to be a great car to own.
It is still a Ford though and I don't expect it to have the reliability of a Toyota, but it should definitely be better than a usual Ford Focus and in terms of value for money, it beats most of its class rivals... You can even get a Mountune 375 power upgrade and still get a manufacturer's extended warranty for it.
So I'm definitely looking forward to getting one (hopefully in the next week or so!?), however... If reliability is the highest of concern for you, then you can get into a used FK8 Pre 2019 Type R GT with about the same mileage as a pre 2018 RS (In the UK at least) and though it doesn't quite have the power of the RS it's certainly as good if not better than a RS in all other areas, though Honda slipped slightly with reliability for a while, it seems from FK8 owners I've spoken with that, they are back on form with their Type R FK8, but it's not perfect... Like the RS and any other car, it still has its own little issues that can develop into a costly affair if not monitored for and addressed when/if they first start to appear.
I'll finish with what the most experienced mechanic I know says about owning a reliable car and is what I first stated in this ludicrously long post (luckily I'm a fast typer), "The reality of owning a reliable car is that 99% of the time,.. A car is only as reliable as the owner makes it(!),, Put the right fluids and oils in it, keep it topped up with them and learn what common issues ALL turbocharged engines are likely to develop and get them addressed ASAP if they do appear, 'far' too many people realise they have a small issue and think so long as the car is still running a inspection/repair can wait, they don't realise that modern cars/engines are often working in direct conjunction with other parts and ignoring original said issue can quickly cause other problems with other parts which all build up and eventually cause serious and expensive repairs,.. Such people won't admit that 'they' actually contributed the most to the failures on the car and rather start branding a car as being unreliable, people not looking after their cars properly.. Is the number one cause of most cars being declared as unreliable!".
And I certainly have to agree having owned multiple cars over the years that I were forewarned to be unreliable, yet I actually had very few issues with during my ownership of them, because I've always looked after my cars properly.
Just make sure that the recall work and damage inspection was carried out properly and you should have a pretty reliable performance car, just look after it properly and it should look after you in return.
@@prof.d.red-maa you, sir, have a lot of free time
@@CDL96 LOL,.. That is sadly true my friend(!) Since I had to release my employees and close the door to my company (Due to convid policies..) I do find myself with nothing to do quite often of late, and being a fast typer I can write a lot in a very short period of time before I realise that for most,.. I'll have practically just written a small book, I think it's the slightly OCD teacher side of myself that's used to writing considerable pieces of work, having to remind myself that I am only writing in a Internet comments section is something I'm admittedly still working on.
......Before I were forced to close my business, I didn't have enough hours in the day, I were always on the move and now I suddenly have more spare time than I know what to do with,..and I'm certainly spending far too much time browsing the net.
These are all used cars now & with that comes with a previous owner. That said, it's a very reliable vehicle depending on how it's been driven.
I know its kinda old but nice vid very informative thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
I've been thinking about buying one. If you do a RS vs ST comparison I'd watch it for sure. I got to do a pre-delivery inspection on one when I worked at a Ford dealership. Couldn't believe how peppy it was. Pleasure to drive.
Hey, Yea I can get one done for you! Biggest thing is interior comforts and powerband. The RS comes full equipped with everything from different drive modes to heated steering wheel. The power comes on early and dies out soon, great car from a holeshot. The ST being FWD performs better in a roll but same issue with turbo dying out soon. Turbo upgrade options are more vast on the ST as well. I'll make a video this weekend highlighting the two! Appreciate the feedback definitely recommend getting an RS
I am in the market for one. how do vin check it? i saw the website on the ford document but it requires a ford log in so i cant get in.
Can I ask is the clutch pedal Heavy on the Rs I viewed one today and was surprised how heavy it was compared to any thing else I’ve been in recent
Yea, heavier than most. Surprised too, but I like the heavy feel gives more feedback
Hello! May I kindly ask you to write things, what are you talking about in this video, because it's hard for me to understand all of you saying by ear. Thanks so much!
Okay I'll keep that in mind for the next videos. I can do a write up and send it to you if you'd like
@@OPW367 yes, if you may do it, I will be very grateful!
@@michaelz8244 Send me your email in a message on instagram. @mariokart675 and I'll send you a write up
All the fumbling with your phone makes this video hard to watch
My bad, working on that. Looking to get better equipment!
Nice man I want to make my automatic se rs
Uhhh how?
@@davidv6408 well do a transmission swap? Clutch and shifters can be installed.
@@lendrickbegay8532 good luck
You should!
why tf would you want to do that
High powered 4 cylinders with turbos dont last long. Really hard on them to put out 300+ hp for long periods. Would have been better for them to make the ST and RS as rear wheel drive cars with the 305HP 3.7 v6, 6 speed clutch and 4.10 gears on the rear end. Would be a missile.
They don't last long? Lol it's a wonderful car..... How any car is driven depends on whether or not it will 'last long'.
Nonsense of the highest degree, look at for example VAG's EA888's that have been reliably putting out tuned 400bhp+ with just a software map (pages up on pages of proof on multiple international forums if you want). They are not flawless, and failures happen, but this can be expected of any engine and with any brand. If you want a Ford example, look at the ST 2.0 blocks, pretty much same story.
It’s not as simple as “it should have a v6” lol
@@ZenzDeluxe after owning a used 2015 gli it had so many problems stock turbo sucked the wastegate was apart of the turbo so if the waste gate failed you had to buy a whole new turbo the cars themselfs are nice but reliability aint it had to constantly dump money into it