Why does the British motoring press hype the Ford handling?

Strider590

patronniall wrote: »

After market shocks are designed to the same specification as OEM shocks, so there shouldn't be a massive difference in ride quality. OEM shocks are made by some of these after market companies anyway - they are just rebranded just like brake pads/discs. And yes, the Fords I drove were brand new. I don't mean to say they are bad cars, I just though the motoring press seem to be over exaggerating the handling characteristics.

They're far from the same, the cheap shocks you usually get quoted, they'll be horrendous, but you won't necessarily notice how bad they are because they're naturally going to be better than completely worn shocks. A garage fitted cheap KYB shocks to my Peugeot 306 over 10 years ago, straight away the ride height was wrong and the front end so soft that it would oversteer without any provocation. When I checked the part number, the same part was specified for all 306s, including CDVs.

photome

how long before DM is banned again.

what a life!

thescouselander

patronniall wrote: »

There is good reason why most premium car manufactures like BMW make RWD, and that's superior handling. They have more of a neutral handling experience, part due to their 50/50 weight distribution and part due the front wheels with the sole responsibility of turning thereby eliminating torque steer. For most of the Jo public, they couldn't give two fingers about better handling provided by RWD cars. With the guy who compared a 2010 Focus ST to a 2010 325, completely different cars for different markets. In any case the 325 should be a lot better at the limits on track.

I'm pretty sure a hot Focus would spank and BMW 325 on the track. I used to have a BMW 330 - it was a good car but it didn't really live up to the hype.

patronniall

thescouselander wrote: »

I'm pretty sure a hot Focus would spank and BMW 325 on the track. I used to have a BMW 330 - it was a good car but it didn't really live up to the hype.

Chalk and cheese, can't really compare to two but the 325 is the better car overall in comfort, luxury, more predictable handling etc. Around the track I don't think the difference is as big as you think, they're probably quite similar considering the E92 325 can do 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, same as the same gen Focus ST.

BeenThroughItAll

patronniall wrote: »

Chalk and cheese, can't really compare to two but the 325 is the better car overall in comfort, luxury, more predictable handling etc. Around the track I don't think the difference is as big as you think, they're probably quite similar considering the E92 325 can do 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, same as the same gen Focus ST.

How would you know? Have you owned both? Driven both? Driven both on a track?

patronniall

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

How would you know? Have you owned both? Driven both? Driven both on a track?

No I haven't driven either. I'm making an educated guess here looking at both their handling capabilities and 0-60 times. Also had a look on fastestlaps.com and the 130i beats the focus st on all tracks and by a large margin. Granted the e92 isn't as quick as the 325i, from that factual evidence I can deduce the focus ST and e92 325 will be similar on track time (325 most likely quicker with the better RWD setup).

BeenThroughItAll

patronniall wrote: »

No I haven't driven either. I'm making an educated guess here looking at both their handling capabilities and 0-60 times. Also had a look on fastestlaps.com and the 130i beats the focus st on all tracks and by a large margin. Granted the e92 isn't as quick as the 325i, from that factual evidence I can deduce the focus ST and e92 325 will be similar on track time (325 most likely quicker with the better RWD setup).

So in other words, you're guessing.

thescouselander

patronniall wrote: »

Chalk and cheese, can't really compare to two but the 325 is the better car overall in comfort, luxury, more predictable handling etc. Around the track I don't think the difference is as big as you think, they're probably quite similar considering the E92 325 can do 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, same as the same gen Focus ST.

I disagree. Perhaps the BMW is more luxurious if it's well specced but the options are expensive which is why there are so many poverty spec BMWs (and indeed other German makes) driving round. On the other hand by the time you're up to and ST spec Ford there's plenty of features and equipment as standard which will make for a pretty good car.

I'll admit BMWs do have nicer carpets though.

Strider590

thescouselander wrote: »

I disagree. Perhaps the BMW is more luxurious if it's well specced but the options are expensive which is why there are so many poverty spec BMWs (and indeed other German makes) driving round.

Not that you'd really notice tbh, because most owners go full spec on the exterior and as cheap as possible on the interior.

patronniall

BMWs are better than Fords because they're in a completely different class and target a different customer base, hence why they cost more and so they SHOULD be better