Fiesta ST MK6 / ST150

[Mintmansam]

Hi All,

Brief background got my first Fiesta when I was 17 in 2009/2010 it was shared with my mum. It was a silver 1.25 style

In 2014 I convinced my mum that we should sell the 1.2 and get a better spec Fiesta with AC and nicer seats..... perhaps I forgot to mention the 2.0L engine. So I was the proud owner of a black Mk6 Fiesta ST

2015 came and I moved out and got a job far away. I gifted the car to my mum (who had helped with running costs so wasn't quite a gift)

In 2016 I decided that a used Mk7 ST3 again in black would be an ideal choice (and get me out of a company car) I fitted a mountune CAIS and found some M-Sport OZ wheels and tyres off a written off M-Sport Fiesta.

I enjoyed the Mk7 a lot but whenever I returned home I would always take the Mk6 out for a spin. Having the ability to jump in one after another really showed me what I liked in a car, fun, not fast. I always felt more in tune with the Mk6, you can steam into a lower in a low gear whack on some lock and get some nice lift off oversteer and control it, unlike other cars. The Mk7 was the same but I always thought visually from some angles made it looked too slabby.

My mum finally decided that she would like another car, I told her that I would buy it off her for the trade in value, and that's how the Mk6 ended up back with me ..... kinda, I gave the car to my partner who then has daily driven it since 2019. So I get to drive it plenty again.

Aware of my contract (can't use a car 7 years or older for business use) I had to move on the Mk7 in December 2020. I drove a Mk8 but it wasn't quite what I was looking for, so I jumped ship and bought the nearest thing to a Fiesta RS I could .... GR Yaris. I had contemplated a Focus RS in 2018/19 but wasn't in right position and I didn't want / need a car in the size class above.

Anyway the Mk6 is coming fully back into my possession as my partner is now getting a new car "Goods news everyone the Dacia Sandero" so I thought I may as well combine my love of track days and the Fiesta and start modifying

The modifications will be about improving the car and minimal/nothing visual

First up is some KW V1 Coilovers to replace the aged suspension ** Now Bilstein B12 (B8 damper and lowering springs)
Secondly is the clubsport bar and net with false floor to replace the back seats
Thirdly will be Braid 15" wheels with custom ET, Im thinking about 45 to avoid bump steer/excessive scrub radius < any thoughts on ideal ET would be great as Braid wheels are custom made. I heard off Braid before the Yaris , but its nice to see the Yaris team using them. ** Now bought some Speedline Turini 16's second hand for a good price

I like making mods that help when driving UK roads, Im not into lowered cars, but I am into low unsprung mass and big side walls haha

Lets see how far down the rabbit hole I end up going. Currently trying to resist chasing power

 

[Mintmansam]

Clubsport rear done, the floor is functional , the bar is purely looks to make it a bit nicer (it fixes to the parcel shelf)

 

[Mintmansam]

Speedline Turini Wheels with Federal 595 RS-R track tyres 205/45/16 . I prefer bigger sidewalls (stock is 205/40/17).

I picked these up for £350 including tyres, really I only wanted the wheels but makes sense to use the tyres.

 

[Mintmansam]

Alternative caliper carriers to run larger discs (same calipers)

should have a whiff of the GR but scaled down 300mm behind a 16” similar to a 356mm behind a 18”

 

[Kaxe]

I look forward to seeing more progress on yours mate!
I'm forever looking on eBay for when a super rare MR200 Mk6 comes up for sale!
The Mk6 Fiesta ST will always have a place in my heart! Great cars...
My old supercharged one I'd have back in a heart beat!!

Sorry for the thread highjack but I found some old photos!

 

[Mintmansam]

I look forward to seeing more progress on yours mate!
I'm forever looking on eBay for when a super rare MR200 Mk6 comes up for sale!
The Mk6 Fiesta ST will always have a place in my heart! Great cars...
My old supercharged one I'd have back in a heart beat!!

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Sorry for the thread highjack but I found some old photos!

I too am/was looking for a MR200 inlet but now I’m settled on an FF intake, actually looking better perhaps , just looks a bit meh. MR200 have got a bit too legendary now. Haha. No don’t apologise love it . Haha that badge

 

[Mintmansam]

Mental, that’s what the neighbours call me, been cleaning a car a day and it’s 1 degree today

Frankly neighbours think I’m crazy cleaning at normal times. Pretty sure other people cars are cleaned only when they get a service

 

[AndyRC]

Number 1 (and only) son has a ST Performance Edition , known as “Tango One” , which is a very nice car and rides much better on coilovers than the standard ST. I find the 200 bhp is plenty to have fun with and be able to Rev it out through at least the lower gears.

 

[Humptydumptyhadabigone]

Ours. Running 16s to get some sidewall.


Changing gear cables during a 24 hour race

Don't slam it from 5th to 2nd

Few bits and pieces




Checking if the RS6 V8 will fit.

 

[Mintmansam]

Anyone familiar with the ST150 will know what the inlet below represents, I think this could be the last one never to be fitted I payed for it, many pennies

But I thought give it a go see if it’s worth it, if not remove and sell, so it’s going from stock to MR200 in one go

Sorry @Kaxe I know you were looking for one

 

[Kaxe]

Errmahgerrd nerdgasm!! ...rare as hens teeth. Well done!!
I'd love to build a ST150 MR200

 

[nails84]

I never really got the Mk6 ST. The Clio 172 and EP3 Type R sort of made it irrelevant at the the time. I remember a friend bought a nearly new one years back and I had a 15 year old Honda Prelude and they couldn't keep up, they weren't happy. The Mk7 was a big improvement to me, I had a 2016 ST-3 from new. Very capable but still Ford build quality so got rid after a year.

Maybe the mk6 is something that will be more fondly remembered now it is older? Seems to happen with a lot of Ford's, slated at the time but loved later on?

 

[Mintmansam]

I never really got the Mk6 ST. The Clio 172 and EP3 Type R sort of made it irrelevant at the the time. I remember a friend bought a nearly new one years back and I had a 15 year old Honda Prelude and they couldn't keep up, they weren't happy. The Mk7 was a big improvement to me, I had a 2016 ST-3 from new. Very capable but still Ford build quality so got rid after a year.

Maybe the mk6 is something that will be more fondly remembered now it is older? Seems to happen with a lot of Ford's, slated at the time but loved later on?

Ive had plenty of cars that shouldn't keep up ,overtake me and plenty that should that don't you need a hell of a lot of BHP to pull away from any car.

But the key of the Fiesta Mk6, and all cars for that matter, isn't speed, its feel, sound, communication, for me. I bought the GR for the same reason.

I had the Mk7 and Mk6 for me was very similar just nicer steering, same lift off oversteer (maybe more) but the same controllability , different cars gel with different people though. I like a good front end and good feel

 

[nails84]

Ive had plenty of cars that shouldn't keep up ,overtake me and plenty that should that don't you need a hell of a lot of BHP to pull away from any car.

But the key of the Fiesta Mk6, and all cars for that matter, isn't speed, its feel, sound, communication, for me. I bought the GR for the same reason.

I had the Mk7 and Mk6 for me was very similar just nicer steering, same lift off oversteer (maybe more) but the same controllability , different cars gel with different people though. I like a good front end and good feel

I get what you're saying, but the ST was putting out a lot less power than it's rivals at the time and the motoring press panned it. The GR is the opposite.

Totally agree regarding feel though, my old 205 gti is probably still the best the car for this, maybe I'll get another one day.

 

[Mintmansam]

I get what you're saying, but the ST was putting out a lot less power than it's rivals at the time and the motoring press panned it. The GR is the opposite.

Totally agree regarding feel though, my old 205 gti is probably still the best the car for this, maybe I'll get another one day.

True but that’s the motoring press, headline bhp was less, bhp through the range equivalent if not greater. The cams were more mild on the ST. Although you are right. That is a weakness, trouble was I was 14 when the ST came out so I just saw the looks and fell in love. I think the reviews do praise the handling and visuals but critical of the peak bhp.

I suppose it is (The GR) but again for me I watched one review and placed an order (Johnny Smith) although the subsequent reviews did confirm I’d made a good choice

Oh yer 205 gti is a beautiful car, 1.9 or 1.6? I hope you can, I dare say they are getting tucked away now, to make money

 

[nails84]

True but that’s the motoring press, headline bhp was less, bhp through the range equivalent if not greater. The cams were more mild on the ST. Although you are right. That is a weakness, trouble was I was 14 when the ST came out so I just saw the looks and fell in love. I think the reviews do praise the handling and visuals but critical of the peak bhp.

I suppose it is (The GR) but again for me I watched one review and placed an order (Johnny Smith) although the subsequent reviews did confirm I’d made a good choice

Oh yer 205 gti is a beautiful car, 1.9 or 1.6? I hope you can, I dare say they are getting tucked away now, to make money

I had a 1.6 first, cost me 500 quid lol. Loved it so much I got a mint 1.9 for about 3000. This was back in about 2004. I have nearly bought another several times over the years since. Prices are a bit silly now but not quite as bad as what is happening to JDM prices.

 

[Kaxe]

Anyone on STOC know much about these two? Any goss? I don't have an account on there anymore as its been 14 years since i've been an active member lol!
MR200 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22487535...rentrq:7e18af0417f0acb4ab616e80fffb8de4|iid:1
Nice amount of extras on this one - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...arly New&onesearchad=Used&model=Fiesta&page=1

Cheers

 

[Mintmansam]

Anyone on STOC know much about these two? Any goss? I don't have an account on there anymore as its been 14 years since i've been an active member lol!
MR200 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224875359734?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=740028e00b3f40a286263432a7fbe17d&pid=100675&rk=2&rkt=15&sd=185335750501&itm=224875359734&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:b7c1b3a9-a1ff-11ec-8209-76cee360dd3a|parentrq:7e18af0417f0acb4ab616e80fffb8de4|iid:1
Nice amount of extras on this one - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203053224865?aggregatedTrim=ST&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&include-delivery-option=on&sort=distance&postcode=rg193jg&make=Ford&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&model=Fiesta&page=1

Cheers

I know about the MR200 in black as I’ve actually seen it! It was near a site visit, it’s in good condition, the owner wasn’t too aware of the MR200 package, it drives great and has auto light and wipers , heated leather and the MR200. I was considering buying it , but I’m simply too far down my own MR200 build. I’ll post an update later.

 

[Mintmansam]

So here's for an update, i've been spending a lot more time thinking about the Fiesta than the Yaris.

First things I started doing was pulling together all the parts to fit the MR200 package, I needed an exhaust, I wanted to have a fully resonated one, and ideally a Mountune one, I couldn't find a full system, so its going to be a hybrid of a Miltek and the cat back Mountune. Not a fan of loud exhausts, nor will my neighbours be haha.

I found a complete B12 kit (Blister B8 Shocks and Eibach Pro Springs) I fitted these, unfortunately I didn't get on with the rear dampening, too stiff, I assume to account for all possible loads and the rear was sat a tad lower than the front. Luckily the front seems ok, by chance a friend knew someone building a RWD fiesta so I got the barely used GAZ adjustable dampers and springs, At first I fitted the dampers only with the Eibach springs, (rear is not a Coilovers type suspension, separate damper to spring) the ride was exceptional , better than stock but the rear height still looks too low, I wanted to fit the height adjustment from the GAZ spring but this wouldn't fit, so I fitted the stiffer GAZ spring.

I expected the stiffer spring to make the rear ride too stiff, but in fact it made it better, less rear roll, but still comfortable. All this suspension changing has really given me a good insight into suspension, and the effect of dampers and springs, its good to feel it first hand.

So here is how it sits currently, with a softer rear ride than stock. I like this subtle lowering look, and when I fit the other 16" wheels the arch gap will decrease as the tyres are same profile but slightly wider, thus taller sidewall.

 

[Kaxe]

I had B12's on my old Mk6 and it handled like it was on rails!
AP Brakes too so I could stop!