Hi everyone. I am new to this site and a former owner of a focus st. I am looking at buying a new or nearly new 100hp and am after a little advice.

1: Are there any owners who live in Belgium? I ask this as I am stationed here with the RAF and the roads are the worst iv come across in Europe. I am worried the pot holes (even on the motorway) may be a bit much for it.

2: Is the sport setting noticeable as the option on the focus did nothing to make the already light steering any weightier and made for a bit of a dull drive. My friend has a new 08 cooper S and that is what I call nicely weighted steering!

Sorry to bother you all, Its just a test drive out here is not going to happen. Iv got to go off Evo and your wealth of experience.

Many thanks,

Lee.

Welcome to the FF, you're in exactly the right place for some help.

I'm pretty sure there are some owners on here from Belgium, there are certainly a few in Holland but I guess you can't just pop over the border whenever you fancy...

Thanks for the post.

I am a big blue as well so am loving the big fella as your log in!

All the best, Lee.

2: Sharpens up the throttle response noticeably, weights up the steering nicely.

It's going to feel slow after a Focus ST though!

generallevi said:

I ask this as I am stationed here with the RAF and the roads are the worst iv come across in Europe. I am worried the pot holes (even on the motorway) may be a bit much for it.

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Poland has even worse roads and still, after 10k miles on the clock, the front suspension copes quite well with them

Unfortunately the Panda isn't a patch on the MINI in the handling stakes and while the Panda steering does weight up nicely above 15mph, it does lack a bit of the feel which you get in other sporty cars - I think someone mentioned this last week and it was to do with how assistance is managed.

Sport button's effect is certainly very noticeable, although it takes about 5 seconds to switch over. I wished they'd just made the car in Sport mode, but others disagree on that

My best advice wrt potholes and speedhumps is to try and avoid them.

Chris

My Mum used to drive a Mini and although I never drove it, I always found it a very firm and almost uncomfortable ride. The 100HP is firm but I wouldn't say quite as firm as the Mini, and the seats are much more comfortable also.

I was tearing up the A32 the other day giving my new baby a little run in, and did notice the firmer suspension, particularly with the dips in the road. But personally I thought this made it more exciting, rather than more annoying. It's each to their own really. Shame you can't get a test drive.

"Unfortunately the Panda isn't a patch on the MINI in the handling stakes "

I can`t agree with that, but, to each his own....
With regard to value for money, the 100HP is streets ahead...

lurcher10 said:

"Unfortunately the Panda isn't a patch on the MINI in the handling stakes "

I can`t agree with that, but, to each his own....
With regard to value for money, the 100HP is streets ahead...

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Well to be fair the Mini is a much more expensive car, it has a better suspension setup than the panda and as you would expect with a car that is at least a level up from the panda, target market wise it is a better handling car.

Sure the 100hp is great value for money, no question of that and its good fun too (I may be able to comment a bit more on that once my new 100hp arrives!!)

trackdayqueen said:

(I may be able to comment a bit more on that once my new 100hp arrives!!)

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/me awaits thread :bang::slayer:

Stu DemonD said:

/me awaits thread :bang::slayer:

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GLOL! You love it honey.

Is the problem getting a test of a 100HP or getting a test in general? If there are no 100hps around then try a 500 1.4 which is fairly similar mechanically and perhaps a normal panda just to get used to the inside and seating position.

I bought my 100hp without a test and don't regret it but if you expect skateboard handling and a hard ride you won't be disappointed,

Not sure I would have bought it if I did mainly motorway driving though as there are many better cars for that around.

Have driven a 500 1.4 Sport, in all honesty it's a long way away from a Panda 100hp for a lot of things.

generallevi said:

I am a big blue as well so am loving the big fella as your log in!

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Off topic I know, but given our current transfer status, wouldn't you just give your right arm for signing a new 26 year old, fully fit 'Big Dunc'?

(You none believers, please ignore this self indulgent post. Lee understands...)

lurcher10 said:

I can`t agree with that, but, to each his own....

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I've been out in a MINI One this evening back to back with the Panda over two lovely B road routes. Where the Panda crashes and jars over uneven surfaces, the MINI soaks them up and where the roads tighten up the MINI feels much more composed and is not relying on pure grip to get it round corners. The steering is also much better weighted and has more feel. The Cooper I took over one of the routes last month was the same.

lurcher10 said:

With regard to value for money, the 100HP is streets ahead...

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Absolutely, which is why I have a 100hp sat outside. The MINI is a much more expensive car and I don't think represents great value for money, but the handling is fantastic

Chris

ScoobyChris said:

I've been out in a MINI One this evening....
....The Cooper I took over one of the routes last month was the same.

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That's 'cos mechanically they are the same car (except for the chip!)....

ThisBitterPill said:

That's 'cos mechanically they are the same car (except for the chip!)....

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Apart from the different engine size, revised rear axle, lighter suspension components (aluminium) and sports gearbox I'll agree they are mechanically identical

Chris

ScoobyChris said:

Apart from the different engine size, revised rear axle, lighter suspension components (aluminium) and sports gearbox I'll agree they are mechanically identical

Chris

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Sorry my bad....

I didn't realise they had changed them that much....When they first came out they were the same except for the ECU chip and the trim....They obviously realised people would follow Top Gear's advice and buy a ONE and chip it!

Original Mini FTW! :slayer:

Hi everyone. God I feel terrible for starting a monster debate about the Mini!! I had an 03 plate cooper s and it was a fine car, well until a bee flew into my face on a back-road near Liverpool and myself and said Mini ended up in a field.

That car retailed at £17500 and as good as it was i am looking at around £8070 for a brand spanking metallic 100HP. Now I can put up with a crashy ride in the U.K. I don't think there is a road I am yet to come across that has been a nightmare with the exception of access roads etc but Belgium is a different entirety. Out here you will be driving down the motorway and find step ups like you get in U.K roadworks, the type you roll over while Mc Alpine boy is holding his stop/go lollypop, but this time while you're cruising doing 70!!
In addition to this, pot holes are everywhere and every minor road that leave a major have drainage ditches that try and steal your tyres.

I want this car so bad but I think I might cringe until im safely at Calais on the way home.

Thank you to you all for your help and light hearted banter on this forum. Everyone seems so eager to please and all I seem to hear is encouragement to each other. I am off work with a broken foot and ankle at the moment and just looking through here with a cuppa brings a smile to my face.

And in regard to a fit Big Dunc. I was in the Street end for his first goal against the reds as I was for his last against West Brom. I would take him back in a heartbeat, even half fit just to have someone who can inspire the way he did. You only get a couple a decade. In the last 2 I can name 3: Kanchelskis, Southall, Ferguson.

Nil Satis,

All the best, Lee