Should I stay away from 2015 Fiesta ST for head flaw?

[Vinnyzilla]

I'm going to purchase a ST.

Is it best to get a 2018 Fiesta ST with newer head design or is a 2015 okay if factory recall is performed (band aid fix) and well maintained? I have one in my area that is really clean but it's a 2015 but it does have a lot of cool upgrades and a programmer w a clean title. The other STs I can afford are salvaged but under 100k 2017 and 2019. They all have aftermarket intercoolers and various goodies but none like the 2015 I want to buy with the programmer and multiple tunes come with it.

Is the head flaw enough to push me to choose 2017 or 2018 with the improved head design if salvage is a non issue?

This 2015 has everything tastful and super maintained. Your thoughts?

Thank you in Advance,

Anthony

 

[MattM]

I have a full bolt on 2015 with over 100k miles. Tuned since 29k miles, big turbo since 40k miles. No issues at all even with the factory radiator. YMMV

 

[RNOVRIT]

What is the head issue you are mentioning? I have two 2016's and so far so good. Both are stock though.

 

[Stubborn Approach]

115k on a ’15 here. I’ve done 40k+ miles & nearly a dozen track days on it in the last year. Its tuned for e85 or 91 octane. Just did the timing belt & another ~$5k of major maintenance on it. I wouldn’t sweat the pre 2016 head design at all.

 

[dhminer]

115k on a ’15 here. I’ve done 40k+ miles & nearly a dozen track days on it in the last year. Its tuned for e85 or 91 octane. Just did the timing belt & another ~$5k of major maintenance on it. I wouldn’t sweat the pre 2016 head design at all.

Damn what else did you do?

 

[rallytaff]

My 2014 is on 114,000 with NO engine problems. Timing belt done at 107,000 along with other items as a precaution. I'm happy!

 

[Vinnyzilla]

I guess I should see if I could explain myself better with the data AI provided me.

I bought a full mod 2017 97k I don't even know what I bought yet but this is loaded. The amount the first owner paid for the clutch assy I was told today I'm sure I heard it wrong but was more than I paid for this ST.

Anthony

 

[RNOVRIT]

Thank you for the information. That is quite the problem in the head design.

 

[Stubborn Approach]

Damn what else did you do?

Since I’ve been melting ball joint & caliper boots, all the knuckles, hubs, bearings, studs, inners/outers, LCAs, BBKs

Updating the cooling system seems to cure any issues with the head when driven hard. The car was impossible to drive hard before that, it would get hot climbing hills or sitting in traffic on triple digit days. Radiator & 180 thermostat fix that

Still needs an oil cooler if it’s over 85 degrees ambient for a full 20 min session.

No one actually worries about this stuff. AI is making a mountain out of a mole hill, as usual.

 

[Vinnyzilla]

Thank you for the information. That is quite the problem in the head design.

AI can be wrong. These guys in here know what's up real true life facts data. AI can lean towards negative Nancy narratives

The bandaid fix Ford offered to me is so they didn't have to swap out the head I get that.

I'm gonna use my best oil of choice Redline Racing Oil but the seller was Royal Purple guy. I've never used it but I know it's one of the best. I feel ill be changing the oil in a higher frequency over my other Lexus sedan or SUVs type vehicles. There is some considerable heat generated in this ST and that's the root cause of required frequency imo. Chevron 91 and regular Techrolene treatment I'm thinking the norm on direct injection gig I have now. I'm so excited to own a ST.

Anthony Ray

 

[Vinnyzilla]

Since I’ve been melting ball joint & caliper boots, all the knuckles, hubs, bearings, studs, inners/outers, LCAs, BBKs

Updating the cooling system seems to cure any issues with the head when driven hard. The car was impossible to drive hard before that, it would get hot climbing hills or sitting in traffic on triple digit days. Radiator & 180 thermostat fix that

Still needs an oil cooler if it’s over 85 degrees ambient for a full 20 min session.

No one actually worries about this stuff. AI is making a mountain out of a mole hill, as usual.

Thank you. I'm just obsorbing info on my first ST.

Anthony Ray

 

[Stubborn Approach]

Nice Focus

 

[Vinnyzilla]

Thanks 😊

 

[Sam4]

I guess I should see if I could explain myself better with the data AI provided me.

I bought a full mod 2017 97k I don't even know what I bought yet but this is loaded. The amount the first owner paid for the clutch assy I was told today I'm sure I heard it wrong but was more than I paid for this ST.

Anthony

AI can't drive stick - not enough users for it to learn...

 

[SteveS]

Think about it. The 2015 you are looking at is modded and is 10 years old in excellent condition. Do you think if it had a head that was extremely prone to warping it would have made it this far?

 

[Vinnyzilla]

AI can't drive stick - not enough users for it to learn...

True that. They say robots biggest challenge today is opening door knobs. Fact. There's no way they're going to become an electrician or a pipe fitter anytime soon. Tradesman is what America needs today not college. AI might swallow college degree jobs but not the trades 💪🇺🇸

 

[Vinnyzilla]

Think about it. The 2015 you are looking at is modded and is 10 years old in excellent condition. Do you think if it had a head that was extremely prone to warping it would have made it this far?

That ST I'm sure was flawless maintenance. I communicated with seller for a few days and he taught me a lot of stuff about STs because to tell you the truth I was just dove into them in the last few days. He had tons of tasteful upgrades galore and title was clean. But it had 135k and he not change belt yet so that wz due and considerable reason I opted for the 2017 97K miles with goodies galore salvaged title but super clean. It was a steal at Christmas 🎄 I got lucky.

Did the AI negative nancy push me to 2017. No, not after what I read here the night before I left with cash to buy either ST. I just saw the 2017 first plus 135k n timing belt not changed n would on my dime was 90%. I'm 61 owned every Mustang ever many Termys and a Shelby GT500 stage II signed by Carroll Shelby himself. So, salvage didn't matter either to get in the game with a head start 7500 cash deal and my ride home just mf made me giggle the whole way... unreal experience best thing I've driven since my Shelby and a few S2000s I had were badass too. This ST is amazing fun!

Anthony Ray

 

[killer5280]

Whadjapay?

Oh, $7500. Good deal.

I paid $5000 for my 2016 totally unmodified with 184,000 miles. So much fun I have been neglecting my motorcycles.

 

[Vinnyzilla]

Yeah I didn't even drive it I just bought it. The other 500 I kept in my pocket to try to grind on them for extra deal I didn't even try it. This guy gave me so much stuff it was crazy I only got it because he had another custom show truck he was having done and he needed another $20,000 to get it finished so he had to sell this one when he said he was never going to sell it n wz his daily driver but it was Christmas time and he needed the money so I'm super super excited.

Anthony Ray