Anytime you have minimal sidewall between the wheel and the pavement there is a chance for damage. I do see alot or scuffed wheels but most of that is unattentive driving and dinking a curb or two. I went with 17's for a little more margin of error since our roads take a beating over winter and the constant construction is annoying and something else to worry about.

 

To me it sounds like you're buying things you won't really use. If the car is simply A-B, then buy a cheap Focus that gets the best mileage and has the lowest cost of ownership, the SFE IIRC. 35,000/yr, the car doesn't sit still much and I'm kinda doubting you have time to have much fun with it.

If I were you, I'd get a cheap Focus and a second sporty used car for fun time, or work my way up to that.


Far as wheel size, if MPG is the ultimate goal. You want to keep weight to a minimum. The more weight the wheel/tire has the more Torque required to get it moving and the more it takes to keep it moving.

 

Thanks. Actually, much of my local commuting is on back roads in the foothills of Virginia, so plenty of time to play. :-] However, I was underwhelmed by the Titanium stick shift I drove; it was almost as if it had a governor on it, the engine seemed to hesitate or bog down if I stomped the throttle, couldn't handle the fuel all at once. The ST was a blast to drive, just don't know if I can handle the Recaro seats for the long haul. Have to say, the Edmunds long-term report on the 2013 ST still has me considering it...

 

If you are concerned about harsh ride quality, the 17" wheels may be a better choice.
Another benefit is reduced tire/road noise.

 

Dennll, I haven't driven an ST but I did (almost) exactly as you are considering; went from a '12 SEL to a '14 Ti w/ handling package for my work commute. The ride is definitely stiffer with the handling package. More tire noise too but only on certain pavements; on others it's as quiet as the SEL. And it's not so much tread noise but a hollow reverberating noise. But it's not overpowering. There are certain pavements where the stiffness gets to be a little much but then other times I'm thinking 'man I'm glad I got the package.' Definitely better handling around curves. And I think the rims look the best out of all the Focus rims.

In short the handling package is a more than fair tradeoff between slightly worse ride and better handling and looks. You just have to decide if you can deal with the slightly worse ride.

 

Thanks Kam, that's great feedback. So no trouble with catastrophic damage to your rims due to pot holes?

 

I think the handling package ride was just fine, no notable difference between it and the other Foci I have driven

 

Having put 24k miles on a SEL and 1k miles on the handling package I can say it's noticeably stiffer.

Thanks Kam, that's great feedback. So no trouble with catastrophic damage to your rims due to pot holes?

Not yet. Very few potholes in Florida though and I'm good at avoiding those few. Did have a good jolt this morning though over one I failed to miss.

 

I have a 2012 SE sport with the TI 18's. My ride isn't bad at all (20K miles). I am not sure how different the sport suspension is from the TI sport. Granted I am running all season 235-40-18 and not summer only like the Ti sport. I drive like a drunk to avoid potholes. SO far, I have not hit any major ones *knocks on wood. I heard the shocks were the same on the two models, then I heard differently. I don't know really. I think I recall the ride being slightly more firm, but nothing uncomfortable compared to my stock 16's.

 

The springs have different part numbers with the Ti Handling Package. So they're definitely stiffer.

Where'd you get your 18" rims coated? Wouldn't mind doing that to mine.

 

Never had a problem with the ride of the THP over the 30k miles that I had it. Then I switched to narrower 17" wheels to increase my fuel economy since I was commuting over 150 mi/day.

My biggest beef with the THP is the increased turning radius. It's pretty significant in that I've driven SUVs with tighter turning radii. Fortunately, it doesn't affect me too much, but if you routinely park in small parking lots you will get to know it well.

 

I traded a Titanium w/ handling package for an ST...there's definitely a noticeable difference in harshness over bumps. I think the THP is a great compromise between the intensity of the ST and the softness of the SE. Just don't expect 40mpg with those wheels and tires.

 

Can you compare the handling prowess of the two? Just out of curiosity.

So far, over the first 3 tanks with the handling package, I'm right where I was fuel economy wise compared to my SEL with the 17" Continental all seasons. By the 10th tank I should have a very good idea how much the handling package affects fuel economy, if at all.

Ti w/ handling in Red, SEL in Blue:

 

Just yesterday I had the 18's put back on in place of the winter tires on 15" wheels. There is a huge difference. Considerably more road noise and the fat tires pull the car over all the imperfections. Roads around here aren't the greatest, but no large holes or wheel breaking imperfections I can't avoid. Still, should have stuck to the non-handling pkg with the 17's for my use, which is commuting. Does look good, though.

One other question on the 18" tires; more of a confirmation. Those are unidirectional, right, as in they need to stay on the side of the car where they came off? I ask because the Ford dealership I deal with (maybe no longer) didn't mark the tires when they removed them past October. I notice one of the wheels that was right rear before is now left front. Am thinking they reversed 2 of the tires when they put them on yesterday.

 

Yeah the 18's are louder than my SEL's 17's, but not so much that I regret it.

No the Michelins that come with the handling package are not unidirectional. If they were they'd have a rotation arrow on the sidewall.

 

That's what I thought, as I couldn't see an arrow on the sidewall. Just spoke with the dealer and they think they are unidirectional. However, I have no confidence in them anymore. Clowns! And this is the tip of the iceberg on what my experience has been, but don't want to get into a full rant here now. Anyone in the area want to know who they are, perhaps to avoid them; PM me.

 

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully there's another dealer in your region that you can try next time.

 

i have an SEL w/o any handling pkg from the factory (as far as i know) with 17" wheels . I felt the ride was far to soft and compliant so i installed ST struts up front and Ti with handling pkg shocks rear. Installed a steeda rear sway bar and upgraded the tires to (same size as OEM) conti DWS.
I don't find the ride hard at all, it's barely firm imo. But, far more controlled, corners flatter rebounds better , etc. All in all, money well spent as the car now handles far better than before w/ on apparent decrease in ride quality.

I've a friend w/ a Ti w/ handling pkg and his car rides very much like mine but as he doesn't have the steeda sway bar and same tires as do I , my SEL handles far better, imo.

 

I was considering doing all that to my SEL before trading it in. In the end it was the SEL's drivetrain vibration (after clutch pack replacement), and the addition of a moonroof and rear view camera, that led me to trade for the Ti.

What tires do you have? I was considering the Bridgestone RE760s for the SEL. Seemed to be an excellent balance of price and performance. Might still do those in a couple years when the Michelins are done.

I might do the Steeda rear sway bar. While the cornering grip and roll are much improved w/ the handling package, I wouldn't mind even less roll.

 

When I originally ordered my 2012 Ti HB I ordered it with the handling package, but I started looking at Tire Rack for replacement tires and found they're about $75/tire more expensive for the 18's than for the 17's so I cancelled the handling package and added the MFT with NAV instead. I could not be happier with this decision as the 18's would have limited my off-road / dirt-road driving and the ride would be harsher than I'd want 95% of the time.

FTR, I have not quite 32K miles and my lifetime average is 38.5mpg. Most people won't see that kind of mileage as I tend to drive longer trips in the desert southwest where I can cruise at 55mph for long stretches without stopping -- great for mileage.

The handling package would have cost me 1-2mpg and the ride would have been less pleasant on these long trips. Bear in mind that the Ti has firmer suspension that the lower models to begin with so the FF actually has three suspension setups not counting the ST's. I think the standard Ti suspension is a good balance between the softer base models and the Ti with handling package.


Brian

 

When I originally ordered my 2012 Ti HB I ordered it with the handling package, but I started looking at Tire Rack for replacement tires and found they're about $75/tire more expensive for the 18's than for the 17's so I cancelled the handling package and added the MFT with NAV instead. I could not be happier with this decision as the 18's would have limited my off-road / dirt-road driving and the ride would be harsher than I'd want 95% of the time.

I see several name brand summer tires on tirerack.com that are only $20-25 more expensive in 18" size versus 17". And Pirelli P6 all seasons are available for $88 for the 18's. Seems quite reasonable to me.

FTR, I have not quite 32K miles and my lifetime average is 38.5mpg. Most people won't see that kind of mileage as I tend to drive longer trips in the desert southwest where I can cruise at 55mph for long stretches without stopping -- great for mileage.

Respectfully, what does this have to do with the 17 v 18 debate?

The handling package would have cost me 1-2mpg

How do you know for sure? Are you aware of some long-term comparison I'm not aware of? I'll post my own long-term comparison in a few months.

 

The ST definitely has a stiffer suspension than even the TI w/ the Handling Package. I went from a TI HB w/ Handling package to an ST and I could tell right away the suspension was stiffer.

Normally, I drive in the smooth highway system of South Florida (no potholes) so the stiff suspension wasn't that big a deal on my daily commute. However, for the past week I have been driving my ST in North Jersey where the roads are riddled with potholes. Lets just say that if I was living and commuting up here, I don't think my tires would last long. Even now, when I hit a pothole, I can FEEL the hit.

 

The ST definitely has a stiffer suspension than even the TI w/ the Handling Package. I went from a TI HB w/ Handling package to an ST and I could tell right away the suspension was stiffer.

Between the two, have you noticed any significant difference in tire/road noise?

 

I drive a 2013 Foc Ti with handling package (18s), like the feel and smooth ride on freeway but yes, you will feel more bumps and sometimes a little more rode noise. Great handling! Of course, I have been driving a 1995 Ford Escort so anything was an improvement. Everyone that has rode with me notices how smooth the car rides. For me, I do prefer the DCT! I believe the ST is a little stiffer.

 

I drive a 2013 Foc Ti with handling package (18s), like the feel and smooth ride on freeway but yes, you will feel more bumps and sometimes a little more rode noise. Great handling! Of course, I have been driving a 1995 Ford Escort so anything was an improvement. Everyone that has rode with me notices how smooth the car rides. For me, I do prefer the DCT! I believe the ST is a little stiffer.

Sorry but it's road --> http://www.gingersoftware.com/english-online/spelling-book/confusing-words/road-rode




and only because you felt the need to nitpick and offer nothing else --> http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395634

 

Go with the handling package, you will enjoy the ride.

 

Agreed.

 

I owned a SEL with 17's that I traded in on my Ti with HP.

17's-Less expensive, quieter, more comfortable, better mpg (about 2mpg on my commute), longer tread life.

18's-More grip, better looks, better handling.

I inadvertently curbed one of my 18's (which I later had fixed), but it wouldn't have helped to have had 17's in that situation. You only actually gain 1/2" of vertical clearance by having the smaller wheels. Outside of that, I never had an issue with having low-profile tires with bumps/potholes/etc. I even have much shorter tires on my aftermarket 18's.

If you want better looks and more fun then you want the HP. If you just want to commute in comfort and quiet then I would recommend the 17's. I don't think either setup would be a 'regrettable' decision.

 

18s do look better and I see that when I switch my winter 17s over to the 18s on my STI and I forget how good it looks but the ride is a tad harsher.....like you'd notice in an STI where the ride would be harsh even if it was riding on marshmallows.

 

I have a 12 SEL with 16" wheels and a 13 ST. While the ST is stiffer than the SEL it is not uncomfortable at all. It was one of the things I found quite amazing when I first test drove the ST, that could design a suspension with the handling the car has that rides as well as it does. Also the ST's Eagle F1 tires are dramatically quieter going down the road the ContiProContacts on the SEL, I guess that is to be expected seeing that the F1s are not much more than slicks with some grooves.

 

Also the ST's Eagle F1 tires are dramatically quieter going down the road the ContiProContacts on the SEL, I guess that is to be expected seeing that the F1s are not much more than slicks with some grooves.

Why are those "slicks with grooves" any more than other tires?

Keep in mind that as tires wear (the tread depth decreases), they generally become noisier.

 

My stock Conti's were SUPER loud after about 10,000 miles. It got dramatically worse as they wore. The BFG comp-2's I replaced them with were much quieter, although they still made a bit of noise.

I've never had an all season tire make as much noise as those conti's.

 

if you call the ST ride bad I'd stay away from the handling package. also 18" tires will be harsher, obviously. I have the ST (18") and have owned a 2012 SEL (17") w/o handling package but I am not as sensitive to road feel as you. the ST can be jarring on some roads and my 2012 SEL handled great and was a fun car to drive.

 

I've got a little over 14k miles on my DWS and I haven't noticed any significant increase in road noise and really never noticed the tire spund even with the radio off.

 

just browsed threw the thread and I wanted to mention I can still get 40 mpg with my Titanium that has the handling package and 18's. Now given I live in the vast hill country of central Texas and getting 40mpg here takes a soft touch. I run 40 psi on all tires.

 

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the spirited and respectful discussion. My search came to an end this past weekend - when I purchased a Focus ST.

I continued to test drive both the ST and a Ti w/o HP, so got to put more miles on the ST. I also got to test drive a Fiesta ST, which was a lot of fun. An interesting thing happened: I would finish test driving, then hop in my own Ti and head to the next meeting, sometimes 40 miles away. I began to pay attention to my own handling and ride quality, and began noticing that what I had been living with was not much different from the ST, it was just - different... As someone mentioned earlier, the Ti has a sport-tuned suspension, and in the end is not significantly different from the ST in ride quality, but WAY different in performance. I couldn't pass it up.

I am now the proud owner of a 2014 ST with the ST3 package in the tuxedo black and black interior. Couldn't be happier.

Thanks again,
Dennis

 

... I am now the proud owner of a 2014 ST with the ST3 package in the tuxedo black and black interior. Couldn't be happier.

Thanks again,
Dennis

Congratulations! [twothumbs]

Now, of course you know, the rest of us non-ST owners need photos to drool over. If I were you, though, I'd be too busy out driving that thing around to bother with that. Priorities.

 

I've had a lot of fun with mine I'm happy to hear the experience!