brakes

Ford made many boastful claims about the ST220’s standard brakes but, unfortunately, they were pretty poor even from new. The ST220 used exactly the same anchors as a base-model Mk3, including 300mm vented front discs and 280mm solid rears – good for a 113bhp diesel, not so hot for double that output.

Fast-road pads and decent- quality OE discs are a slight improvement, and a set of braided hoses helps pedal feel in the majority of cases. Renew the fluid, make sure those dodgy rear calipers are up to scratch, and you’ve optimised the standard components.

But don’t stop there. Because Focus ST225 320mm front discs, calipers and carriers bolt straight onto the Mondeo, are readily available second-hand for sensible money, and make the kind of improvements you’ll wish you’d done sooner – even if you bought the car yesterday! Ford’s ST225 discs and pads are fine, but for track days, it could be worth trying a harder compound.

But will Focus RS Mk2 calipers go on instead? The short answer is no. Although it’s possible to make them fit using custom brackets, they’re big and heavy, and aren’t substantially better than the ST anchors.

If you really, really need bigger or better brakes ( which is hugely unlikely on any roadgoing ST220), invest in an AP Racing 343mm four-pot caliper conversion. Basically, whatever will fit on the front of a Focus ST225 will also work on the ST220 – providing you’ve got the wheels ( and wallet) to suit.