Focus XR5 Questions

[avim]

Hi all,

I have made the decision to get myself an LS (or maybe LT) XR5 sometime in the very near future. I had a drive of an LV and was very impressed with the all round ability of the car, the looks and the interior space (I'm 198 cm tall) but prefer the styling of the older models. Saying that, if a great deal on an LV knocked on my door, I wouldn't turn it away.

I do have a few questions about them though:

- In the early LS's; does it make much of a difference, performance and reliability wise, that they have a 7 bar intercooler instead of the 11 bar of the later models? Is it wise to change the intercooler on an early vehicle to the later one?

- do these cars run on a cam belt or a timing chain? If it's a belt, how often do they need to be changed? My old Alfa Romeo required its belts to be changed every 3 years or 60,000 k's.

- What are the most effective suspension modifications to further sharpen the handling without ruining the ride?

- It it possible to change the head unit of the LS without rendering the steering wheel controls useless? I would like an AUX output and am aware that only LT's and beyond have them (albeit in an inconvenient location). Or is there a way to run an AUX cable through the original head unit. On a separate note, I'd like to add a bluetooth unit to the car I buy as well so if I could find something that solves the AUX problem and gives me bluetooth, that'd be awesome. This issue is solved if I get an LV of course.

- Are there any Focus/XR5 specific issues I should look out for when inspecting?

That's about all I can think of for now - thanks in advance.