A bit of ford focus info needed :)

all the bread and butter ones have drums

I'm guessing the answer is no...

I think only the 1.8 and 2lt ones have rear discs.

Stephen.

Assuming Mk1, only the 2.0 Ghia has rear discs as standard; it's the only one that came with ABS and traction control.

Chris

Being an 04 reg number I guess mine is still a late mk1 ?

It will be one with the front indicators in the headlights, usually described as a Mk 1 Facelift, or a Mk 1.5.

Chris

Brings back fond memories of the Fester Mk3.5 debate.

My Mk1 1.6 had ABS and traction control.

The 2.0 was the only one that had ESP.

My ST-3 didnt have drums.

Indeed; it would be better if manufacturers gave firmer guidance. Ordering parts can sometimes be a nightmare.

Chris

Speaking purely of '99 MY, ABS was not listed as standard fitment (except for the 2.0 Ghia); they were part of the "Reflex" pack of extras. When ABS was specified for the 1.8, you automatically got rear discs.

Confusingly, there were two types of traction control used; one which only applied the brake on the errant wheel, and another which also cut engine power. With the ESP option, you automatically had the second type of traction control. It was not available at release.

Chris

I didn't say they were standard fitment but it did have ABS, traction control and drums on the rear. This was on a 99 plate.

These were options

I think that drums makes the handbrake functionality easier. Disc all round looks better, but are they really needed? I had a Fiat Croma in the 1980s with discs all round, but the handbrake could never worked properly. Disc handbrakes has improved nowadays, but still technically difficult, especially the long term reliability.

you should see the abortion of a disc handbrake on my Ferrari, it relies upon slight bending of the disc to operate. (fixed caliper with only one piston moved by the cable)

So probably don't pull the handbrake more than necessary when parking. I.e. not much handbrake is needed on a flat road. When parking on slope, I always turn the front wheels towards the curb and test that the curb indeed will stop the car, then move back a little bit to protect the tyres.

I generally only use the handbrake when it is mot time.

In message , Mrcheerful writes

I should have used mine in the nose to tail queue past the bloody Take That concert at Man City Stadium on Friday night.

It would have saved me rolling (very gently) back into the car behind... No damage, just embarrassment.

First mass production car to use discs all round AFAIK was the Mk2 Jag; they used a secondary mechanical calliper for the handbrake. So you stop with red hot brakes, put the handbrake on, the disc cools, shrinks... you can guess the rest!

Chris