Ford Fiesta ST180 Body Kits & Styling Parts

Fiesta ST180 Body Kit and Styling Buying Guide

What is the best first styling upgrade for a Fiesta ST180?

The best place to begin depends on how much of a visual change you want and whether you are comfortable drilling the car.

A Maxton Design spoiler extension is one of the simplest first upgrades. It attaches to the existing rear spoiler and creates a more aggressive appearance without replacing the complete spoiler assembly.

For a more noticeable change, a front splitter such as the Maxton Design V.2 front splitter makes the front bumper appear lower and wider.

What is the best complete styling combination?

For a balanced road-car appearance, we recommend combining:

• A front splitter that suits your preferred style.
• Side-skirt extensions to continue the lower line along the side of the car.
• A rear diffuser or rear side splitters to complete the lower rear bumper.
• A spoiler extension for a subtle finish to the upper rear of the car.

This produces a consistent look around the whole vehicle without making any one part appear out of place.

What is the difference between the Maxton front-splitter versions?

The V.1, V.2, V.3 and racing-style splitters are primarily different designs rather than different levels of performance.

Each version changes the shape, projection and aggressiveness of the front end. Customers should choose based on the appearance they prefer, ground clearance and whether the rest of the car has subtle or aggressive styling.

For example, the V.2 front splitter offers a clean road-car appearance, while racing splitters with wings or canards create a more track-inspired look.

Do Fiesta ST180 splitters require drilling?

Yes. Front splitters should be secured to the underside of the bumper using suitable nuts and bolts.

Drilling is required to ensure the splitter remains securely attached at motorway speeds. We would not recommend relying only on adhesive tape for a front splitter.

The splitter should be carefully positioned and centred before any holes are drilled. All fixings should then be tightened securely without overtightening and damaging the splitter or bumper.

Do Fiesta ST180 side skirts require drilling?

Yes. Side-skirt extensions also require drilling and mechanical fixings.

Products such as the Maxton Design racing side-skirt splitters should be securely bolted to the underside of the original side skirts.

Careful alignment is important so both sides sit at the same height and project evenly from the vehicle.

How are rear diffusers fitted?

Most rear diffusers are relatively straightforward to install and either clip into the original bumper or use existing mounting points and additional fixings.

Some products may also use automotive-grade 3M adhesive tape to hold smaller sections or trim pieces in position.

The exact installation method varies between designs, so always follow the instructions supplied with the individual Fiesta ST180 rear diffuser .

Will the rear diffusers fit an aftermarket exhaust?

The Fiesta ST180 rear diffusers in this collection can generally be used with the standard exhaust, Cobra Sport systems and other correctly positioned aftermarket exhausts.

Customers should still check the exhaust layout, number of outlets and tailpipe positioning before ordering.

An exhaust with significantly larger or differently positioned tailpipes may require additional adjustment to achieve suitable clearance around the diffuser.

Do the parts fit both the Fiesta ST180 and ST200?

The facelift Fiesta ST180 and ST200 use the same main bumper designs, so facelift styling parts listed for the ST180 will also fit the ST200.

Always check whether the product is intended for:

• Pre-facelift models.
• Facelift ST180 and ST200 models.
• ST, ST-Line or Zetec S bumpers.
• A standard bumper or an aftermarket RS-look bumper.

Do not order purely from the model name without confirming the bumper version shown in the individual product description.

Is the spoiler extension a complete replacement spoiler?

No. A spoiler extension is a cap that attaches to the top or rear edge of the existing factory spoiler.

It normally uses automotive-grade adhesive tape and creates a larger-looking spoiler without removing the original part.

What is the difference between a spoiler extension and a full roof spoiler?

A spoiler extension keeps the original spoiler and adds an extra section to it. This makes it the simpler and less involved installation.

The Maxton Design Focus RS-look roof spoiler is a complete replacement spoiler.

A full spoiler creates a much more dramatic change but requires removal of the original component and more involved fitting.

Do bonnet vents require cutting?

Yes. The Maxton Design Fiesta ST bonnet vents require the bonnet to be cut.

This is not a simple stick-on modification. The vent positions need to be measured accurately, the bonnet cut cleanly and the exposed edges protected properly against corrosion.

We recommend professional installation by a body shop or fabricator experienced in fitting bonnet vents.

What is involved in fitting an RS-look replacement bumper?

Products such as the Focus RS-look front bumper and Focus RS-look rear bumper are fibreglass replacement panels.

Fibreglass body panels normally require preparation, test fitting, adjustment, priming and painting before final installation.

They should be taken to a body shop with specific experience working with fibreglass. Do not expect them to fit and finish like a small gloss-black bolt-on splitter straight from the box.

Are Maxton Design parts supplied in gloss black?

Most Maxton Design splitters, side skirts, diffusers and spoiler extensions in this collection are supplied in a gloss-black finish unless the individual product description states otherwise.

This means most smaller styling components can be fitted without painting, although customers should always check the selected finish before ordering.

Fibreglass bumpers, primer-finished products and certain specialist body components will require preparation and painting.

How durable are Maxton Design styling parts?

Maxton Design styling components are hard-wearing and use durable protective finishes suitable for normal road use.

They should still be treated as low-mounted exterior parts. Splitters and side skirts can be damaged by kerbs, steep ramps, speed bumps, road debris and incorrect jacking.

Regularly inspect the fixings and mounting points, particularly after an impact or extended high-speed driving.

How should gloss-black styling parts be cleaned?

Use a proper non-acidic vehicle cleaner and a soft wash mitt or microfibre cloth.

Avoid aggressive acidic wheel cleaners, strong solvents and abrasive polishing products, as these can mark or dull the gloss-black finish.

Rinse away road salt, dirt and brake dust regularly and avoid rubbing the surface while it is dry.

Will a front splitter cause ground-clearance problems?

A front splitter reduces the effective clearance at the front of the vehicle.

This is particularly important on cars already fitted with lowering springs or coilovers. The amount of clearance lost will depend on the splitter design, ride height, wheel and tyre size and the roads the car is driven on.

Take extra care with speed bumps, steep driveways, kerbs and multi-storey car-park ramps. Approach steep changes in gradient at an angle where safe to do so.

Are Fiesta ST180 styling parts difficult to fit?

Most splitters, skirts, diffusers and spoiler caps are straightforward for a competent home mechanic or garage to install.

A good selection of tools, careful measuring and sufficient time to position each part correctly are more important than specialist mechanical knowledge.

Any competent garage should be able to fit bolt-on Maxton styling parts. Bonnet vents, replacement spoilers and fibreglass bumpers should be handled by a suitable body shop.

Common styling-part fitting mistakes

• Ordering a pre-facelift part for a facelift bumper or vice versa.
• Failing to confirm ST, ST-Line or Zetec S bumper compatibility.
• Drilling before the part has been centred and test fitted.
• Using only adhesive tape where mechanical fixings are required.
• Failing to clean and degrease surfaces before applying 3M tape.
• Ignoring exhaust-tailpipe clearance around a rear diffuser.
• Lowering the car without considering splitter ground clearance.
• Expecting fibreglass replacement bumpers to fit without body-shop preparation.