Focus estate - which engine?

[nogginthenog]

I have finally decided that the Merc has to go ( 1998 C250 TD ) - great barge, but too many electrical things that can ( and do ) go wrong. So to keep the Noggin family on the road I have decided to buy a Focus Estate, up to 3 years old and as low a mileage as possible. I really wanted a diesel, preferably a 2.0, but I have noticed that if I am prepared to have a petrol, there are many more 2nd hand options, and usually lower mileage.

Again - I would like the 2.0 petrol, but are there any issues with any of the engines that I should avoid? I can get all the performance figures / MPG figures online, but I'm looking for real-life feedback ( does the 2.0 petrol really achieve 39.8 MPG? ) If I go for a diesel, are the 1.6 / 1.8 good ( the lower VED £ is certainly attractive! ) What sort of mileage will any of these motors start to be potentially problematic? ( 135k on the Merc doesn't worry me, but anything over 50k on a Ford makes me nervous - rightly or wrongly ? ) . Any specific issues I should be looking out for with this model in general ?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[NST]

i can't comment on the focus 2.0L petrol engine, but i can comment on the 2.0 petrol mondeo (previous shape) which my father owns.

purely around town the mondeo 2.0 returns according to the trip computer 30-32mpg. on the motorway it easily returns 40mpg, at one point it was showing 45mpg at a steady 70. which is only a few mpg below my focus 1.8TDCI.

my brother recently got 37mpg during a 'spirited' run from northkent to Derby and back, 380miles and still just over 1/4 tank left.

hope that helps

NST

[Evilbat]

The 1.8 and 2.0 Zetec petrol engines should be fine. Not many issues with them, other than if high mileage (above 60k)make sure the cambelt AND the tensioner have been replaced.
Look for a post 51 plate version (facelift MkI) in Zetec or Ghia trim.
Alternatively, have a hunt for the ST170 estate for a bit more oomph.

[Zad]

Just avoid the 1.8 diesel like the plague! I have 2 friends who have had experiences with this engine, the first spent a year with the dealer trying to fix driveability problems. The second friend had a new one as a rental car and suffered almost identical problems.

[Dimski]

Zad said:

Just avoid the 1.8 diesel like the plague! I have 2 friends who have had experiences with this engine, the first spent a year with the dealer trying to fix driveability problems. The second friend had a new one as a rental car and suffered almost identical problems.

Early on when Ford were new to the TDCI technology, the diesels did suffer, but they are pretty strong now I believe.

We had a TDi Focus (T reg, one of the early diesels, proper old school tractor sounding diesel, albeit torquey), and its still going strong with 130k on the clock.

I think Ford rank well these days in reliability tests.

I test drove a Focus 2.0 TDCI before choosing my Mondeo, and the engine was nice. It felt quite powerful. It was the handling and steering I didn't like. Just didn't feel as good as the early Focus to me.

In fact, I went in to order a new Focus 2.0 TDCI estate, and ended up with a second hand Mondeo ST TDCI estate, purely because when driven back to back with the Focus, the Mondeo surprised the hell out of me.

Anyway, to the OP. I would go with the 2.0 TDCI. More relaxed cruising, and no real MPG hit.

[seltaeb]

I know your after a newer Focus .

I have a mk1 2.0 Ghia Focus Estate.(the best shape imo).Its my third one, they are a great car.I get an average of 35mpg,service cost's are cheap (£180 for a main service).As said before go for a ghia or zetec.Plenty of toys ,esp,a/c,electric everything etc...

[chris_w666]

If your'e after a newer one then the 2.0 tdci is the best compromise, the 1.8 tdci is the older 8v engine and not any better than the 2.0 on fuel or the 1.6 tdci on power.

Driven a few 2.0tdci's and they are quick enough for real world driving and return 40+ with ease.

Older models eg pre 2004 shape are great with the revvy zetec petrols in them, 1.8 or 2.0 are the best to run and are both decently reliable but fuel pumps and gear linkages have been problems on the ones I've known. Someone mentioned an ST170 great fun and a bit of a sleeper but won't get anywhere near 35 mpg in normal driving and probably more like the 20-25 I used to get when you find out how much fun wringing its neck really can be.