focus deisel - which engine / spec?

[dwaynepipe]

hi,

just about to get a new company car ordered, going for a focus deisel as the list i get to choose from is basically mondeo / focus based.

I do however, get to choose which model and engine i want...

so, ideally want a 3 door and was looking at either the 1.6tdci with 109 bhp or the 2.0 tdci with 136bhp. anyone with any experience with either of these? my theory is that as its a company car and i'll eventually be buying a toy for the weekend, if i got a decent spec on the 1.6 it would be suffice for day to day driving and be cheap to run etc.

also any one any opinions of titanium / zetec / zetec s models?? cant make up my mind, need to get down to the local dealers and have a nose about i think.

Thanks

[HellDiver]

Go for the 2.0 - the 1.6 is the same crap as in the Pug 207, Mini, Fiesta, etc, etc. I'd go Titanium if you're doing a lot of miles, the sport suspension in the Zetec/Zetec S is pointless and bumpy.

Edited by HellDiver on Wednesday 17th February 16:02

[Chris_w666]

What kind of miles will you be doing? The 1.6 109bhp is the most popular of the focus engines cheaper to run and gives respectable performance (just make sure it is the 109 and not the 90). But over a lot of motorway miles the 5 gears of the 1.6 would make me wish I had taken the 2.0.

The 2.0 is a step quicker and a good car for overtaking, with the 6 speed box making motorways a bit nicer.

Consider your average drive and how long you'll spend in the car then weigh that against the lower tax of the 1.6.

[W1LL]

Personally for me if it was alot of Motorway miles i would go for the 2.0tdci in the Titanium spec, As stated it will be more forgiving that the more sporty zetec model. Also i think the titanium is a better looking model that the zetec.

I have had a 1.6tdci and had no end of issues with it, As yours is going to be a compnay motor serviceing etc won't be your concern, But from experience the 1.6 was awful....I had injectors changed which failed again....Engine light problems and also the turbo was knackered!

Go for the 2.0 if you can afford it, But yes the 1.6 is great on running costs and tax, But only has 5 gears and is not the best for overtaking.

Go have a noise about at a Stealers and have a drive. Im sure you will find your right car.

W1LL

[dwaynepipe]

thanks for the advice guys, you've pinpointed the exact reason i was looking at the 1.6 over the 2.0. I'd be paying an extra £40 a month just to get the 2.0 over the 1.6 and then there's the tax / fuel differences.

I've not driven either yet, only a 1.8tdci focus a while back. from what ive read though the 1.6 is a half decent little engine, but as you say, im sure the 2.0 would be more suitable on the motorways. Oh and it'l be brand new so it will be the 109bhp model or the 136 (??)2.0.

i'm doing about 1500 miles a month a the minute, travelling from bristol to melksham / chippenham / paulton and stroud. its mixed between motorways and a/b roads.

chopping in a clio 172 for something a bit more suitable so either the zetec or the titanium is going to be a step up in the comfort stakes!

will try and get a drive of both over the weekend i think.

Edited by dwaynepipe on Thursday 18th February 17:02

[Chris_w666]

For that mileage unless you are paying for all of the fuel go for the 2.0 you will feel the benefit of the extra gear as the power differential isn't huge.

Oh and if you visit a ford dealer they will offer killer deals on the 1.8tdci, but despite the power it is an old heavy diesel and has no advantage over either the 1.6 or 2.0.

[BB1987]

With the 1.6, I dunno if it would be like the Seat Ibiza Ecomotive, but at 40mph, in 3rd it revs a lot and in 4th the Seat has no pulling power. However, I don't know if the Focus 1.6 would be similar. Personally, I'd go for the 2.0 Focus. Also, I reckon the 2.0L could be just or even more economical than the 1.6L. Just my personal opinion, but I hope this helps