Focus C-MAX: diesel vs. petrol reliability?

[AshG]

Thinking about purchasing a C-MAX and have found a 2.0 Ghia auto petrol version. 31k on the clock, panther black, 1 owner, ex-motability car.

Like many others, I am torn between the good and the bad C-MAX reviews I've read. I like the look of the car I've seen. It's in good condition, it's an auto so my wife can drive it, and it's within budget. But...so many of the major problems I read about seem to trouble the diesel models. Is this due to inherent flaws in them, or simply due to there being more of them around?

Many thanks in advance!

[rehab71]

I assume this is an '07 plate car and the 2.0 TDCi? If so then that's the engine to have, tried and tested and Ford have put it in everything.

With regards to the bad reviews, the old car's were pretty bad, but Ford ironed out all the problems.

[AshG]

Actually it's the 2.0 petrol. Diesel autos in my price range are as rare as hen's teeth. But was wondering about all the engine problems that seem to plague the diesels and if this is simply because there are more around?!

[rehab71]

Oh right, the early ones were just a bad all round and you're right I think most are diesels so you would expect more issues.

One other thing to bear in mind, you'll be lucky to get 25MPG out of the 2.0 Auto.

[AshG]

Yup...more or less the only real concerns I now have are with the electronic parking brake and the fuel consumption. But as now my wife and I will only be running 1 car not 2, and most of the time won't be using it a great deal, I'm hoping the costs will balance themselves out.

Edited by AshG on Wednesday 16th June 14:39

[neiljohnson]

Dont worry about the electronic handbrake they are a simple system that does not require any special treatment when changing the brakes (like vag group cars) the main issue with the derv engines relate to the 1.6 hdi which is a peugeot engine there were a load of turbo failures which ford released a technical service bulletin on how to solve the fault. Ive not seen any faults with the 2.0 petrol although some do need topping up with oil more than you would expect