Parts availability for older Fords
Discussion
I'm thinking about getting either a Mk3 Mondeo or a Mk2 Focus (now 20 years old). Before I commit, I'd like to know how easy it is to source parts for these cars.
Do common replacement parts (coil springs, dampers/shocks, brake calipers, wheel bearings, etc.) still turn up easily and reasonably cheaply, or have many items been discontinued by Ford?
I don't mind a car that needs a bit of TLC - but if major components are hard to find it ll make life harder.
Do common replacement parts (coil springs, dampers/shocks, brake calipers, wheel bearings, etc.) still turn up easily and reasonably cheaply, or have many items been discontinued by Ford?
I don't mind a car that needs a bit of TLC - but if major components are hard to find it ll make life harder.
Edited by SkinnyPete on Tuesday 17th February 09:26
You ask a good question. My answers may or may not help.
I'm into kit cars, Ford based, and only able to comment on mechanical parts, as they don't usually use trim parts. Anyway, I've found some parts are difficult to source - but so are parts for my Wife's standard 9-year old Ford. The older parts may only be available as pattern parts, they are generally less costly than genuine parts, but some can be of rubbish quality. The genuine parts for our modern Ford are crazily expensive, and in comparison to the pattern parts, are they better value? its difficult to tell. That also raises a query (to which I've not yet found an answer)..... Someone in our car club wanted a master cylinder for his Ford - based kit car. He tried everywhere without success, including the Ford Dealer. The same Ford Dealer offered to do the work required including fitting a new master cylinder! So is there a stash somewhere that is only available to trade?
To sum up........
1. Quality of parts may be questionable
2. It may take a while to source parts
3. The parts are likely to be less expensive than those on a more modern car
But the next comments may be the key ones:-
If you like a particular car, maybe go for it and accept there may be challenges
Based on the experiences of myself and other car club members. an older car is a lot easier to work on - some 'features' on more modern cars require equipment/ programming, which make them impossible to work on without consulting an expensive Main Dealer.
I'm into kit cars, Ford based, and only able to comment on mechanical parts, as they don't usually use trim parts. Anyway, I've found some parts are difficult to source - but so are parts for my Wife's standard 9-year old Ford. The older parts may only be available as pattern parts, they are generally less costly than genuine parts, but some can be of rubbish quality. The genuine parts for our modern Ford are crazily expensive, and in comparison to the pattern parts, are they better value? its difficult to tell. That also raises a query (to which I've not yet found an answer)..... Someone in our car club wanted a master cylinder for his Ford - based kit car. He tried everywhere without success, including the Ford Dealer. The same Ford Dealer offered to do the work required including fitting a new master cylinder! So is there a stash somewhere that is only available to trade?
To sum up........
1. Quality of parts may be questionable
2. It may take a while to source parts
3. The parts are likely to be less expensive than those on a more modern car
But the next comments may be the key ones:-
If you like a particular car, maybe go for it and accept there may be challenges
Based on the experiences of myself and other car club members. an older car is a lot easier to work on - some 'features' on more modern cars require equipment/ programming, which make them impossible to work on without consulting an expensive Main Dealer.
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