Focus C-MAX - petrol vs. deisel reliabilty
Discussion
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!
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!
There's a thread going somewhere on modern diesel reliability. It doesn't read good for diesel! (This is PH after all 
) - didn't stop me from buying one tho!
ETA - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
) - didn't stop me from buying one tho!ETA - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by flakeypaul on Wednesday 16th June 11:14
Paul_Dids said:
Not sure if this helps.. but I've had a 1.4 TDCI CMAX for about 20 months (16k miles) now and it's not missed a beat - I would definitely recommend one 
Have you got an example of the bad press you've read about them?
Honest John mentions expensive gearbox issues with the 1.6 diesel with the CVT box; dunno if any issues reported with the manuals.Have you got an example of the bad press you've read about them?
Paul_Dids said:
Not sure if this helps.. but I've had a 1.4 TDCI CMAX for about 20 months (16k miles) now and it's not missed a beat - I would definitely recommend one
Have you got an example of the bad press you've read about them?
Unfortunately, a trawl through various owner's forums reveals plenty of minor and not so minor complaints, for instance:Have you got an example of the bad press you've read about them?
http://www.roadtestreports.co.uk/road-test-reports...
Owners forums should really only be used to figure out the common faults that vehicles have. There are few cars which receive great owners reviews online as people don't tend to go on websites to say how great their car is, only to moan about how it breaks down a lot, or costs a bomb to mend, or that the dealerships are a set of w
kers.
I've known plenty of people driving some horrendously 'unreliable' cars which have given them no bother at all (including a guy at work who owns a 1.6 C-Max!). My father in laws Lexus GS 450h has been back to the dealership 4 times in 8 months so far at a cost of over £10,000 - thankfully all paid for by Lexus and yes the dealership was fantastic but this supposedly 'bulletproof' car has been anything but! (yet they get thee fabulous reviews!)
kers.I've known plenty of people driving some horrendously 'unreliable' cars which have given them no bother at all (including a guy at work who owns a 1.6 C-Max!). My father in laws Lexus GS 450h has been back to the dealership 4 times in 8 months so far at a cost of over £10,000 - thankfully all paid for by Lexus and yes the dealership was fantastic but this supposedly 'bulletproof' car has been anything but! (yet they get thee fabulous reviews!)
Edited by flakeypaul on Wednesday 16th June 16:08
Fair point Paul...but what if those common faults are costly and potentially dangerous? Of course one needs a balanced view, and if a certain model was a rolling death trap, then there'd be publicity, recalls etc. But when you're choosing a car to ferry around your first kid in...well...it puts rather a different spin on things no?
I have a 08 Reg 2.0 TDCi C-MAX and so far nothing major has happened at all with it in the 13,000 miles we have done, total milage is 22k. We did have a spate of the DMF syndrome but this appears to have gone away at the moment. But that effects all diesels with DMF's anyway (Which is all new diesels) , but is a costly thing to have to get done.
I found when test driving the 1.6 and 1.8 TDCi's the bets of the bunch was the 2.0. The 1.6 was fine around town, but once up to legal higher speeds it got a bit asthmatic. The 1.8 is of course the oldest engine.
My only concern is the amount of tyre noise we get, but I put it down to the 17" low profile tyres.
And yes this is the family car so carry the kids around in it.
I found when test driving the 1.6 and 1.8 TDCi's the bets of the bunch was the 2.0. The 1.6 was fine around town, but once up to legal higher speeds it got a bit asthmatic. The 1.8 is of course the oldest engine.
My only concern is the amount of tyre noise we get, but I put it down to the 17" low profile tyres.
And yes this is the family car so carry the kids around in it.
AshG said:
Fair point Paul...but what if those common faults are costly and potentially dangerous? Of course one needs a balanced view, and if a certain model was a rolling death trap, then there'd be publicity, recalls etc. But when you're choosing a car to ferry around your first kid in...well...it puts rather a different spin on things no?
All cars can quite spectacularly fail, regardless of badge, age, mileage, fuel type etc. Some cars are thrashed all their lives and lap it up. Others can be meticulously cared for and be nothing but trouble! It's down to having a good eye for a car that might have been abused (i.e. things being worn that perhaps shouldn't be), and a bit of luck!The most unreliable can I've ever owned was a brand new Peugeot 106. It broke down at one week old and seemingly every part of it was replaced over the next two years before I finally got rid of it. On the other hand I had a pug 306 Dturbo with 136,000 miles on the clock and it never missed a beat and drove like new!
My advice, if you want a C-Max, look what the common faults are by reading owners reviews online (parkers and whatcar have plenty of these, try honest john too), don't be too put off by some of the negative comments and find the car you want knowing that you can check for its more common faults (as well as the obvious thiungs you do when purchasing a second hand car).
Depending how they have been driven diesel issues will be with the Flywheel (DMF) the injectors on high mileage motors, and the Diesel particulate filters (DPF). IIRC the only ones with DPF are the 110ps 1.6tdci models.
1.8 is an old engine design, tried and tested but power is not hugely more than the best 1.6 and economy isn't shattering.
1.6 90ps is reliable as old boots but not the best for motorways especially loaded with people and stuff.
2.0tdci is powerful and great for overtaking, motorway work, and being quicker than the others in the range, real world economy is likely to be mid 40's at very best though, 30-41 is around average.
1.6 100ps tdci is the best engine of the bunch, no massive power disadvantage, best economy of the diesels, no huge issues if you avoid DPF models (or drive it properly)
Petrols all proven in other cars, none earth shattering but no massive issues.
1.8 is an old engine design, tried and tested but power is not hugely more than the best 1.6 and economy isn't shattering.
1.6 90ps is reliable as old boots but not the best for motorways especially loaded with people and stuff.
2.0tdci is powerful and great for overtaking, motorway work, and being quicker than the others in the range, real world economy is likely to be mid 40's at very best though, 30-41 is around average.
1.6 100ps tdci is the best engine of the bunch, no massive power disadvantage, best economy of the diesels, no huge issues if you avoid DPF models (or drive it properly)
Petrols all proven in other cars, none earth shattering but no massive issues.
What kind of annual mileage do you do? Does the C-Max offer you anything that the focus doesn't? You'd get more for your money buying a focus. I only bought my baby wagons (formerly a Zafira, now a Grand Scenic) because I needed seven seats otherwise I'd rather have had a non-MPV.
Just a thought
Just a thought
We have an 06 2000 zetec petrol xmobility cmax and have had it for 2yrs. It did have some major engine probs (cracked head) but was dealt with under warranty. The car does what it says on the tin, is great for the wife to ferry rhe kids around in and has a good driving position. Also good for lugging stuff about with the seats out. Would I buy another? Nope, fuel econ is bad 25-30 mpg and it eally is uninspiring to drive. I have heard horror stories about the electric parking brake but, touch wood, ours has been fine. My advice is go for a nice estate with a bit of poke for you at weekends
2004 1.8 petrol engined C-Max, 50K on it now, owned from new. No significant problems with it in that time (except when I blew up the alternator jump-starting my wife's dead car).
Why buy a C-Max rather than a normal Focus? Simple. Firstly, the higher seating position gives you much better leg room in the back. Secondly, lift out the back seats and you've got a load space second only to a van.
Why buy a C-Max rather than a normal Focus? Simple. Firstly, the higher seating position gives you much better leg room in the back. Secondly, lift out the back seats and you've got a load space second only to a van.
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