Fiesta Mk4/Mk5, good idea? What engine?

[RJP001]

Hi, new member here to PH. Been a lurker for some time but never really gone ahead and joined till this eve.

I'm looking to get a Fiesta Mk4 or Mk5. What I'm not sure is do I get the 1.25 or 1.3? One's a newish engine, the other an old pushrod design (similar to the 1600 in Formula Fords right?). Which of the two do I go for? The 1.25 is shown to be a lot quicker on paper, but in real world use is there much of a difference? Is the 1.25 the sort of engine that's really quick with no load, but struggles with more than just a driver in the car? Is the 1.3 heavier on fuel being a traditional design?

Cheers for all help and advice in advance!

[skene]

1.25 any day, bags more power, and you really notice it. They love to be revved too, make a habit of checking oil though and try to only use 5w-30 as they tend to be quite fussy. If you're limited by insurance the 1.6 Zetec S is surprisingly good value as it's only 25ishHp more than the 1.25

[Lets Torque]

My sister has had two Mk4 Ford Fiesta's.

One 1.25 and a 1.3.

She has the 1.3 now (My Garage)and the 1.25 is the better engine IMO. The 1.3 picks up well enough but the 1.25 is the better option to go for.

[TameRacingDriver]

As far as I've known, the 1.25 is better in every measurable and subjective way. It is more punchy, more economical, sounds better, offers better performance etc. It's a no brainer.

[davepoth]

It's the 1.25. The 1.3 is the ultimate development of the Kent engine that started life in the Ford Anglia. It's coarse, asthmatic, very underpowered, doesn't rev, needs the tappets adjusting regularly to avoid sounding like a typing pool, and to top it all is quite annoying to put oil into (which if it's high mileage will probably need to happen quite often).

However, it's as tough as old boots. In 70,000 not particularly sympathetic miles, all mine needed was an idle control valve (£25 off ebay) and some new exhaust bits.

The mk4/5 shares underpinnings with the Puma, so it's a very good steer and will respond quite well to sudden throttle lifts mid corner, as I found out on a greasy roundabout once.

[RJP001]

Hi again,

Thanks for the replies. So it's the 1.25 that the favourite, makes life easier for me then!

I've been in a friend's Zetec S and thought it was great, but being a 1.6 it falls into the more expensive road tax bracket, carries the extra insurance premium (not much mind, but enough to be worth noting), and they hold their value well last I heard? Whereas the 1.25 and 1.3 appear to be able to be had for easily under a grand and be in good condition throughout, right?

[twazzock]

1.25.

The 1.3 is known to be bombproof but utterly terrible to drive compared to the 1.25.

The 1.25 revs very nicely indeed, will return roughly 40mpg (50 if you're gentle) yet actually is very fun to drive if you're in the mood for it. Highly recommended.

Pretty sure you can pick up a 1.25 for about 500. Cheap to insure, tax, fuel and run, yet fun to drive every day. Ideal daily snotter if you ask me.

[vit4]

Just bought my gf a 1.25 mk4 and it's a lovely engine from a driver's point, revs nicely and decent power for the size.

However, I've got a 1.3 engined Escort (same basic engine, the HCS which preceded the Endura in Fiestas but very little difference). That thing is ridiculously reliable. It's a 23-year old car and it's needed literally nothing (Touch wood, hello Mr Magpie etc!). Not very powerful, not very revvy, but as far as bulletproof motoring goes it's absolutely perfect IME.

A friend had a 1.3 Fiesta mk5, I felt so sorry for that car Serious amounts of abuse, ran pretty much dry on oil, no mechanical sympathy, 130,000 miles and by the looks of the rest of the car none of them had been friendly ones, but it's never thrown up any complaints.

That's not to downtalk the Zetec, because AIUI get a good one and they're similarly reliable, but I think the 1.3 does draw unfair criticism

[JamieMatthews]

as said above really, the 1.3 needs the oil putting in with the rocker cover off to make the best use out of it, then its worth setting the tappets up at the same time, if it still taps like hell after they're set up, the rocker arms can wear arounf the valve tops and make setting up the tappets a pain.

on the last one i played with, one of the cam followers had disintegrated, so the engine got swapped, simple enough job, just make sure you've got all the tools, its not fun trying to change an engine without a crane.

the 1.3 may be known as bombproof, but when it breaks, its a complete sod

[vit4]

Also: I get about 40-45 mpg out of the Escort on mixed motorway & around town use, so I would imagine a Fiesta would be similar (I think the Escort weighs a bit less? 850kg, not sure about the Fiesta). However, most people suggest mid-high 30's on the 1.3, whilst most people seem to suggest low-mid 40's on the 1.25

[twazzock]

The 1.25 will do 50mpg if you're very gentle (ie stick at 60mph - I got 49.9mpg over a 16 mile journey. Over a long motorway run I'm sure you'll get more!)

However it feels perfectly comfortable at 80 or (much, much) more, which will return mid 30s - low 40s in my experience.

[davepoth]

vit4 said:

Also: I get about 40-45 mpg out of the Escort on mixed motorway & around town use, so I would imagine a Fiesta would be similar (I think the Escort weighs a bit less? 850kg, not sure about the Fiesta). However, most people suggest mid-high 30's on the 1.3, whilst most people seem to suggest low-mid 40's on the 1.25

42mpg out of the 1.3 under varying conditions for me (70mph on motorway, round town, thrashing the crap out of it at castle combe with a post it note on the dash reminding me where max revs were in each gear as there wasn't a tacho).

[Jimbo.]

The 1.3 isn't "terrible". It's sufficient, given the kind of use a Fiesta gets/is intended for. Not the smoothest, quietest or quickest of engines, but I'd settle for a tidy 1.3 over a scruffy 1.25 and turn the radio up a bit.