Ford Fiestas - Talk to me! 1.6 petrol vs 1.6 tdci version?
Ford Fiestas - Talk to me! 1.6 petrol vs 1.6 tdci version?
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Discussion

TTommy

Original Poster:

190 posts

154 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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Hi all,

I've finally decided on a cheapish car that suits my daily needs, a ford fiesta.... Then I can run a proper car during the weekends! I need one quickly for the approaching Winter.

I'm looking in the realms of the 09-13 plate cars which I believe is the Mk7? Please correct me if I'm wrong... and looking to spend £2500-£3500 ish.

A couple of questions;-

Cambelts - what are the intervals on these please? 1.6 Zetec s / 1.6 tdci? 125k?

Anything to look out for? 

Real term MPG,

On a long journey, if I can achieve say 45MPG out of the petrol version, I will be more than happy with this.

If the diesel is more like 50MPG, it's probably not worth it for me. Does anyone have one or could confirm what they are capable of returning?

The cheap road tax of £20 is very appealing for the derv though, and would be uber cheap yearly running costs. But the petrol might be slightly more practical for some of the small trips I do.

Saying that, I always do a chunk of motorway miles a month anyway so it would get a blast now and again.

How do the compare on the motorway?

I can insure both for not much money (inc the 'zetec s' version which is quite good.)

Cheers all for any pointers.

TheAlastair34

369 posts

157 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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10 years 100k on the petrol its higher on the derv maybe 150k

the diesel should do over 60mpg i would be suprised if you got 45mpg from the petrol

Chestrockwell

2,946 posts

186 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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My friend bought a 1.6 TDCI Zetec S new back in 2012 and that was a quick car, used to drive to places 5 man up and make decent progress. A petrol version would be more fun but not as economical when pressing on.

The diesel would feel quicker and be more economical in every instance as you could keep it in the torque curve instead of revving it out like you would in the petrol.

I haven’t driven either so can’t comment on what’s better but I do remember the diesel being quick for what it was

TTommy

Original Poster:

190 posts

154 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
quotequote all
Thanks Alistair,

I would be interested to know if anyone can confirm what MPG they have got out the 1.6 petrol.. they seem pretty frugal


Chestrockwell said:
My friend bought a 1.6 TDCI Zetec S new back in 2012 and that was a quick car, used to drive to places 5 man up and make decent progress. A petrol version would be more fun but not as economical when pressing on.

The diesel would feel quicker and be more economical in every instance as you could keep it in the torque curve instead of revving it out like you would in the petrol.

I haven’t driven either so can’t comment on what’s better but I do remember the diesel being quick for what it was
Thanks, tbh, I'm not looking for speed - my commute is about as much fun as watching paint dry.

I just want something thats reliable, cheap, and I don't need to care too much about. Something that can sit at 60-ahem70mph would be a bonus though.

Are the diesels turbo? I think they only make around 90bhp?

anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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Isn't the 1.6 Diesel the Peugeot/Citroen/Volvo engine that has a terrible reputation for reliability?

TTommy

Original Poster:

190 posts

154 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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Joey Deacon said:
Isn't the 1.6 Diesel the Peugeot/Citroen/Volvo engine that has a terrible reputation for reliability?
Really! From what I have read people seem to think they are fairly bulletproof.

At this point I'm open to either the petrol or the diesel..!

CrouchingWayne

749 posts

205 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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The OH had a 1.6 ZS from new in 2009 until 2015. Most of the trips in it were town and it was steady at 35mpg on the readout. On a run it would go quite a bit higher.

For me I would definitely go petrol again. That was a great car. It rode like crap on the 17” wheels, but it looked pretty good combined with the bodykit.

Jag_NE

3,339 posts

129 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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Diesel all day long. That NA 1.6 will be reliable but you need to rev the chebs of it to go quickly. The diesel is a much better drive imo, especially on A/M roads. MPG also far better if you are looking to run it on a shoe string.

itcaptainslow

4,699 posts

165 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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Joey Deacon said:
Isn't the 1.6 Diesel the Peugeot/Citroen/Volvo engine that has a terrible reputation for reliability?
Yup-injector leaks, turbo failures, oilways blocking up if it’s not serviced scrupulously. Seriously from a reliability point of view, get the petrol, especially on a cheaper car.

Court_S

14,669 posts

206 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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I had a Mk 7 ZS 1.6 TDci for four years / 84k. It averaged 51.7mpg over that time, not great but not horrendous (the replacement vRS diesel has averaged 49.9mpg over four years and 83k).

It was perfectly reliable in the time that I had it with nothing more than consumables. Short service intervals were a pain doing higher mileage though.

It was fine but I was pleased to see the back of it. Ride was fine but the lack of cruise annoyed me (couldn’t spec it on the ZS) and the Ford Sync system was crap. It carried myself and a mate plus mountain bikes for weekends away to Scotland without issue. It was cosy but you could cram a reasonable amount of stuff in it. The ZS version looked oK.

TheDrownedApe

1,762 posts

85 months

Tuesday 24th September 2019
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I bought a 13 plate 1.6 diesel titanium with 125k in May 18 for £2500. I changed the timing belt straightaway and since then it's been flawless. My lads just started a new job and driving through the countryside into Coventry daily (about 28 mile round trip) he has managed probably 540 miles on one tank (can't check mpg) and added 10k to the mileage since we've had it.

The only issue we've had is the steering wheel controllers getting confused. When it's hot weather the volume controls tend to reverse (up is down etc) and the cruise function buttons change too. I've done some reading up on it and it can be a build up of dust under them but I don't drive it anymore therefore don't care.

I can't compare it with the 1.6 petrol or tell you how the general performance is due to new driver big brother boxes stopping fun driving

stevemcs

10,282 posts

122 months

Tuesday 24th September 2019
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Avoid the 1.6 tdci, go and find a vag group car with the 1.9tdi