Fiesta 1.0T Ecoboost 155 (or options)

[jam_up]

Considering a downgrade from my M140i for mortgage purposes and the Fiesta 1.0T Ecoboost MHEV 155 has caught my eye. Well within my budget and was even eyeing out a cheeky remap until I read about Ford gearbox issues with this engine (particularly the Puma). Is this a reason to avoid, even if I keep it stock? Kinda gutted if so because I’ve always had a soft spot for the Fiesta!

I’m open to alternatives - ideal spec:

£13k budget
Carplay (ideally OEM)
Cruise
Petrol (open to Diesel but I do <8000 miles a year; 120 mile round trip once a week)
Heated seats
Warm-ish power
LED/Xenons
4/5 doors
<7 years old preferred (reliability/rust free my main concern!)

Cheers

[Master Bean]

As long as it's post 2020 when they changed to a timing chain all should be good.

[stevemcs]

Master Bean said:

As long as it's post 2020 when they changed to a timing chain all should be good.

Timing chain for the top, belt for the oil pump

[ChrisH79]

Doesn’t have LEDs or car play, but solutions exist for the latter. But for that money an UP GTI ticks the other boxes

[ChrisH72]

You can get an ST for that money.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025012985...

I don't think there's anything wrong with the 1.0 155 and I only heard about the gearbox issue with some Puma models. It was a very specific year but I can't remember which, 2021 perhaps. But coming from a 140i I think an ST would feel less of a downgrade and the 1.5 is a good engine. The only reason to avoid it is insurance but after your BMW that should be fine.

[lemonslap]

Not had any issues with my 2021 155MHEV , the key reason I went with this over the ST was the significant difference in MPG for town and A road driving as I’m covering 16k miles a year. Mine is currently averaging 14p per mile on super unleaded, which it seems to prefer over standard as it pulls cleaner in the top 2k rpm. With your low mileage I would go for an ST personally, if you do go for the 155 I would recommend a short shift adapter, as it makes a world of difference to the gearchange for £30.

[jam_up]

stevemcs said:

Timing chain for the top, belt for the oil pump

Is the oil pump belt still an area for concern or is the “ecoboom” saga now over with these changes?

ChrisH79 said:

Doesn’t have LEDs or car play, but solutions exist for the latter. But for that money an UP GTI ticks the other boxes

That’s a cracking shout! LEDs bit of a bummer mind and perhaps a tad too small. I’ll take a look though

ChrisH72 said:

You can get an ST for that money.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025012985...

I don't think there's anything wrong with the 1.0 155 and I only heard about the gearbox issue with some Puma models. It was a very specific year but I can't remember which, 2021 perhaps. But coming from a 140i I think an ST would feel less of a downgrade and the 1.5 is a good engine. The only reason to avoid it is insurance but after your BMW that should be fine.

Yes I’ve seen a few ST’s within budget, but again with non-LEDs or are ST-2’s. Perhaps I need to reevaluate tech over performance though; as you say, the 155 is quite the jump from my current M140i. Insurance should be fine - currently paying £650 (it went down a lot recently, weird, though perhaps because i turned 35!)

lemonslap said:

Not had any issues with my 2021 155MHEV , the key reason I went with this over the ST was the significant difference in MPG for town and A road driving as I’m covering 16k miles a year. Mine is currently averaging 14p per mile on super unleaded, which it seems to prefer over standard as it pulls cleaner in the top 2k rpm. With your low mileage I would go for an ST personally, if you do go for the 155 I would recommend a short shift adapter, as it makes a world of difference to the gearchange for £30.

That’s good to hear. The 155 is appealing due to cost, even in top spec guise, but seems I’ll need to give it a test drive to really find out. Thanks for the short shifter recommendation.

Doesn’t hit the brief at all apart from budget, but had a little look at Megane RS 275’s earlier. They look a riot to drive and love the look, but lack of CarPlay, 5 doors and age is compensating a bit too much I think, argh.

As for other options, Mini Cooper S worth a look? Or are Fiesta’s just that much more involving to drive?

[stevemcs]

In all honesty most wet belt issues can be traced back to maintenance - well lack of.

For all its bad press that the Ecoboost gets the PSA 1.2 is far, far worse.

[lemonslap]

jam_up said:

stevemcs said:

Timing chain for the top, belt for the oil pump

Is the oil pump belt still an area for concern or is the “ecoboom” saga now over with these changes?

ChrisH79 said:

Doesn’t have LEDs or car play, but solutions exist for the latter. But for that money an UP GTI ticks the other boxes

That’s a cracking shout! LEDs bit of a bummer mind and perhaps a tad too small. I’ll take a look though

ChrisH72 said:

You can get an ST for that money.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025012985...

I don't think there's anything wrong with the 1.0 155 and I only heard about the gearbox issue with some Puma models. It was a very specific year but I can't remember which, 2021 perhaps. But coming from a 140i I think an ST would feel less of a downgrade and the 1.5 is a good engine. The only reason to avoid it is insurance but after your BMW that should be fine.

Yes I’ve seen a few ST’s within budget, but again with non-LEDs or are ST-2’s. Perhaps I need to reevaluate tech over performance though; as you say, the 155 is quite the jump from my current M140i. Insurance should be fine - currently paying £650 (it went down a lot recently, weird, though perhaps because i turned 35!)

lemonslap said:

Not had any issues with my 2021 155MHEV , the key reason I went with this over the ST was the significant difference in MPG for town and A road driving as I’m covering 16k miles a year. Mine is currently averaging 14p per mile on super unleaded, which it seems to prefer over standard as it pulls cleaner in the top 2k rpm. With your low mileage I would go for an ST personally, if you do go for the 155 I would recommend a short shift adapter, as it makes a world of difference to the gearchange for £30.

That’s good to hear. The 155 is appealing due to cost, even in top spec guise, but seems I’ll need to give it a test drive to really find out. Thanks for the short shifter recommendation.

Doesn’t hit the brief at all apart from budget, but had a little look at Megane RS 275’s earlier. They look a riot to drive and love the look, but lack of CarPlay, 5 doors and age is compensating a bit too much I think, argh.

As for other options, Mini Cooper S worth a look? Or are Fiesta’s just that much more involving to drive?

We have just purchased a late 22 plate Mini Cooper S Electric to offset Mrs Lemonslap’s X5M around town terrible MPG. In direct comparison the Mini is the sharper drive but firmer, although I have installed 15” wheels on the fiesta with big soft 195/65/15 all season tyres so can’t remember what it felt like on 17” summers!