Which is the best engine to go for ?
Discussion
Both decent engines to be honest, though the Vauxhall (C)20XE has a better head design that produces more power and torque in standard form (150-155bhp depending on spec) and is ultimately more tunable (200bhp possible from bolt on mods, though not cheap). It can also suffer from porous heads in later versions, look for signs of oil in the coolant. www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/porous_heads/porous_heads.htm for more info on this.
A 2.0 Litre Zetec E produces around 135bhp in stock form, which is still plenty enough to make a light car quite exciting. They are cheaper to buy and more common than the Vx engine, simply because so many of them were made (the Zetec E was fitted to even the most basic spec Mondeos, and also the Escorts and Focii, whereas the Vx engine was only fitted to the performance variants). The Zetec is also well supported by third party tuning components if you want more power.
My own preference would be for the Vx engine, but as you are buying a ready built car rather than building, the condition and build quality of the rest of the car is far more important than the choice of the above engines, i.e. a well built car with a Zetec would win over a rough one with a Vx every time.
A 2.0 Litre Zetec E produces around 135bhp in stock form, which is still plenty enough to make a light car quite exciting. They are cheaper to buy and more common than the Vx engine, simply because so many of them were made (the Zetec E was fitted to even the most basic spec Mondeos, and also the Escorts and Focii, whereas the Vx engine was only fitted to the performance variants). The Zetec is also well supported by third party tuning components if you want more power.
My own preference would be for the Vx engine, but as you are buying a ready built car rather than building, the condition and build quality of the rest of the car is far more important than the choice of the above engines, i.e. a well built car with a Zetec would win over a rough one with a Vx every time.
Both engines have their pros and cons. But I'd go for the Vx every time. Bolt a couple of webers on and a decent manfold and you've got 170bhp and loads of torque. And it's bullet proof. They're all getting on a bit now though, but if your's expires you can easily get another for £250, and to change the engine takes about five hours in a seven. I should confess that I have a 20XE, so this is not an impartial view. That doesn't stop it being right though 
BTW, there is loads on this on the WSCC forum. Go to http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/i and do a search.
BTW, there is loads on this on the WSCC forum. Go to http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/i and do a search.
Edited by Phil. S. on Tuesday 6th March 23:37
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