Focus Tdci – Buying Advice Sort After

[Barry_]

Good afternoon fellas.

First time poster, long time lurker here!! LOL

So I’m looking at buying myself a newer motor, currently got a 1998 3 door Ford Escort 1.8 Si which I have had for the last 10 years and apart from going through a stage of the usual issues with the front wishbones not lasting its been a fantastic motor. Used to only do about 8 miles a day max to work etc so it’s only got circa 80k on the clock.

Unfortunately it’s starting to get a bit long in the tooth and rust is becoming an issue. Although, and I must say I am very please about this and sure it’s some sort of record – but my 13 year old motor still has the original factory exhaust on it (complete system!!) which considering the first MOT it had it was marked Orange on the sheet is amazing!!!!

Anyhow I digress, looking at getting a Focus to replace my Escort. Now I am doing about 40 miles a day so looking to get a diesel instead of the petrol motor and just want to run a few questions part you lot and get some opinions etc.

My research so far as resulted in deciding on the model and engine size - which is the 1.8 as I know a lot of the 1.6 tdci have DPF which I want to avoid and either the Zetec Trim or Titanium as I really must keep the quick clear front windscreen.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the classifieds to get an idea on prices etc and at the point of making a purchase now. So questions (got there in the end – I’ll number them for easier replies :-) )

Currently looking at 2006/2007 motors & the options are either a motor with circa 80k on the clock for around £4900/£5000 mark or motors with circa 100/105k on the clock for around £4000.

1 – Price wise – does that sound about right?

2 – Mileage – Is there any particular issues which I need to be concerned about on the higher mileage ones or “should” they be fine as long as they have full service History?? 2a - Heard diesels can go do a few 100k if looked after correctly??

3 – Seen the dashboard trick – is there a list somewhere which tells you what these codes mean?? – Just in case a motor I look out reports back a code or two – 3a - should I haggle price if it does?

4 – Any particular issues that I should look out for? Aware the front arch are more prone to rust than the rears – anything else?

5 – How do you on a test drive test the dual mass fly wheel

6 – As 5 but in regards to the Turbo unit (never had a diesel or turbo before)

7 – I know (or at least believe) that say on the 100k mileage motor that the Cambelt and Tensioners should have been replaced (isn’t 100k but safer at 80K) – is there any other major items at this age or mileage I need to check?

8 – Smoke from exhaust – what do I need to look out for here?? – seen a few 10 plate diesels which puff out a bit of smoke so assume that some is ok. Is black ok but blueish colour bad??

That pretty much it, sorry for the long post, want to be the best possible position when buying my next motor so feel free to give as much or little detail as you like and chuck down any other info that you think I may find useful

Many thanks in advance.

Baz

[jeebowhite]

1 – Price wise – does that sound about right?

The prices sound about fair for the age of the car, the focus diesels retain their value well. With some haggling I am sure you could get it down by about 300 - 500 :)

2 – Mileage – Is there any particular issues which I need to be concerned about on the higher mileage ones or “should” they be fine as long as they have full service History??

As long as they have the DPF filter dealt with at the 70,000, and the belts done at the 100,000 miles then you should be fine. Also if you can, get the DMF replaced with either a Solid Mass Flywheel or another Dual Mass Flywheel, they can be a pain in the ace! otherwise they tend to be very good!

2a - Heard diesels can go do a few 100k if looked after correctly??

I have known someone with an S reg renault Scenic to do 280,000 about a year ago

1) Its french! and I dont know many French diesels that have lasted that long

2) Modern diesels can do at least 250,000 I think some estimate about 400,000 for a very well looked after motor!

3 – Seen the dashboard trick – is there a list somewhere which tells you what these codes mean?? – Just in case a motor I look out reports back a code or two –

Yes there is a list of codes, you can see these on the Net, if you search for "Full DTC Codes List - Ford" you should be able to see a few pages.

3a - should I haggle price if it does?

They may say "that has been resolved already" in which case request that they reset the DTC codes and then take it for a decent test drive, vary your speed / route, and if they come back - try and get them to fix it as part of the dealer, you may still be able to barter the price down! Make sure you are looking at a car with the trip computer, if it doesnt have the TC, then you cant see the DTC codes!

4 – Any particular issues that I should look out for? Aware the front arch are more prone to rust than the rears – anything else?

take a look at http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20610 for some known ones we have dealt with ont he forum,. take a look around the last few tens of pages if you want to be really sure :)

5 – How do you on a test drive test the dual mass fly wheel

bit confused, but just make sure there isnt any excessive vibration, ask to see paperwork for when it was last changed, and see if you can get it done as part of the deal!

6 – As 5 but in regards to the Turbo unit (never had a diesel or turbo before)

Listen for turbo whine, also, put your foot down on the motorway, how quick does the power kick in, and do you feel any sort of lag as you are going up the speedo? these indicate potential faults!

7 – I know (or at least believe) that say on the 100k mileage motor that the Cambelt and Tensioners should have been replaced (isn’t 100k but safer at 80K) – is there any other major items at this age or mileage I need to check?

Take a look at Ford Etis (http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do;jsessionid=DE5E931E4632BAA7F39D1AD11011075C.dulv1366) pop the details in here of the car your looking at (or similar) and download the maintenance schedule - all will be revealed!

8 – Smoke from exhaust – what do I need to look out for here?? – seen a few 10 plate diesels which puff out a bit of smoke so assume that some is ok. Is black ok but blueish colour bad??

Some somoke can be expected and can be advised that this is part of the wearing in process of a fairly new car, if you see blue smoke, then its not good, it could be a fault with the head gaskets, and could be an issue you need to deal with as part of the deal. Some Black smoke (dependant on DPF presence or not) would indicate that the system needs a clean. Make sure the DPF has been serviced correctly, and get them to diagnose exactly what the black smoke is being caused by. Get everything in writing, as if they lie to you, and you find there are any hidden problems, then you can use this to return the vehicle at a later time, and either request that they fix it in some way (i.e. at a reduced rate) or if you are really not happy you have "bought a lemon" for lack of a better phrase - you can then get a full refund if you deem the car "not Fit for Purpose" if there are any potentially major faults.

Hope this helps :)

[Barry_]

Cheers for the reply jeebowhite :D

Not sure if this will be dealer of private yet but will take on board what you said, deffo getting a 1.8 which doesn't have a DPF according to everywhere i've checked so far.

Cheers for the link for number 4 - going to have a read now.

Dual Mass Fly wheel - is this something that needs to be replaced at a certain point (on service like Cambelt) or just when needed. (not really sure what a dual mass fly wheel is to be honest - just heard they can be a problem and expensive to change??!!)

Can't wait, nice to have a newer motor - it will be a sad day to see the Escort go though..

Edit - can i ask what this means "My Focus was mechanically perfect, it just had a hangover every other day!" LOL

Edit 2 - just had a thought - what keys should you expect?? (only ask as with the escort you got 2 keys + 1 x red key for reprogramming and wondered if the focus has something similar)

Edit 3 - spent the few hours reading through the last 15 pages!!! To add i may consider a 1.6 Petrol instead - i do approx 12000 mileages a year - would i get circa 40mpg from one of them??

[jeebowhite]

Glad to be of help!

Dual Mass Fly wheel - is this something that needs to be replaced at a certain point (on service like Cambelt) or just when needed. (not really sure what a dual mass fly wheel is to be honest - just heard they can be a problem and expensive to change??!!)

I believe its just something that needs to be replaced when it goes pop, I cant recall ever seeing it in the service schedules! The flywheel is a part of the engine (I think its attached to the crank shaft) Long and short is that the Dual Mass, is sort of two flywheels that will rotate offset, which apparently will reduce vibration in a diesel engine. It can be replaced by a Single Mass Flywheel, which is cheaper, better built, but may incur slightly more vibration. Not sure about the cost as I have never looked into it, and dont recall seeing anyone mention it on the forum. Give your local Ford dealer a call and ask them the cost to replace them on a focus...

Can't wait, nice to have a newer motor - it will be a sad day to see the Escort go though..

My uncle used to have the escort estate, and he went up to the focus estate (MK1.5 1999 reg) and he said that fundamentally the car was the same but with better performance and looks!

Edit - can i ask what this means "My Focus was mechanically perfect, it just had a hangover every other day!" LOL

Lol, that was my opinion on my car. Overall it sailed through every MOT, and once I had forked out a lot of money on the parts that did fail, my local dealer were very impressed that my car was in such good health (have they checked my visiting record???) so overall the car was "mechanically perfect" but the damn thing just had off days were it decided "now what can I mess your day up with today?" lol.

Edit 2 - just had a thought - what keys should you expect?? (only ask as with the escort you got 2 keys + 1 x red key for reprogramming and wondered if the focus has something similar)

With the Focus you get the single master key (transmitter key) and also you get a plain and simple key. Both are chipped and are just reprogrammed by processing a combination of switch on to electrics - switch off of electrics jobs :) thus removing the little red key from the equation :)

Edit 3 - spent the few hours reading through the last 15 pages!!! To add i may consider a 1.6 Petrol instead - i do approx 12000 mileages a year - would i get circa 40mpg from one of them??

Diesels will always get a minimum of 40mpg, even on a bad day, however petrols you can get 40mpg if you be good! for example, my father in law has the focus LX 2007 1.6 Petrol, out of a tank, he gets about 400 miles, mainly on shorter journies. 43.3mpg was what he was averaging on short runs. Whenever they go on holiday they top up a full tank and tend to get about 390 miles out of the tank, this is about 350 miles on a motorway, and a few miles pottering around when he gets there, baring in mind like me, he has a right foot that likes to keep close to the ground, and he doesnt waste time getting from 0-wherever he needs to be, so thats between 40.3 to 42.4

Agtain - hope this helps!

[Barry_]

Thanks for your reply again. Appreciated.

Good to know about the keys etc, often people forget about these sort of things.

Currently waiting for a bit of cash to come in which hopefully wont be too long once that comes in Ill be able to buy the motor.

Suppose it depends on whats available at the time but I think now it will either be the diesel with higher mileage or a 1.6 petrol with lower mileage. Quick look online suggests that for what I want the petrol would be £800/1000 more to buy depending on mileage so suppose I could keep that cash aside if I got the diesel for the unexpected!!

Being to sway back to the diesel again due to this, Im telling myself a diesel with higher mileage will most likely be a lot of motorway miles compared to the low mileage petrol version which would be more a pottering about town sort of motor…

(beginning to think Im getting old switching from what was at the time a sporty petrol to a diesel LOL)

Anyhow thanks once again

[jeebowhite]

No problem, will be interesting to see where you go on this. Just bare in mind, that with diesels the unexpected are either DPF goes pop (if fitted), DPF additive tank running dry (if not serviced properly) or Turbo goes pop!

[Barry_]

I shall let you know, Been on this forum for months reading just never signed up or posted until now.

I got no worries about the DPF or Eloy fluid as if i get a diesel it will be the 1.8tdci which has none, just the turbo. Need to have a little read about them to see if you can service them etc.

[Barry_]

So Finally brought my Focus and picked it up last night... I know its been a while but been keeping my eye out and seen a few dogs.

Got myself a 2006 1.8 tdci titanium in silver with 64000 miles... Fancy a guess at the price LOL (private purchase)

Fingers crossed i have no problems with it, considering a warrenty direct cover for the first year just in case (£220 including service & MOT cover) .... not 100% on this - could save a fortune or be a waste of money!! - thoughts?

Going to look at getting the oil and filter changed just coz, locate the EDR value cleaning thread and do that (i think that was what it was called) and try to find that other thread which was about recommended fuel or oil additive to chuck some of that in!!

Well the automatic rearview mirror dimming freaked me right out on the way home last night LOL

looking at the records 15 mths ago Ford replaced the fuel pump and according to the invoice "replace fuel pump and cambelt" but under the part section the only thing i see is "timing belt" @ about £35+vat - is that the Cambelt??

Fingers crossed i have as many problems with this as i did with my 13 yearold escort - ie none.... well never broke down, the speed idle control value went so it stalled alot and a few wishbone issues but sound as a pound otherwise!!!

[alexlark]

Barry,

It's the EGR valve your refering to. You need a can of Wynns EGR Cleaner ;)

[grahamp]

"Fancy a guess at the price" £5250?

I wouldn't put any additives in personally.

cambelt = timing belt.

[Barry_]

Cheers alex - i was close LOL

grahamp - cheers for the confirmation re cambelt - just need to contact them to see if they replaced the tensioners as well (stupid if they didn't)

Re price - not saying just just - closest guess gets a contragulations you were closed post :D

The additive i was thinking about was mention here before and has no bad reviews from what i can find.

[jeebowhite]

1.8 TDCI Tit 2006, my money would be on around the 6795 mark, the Focus holds its value well, as I found on reselling my old Focus, it had gained (yes gained!) £1 on the price I paid for it! max I would say is £7250 :)

Congratulations on the buy, and hope your enjoying it!

[Barry_]

1.8 TDCI Tit 2006, my money would be on around the 6795 mark, the Focus holds its value well, as I found on reselling my old Focus, it had gained (yes gained!) £1 on the price I paid for it! max I would say is £7250 :)

Congratulations on the buy, and hope your enjoying it!

Cheers Jeeb. Got there in the end. Was going for the Zetec Climate but once i looked at the Titanium i really wanted that instead. WOW - do you fancy buying a 2006 Silver 1.8 tdci Titanium Focus Think your abit off the mark there bud... That sort of year/mileage is high 5's i would of thought.. But this dude completely underpriced this motor - only issue is a scrape on the front bumper. I was lucky enough to check just as the ad appeared and was the first to view - he had about 12 people waiting after me.... THE FOOL SOLD IT FOR £4k!!!!!! :o I KNOW!!!!

so... contragulations grahamp you were closest :P

How life with the C'eed going?

[jeebowhite]

haha, 4k!!! that is sweetly underpriced mate, you got an absolute steal there! I cant blame you for biting his hand off really!

The Cee'd is still great, clocked up 6 thousand miles on it, might just tighten the handbrake cable a little, and could do with more boot space, so am looking at a roof box, but I still love it!

I stand by my statement, its the Focus in a koreans body, performance, handling its right on par with my Focus. I would say reliability is better than my Focus, not a hiccup on it! so far I might need to replace tyres and looking at the brake pads might need to replace them, but otherwise, I cant complain at all. Still Highly recommended!!

[Barry_]

Cheers bud.

Glad you getting on better with it bud. You taken it around the Top gear track yet LOL

Just hope i have as much luck with the focus as i did with the Escort..

The focus feels huge when sitting inside compared - worried i am going to misjudge the size the knock it..LOL

[jeebowhite]

I always thought that but, rear park sensors, and a high seat helped that! lol. I would love to take the cee'd around the track and woop the guests :P