Thinking Of Buying A Focus, Your Thoughts?

[vc-10]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting a Focus. I've had an '02 VW Polo for the last 5 and a half years, and it's starting to die. Got a budget of around £2,500 or so, and there are plenty of Mk.2s with around 100k-120k on the clock for that sort of price. Ideally I'd like the 2.0 TDCI, is it reliable? Or is one of the smaller diesels a better bet? Anything that I should avoid? I've read through the list of problems in the Mk.2 Guide, and so I'm aware of leaky seals and some rust issues. I'd like cruise control, am I right in thinking that the Ghia spec is the only one with it as standard?

Also, most of the cars have the basic CD6000 (I think!) radio. I've got a VW headunit in my Polo that I fitted, which includes bluetooth with audio streaming. Is there something I can fit to a Focus that looks and works like OEM, but does bluetooth calls and audio streaming? I've seen that there are units on eBay, that I think were factory fitted, that do calls but no streaming.

Thanks!

[Dee_82]

The bluetooth module in the early focus didn't have BT streaming, just voice, id imagine its possible to replace the HU, BT module, stalk and mic plus all the wires if they not there. The 1.6tdci has some bad press of turbos blowing, a looked after car is ok but one that's had shoddy services done might be worth avoiding, dpf fitted cars can be an issue too, cheap tax but will fill up and fail at some point, potentially !Removed! the engine. its a nice car though, not sure about the 1.8 and 2

[vc-10]

Thanks Darren. I thought as much regarding the bluetooth, are there any significant electrical differences between the Mk.2 and the Mk.2.5? From what I've found googling the Sony units fitted in the Mk.2.5 do proper bluetooth with A2DP streaming. I know they have a different facia plate (round vs square), but you can just put a new faceplate on, no?

[FatHead1979]

The 1.6TDCI as mentioned is rather infamous for starving the turbo of oil & the turbo then going bang. The 1.8TDCI is an older Ford design with the modern bits (common rail injection) added on top, enjoy block is cast not aluminium so the engine itself is pretty bulletproof, a bit rattly compared to the more modern designs). 2.0TDCI is a modern design without the drawbacks of the 1.6, is generally solid & it's more the general DMF stuff that applies to all diesels.

I've got the 1.8TDCI & I'm happy with it (I'd swap it for for a 6 speed 2.0 TDCI though!) lol

[simcor]

Depends what age you are looking at but I paid £2500 for my 55 plate 1.6 diesel with 68k miles on it. I would way depending on age £2500 for a car with over 100k miles on it is overpriced unless its a younger model.

[vc-10]

Thanks both! Sounds like the higher power cars are better reliability wise... not something I can complain about! :D

The 1.6 diesels were a bit cheaper, around £2k, but the 1.8 and 2.0 were a bit more.

[chrisroberson99]

Can't help regarding engines, but for that budget you could have a nice MK1.5 with some cash left over.

[Goodkat]

When you go looking, check, check and double check the sills. I looked at loads of mk2s when I was looking, all but one had corrosion issues on the bottom of the wing where it meets the sill, and the sill itself looked as though it had been sandblasted. The best bargain I saw (except the one I bought) was a '56' plate 1.6 sneezel with 120k, poverty spec but it was mint. But I stumped up the extra and got a mk2.5 instead, far better all round than the mk2 in my opinion

Sent from my Gen 1 WAP phone

[james_60]

The 1.6TDCI as mentioned is rather infamous for starving the turbo of oil & the turbo then going bang. The 1.8TDCI is an older Ford design with the modern bits (common rail injection) added on top, enjoy block is cast not aluminium so the engine itself is pretty bulletproof, a bit rattly compared to the more modern designs). 2.0TDCI is a modern design without the drawbacks of the 1.6, is generally solid & it's more the general DMF stuff that applies to all diesels.

I've got the 1.8TDCI & I'm happy with it (I'd swap it for for a 6 speed 2.0 TDCI though!) lol

Hi

Im not sure if this is still current. but my turbo is fine. and its driven hard.

Jamie

[FatHead1979]

Hi

Im not sure if this is still current. but my turbo is fine. and its driven hard.

Jamie

It wasn't the driving one that was the problem, it was the oil return which was too narrow & unless the oil was kept spotless had a nasty habit of clogging up. One of my mates has a 1.6TDCI & hasn't had any turbo/engine issues (he does a full oil change every 6 months to make sure). It's a shame really because the 1.6 has similar power output to the 1.8 but is smoother/quieter in use.

[Dee_82]

with the 1.6 its to do with carbon deposits in the sump getting blocked in the banjo bolt filter at the end of the feeder pipe for the turbo, the debate is how they got there in the first place, there are several chains of thought but generally speaking, I think most agree, change the oil every 6k or 6 months and you'll be ok.

Some of the causes of the carbon are, crap oil changing, EGR, DPF blocked, injector leaks, excessive oil from breather, heat from the DPF "cooking" oil if turned off without allowing turbo to calm down an oil to return. as said, it should be a good engine if looked after.

[vc-10]

That's the problem- a 10-year-old car isn't necessarily going to have been looked after by the previous owner(s)!

Re getting a Mk.1- my brother has a 1.8 TDCI Mk.1 estate. 51 plate. Drives very nicely, but it has a major problem- my feet are too big to fit between the clutch and the centre console. Sounds stupid, but it drives me nuts. The Mk.5.5 Fiesta I learnt to drive in had the same problem! Of course the Mk.2 might also suffer from this problem, but that's what a test drive is for. I'm currently looking at the Golfs too, there are plenty of lower-spec earlyish Mk.5 Golf 1.9 TDIs out there in my budget, and we've always had good experiences with VWs in my family. My mum even had a 54 plate Mk.5 Golf for a while, before trading it in for a Skoda Superb as she wanted something big, so I know I like them having driven hers a fair bit. I was thinking about the Focus because they've got a good reputation as being great to drive, and cheap to run, and you can get a much better specced Focus for the money than a Golf!

It sounds like the 1.6 is best avoided, unless you can guarantee that it's been looked after. A cheap used car is probably not going to fall into this category, so I think I'll go and look at the 2.0 and 1.8s. I saw a nice black 2.0 Ghia for sale near me on Autotrader for £2,300, so that might be a good option!

Interesting to hear about the rust issues- my '02 Polo hasn't got a spec of rust on it apart from a nasty stone chip on the bonnet, which hasn't even spread in the 5 years I've had the car. I'll keep a good eye out on any car I go and look at!

Thanks for all your help everyone!