Which Mk4 to buy ??

[Phil3747]

My eldest daughter and her hubby-to-be will be looking to upgrade from their '63 plate Mk3 1.0 Ecoboost to a pre-owned Mk4 in a few weeks time and I am just wondering if there are any models to stay clear of ??

I have read a few threads on here from Mk4 owners experiencing various issues, so what do we need to look out for ??

[Phil3747]

No recommendations ???

Should they get a Lada Samara instead then ??? 😁

[TomsFocus]

I think the general consensus is to stay away from all Mk4 models...

 

[Guy Heaton]

Howdo.  Car forums are great but also bad as all you ever see is fault threads because noone ever posts an "I've had no issues" thread. I don't think there are any common mk4 issues that you are bound to get but if you do see a problem this forum is great for help.

My mk4 had to have the high pressure fuel rail replaced under warranty but I haven't heard of anyone else having this.

[Phil3747]

Cheers chaps...doubt they will be going for a diesel and their current 1.0 Ecoboost (my old car) has been very reliable other than the degas hose splitting (luckily it didn't damage the engine), and recent issues with the horn not wanting to work, so I am thinking they will probably stick with the same engine, so it all boils down to which model takes their fancy, I guess ??

[Guy Heaton]

The 1.5 182 I had was a good engine, quick midrange and good cruising mpg.  IMO the mk4 Focus is better with the bigger engine.

[unofix]

All I can add is my Titanium X 2.0 diesel automatic is 'Fantastic' It's fast, smooth pulls like a train and does about 49mpg just around the doors, and 60+mpg on a bit of a run.

[FrankR]

@Phil3747 ST-Line X Edition (70 plates onward). Gets the digital dashboard as standard, and the LED front lights and ST-Line X 18-inch wheels, which are absolutely gorgeous. Car looks stunning with those. Digital dashboard is not important, but with the LED lights makes the car look more modern in the upcoming years. The facelifted model is expected in less than two months and the car will look old already, otherwise. Be aware: prices have gone up since restrictions have been lifted and new model is coming soon. So, I would wait until end of October. I bought my car 70 plate on the last week of restrictions: 20k. One week after, restrictions removed, the other identical cars at the same dealer were on sale at 22k (still are). After the facelifted comes out, a slight drop is expected. However, there is the chip shortage issue… mmm complex. Anyway, now prices are pumped up of 1-2k on average. I would wait a couple of months at least. Let me know what they’ll choose

[TomsFocus]

11 hours ago, Phil3747 said:

Cheers chaps...doubt they will be going for a diesel and their current 1.0 Ecoboost (my old car) has been very reliable other than the degas hose splitting (luckily it didn't damage the engine), and recent issues with the horn not wanting to work, so I am thinking they will probably stick with the same engine, so it all boils down to which model takes their fancy, I guess ??

The 1.0 is now considerably different to the one in the '63 plate cars.  Wetbelt has been replaced with chain.  GPF has been added.  More recent models are also mild-hybrid.

Model choice will depend on which equipment they're after.  As you'll know, it's largely split into comfort (Titanium) or Sports (ST-Line), but then there are the X's with additional equipment, and some cars will have optional packs if buying used.

If they're after a super low mileage 21 plate, 1.0 155ps, Active Vignale, I conveniently have one for sale.  

[DonnyMark]

I've got two 1.5 Titanium Ecoboosts (Never did want the 1.0), a 65 plate on 52k miles and a 19 plate on 10k miles. 

The 65 plate is still mint so we decided to keep it and hand it down to my son, it has been trouble free in 5 years motoring.

Must say the MK3.5 is a softer ride despite being on 17" wheels, the MK4 is on 16" wheels, and I am glad, so make sure you test drive before you buy as the ride on the MK4 is very different to the car you are swapping. 

Good luck, the prices are crazy at the moment !

[Alex.S]

If you can find a Mk4 with a 182ps engine ( it was only in ST Line X and Vignale) I’d recommend it. Especially if you find an automatic one. Or , I’ve not driven the 1L 125ps or the 1L 155 hybrid but I would give them a chance with a test drive. iirc the 1L 125 manual has an inferior gear box compared to the manual box in the 1.5L petrol versions. Good luck 

[Frowma]

I have a 2019 ST Line X Estate (Auto) with the 182ps engine and love it. I got it from Ford Direct in July last year and have put 7000 miles on it, not missed a beat, I wouldn't expect it to as it's only just 2 years old. I was lucky as the first owner (Ford employee) specced it up with everything. If you can find one with the sunroof I'd get that in a heartbeat. Of all the options the only one I've never used (well, tried it once) is the auto parking, it's slow and to be honest crap. I wouldn't have a car without a HUD now, it is so useful. Adaptive cruise is also great. It also has the heated wheel which I thought I'd never use...how wrong was I, first world problems and all that, I'd not want a car without it. BLIS is also good and the heated seats are great.

I've not seen the newer ones with the digital dash, I'd probably be a bit jealous, saying that the non-digital dash is very clear.

The infotainment system is pretty good, I have a USB stick in the armrest USB port with all my music on and it sounds great. The Satnav is pretty good but I've started to use Waze via Android auto now. The speech recognition for making handsfree phone calls works really well too.

The only thing that bugs me is the delay when moving from drive to reverse or the other way round, this is my first auto and I'm used to just going into reverse or out as quick as I want. It is frustrating at times, not a deal breaker though as in normal driving the 8 speed box is so smooth.

Would I recommend it, hell yes great car, nice and comfy on a long journey. It's a bit juicier than I was expecting, over the 7k I've had it it is just about hitting 36mpg.

Here's a link on the Ford Used site to all the 182 Focus models available. https://www.ford.co.uk/shop/price-and-locate/approved-used/approved-used-cars/results#/searchResults?distance=9999&locationId=ChIJsRxLMFja3kcRuw2q4P51AD8&longLatCoordinates=0.8855546,51.14558779999999&page=1&enginePower.max=200&enginePower.min=160&bodyStyle=Hatchback&model=FOCUS&fuelType=G

Here's mine, I'm just a bit biased but I think the Focus wagon is a really good looking car, so much room inside too.

[Sprawlsy]

I may as well throw my thoughts on the ring too. I went from a mk3 Titanium to a mk4 ST Line X, both with the 1L 125 EcoBoost. I've never had an issue with the engine in either car & in the mk3 it's been fully loaded & had a roof box on it. I have found the mpg to be better in the mk4, unsure if that is pandemic driving being less/different or the mk4 being a lighter car. My build was late Jan 2020 (it's  not an Edition version) and I have fixed LED headlights as standard & the alloys are gloss rather than matt...they look so good.

I found the drivers seat to be more comfortable in the mk3 & there is more wind noise in the mk4. Positives are a better dashboard, more usb points, more spacious for rear passengers. If they can get the rear camera the wides angle option is great for reversing out of spaces, off drives.

[DonnyMark]

Agree on the MK3 seat being more comfy...I bought a seat cushion (Tumbay) from amazon for my MK4, £20 off amazon, money well spent and makes the seat and ride seem much better. 

 

 

[Phil3747]

Thanks for all the replies guys, some serious food for thought amongst that lot. It's likely to be around October before they change as they are getting married in two weeks, so I will pass on all your recommendations and post back on this thread when they have made their minds up 👍

[Jus1973]

I’ve got a 68 plated titanium with the 1.5 diesel and it’s perfectly fine engine for 99% of people. Yes the 182 petrol is lovely and quick off the line, but just not needed in most daily drivers, and bumps insurance up a few notches.  I’m a clean licence holder with 28 years and full no claims and it made a difference of on average 40% on the premium, hence why I went with the diesel. More torque, feels like, better economy than the little eco boosts.

[JackVee]

I have a 70 plate Titanium 1.0 auto with BLIS, Comfort Seats and Convenience Pack. It has good points and bad... well only two bad points so far... it came without manual mode (I checked with the dealer and he didn't tell me  🤬🤬) and you can't disable hill start assist. The cheapskates at Ford decided to fit the steering wheel from the manual to the automatic so you can't shift down to control speed or assist the brakes on downhill gradients or when slowing down, and if you are reversing uphill and have to stop mid-manouever, the car leaps backwards when you try to move off again. You need to keep your left foot on the footbrake to move off in a controlled way, or go forward again to give yourself more room. The lack of manual mode is by far the biggest downside. On even the slightest of downhill slopes the car speeds up on its own, and in slow moving traffic it is a constant dance from throttle to brake as you can't shift down to a gear with more control. (The 'L' button jumps down three gears most of the time - virtually useless.)

Otherwise the car is a really nice drive. The gearbox is smooth and changes are almost imperceptable with sedate driving. The car is quiet, really economical and a joy to drive. (Until you reach a downhill gradient or start to gain on the car in front.) At 70mph it just hums quietly along at a paltry 2250 RPM. I'd originally asked for a 1.5 but Ford discontinued it between visits to the dealer. I am happy to report that the 1.0 automatic is easily powerful enough for most people, and quicker off the mark than my last car, a 1.6 VVT 115 Astra manual.

The comfort seats are... comfortable, but despite Ford's description, the seats only have one adjustment more than the 6-way seats. (The 18-way counts every adjustment as two instead of one, and include four (i.e two) headset adjustments.) If you buy a manual mhev you will only get a two way passenger seat. (Like my 1978 Escort I guess.)

If you are considering an automatic from 2020 onwards bear these points in mind. You will be cleaning your front wheels a lot, and you will be faced with frequent brake pad and maybe disc changes on the front at least.

If you are considering a mhev model then consider that front seat passenger comfort may be compromised.

 

[Wino]

As already mentioned, it will depend on what kit they require in the MK4 but I will add that the earlier models come with the keyless locking function on all four doors and the HUD is highly recommended 👍

[Phil3747]

I'm sure they will prefer a manual rather than an automatic and as I said above, petrol rather than diesel and as they are both trying to improve their carbon footprint, I am thinking they could be interested in the MHEV, that's assuming Ford do a manual, petrol MHEV Focus ??

[Alex.S]

I’ve got the 8 speed box , no issues yet. TBH if Ford didn’t have the 1.5 182ps engine in that X trim I wouldn’t be driving a Ford just now. It’s automatic for ever now. Drove manuals for 30 year before this one. Wouldn’t go back 

[TomsFocus]

9 hours ago, Phil3747 said:

I'm sure they will prefer a manual rather than an automatic and as I said above, petrol rather than diesel and as they are both trying to improve their carbon footprint, I am thinking they could be interested in the MHEV, that's assuming Ford do a manual, petrol MHEV Focus ??

They do...it's what I have...  MHEV is only a gimmick though, it won't save you any noticeable real world fuel or emissions.  The GPF reduces particulates but they don't count towards a carbon footprint.

[Eric Bloodaxe]

16 hours ago, Phil3747 said:

I'm sure they will prefer a manual rather than an automatic and as I said above, petrol rather than diesel and as they are both trying to improve their carbon footprint, I am thinking they could be interested in the MHEV, that's assuming Ford do a manual, petrol MHEV Focus ??

Unfortunately going petrol could increase the carbon footprint. The 120ps diesel has a lower CO2 figure than the 125ps ecoboost, with or without MHEV. 

It does seem everything has a carbon footprint, even riding a bike.😃 I came across this recently:

"the carbon footprint of cycling one kilometer is usually in the range of 16 to 50 grams CO₂eq per km depending on how efficiently you cycle and what you eat."

[unofix]

1 hour ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

carbon footprint of cycling one kilometer is usually in the range of 16 to 50 grams CO₂eq per km depending on how efficiently you cycle

Eating lots of Baked Beans will improve your propulsion but will also increase your methane output 🤣

[Eric Bloodaxe]

1 hour ago, unofix said:

Eating lots of Baked Beans will improve your propulsion but will also increase your methane output 🤣

Guilty your honour! I love 'em!😀

[Jus1973]

2 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Unfortunately going petrol could increase the carbon footprint. The 120ps diesel has a lower CO2 figure than the 125ps ecoboost, with or without MHEV.

Which was one of the main reasons I’ve gone back to the ‘black stuff’ after 13 years with petrol.  Also the real world mpg is often closer to that quoted by the manufacturer.