It's been a good few years since I last posted on this forum when I had a mk4 focus 1.6 diesel titanium x. Didn't post much when I moved to mk4.5 titanium x sport mondoes of which I had three. I moved to Lexus cars of which I had four over a 7 year period. 

Why am I going to re join the fold? Well like a Richard head I drove too fast for the soaking wet conditions and lost control of my last Lexus and its going to be written off. 

I've always loved the look of the mk3 and face-lift focus so when I get my pay out I'll be on the look for the 1.0 litre ecoboost variant. 

I've read over the years about issues but isn't it funny you only read Negative things and Not Positive ones! Of course there's issues with All makes and models of cars. Surely it's how they're looked after that dictates conditions of cars eh?

I'll be looking at titanium x mainly or Zetec S models. 

What is there to look out for when looking for a 1.0 ecoboost Focus?

I look forward to your replys. 

I wouldn’t touch a mk3 focus 1.0 ecoboost personally. Too much risk of the wet belt on that age car and not knowing its history. 
Any mk4 1.0 will be chain cam. 

It's a matter of what I can afford Alex. I'm looking at a 50k mile but I'll get the belt changed as a precautionary measure. 

Pick a different engine? Or not a Ford ?

I’d think it’s better to put the cost of a wet belt change towards a better car.  Ups your budget another £1500-2000

If you're set on a Mk3.5 Focus I'd suggest one of the diesels.  The 1.6 Ti-VCT petrol is fairly reliable but they are slow, thirsty and expensive to tax.  And you can't get them in the higher trim levels.  I can't recommend any of the EcoBoost's in these.  I agree with Alex, there's no way I'd buy a Mk3 1.0EB at the age they are now.  It's a different matter for people that bought them new and know the full history.

If you really do want to buy an 1.0EB, make absolutely sure it has full service history, with invoices showing the correct oil having been used at every service, never any engine flush at all, and no long periods with minimal use.

Ok thanks guys. What about the 1.6T ecoboost? I seem to remember an issue or three with these but I'm not sure. I believe the 1.5 has issues with unkept cars.

Yeah, the 1.6 EcoBoost's used to catch fire.  Ford's recall 'fix' was just to add a low coolant level sensor.  Not sure I'd class that as a fix myself.

1.5 EcoBoost is the 4 pot in the Mk3.  They do have coolant issues leading to cracked blocks but the frequency of that is still up for debate.  In fairness, there weren't many sold, compared to the 1.0, so it's difficult to gauge.

The Mk4 uses the 3 pot 1.5 EcoBoost which has proven to be more reliable so far.

Or you could have a look at the recommendations on this thread and consider something else (I think Toyota was ahead last time I looked!😀)

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/147212-ecoboost-timing-chainwet-belt/

 

Yes probably best the OP avoids a 'wet belt' as it seems he has poor relations with wet things.🤣

8 hours ago, tazzman600 said:

I drove too fast for the soaking wet conditions and lost control

 

Yes Unofix I've decided against the 1.0 ecoboost. I'll be looking at the 1.6T as they fall in my price bracket (but that depends on what settlement figure I get from my beloved Lexus is250 I managed to write off)