Ford Fiesta engine recommendation.

[David_45]

 Hi Guys.

I've be running a Ford Focus for the last 17 years and although it's been very reliable the poor thing is starting to show it's age (like it's owner), so I've started to look for my last car and I would appreciate some sage advice please.

Reliability is an important factor so I'm thinking about a 1.0 or 1.2 Ford Fiesta Zetec 2008- 2017 below 20,000 miles.

I've heard that the Zetec is far better than the EcoBoost engine, but what is a EcoBoost Zetec?

Do you agree with my choice?
Comments appreciated.

 

[unofix]

The only sound bit of advice I can offer you is keep well clear of the Ecoboost 1.0 engine. The failure of the wet cambelt is legendary. On a used vehicle there isn't any way to be 100% sure of previous services and how they were done.

[DaveT70]

Yes, steer clear of 1.0 Ecoboost.

Go for 1.25 (which only goes up to Zetec Level) or 1.6 which is available in Titanium or Titanium X

[TomsFocus]

1 hour ago, David_45 said:

I've heard that the Zetec is far better than the EcoBoost engine, but what is a EcoBoost Zetec?

Zetec is no longer the branding of the engine.  It is a midrange trim level instead.

2008-2017 is a very large age range, there are a few different engine choices there.  EcoBoost wasn't introduced in the Fiesta's until 2013 when the facelift was released.  So all pre-facelift have non-EcoBoost engines.

For the facelift model (2013 onwards), there was only the option of a 1.25 non-EcoBoost.  There was a 1.6, but that's only available with the Powershift automatic gearbox, which is not a reliable gearbox.  There is also the option of a 1.0 non turbo engine, but this is the same as the EcoBoost engine, just without a turbo fitted.  So they still have the same wetbelt with large replacement bills and potential reliability issues.

[Eric Bloodaxe]

There has been a lot of confusion over "Zetec" - it used to refer to an engine type, then became a trim level. So a Fiesta Zetec is the same trim level  irrespective of the engine.

That's a heck of an age range you're looking at - up to 2012 you would find 1.25, 1.4 and 1.6 non turbo petrols. 2013 on its 1.0 ecoboost or 1.25 plus some later non-turbo 1.0 3 cy!inders which, like the ecoboost, use the "wet" cambelt and are subject to the same issues.

Any ecoboost should have a cambelt change at 10 years, so the earliest cars should  have been done**, the newest in your age range is only 4 years away from what is a very expensive (4 figures) job.

 Ecoboost is highly sensitive to regular servicing with correct oil and NO engine flush, but as already said, a service history is hard to prove but easy to fake. I had one for 5 years with zero problems, BUT that was from new and correctly serviced. I'd be very wary of buying one at 6 years +.

The 1.25 is a good little engine but needs revving to "make progress" which can be fun round town but might not be the best choice for frequent long journeys. 

(**some info on checking this on the thread below:)

 

 

[Eric Bloodaxe]

4 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Zetec is no longer the branding of the engine. 

Lol. Great minds....etc.

You must have posted that while I was still typing!😀