Hi,

I am interested in buying a second hand Focus mk4 (1.5 Petrol, either 150 or 182) and I am quite confused with the rear suspension situation.

Through some other posts in this forum, I figured that post 2019 models only offer the multi-link in the Vignale and Active versions, and that's with the engines I mentioned above, is it so?

I am looking for something with low mileage and this means most of my options are post 2019 models.

I live in Finland, and it's difficult to find Vignales on the second hand market. Most are Titaniums.

 

I prefer the regular hatchback, but what about the estate versions? Do those always come with a multi-link?

 

Has anyone driven both suspension layouts? How do they compare?

Thanks!

Yes that's correct.

Although normal Active models did not get IRS as standard.  Only the Active Vignale or Active estate. 

I believe all estates got IRS regardless of engine.

The Active versions get a different type of IRS with longer shocks & springs.  They don't ride or handle the same as a normal hatch with IRS.

 

Right, thanks, perhaps I should consider the estates, unless I find a normal Vignale hatch.

I guess st-line hatches come with the beam suspension, right?

Yes, that's right, ST-Line hatches all come with twist-beam from 2019 onwards.

The Build Date for Multi Link Suspension on the 1.5 Petrol Engined Titanium Hatchbacks is prior to about mid May 2019.

There were some other minor omissions after that date as well.

Alright, the month helps a lot on my search.

 P.S. I did find one nice Vignale Hatch with IRS, only drawback for me was that it was with the automatic gearbox. I prefer a manual.

I don't rule out an automatic, but in any case, not in a hurry to get one, most of July I am traveling abroad anyway.

42 minutes ago, AFS said:

with the automatic gearbox.

The Book Fuel Consumption for both the Automatic Petrol Engine cars is not as good as the Manual cars.

Also for the Titanium, Keyless Entry was dropped for the Rear Doors at the same time as the Suspension change so you should be able to tell what type of Suspension the car has without looking underneath it.

Is there any way to tell from the VIN number whether it has the IRS? Or at least to find the date of manufacture? I just realized that Ford Etis doesn't work any more.

I noticed a new ad online for an 1.5 182 ST-Line Manual hatch registered in December 2019, so I wonder if there is any chance it could have been manufactured before May.

It's located a bit far from me but if it has the IRS I would be interested.

8 hours ago, AFS said:

Is there any way to tell from the VIN number whether it has the IRS? Or at least to find the date of manufacture? I just realized that Ford Etis doesn't work any more.

I noticed a new ad online for an 1.5 182 ST-Line Manual hatch registered in December 2019, so I wonder if there is any chance it could have been manufactured before May.

It's located a bit far from me but if it has the IRS I would be interested.

ETIS was the only the way I confirmed IRS without seeing the car.  However now it's gone I don't think there is another way.

You can determine the build month and year from the VIN, though I still wouldn't rely on that 100% for things like this.

Best idea is to ask the seller to send you a picture of the rear suspension.

10 hours ago, AFS said:

Is there any way to tell from the VIN number

I can probably give the day and date that your car was manufactured, but not everything about it. What is your VIN ?

It's WF0NXXGCHNKU59771 so most likely that's Oct 2019.

I asked the seller for a photo underneath.

2 hours ago, AFS said:

t's WF0NXXGCHNKU59771 so most likely that's Oct 2019

That is probably correct, the last 5 numbers are about 20,000 higher than my May 2019 built car.

Mine was one of the first ones to suffer from the changes that Ford made.