Hi all. New here and looking for some advice.

We're looking to change vehicles and are considering a Ford Focus estate, probably from 2020, 21 or 22. We've never run a Ford before.

We've driven one at a local dealership - ST Line - that the whole family liked. It was a 1.0 125PS model which was fine for four of us and an empty boot, but I imagine might be underpowered when we have the roof box on and a boot loaded with camping stuff.

So a few questions - are there any Focuses engines we should avoid? We really want something we can depend on for weekends seeing family, half a dozen camping trips etc in various parts of the country. I've been spooked by all the wet belt / Ecoboom rumours to say the least. Is the 1.0 150PS reliable, or are we better to hold out for a 1.5?

If we went for something relatively low mileage (sub-30k) what sort of maintenance/parts replacement can be expect to have to pay before presuming we want to keep the car going for a good number of years?

Any advice on things to keep in mind/avoid extremely welcome as we try to decide what to do.

Thanks!

Hi Rod,

The Mk 4 Focus (which is the version you are contemplating) has never had the wet belt ecoboost engine. It has a revised version with a chain cam drive, as does the 1.5 3 cylinder engine which you also mention. 

Both of these do, however, have a small wet belt to drive the oil pump. This requires changing at 150k miles or 10 years whichever comes first, and, as it is 6+ hours labour, it will be an expensive job. We have also seen cases of premature failure of these belts starting to arise.

 

 

I'd suggest a 1.5 EcoBlue, lots of torque and very good mpg. 👍

This why I drive the 2.0 EcoBlue 🤣

Yeah, I'd go for the diesel too

I think we concluded on other threads that the 1.5 Ecoblue was probably the best bet. Or consider other brands, of course.

12 hours ago, rdx2020 said:

Hi all. New here and looking for some advice.

We're looking to change vehicles and are considering a Ford Focus estate, probably from 2020, 21 or 22. We've never run a Ford before.

We've driven one at a local dealership - ST Line - that the whole family liked. It was a 1.0 125PS model which was fine for four of us and an empty boot, but I imagine might be underpowered when we have the roof box on and a boot loaded with camping stuff.

So a few questions - are there any Focuses engines we should avoid? We really want something we can depend on for weekends seeing family, half a dozen camping trips etc in various parts of the country. I've been spooked by all the wet belt / Ecoboom rumours to say the least. Is the 1.0 150PS reliable, or are we better to hold out for a 1.5?

If we went for something relatively low mileage (sub-30k) what sort of maintenance/parts replacement can be expect to have to pay before presuming we want to keep the car going for a good number of years?

Any advice on things to keep in mind/avoid extremely welcome as we try to decide what to do.

Thanks!

First thing I would point out is that the Focus has quite a low ride height when empty, and even lower when loaded. Therefore, if your camping trips involve bumpy roads which you needs to take to reach your camping spot, it might be tricky for the Focus. If the roads are not too nasty, then there should be no challenge for the Focus.

 

My expecience with a very loaded Focus estate include 3400 km with 4 adults, once child, and full boot (and pretty heavy boot too). The 1.0 125ps handled everything excellent as long as it was reved above 2800 rpms. If I remember right it consumed 5.9 litres/100km

Second long trip was only with the driver and the car completely full (I moved from one country to another). This time it was really loaded because the rear wheels were close to the fenders. 2800km trip, 5.6 litres/100km, cruising speed 115km to keep engine close to 3000 rpm in 5th gear. First 400km I ran it at 140 km/h 6th gear (3100 rpm) but it was taking more than 8 litres/100km and that was too much from my point of view.

 

As far as reliability goes, let's see how it will hold up.

I cannot say anything about the diesel since I have never owned a diesel car.