I have just picked up a 2018 Titanium with every option (I believe - would love to figure out a way to check this)

It came from Ford, it’s done 47k with a FFSH, but has been done on the two yearly schedule with the yearly convenience check, I only have a three month warranty on it (not extending as the quote is £776 with £300 excess for Ford Protect)

What recommendations exist with future servicing? I want to move to yearly but do I keep this with Ford or move to a specialist? (If anyone can recommend one in Surrey that would be lovely) 

Also, wet belt, have heard of it; don’t like the sound of it - don’t dare look into it - someone give me the lowdown!? 
 

Thanks all,

Ryan 

2018 1.0 EcoBoost would definitely have the wetbelt engine.  It should be replaced before 10 years old.  RRP well over £1000.

The oil must be the correct spec.  It doesn't matter whether dealership or independent as long as you trust them to put the right oil in it.  Also never allow them to use engine flush.

I doubt every option was ticked. Adaptive cruise?  BLIS? Heated steering wheel?

25 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

2018 1.0 EcoBoost would definitely have the wetbelt engine.  It should be replaced before 10 years old.  RRP well over £1000.

The oil must be the correct spec.  It doesn't matter whether dealership or independent as long as you trust them to put the right oil in it.  Also never allow them to use engine flush.

I doubt every option was ticked. Adaptive cruise?  BLIS? Heated steering wheel?

Heated Steering wheel, Seats, Pano Roof, Adaptive Cruise, BLIS, Lane Keep, reversing camera, door edge protectors that pop out with the doors, wireless charger in the cubby to name a few. Quite high spec in fairness but I’m sure one or two obscure ones will have been missed. 
 

All Services are Ford, like I say, Every two years with the yearly convenience check (again Ford) in the middle. From what I can tell they don’t change anything on those so I don’t really count them. 
 

I’ve spotted that AJ Motorsport do it for £1100 inclusive in Essex, I’m not aware of any closer to me in the Surrey hills. 
 

I assume this should probably be done this year? 
 

Thanks for the reply,

Ryan 

That is a very well specced example!

Wetbelt change is really your decision.  You could choose to leave it another year or two.  But if you're intending to keep the car for 5+ years then at least you'll get your money's worth doing it sooner.

I don't suppose you know what a “Convenience Check” actually is? Google is being rather annoying on the matter. 
 

 

6 minutes ago, RyanClarke said:

I don't suppose you know what a “Convenience Check” actually is? Google is being rather annoying on the matter. 
 

Ford blurb below:

"Are your vehicle’s service intervals every 2 years? That’s a long time to wait. Having your vehicle checked between services will help to identify any issues or concerns before your next service date, so you can continue to enjoy motoring that’s worry free.

With this in mind, we’ve developed the Ford Convenience Check which aims to give you peace of mind that your vehicle will carry on working the way it should.

Additionally, this will provide you with a further valuable 12 months European Roadside Assistance cover**.

 

The Ford Convenience Check

• FORD eCHECK, a comprehensive 30-point visual health check
• Connection to Ford Diagnostics to ensure all software is up to date
• Fluid levels checked and topped-up* Includes:
  • Engine oil (max. 1 ltr)
  • Coolant (max. 500 ml)
  • Screen wash (max. 500 ml)
• Ford UK & European Roadside Assistance for 12 months**

 

Why choose us?

No one knows your Ford as well as us, so you can be confident your vehicle will get the best possible service.

With us, you'll benefit from:

• Our team of Ford-trained technicians
• The latest Ford diagnostic tools and equipment
• Maintaining your service history which will assist the resale value
• Use of genuine Ford parts for complete peace of mind

BOOK YOUR FORD CONVENIENCE CHECK, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY. "

 

 

Prices for the above vary widely and are really down to what you can negotiate with your local dealer.

When I first got my 2018 Fiesta the "official" Ford price was under £35. That soon escalated and was around £135 when I last looked. 

 

 

As I expected then, nothing more than a not-mot and a fluid top up. defo not worth the £135. 

 

1 minute ago, RyanClarke said:

defo not worth the £135

Yeah, as I say, depends what deal you can get. Breakdown can be worth having if you can find a good deal. Check though that your dealer participates in the scheme as not all do.

I combined mine with an annual oil/filter change for a total cost a lot less than Fords suggested figure just for the check.

Any idea if there is any value in taking out further Ford Protect Warranty? I assume by now they’ve made wetbelts exempt. 
 

at circa £700 a year it would also be quite expensive way of protecting one’s self but I am curious

2 hours ago, RyanClarke said:

I assume by now they’ve made wetbelts exempt. 

Ford have issued a special service bulletin regarding regarding wetbelt failures which will cover your vehicle provided it has been serviced correctly in the past, and you continue to get it correctly serviced.

 

In my mind then, there’s little point in booking it in until that warranty is due to end? 
 

they’d find it difficult to not do it under the double whammy of that goodwill offer and a Ford warranty, I expect. Gives me a couple of months to find someone to do it at least.

3 hours ago, RyanClarke said:

In my mind then, there’s little point in booking it in until that warranty is due to end? 
 

they’d find it difficult to not do it under the double whammy of that goodwill offer and a Ford warranty, I expect. Gives me a couple of months to find someone to do it at least.

I suspect you misunderstand.

Ford are NOT going to replace wetbelts on a service or on a routine time frame. It is your responsibility to ensure that the car is serviced as and when it should be according to the Ford recommended service schedule.

At no point will Ford say for example it's time for us (Ford) to replace the wetbelts. You have to make the decision when to replace the wetbelts and at your own expense. Ford will not make any contribution for the routine replacement of the wetbelts just as they won't pay or contribute to the replacement of your brake pads.

In the event of a totally failure of one of the wetbelts, or the disintegration of the wetbelts leading to the oil system becoming blocked due to debris from the belts, they (Ford) will look at replacing or repairing the engine free of charge. Their actions regarding repair or replacement are purely reactive not preventive.

To summarise: If you fail to maintain the engine in accordance with the service schedule then Ford will not assist in anyway if there are problems with the wetbelts. You, and not Ford, must decide when to replace the wetbelts and at your own cost. Only if the wetbelts fail before the suggested/recommended age/mileage will Ford look at offering assistance.

 

Yes I have understood fully. However, I’m not going to rush to do it when the car is under warranty and would be eligible under the Goodwill, further, it’s not even remotely close to being due by official recommendation - giving me until mid-March to find a decent garage to do it. 
 

So far I can’t find anyone overly close, so that extra time is quite helpful - The car is being serviced again in two weeks. 

Has anyone here heard of or used MCR Automotive in Wembley? They offer the full works with Genuine parts at £650, Genuine Waterpump and aux belt fitted is £740 inclusive. 

Wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Seems like there’s a couple of Google reviews for it (Wetbelts) but a search here brought up nothing.

1 hour ago, RyanClarke said:

Has anyone here heard of or used MCR Automotive in Wembley? They offer the full works with Genuine parts at £650, Genuine Waterpump and aux belt fitted is £740 inclusive. 

Wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Seems like there’s a couple of Google reviews for it (Wetbelts) but a search here brought up nothing.

Does that include the oil pump belt?  I would assume not at that price.

10 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Does that include the oil pump belt?  I would assume not at that price.

Claims too. 
 

website: https://www.mcrautomotive.co.uk/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH7NnhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfNbHqLEjW5T49lzMkKtHlKmkauaD-L4wl-hYDPn02jMgh9SI9sD6RQXIQ_aem_KNYn8cgz-A7qFh_6T-MoAw

after contact it was deduced that he’s a mobile guy with a workshop at home. Full quote comes back at £740, Both belt kits, water pump, aux belt, all gaskets, bolts, seals, sump dropped and filter cleaned, crank seal, fresh coolant and oil, everything from Ford. 

 

That does like the 'full works' for the best price we've seen so far.

Did you ask how much warranty it comes with?

Must admit I'm not surprised all the reviews are good if he's an ex-boxer and knows where the customers live!

28 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

That does like the 'full works' for the best price we've seen so far.

Did you ask how much warranty it comes with?

Must admit I'm not surprised all the reviews are good if he's an ex-boxer and knows where the customers live!

12 months. 
 

Does seem pretty cheap, but then it’s actually only about £60 under the ApprovedEngines in Cambridge price 

12 hours ago, RyanClarke said:

12 months. 
 

Does seem pretty cheap, but then it’s actually only about £60 under the ApprovedEngines in Cambridge price 

Do you mean Colchester, or is there more than one?  

I'd have more trust in ApprovedEngines Colchester given that they're also selling reconditioned engines and must be doing several of these every week.  

17 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Do you mean Colchester, or is there more than one?  

I'd have more trust in ApprovedEngines Colchester given that they're also selling reconditioned engines and must be doing several of these every week.  

Think so, not sure I only looked at it in passing; it’s a bit far for me. 

True, but Trust is a subjective one, some of the worst work I ever had done came from a Sytner Mini dealer. 
 

Is it actually a difficult job or merely a time consuming one, as that’s a tangible difference when it comes to choosing who to go with. 
 

6 minutes ago, RyanClarke said:

Think so, not sure I only looked at it in passing; it’s a bit far for me. 

True, but Trust is a subjective one, some of the worst work I ever had done came from a Sytner Mini dealer. 
 

Is it actually a difficult job or merely a time consuming one, as that’s a tangible difference when it comes to choosing who to go with. 
 

I'd say it is quite a difficult job, lots of of potential for parts to break when removed, and lots of scope for a minor oversight to cause major damage down the line.

Perhaps @RayC333 can confirm whether that's correct or not as he has done it more than once now.

I agree that paying more doesn't necessarily get you a better service.  Trust is the number one priority when having a wetbelt (or indeed any cambelt) replaced.  The only reason for doing the job is the peace of mind that the belt won't fail and cause catastrophic engine damage.  If you don't trust the person/garage doing it 100% then there's really no point IMO.

Car has started rattling this morning, tempted to send it back. 
 

I’m assuming you guys have come across something like this? Any advice? Video with audio