Hello all - just looking for some opinions as I’m in the process of replacing my 2016 3.5 estate. Overall I’ve been really happy with it, it was my first Ford and has proven itself enough for me to stay with the brand.  I was all but set on the 2.0 diesel with 8 speed auto. Most reviews I’ve read have been fairly complimentary but I’ve stumbled on a few that claim it to be a jerky box and some which seem to suggest it’s only an issue when matched to the 2.0 diesel. Has anyone experience of real world life with this match?

It will be used to tow a fairly light touring caravan (about 1300kg all in) which is my main reason for sticking with diesel. I had briefly considered the facelifted diesel but this was only available (briefly) with a 1.5 / 120hp. Not really wanting less power, I went back to concentrating on the pre-facelift with bigger engine. But if anyone has experience of towing with the 1.5 diesel I’d really like to hear your thoughts. (Actually, I’d quite like to hear of anyone’s experience towing with a Focus estate 4/4.5). I know a lot of people default to Kuga if towing, but I really think I’m more of a Focus estate kind of person! 
 

Thanks for any opinions given, good or bad! 

2 hours ago, Harris90 said:

Hello all - just looking for some opinions as I’m in the process of replacing my 2016 3.5 estate. Overall I’ve been really happy with it, it was my first Ford and has proven itself enough for me to stay with the brand.  I was all but set on the 2.0 diesel with 8 speed auto. Most reviews I’ve read have been fairly complimentary but I’ve stumbled on a few that claim it to be a jerky box and some which seem to suggest it’s only an issue when matched to the 2.0 diesel. Has anyone experience of real world life with this match?

It will be used to tow a fairly light touring caravan (about 1300kg all in) which is my main reason for sticking with diesel. I had briefly considered the facelifted diesel but this was only available (briefly) with a 1.5 / 120hp. Not really wanting less power, I went back to concentrating on the pre-facelift with bigger engine. But if anyone has experience of towing with the 1.5 diesel I’d really like to hear your thoughts. (Actually, I’d quite like to hear of anyone’s experience towing with a Focus estate 4/4.5). I know a lot of people default to Kuga if towing, but I really think I’m more of a Focus estate kind of person! 
 

Thanks for any opinions given, good or bad! 

So my MK4 estate is the 1.5 diesel. Id only go for the estate in the MK4 because the estate and the (proper) st were the only mk4s to have independent rear suspension. It tows fine, I have towed 1.2ton with it, could do with a little more grunt but it gets the job done. The downside to the 2.0 diesel is it's a wet belt and personally the reason I didn't go for it (there were plenty to choose from when I was buying mine) was the wet belt would have been plaguing my mind the entire time I was driving it. I believe the 2.0 diesel has the 8f40, the 1.5 has the 8f35, both in a focus are perfectly fine, but I would recommend a gearbox oil change every 40k, the fluid is the only thing serviceable on those boxes.

Thanks for the reply @Neb_engineer, that’s appreciated. I had read about the independent rear suspension only being available on certain models and was glad the diesel estate had it (my 3.5 has it so going back to fixed beam did seem a bit of a backwards step).  Damn…you’ve really thrown me with the wet belt. For some reason I had convinced myself the 2.0 diesel had escaped it…really don’t want to go down that road as I tend to keep cars 5+ years and it’s just a headache I don’t need. Guess I’ve got some thinking to do 😔 Thanks also for the gearbox comments.

11 hours ago, Harris90 said:

Thanks for the reply @Neb_engineer, that’s appreciated. I had read about the independent rear suspension only being available on certain models and was glad the diesel estate had it (my 3.5 has it so going back to fixed beam did seem a bit of a backwards step).  Damn…you’ve really thrown me with the wet belt. For some reason I had convinced myself the 2.0 diesel had escaped it…really don’t want to go down that road as I tend to keep cars 5+ years and it’s just a headache I don’t need. Guess I’ve got some thinking to do 😔 Thanks also for the gearbox comments.

Post 2016 320d touring xDrive, you won't regret it and will actually get 55 MPG when not towing

B47 fantastic 2.0 Diesel, no chain issues

Best auto transmission in the world (ZF8)

Must admit @DaveT70 the dream is a G31 5 series touring. But that really is a dream.  Will happily take a look at the 320d Xdrive but have a feeling anything in budget will have a mileage that’s getting a bit high for me to be comfortable. 

Just now, Harris90 said:

Must admit @DaveT70 the dream is a G31 5 series touring. But that really is a dream.  Will happily take a look at the 320d Xdrive but have a feeling anything in budget will have a mileage that’s getting a bit high for me to be comfortable. 

Not pre 2019, it won't cost much more than a MK4 Focus