Looking At Tdcis Tomorrow, 1.6 Or 1.8?

[Pitmonster]

I started posting on here recently because I'm after a Mk2 Focus TDCi. I'd kind of settled on the 1.6 engine, mainly on the assumption that it would be more economical than the 1.8, plus the 1.6 is a more modern engine - with 16 valves compared to 8 valves on the larger unit.

However as I search Auto Trader and eBay I can't escape the fact that there's so many more 1.8s available for sale so I may have to go for the larger engine anyway.

Even if the 1.6 is more economical, many versions have the dreaded DPF which would need changing in a few years (I'm looking at cars around 5 yrs old, with 50k on the clock). I understand the 1.8s don't have a DPF - so even if I do end up using more fuel that should be offset not having to replace a DPF.

So the question is: If you had £5k for a 5 yr old TDCi Mk2 Focus, would you go for the 1.6 or the 1.8?

[Lenny]

I started posting on here recently because I'm after a Mk2 Focus TDCi. I'd kind of settled on the 1.6 engine, mainly on the assumption that it would be more economical than the 1.8, plus the 1.6 is a more modern engine - with 16 valves compared to 8 valves on the larger unit.

However as I search Auto Trader and eBay I can't escape the fact that there's so many more 1.8s available for sale so I may have to go for the larger engine anyway.

Even if the 1.6 is more economical, many versions have the dreaded DPF which would need changing in a few years (I'm looking at cars around 5 yrs old, with 50k on the clock). I understand the 1.8s don't have a DPF - so even if I do end up using more fuel that should be offset not having to replace a DPF.

So the question is: If you had £5k for a 5 yr old TDCi Mk2 Focus, would you go for the 1.6 or the 1.8?

Having owned a 1.6TDCi for over a year now, and being worrying about the dreaded Dpf,

if I was to buy now I’d go for the 1.8TDCi although the 1.8TDCi is not available over here in Ireland,

only the 1.6TDCi and 2.0TDCi models

also depending on how the 1.6TDCi has accumulated the miles on the clock, you may run in to trouble immediately. As if the car has only done short journeys the duration that the engine has been running may not have been long enough for the car to carry out a full regeneration of the DPF resulting in premature failure of the unit.

also when buying check the top of the boot panel where the rubber hose comes out of the roof and then goes in the boot panel door, as when the boot is closed this pipe forms an elbow which rubs off the body and strips the paint followed by rusting the body Click Here ford tried to rectify the issue on the Mk2.5 by placing a clear rubber patch where they expect the rubber pipe to make contact with the body, however they failed to put it in the correct location on my model, as rusting began two months after purchase from the garage.

Other places prone to rust are the inside fold on the rear arches, and also the bottom corner fold of the doors.

Check the passenger footwell too for signs of stains or damp from leaking, due to a bad seal on the pollen filter this issue can be easily mended the seal can be purchased from ford and is supposed to be replaced every time the pollen filter is changed.

Also the bonnet lock is prone to seizing up on all models, this can be prevented by spraying some WD-40 in the key hole once a month particularly in the winter months where salt and grit from the road can take its toll on the latch, if the lock seizes on you the only way to get the bonnet open afterwards is to burst the grill which can cost up in £200 to replace the grill and lock followed by labour charges from ford.

since you have been on here a while I’m sure you are familiar with other issues that people have found on the model, however the focus is in my opinion the best car on the road with a mix of space, comfort, fuel economy and excellent handling they’re a great car and I still wave mine goodnight and I now own it 17 months

When you buy it don’t forget to join photobucket and upload some pictures. Look forward to seeing it mate. :D

[Pitmonster]

Wow, thanks for the good advice on what to look out for. I really appreciate the help that everyone on the forum has given.

It does look as though the 1.8 is the most sensible choice, as you say. I suppose I'm mindful that it's an 'old' 8-valve design with roots back to the old Escort engines, while the 1.6 is a new 16-valve design with all the benefits of more modern technology. That makes me want the newer engine more, however it could be argued that the 1.8 is 'proven' technology while the 1.6 still has teething troubles etc. There's just more 1.8s out there and often at £500 lower than the equivalent 1.6, so perhaps it's a no-brainer to go with the bigger engine.

I certainly agree with your comments about the Focus being a great mix of space, comfort, economy, handling etc, and I'm certain its the right car for me. Hopefully I'll pick one up soon, and I'll post pictures as soon as I get a car!

[isx600]

When I started looking for my Mk2 I was keen on the 1.6TDCi for fuel economy reasons but after a reading about the turbo failures with this engine for me it was a gamble not knowing how the previous owner looked after the car so I decided to get a 1.8TDCi, old proven engine and I have not been disappointed.

The only gripes I have with the 1.8TDCi is with roundabouts, if you in the wrong gear and low revs you will not go anywhere. The clutch takes a bit of getting used to especially in slow moving traffic but once you get a hang of things it's a great drive. Motorway runs are fantastic!

Good luck with your search!

[catch]

Other places prone to rust are the inside fold on the rear arches, and also the bottom corner fold of the doors.

Check the passenger footwell too for signs of stains or damp from leaking, due to a bad seal on the pollen filter this issue can be easily mended the seal can be purchased from ford and is supposed to be replaced every time the pollen filter is changed.

The above problems only relate to the Mk1 Focus not the Mk2/2.5

However if you were to buy an early build of the Mk2 Focus [05/55] it could suffer from rusting to the lower front wheel arches. Rust which may not break through at the time of purchase, but needs rectifying now. Ford did a fix on 06 builds onwards by adding plastic debris deflectors to the underside of the front wings and side sills running through to the rear wheel arch.

See link to a Fix Thread [ with photo's ]I did on the subject: Known rust problems on mk2 Focus front wheel arches

[Leemaxd]

I got the 1.8 and have never looked back , love it to bits :)

[Pitmonster]

Well I've found one, and paid a deposit! Pick it up next week, and I couldn't be happier

Looked at 3 other cars before choosing this one and it's a corker.

5 years old (registered Oct 06), 1.8 TDCi Zetec (climate), 62k miles but one owner and serviced every year at a Ford main dealer and it's spotless. The engine was sweet as a nut on the test drive, smooth and quiet but pulled like a train. I checked for all the things you guys pointed out, plus a lot more, and there were no issues. Of the cars I've viewed & tested this was the best by a very long way, and the deal was great.

Paid £5k including 6 mths tax, 12 mths MOT, 3 mths warranty, a fresh service including a cambelt (early, I know, but why not!) and a full valet.

Thanks to everyone for your very helpful advice, pics will be up as soon a I collect it :-)

[Barry_]

Nice - Zetec Climate - enjoy the quick clear front windscreen - one of the best inventions ever :P

[kevin lancelott]

The Quick clear is so good its nearly as good as s*x. :P

[Lenny]

Glad to read you got a good deal,

the heated windscreen is the business, perhaps you may like to add a set of heated mist type jets for less than £8

while your in the dealers anyway.

see my guide in the list of guides below my posts for images and video on the modification.

[Pitmonster]

Will definitely be adding the mist jets, my old Laguna has them and they are a lot better.

As my Zetec has the heated front screen does that also mean it will have heated jets? I've already read the guide (very helpful, thankyou) and I believe that some cars have heated jets but others do not. Not a problem if mine doesn't.

As for other mods, I think I'll be doing the LED reversing light (and possibly sidelights) and the smart heating controls. The stereo is the standard Ford 6000 (the older, square, grey type) which sounded fine but I believe the newer model has better iPod integration and can be picked up on eBay for around £60. Alternatively I have a single-DIN Kenwood that has full iPod control and can be linked to the steering audio controls.

I'm not the type of person who goes for performance mods, just want to look after it and give those little tweaks that make it a nicer car to live with.

[Lenny]

Will definitely be adding the mist jets, my old Laguna has them and they are a lot better.

As my Zetec has the heated front screen does that also mean it will have heated jets? I've already read the guide (very helpful, thankyou) and I believe that some cars have heated jets but others do not. Not a problem if mine doesn't.

As for other mods, I think I'll be doing the LED reversing light (and possibly sidelights) and the smart heating controls. The stereo is the standard Ford 6000 (the older, square, grey type) which sounded fine but I believe the newer model has better iPod integration and can be picked up on eBay for around £60. Alternatively I have a single-DIN Kenwood that has full iPod control and can be linked to the steering audio controls.

I'm not the type of person who goes for performance mods, just want to look after it and give those little tweaks that make it a nicer car to live with.

You will have heated jets mate since you have the heated screen and also heated mirrors will be there too.

Cree also have an LED fog light too if you decide to change the lens to clear,

perhaps stick the kenwood up on eBay and then you will get the replacment ford one for half the asking price.

the only performance mod i would trust is the Bluefin remap system at £450 with a K&N Filter ill be waiting a while,

but i dont trust the tuning box's on e-bay not good for the turbo or engine tempature,

just my opinion on them im not trying to agrivate others who have the boxs or clog this gemtlemans thread on a debate about them

what colour is your focus mate

[Pitmonster]

Focus is a pale blue metallic, Mrs Pitmonster did not want a red or black car(!) but colour wasn't really important to me, I was more concerned about condition and service history etc.

Don't have pics yet, but here's a link to the ad on the dealer website. http://www.daviescarsales.co.uk/used-cars/ford-focus-1-8-tdci-zetec-5dr-euro-4-climate-pack-warrington-201137415256481

I'll be keeping the engine standard, my main priority is economy - and even though some re-chips claim to give better economy, you've then got to save enough on fuel to cover the cost of the mod.

[Lenny]

Focus is a pale blue metallic, Mrs Pitmonster did not want a red or black car(!) but colour wasn't really important to me, I was more concerned about condition and service history etc.

Don't have pics yet, but here's a link to the ad on the dealer website. http://www.daviescar...201137415256481

I'll be keeping the engine standard, my main priority is economy - and even though some re-chips claim to give better economy, you've then got to save enough on fuel to cover the cost of the mod.

Nice colour mate,

and your not alone on the Mrs. thing neither were all in the same club there too

my concers on the fuel economy chips would be that the ECU controls the mix of air oil and fuel that combusts in the engine,

cut the level of fuel and you also cut down on the level of oil which lubricates the internals of the engine

but the diesel engine is good enough i used to get 946km on a 50ltr tank with the A/C on all the time driving on a mix

of country roads and motor way driving mostly at 100kph or maximum 140kph

i wasnt trying to save fuel and thats what i was getting out of it.

so its pretty good, im sure your 1.8 will be much the same mate.

[Pitmonster]

The smart heating controls have been ordered from eBay, £25 incl P&P.

Is it wrong that I'm buying accessories for my new car, when I haven't even got the car yet?

I'm also thinking of upgrading the headlamp bulbs - the Osram Nightbreaker seems highly recommended on here.

Can anybody tell me what bulb type I need (H1, H4, H7 etc) and will I need seperate bulbs for dipped beam / main beam?

Thanks :-)

[stretchebung]

Hi new to this forum have only just found it find it useful

Just purchased focus 1.8 Zetec Climate in ink blue i think with the heated screen and the 17 inch wheels which look great only has 23000 miles on 57 plate paid 7k for it

It`s the wifes too

Get good miles to the gallon to which is a bonus as she does a 1000 miles a month.

Happy motoring

[Will Clark IOM]

Hello mate and welcome, I had the same car as you only difference it was black, what do you call good mpg as I could never get anything over 36mpg thing drove me mad haha.