I am looking to buy a cheap runner for work.

More than likely going to be a mk 2 Focus diesel.

There seems to be a lot more 1600 diesels going around than the 1800 diesel.

Seems to be more issues with the 1600 though than there is on the 1800.

Seen a nice wee 1600 diesel with just over 100000 miles on the clock which I was interested in. Its the zetec climate and its seems to be a good price, 3 door model.

Is most of the issues with the 1600 diesel as bad as they are made out or is it just a matter of time before most suffer the same thing. Would I maybe be better off holding out and trying to get an 1800 diesel.

Was suppose to look at an 1800 diesel estate tonight but the guy has put me off till after the weekend.

Don't think he was putting me off because of issues with the car as he told me if I bought it 1st thing this morning we could carry on with the deal but this morning didn't suit me.

Any advice opinions between the 1600 and 1800 would be very much appreciated

Cheers

Dales

Is the 1800 on the mark 2 still basically an ancient engine with all modern bits plugged in? (I say that like it's a bad thing - it's not, it was ultra-reliable in my experience). However, it was heavy.

I heard the same issues with the 1.6, but only here and other forums etc. If you're going 1.8 though, why are you discounting the 2.0 out of interest? 6 speed, not greatly heavier, in (again in my experience) virtually nothing between them MPG wise?

Not many 2.0 litres around my area. mostly 1.6 and 1.8.

I was going for the 1.6 in the 1st place if I am honest. then started reading about some of the issues with the 1.6.

So that sort of threw me a bit.

The 1.6 has DPF and needs topping up with fluid which is a messy expensive job.

They also have a design flaw with the oil pickup for the turbo.

The 1.8 is a more basic engine (8 valve) as opposed to the 16 valve on the 1.6) but is reliable and tough.

You will be served much better by the 1.8.

The 1.6 is a Peugeot/Citroen engine.

The 1.8 is pure Ford.

Is the 1800 on the mark 2 still basically an ancient engine with all modern bits plugged in? (I say that like it's a bad thing - it's not, it was ultra-reliable in my experience). However, it was heavy.

I heard the same issues with the 1.6, but only here and other forums etc. If you're going 1.8 though, why are you discounting the 2.0 out of interest? 6 speed, not greatly heavier, in (again in my experience) virtually nothing between them MPG wise?

Yep, the 1.8TDCi is a 1970's design (I think?) Ford engine which over the years has had bits added on; it's Euro4 compliant and doesn't have a DPF unlike the 1.6.

I've had mine two months, it's definitely not as refined as the 1.6 in terms of noise but pulls like a train. I've managed to achieve a pleasing 56mpg out of it, although it does have it's quirks, most can be sorted with an EGR blank.

Once you get used to the characteristics of the engine it's a pleasure to drive.

The only thing with the 1.8 diesel is the DMF failures and fuel injectors at 100k+ mileages, apart from that it is nice. EGR blank is the first mod to do.

but to be honest if i were to purchase again, id look for the 2.0 tdci. i would love having a 6th gear on the motorway, but then its made by peugeot...

I ran a mk1.5 on original injector until I sold it at 145k - still without any issue. I realise you'll always hear odd stories like this, but I agree its a beast of an engine - in every meaning of the word. Looks like an old engine too once you find it under the common rail and other modern bits bolted on.

Agree it's not as refined, but theres something pleasing about driving it. I went for 2.0 because it had the bits I required on it, plus 6 speed. But given the choice of 1.6 or 1.8... I'd go 1.8 everytime. If it had the 6 box, I'd probably not miss the 2.0!

One thing to add... on the mk1.5 there was 2 version - 115bhp and a 100. Get the 115!

Plus the 1.8 responds best to remapping ;)

Plus the 1.8 responds best to remapping ;)

something i am interested in doing in the next couple of months :D

What mileage will you be doing ?

Car will probably only do about 20 odd miles per day on average going to and from work. plus some local running about. so not really a lot.

The 1.6 is a lot easier to come across where I am though.

Plus the 1.6 I was going to go and look at does look in good nick. Guy sounds genuine enough also.

Lot of the 1.8`s around here have been used as Taxi`s too.

Just like to thank everyone for all their replies.

Wont be bothering about remapping it or anything, just be kept the way it is as all that sort of money goes to the ST,

Might lower it though with the old springs off the ST. Not unless the front springs are more heavy duty because of the hevier diesel engine

Id try harder for an early mk2 2.0 tdci ghia. Brilliant cars

Car will probably only do about 20 odd miles per day on average going to and from work. plus some local running about. so not really a lot.

The 1.6 is a lot easier to come across where I am though.

Plus the 1.6 I was going to go and look at does look in good nick. Guy sounds genuine enough also.

Lot of the 1.8`s around here have been used as Taxi`s too.

Just like to thank everyone for all their replies.

I'd avoid any diesel engine with a DPF on those miles/journeys.

for that mileage, and shorty journeys I wouldn't get a diesel then

1.8 petrol would be fine

Diesels don't cost me anything to run though. :D

but it will give you more bills if its only used for short journeys,

1.6 tdci without dpf driver here... Well.. Currently a Nissan driver.. But 1.6 owner...

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So do you have or had any issues with the 1.6 Ian ?

My mate who looks after my cars actually suggested taking out the dpf.

On a whole though. Is the 1.6 really a risky buy considering the amount of 1.6 diesels on the rd. surely the biggest percentage of them are fine as it tends to be only the bad things we all hear about with any car.

Iv tried quoting on a few posts now but for some reason it dosnt let me do so. Hence why all my replies are not quoting on certain posts like Ian`s above.

Once again, cheers for the replies

Dales

Hi Dales,

I never took the dpf out.. It just doesn't have one... I'm not entirely sure why that is, but I'm not going to question it

I love it and so far apart from a few worn tyres and a gaiter that gave up the ghost... And the rear end of a truck that decided to roll onto the front of mine... All appears to be well...

I'd think of your options though... As much as I love it, I wouldn't mind a bit more under the bonnet... It's nippy, it's light and accelerating at slow speeds is a doddle, but some times you have to really push it when accelerating at the higher speeds which isn't always as fun...

I know you mentioned the distinct lack of 2.0 but I'd be tempted to do some digging for one.. From what I've heard fact that it requires less power to reach the speeds sort of counter balances the fact it's a bigger engine so there isn't much difference between it and the 1.6 in terms of mpg..

I can't speak from experience but that's what I've heard. As for the 1.8.. I've had no experience with this.. But I suppose with all engines there are good points and bad points depending on luck and who has previously owned the car...

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2.0 tdci is quite a thirsty engine, at this time of year I'd get about 38mpg around town, lol.

Only ever averaged about 41-42mpg.

2.0 tdci is quite a thirsty engine, at this time of year I'd get about 38mpg around town, lol.

Only ever averaged about 41-42mpg.

Is 41-42mpg around town or long distance driving aswell?

In my mk2.5... 2.0 I get 51-55 on the clocks, 48-53 on my Road Trip iPhone app.

Clearly it depends on how you drive and where but if you're only getting that maybe you have a problem?

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Trip computer showed around 44mpg, those figures are using fuelly.

I mainly used it for town driving, hence why I now have a petrol as it was always trying to regen.

I got about 50mpg on a long run from Cornwall to Dorset once. The 1.6 diesel is a much more frugal engine, but doesn't have the same grunt as the 2.0.

I have actually owned the 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0. Although didn't really have the 1.8 long enough to make a judgement on it.

Clearly you guys won't be as geeky as me, but here's some stats (the recent drop off is down to a much shorter commute I do now!

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