New car dilemma, fix or swap?

[Hullabulloo]

Hi all, new to the forums but desperate for some advice. I have just bought a 2013 focus 1.0 Turbo eco on 45K.

I noticed a winning from the front nearside on engine load namely hill starts. I took it back to the garage and they diagnosed low gearbox fluid.

They drained and replaced and said it was better and no swarf was in the oil coming out. The noise is better but not gone. I was under the impression the unit was maintenance free and told them my concerns.

I've now been offered a fix, new box and clutch or swap the car.

What would you do?

Thanks

[griffithsbilly86]

Swap for a car with a bigger engine like a 1.8 or something like that. Sorry I just don't understand why you would put a 1ltr engine in a car that size. Asking for trouble I'd say I mean just think how hard that poor little engine has to work. I but its had it by 80 - 90000 miles.


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[alexp999]

If there is nothing else wrong with the car I'd go for new box and clutch. If you swap it, you could inherit other problems.

Unless you've lost faith in the place you got it from?

 

3 minutes ago, griffithsbilly86 said:

Swap for a car with a bigger engine like a 1.8 or something like that. Sorry I just don't understand why you would put a 1ltr engine in a car that size. Asking for trouble I'd say I mean just think how hard that poor little engine has to work. I but its had it by 80 - 90000 miles.


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Have you actually driven one? The 1.0 performs really well in the Focus, particularly the 125PS with 6 speed box. There is no 1.8 option for the Mk3 Focus, it's a 1.0 or 1.6 Ecoboost. (other than the ST). I'd take the 1.0 ecoboost over the old 1.8 Duratec any day.

[usersteve]

Take the new box and clutch if its the car you want. Only 45k its not alot of millage at all. Or take the other car and potentially find problems with that too. The joys of second hand motoring. Really is down to the car your happy with

[griffithsbilly86]

I've not but I know that if you work an engine hard it won't last. I've heard they perform well. I would never have one though. I'd go for a 1.8-2.0


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[alexp999]

Just now, griffithsbilly86 said:

I've not but I know that if you work an engine hard it won't last. I've heard they perform well. I would never have one though. I'd go for a 1.8-2.0


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They are built to withstand the boost and higher performance. There is no 1.8-2.0 option for the Mk3 Focus. They've been down-sized and turbo charged and are all the better for it imo.

[dezwez]

swap

[griffithsbilly86]

Fair enough st or diesel it is for me then lol


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[dezwez]

I would have the st

[alexp999]

Even though the ST is 2.0, it puts out 250PS, which is exactly the same amount of power per litre as the 1.0 Ecoboost. So worked about the same?

[griffithsbilly86]

A bigger engine can cope with it and the st engine will have better internals then the eco as it's a performance car.


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[alexp999]

4 minutes ago, griffithsbilly86 said:

A bigger engine can cope with it and the st engine will have better internals then the eco as it's a performance car.


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Not always true, the 2.0 ecoboost is known to have chocolate pistons if you try and increase power too much. The 1.0 ecoboost is very well engineered and designed from scratch for boost and high performance at this displacement. I hear more about the 1.0 wrecking the gearbox it's attached to than problems with the engine itself when tuned.

The 2.0 is based on an old NA Mazda design, never originally meant for boost, but it's been tweaked and modified to support it. The 2.0 also isn't a performance engine, it's just a Mondeo/S-Max size engine, put in a smaller car.

[griffithsbilly86]

I stand corrected then [emoji23]


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[Hullabulloo]

Thanks guys, quite mixed responses. 

I have the 125bhp titanium, it's silent, drives well and I was very surprised by the pull from the 1ltr through every gear. The 3cyl sound throaty too lol

I'm sure I read there's a 30sec extra hp boost for over taking etc, not sure if that's true but it shifts! No 200bhp monster but great fun when I want it.

Still undecided but the garage have said they need to fix it if I keep it or not, I've agreed to let them and see how it drives and how I feel afterwards. They did offer an extended warrantee too.

My other choices on the forecourt are focus 1.0T zetec 2014 BLK 45K or a Suzuki swift sport 1.6 2015 20K.

 

[alexp999]

What trim level is your current car? I.e. Zetec, Titanium, etc.

What version of the 1.0 is the Zetec you could swap for? If it's not the 125 PS, it won't have the 6 speed box (which is much better than the 5 speed imo).

[usersteve]

You get your new box and clutch then drive it to see if your happy plus an extended warranty thrown in. Sounds a decent place your dealing with. At least clutch and box is 2 major issues ruled out for problems and the warranty gives you peace of mind. Better the devil you know id say

[Hullabulloo]

Thanks both, you are right Alex, I've got the 6sp 125, the black one may well be different.

Steve you are bang on the money, think you've convinced me to get it fixed.

Great car, new box and clutch and the extra warrantee, it is a great garage and the after sales manger said all the cars coming back in are mercs and vw's, Ford's aren't in that often. This issue was so bizarre he'd contacted Ford for a second opinion.

I'm now waiting for a date to take it in, the Dacia logan courtesy car I had yesterday (OMG) is being swapped for a golf GTI for 2wks till she's fixed.

Fingers crossed!T

Thanks all for your advice, I'll post what happens next and how I get on soon

Cheers

[Hullabulloo]

A quick update!

I had the car back Friday, rebuilt box, new clutch and Dmass fly. It's runs great, no sound and feels very smooth. Asked for all the invoices as the car went to a box specialist and in all £1600+. Needless to say I'm very happy!

So much so i sent a quick mail to the guys at superchips... But that's another topic all together lol.

Their reply might help others here though so here it is, (My concern was weather the gearbox could take the increased torque)

"There are plenty of forum rumours and doom mongering regarding the 5 speed transmission used in the Fiesta and 100PS Focus but as far as we have seen the supposed issues do not affect the 6 speed transmission".

Oh dear, a Bluefin is on my shopping list!

Thanks all

Oh yeah, nearly forgot, got an extra 12 months RAC platinum cover thrown in too!

[usersteve]

nice one glad you got sorted, see its not always best to cut and run

I'm also on for the Bluefin next week, let us know how it goes for you