Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more

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Tue 3 Apr 2012 17:51
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - tdc

A mate has asked me to put up a question regarding replacing his Estate with a newer vehicle.

He currently drives an `04 plate Focus Estate which has covered 125,000 and has never given any real bother in the four years he`s owned it and returns excellent MPG.He`s moved all sorts in it including 3-seater settees.

He has five grand plus the Focus to play with.What`s available on the market as far as Estates are concerned nowadays?He`s looking for same or better fuel economy,space,reliability,cheap replacement spares.

Thanks.

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Tue 3 Apr 2012 18:27
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - MikeTorque

Worth considering a Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi or 1.8 TDCi mk2 08 reg onwards (i.e. the upgraded model). It's a lot more refined than the 04 model mk1 or mk2. Go for a non-zetec chassis and you'll get a much better ride/comfort.

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Wed 4 Apr 2012 10:12
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - ChannelZ

Only issue with the 1.6TDCI is the expensive DPF replacement at the 72k service. The 1.8TDCI is an ancient old lump, based on the 1.8TD from the Escort, so is pretty much impossible to break.

Best of both is a DPF removal on the 1.6TDCI, usually about £400. Better fuel economy, no Eolys fluid to replace, no fuel economy killing regens.

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Wed 4 Apr 2012 15:16
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - Alan

I have no experience of the 1.6 but I understand that untl 09 the 90 Ps 1.6 diesel didn't have a dpf unlike the 110Ps. The fuel consumption of both is meant to be very good.

From bitter experience I would not touch the 1.8 with a barge pole.

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Wed 4 Apr 2012 15:35
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - BenG

Kia Cee'd 1.6CRDI estate? I understand it does not have a DMF, and that pre-2010 models don't have a DPF either, and it has a chain cam. About the same size as the Focus.

As for the 1.8TDCI Focus, I had one for 5 years and it was a decent motor! The 1.6TDCI seems to have more issues with leaking injector seals leading to turbo failure - see 'Technical Matters'!

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Wed 4 Apr 2012 15:37
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - MikeTorque

I have no experience of the 1.6 but I understand that untl 09 the 90 Ps 1.6 diesel didn't have a dpf unlike the 110Ps. The fuel consumption of both is meant to be very good.

From bitter experience I would not touch the 1.8 with a barge pole.

Would you clarify what your bitter experiences of the 1.8 have been ?

You're right the 1.6 TDCi 90ps didn't use to have a PDF.

I would take issue with the suggestion to remove the DPF, this woud mean an MOT failure and hence render the car unfit for road usage. The DPF only needs replacing if it becomes faulty or malfunctions, although it's recommended to change it at the 75k service it's not compulsory.

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Sat 7 Apr 2012 16:45
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - tdc

Much appreciated chaps,sounds like sticking with the Focus could be the way to go,maybe an `08 1.6 without the DPF?

Anyone removed a DPF and decoked it,or isn`t it that simple?

How long do DMF`s last under normal usage....I expect they get replaced when the clutch does,yes?

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Sat 7 Apr 2012 23:13
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - MikeTorque

If you want a reliable car then I suggest you get one and then don't screw around with it.
You can get an 08 reg. 90ps non-DPF Focus, otherwise the 109ps has a DPF.

A DMF can last the lifetime of the car or fail within 10k or so, a lot depends on how the car is driven or if it's a used car how it's been treated by the previous owner(s), or a DMF can fail for some reason or other.

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Sun 8 Apr 2012 14:10
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - skidpan

We had a 1.6 TDCi 110 ps Euro 3 (no DPF) excellent car, never went wrong in 5 years. All 1.6 110 ps from 1st Jan 2006 will have a dpf whereas the 90 ps ones dont but although I have never driven one a 90 ps does not sound particulary exciting, the 110 ps is no racing car. When we swapped we tried a 1.8 TDCI, never had dpf's fitted but it was slow and noisy compared to our 1.6, walked away. Finally eneded up with a Ceed SW. Up to 2011 the 1.6 CRDi model had no dpf and you may just get one for your budget. Way bigger than the Focus, more comfortable, more refined, faster and more economical. Add to that they all come with a propper 7 year warranty instead of Fords joke warranty.

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Sat 21 Apr 2012 18:20
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - tdc

Thanks for the details on `08 Fous Mike.You`re talking to the wrong bloke re screwing about with anything mechanical...ex Agricultural mechanic,heavy plant/quarry mechanic,welder,motorcycle shop mechanic,civil engineering,MOT tester,car mechanic(technicians I think they`re called nowadays)

You`ve pointed out the main worry with 2nd-hand ,and that`s how they`ve been treated/driven by the previous owner/s.Will go with him for test drive and look over,so will hopefully pick up anything drastically wrong.

Skidpan,thanks for the Focus model info and the Kia plug,looks interesting.Are they really more economical than the Ford?Not sure he needs the extra performance,minor speeding infractions have already added 9 points to his licence,any more may lead to him having an infarction!Will pass the info on and report back as soon as he`s made the change.

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Sat 21 Apr 2012 19:04
Ford Focus TDi Estate - Reliable Diesel Estate required....once more - skidpan

Skidpan,thanks for the Focus model info and the Kia plug,looks interesting.Are they really more economical than the Ford?

My measurements say it is but not by much, probably 2 or 3 mpg.

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