Petrol vs Deisel Focus?

[J4MES]

Agreed - you'll find the Skoda is down on quality (interior) too.

[BerZerk]

I'm looking to get a Honda Accord 2.2i CDTI... Having done a test drive today.. I'm impressed with the acceleration and quietness.... Didn't even notice it is a diesel engine

[kalniel]

"TDCI 130bhp engine may suffer from starting problems and uneven idling, may misfire between 1,800 and 2,000rpm, may sometimes cut out and may not be particularly economical with 42.5 mpg fairly typical. Partially cured by a an ECU software download, but head and injectors have also been modified on later cars.
Also reports of the TDCI smoking and of high oil consumption, which may be turbo oil seals.

Reports of problems with camshaft position sensors of TDCI 130s. Spate of clutch and dual-mass flywheel failures on 2003 built 2004 model year TDCIs. Starting problems with diesel may be due to impending clutch failure. Iron filings from failing dual mass flywheels can get into the starter motor and cause starting problems. 13/10/07 Voluntary Recall letter to some owners of TDDIs and TDCIs to replace faulty dual mass flywheels. Ford will sometimes contribute to the very high replacement costs of dual mass flywheels and clutches if the car has done less than 45,000 miles.

TDCI injectors seem to be very fuel sensitive. Many have needed to be replaced after 3-4 years and circa 60,000 miles. Report of turbo oil-seal failure in 2.2 TDCi turbo caused engine to run on its sump oil and self-destruct. Bill for replacement engine, turbo, catalytic converter, exceeded £7,000."

~ HonestJohn

So actually any of the diesels we're talking about are going to be fine.

[GavinS]

Not really, since they still use the same injectors in the lower powered versions that are just as susceptible to failure as in the higher powered versions.

[Guy]

The might use the same injectors, but the reported cases of failures on the focus's are much lower than that of the 2 litre TDCi's in both 115 and 130 forms. Also in the new shape Focus's (Foci?) isnt it a further development of the TDCi so lower litre, but similar performance and economy? Almost the start of the 2nd Gen TDCi's

[Guy]

Also the failure rate of the 2 litre TDCi's is GREATLY over exagerated, yes there are horror stories but its the same with what ever car you have, there are always issues with specific things, as long as the car has been properly serviced, not abused to much, then theres no reason to suggest the injectors will fail.

[joshwa]

Well I've changed my thoughts again... I've spotted an awesome looking BMW 325 2000 model estate with 2.5 litre petrol 192bhp for around £3.5k with £180 tax and lowish mileage - so I'd either go for a pre 2001 petrol BMW estate with big engine (as we do 8000 - 9000 miles a year so don't need deisel) or buy the newest 05/55 estate deisel I can get (for the cheaper tax, and better mpg) with the Focus 110TDCI 1.6 still looking the most appealling.

... first I'd have to sell my Passat, which doesn't seem to happen in the current market.

[Howard]

Good idea, but get a 328i instead. Same running costs as the other lesser, slower 6cyl engines

Selling the Passat should be hard in this current OMGMUSTBUYADIESEL, MPGSLOL climate, so perhaps you're pricing it too high?

[kalniel]

Wasn't the reason you wanted rid of the passat something to do with high maintenance costs? I can't imaging a BMW is going to be any cheaper to service and/or fix.

I'm also surprised - I'd think any diesel would sell at the moment, pretty sure my cars at least holding, if not increasing in value at the moment.

[joshwa]

Good idea, but get a 328i instead. Same running costs as the other lesser, slower 6cyl engines

Selling the Passat should be hard in this current OMGMUSTBUYADIESEL, MPGSLOL climate, so perhaps you're pricing it too high?

Are the both straight 6's? there doesn't seem to be much difference in spec 192bhp vs 193bhp, 7.9s vs 7.1s 0-60, 245nm vs 280nm torque - the 330i seems to give a more noticable jump in performance: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/...px?deriv=18914

Yes definitely priced too high at the moment I'm planning on reducing the price shortly.

[Howard]

It's quicker than that, there's a good difference between the two. I expect a good 330i would be out of your budget, but if it's not, then yes that's the one you want

Kalniel's right though - they'll cost more to run than a Passat although it won't be an outlandish difference

[joshwa]

Wasn't the reason you wanted rid of the passat something to do with high maintenance costs? I can't imaging a BMW is going to be any cheaper to service and/or fix.

I'm also surprised - I'd think any diesel would sell at the moment, pretty sure my cars at least holding, if not increasing in value at the moment.

I had a Passat TDI from 2006 - 2007 and sold it for the same price as I bought it for. I've had my current passat from 2007 - now and I think it's likely to sell for £1k less than I paid. Prices are definitely lower on autotrader - and it's mainly the dealers that have reduced prices on everything.

[Fortunate Son]

1.6 petrol is quite quick and smooth, diesel focus is basically a tractor

[kalniel]

1.6 petrol is quite quick and smooth, diesel focus is basically a tractor

Based on what? The reviews don't seem to agree:

Ford have equipped the new Focus diesel with decent engine soundproofing. So much so, that you'd never guess that a diesel engine was under the bonnet unless you get the engine revs up for overtaking or rev the engine hard in the lower gears. Then, and only then will you hear the diesel engine noise.
.
.
The all-new French designed Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI engine is incredibly quiet too, even when starting it from cold. Gone is the familiar diesel rattle of my old Direct Injection 2.2DTI Vauxhall Vectra, as the clever Common Rail Fuel Injection System delivers small charges of vaporised fuel over a longer period to increase combustion efficiency and to significantly reduce engine noise, which was one of the problems of older, less refined TDI direct injection diesel engines.

[Fortunate Son]

Based on what? The reviews don't seem to agree:

The two i have drove, the Diesel was an appalig car albiet it was the bottom of the range model. The trim was also a lot worse than the astra that i had at the time which was 8 years older

[hitman67]

The TDCi motor is a cracker, I've been running the 1.8 since the middle of this year now and I have yet to fault. 115 willing horses on tap, once warm it settles down to a tickover a Petrol would be proud of. Having driven both this and a 2.0 Focus on the same age, the TDCi felt more at home on the roads where the kick was delivered lower down the range.

Got to admit the FOcu has passed every expectation I had of it, Handling is fun enough without the ride being solid, It gives me a good 45-50 to the gallon, and that's driving like I've knicked it most of the time. I've seen off cars that you really wouldn't expect, especially with Diesel badges on the boot.

Bearing in mind the popularity of the car has driven the prices down down down, they really are a gem. The other day I saw an 06 Studio spec 1.6 TDCi Estate for £3150 with average mileage!