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Ford Focus Mk2 1.6 - Diesel or Petrol Performance

  • 13-01-2012 06:39PM
    #1
    Lightsaber
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14 ✭


    Just wondering if anyone here has any advice as to which of these engines are nicer to drive?
    What are the respective times for 0-100km/h and which car would be more comfortable overtaking on national primary routes/motorways?

    I do around 300 kilometers of motorway driving a week so I'd be leaning towards whichever engine is more comfortable/enjoyable with this type of driving.

    And before anyone starts (!), I'm well aware as to the potential DMF problems with the diesel and how diesel in general is only economical at over 15k miles per anum. I'd do somewhere between that and 20k so my choice would be influenced as to which engine, put simply, is nicer to drive on the motorway.

    Thanks for the help!


Comments

  • #2
    EPM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,822 ✭✭✭✭EPM


    I find the midrange of a decent turbo diesel very useful for motorway driving. The peak power is exactly where you need it.


  • #3
    Lightsaber
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14 ✭Lightsaber


    Thanks for that EPM. I had heard that but also that the diesel can be a bit sluggish on pickup?

    Anyone have any thoughts on the 1.6 petrol engine?


  • #4
    steveh1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41 ✭steveh1


    I drive a 1.6 115 version and i find it good to drive easily able to overtake cars at motorway speed. Its quite good to drive on the back roads if you keep the rpm's over 4000, on the m50 at 100k it does about 5.8l/100km and my average is about 7.5l/100km.
    i find this site good to check out 0-100's of cars parkers.co.uk


  • #5
    David09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 541 ✭✭✭David09


    Did the mk2 come with 1.8tdci as an option? Might be a better engine.


  • #6
    George Dalton
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭George Dalton


    Similar thread here which has some opinions on the pros and cons of petrol vs diesel and 1.6 vs 1.8tdci:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056485712

    If I was in the OP's position I would buy diesel.


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  • #7
    Lightsaber
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14 ✭Lightsaber


    Thanks for the feedback.

    George Dalton: Would your preference for diesel be due to reasons of performance or economics?


  • #8
    L-M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,694 ✭✭✭✭L-M


    Drove a 08 tdci last week, was very underwhelmed to say the least. Power was there ish at the 100-120 but it was dead at lower speeds, lots of flat spots and lag.


  • #9
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,488 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    1.8 TDCi engine block originates back to the old Sierra.


  • #10
    166man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,575 ✭✭✭166man


    Isn't the 1.8TDCI supposed to be more reliable than the 1.6TDCI?If so then remember there's much to be said about reliability.I would probably sacrifice some refinement and mpg for the more reliable engine.


  • #11
    Leonard Hofstadter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,541 ✭✭✭Leonard Hofstadter


    bazz26 wrote: »
    1.8 TDCi engine block originates back to the old Sierra.

    It actually dates back to the Mk3 Escort:eek:! The Sierra didn't get that engine until 1989. The Escort and Fiesta were available with a 1.6 diesel back around 1983, the 1.8 that the Sierra used was derived from this engine.

    The 1.6 is every bit as reliable as the 1.8 if you service it on time and use the correct oil. Its reputation for being less reliable is because of the mass stupidity that exists among some Irish motorists. As any mechanic will tell you, and problems with the 1.6 are down to owner neglect (lack of servicing at the appropriate intervals with the correct oil). When you think about it the 1.6 TDCi engine is used in everything from a Mini to a Volvo S80 so there are loads of them around and as a result you're more likely to hear horror stories due to the sheer number of cars with that engine than you would hear horror stories about an engine that is not that common, like say a Merc six cylinder diesel.


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  • #12
    George Dalton
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭George Dalton


    captainspeed wrote: »
    The 1.6 is every bit as reliable as the 1.8 if you service it on time and use the correct oil. Its reputation for being less reliable is because of the mass stupidity that exists among some Irish motorists. As any mechanic will tell you, and problems with the 1.6 are down to owner neglect (lack of servicing at the appropriate intervals with the correct oil).

    I agree completely with you. And for the reasons you outlined above when someone is buying secondhand the 1.8 is a safer bet.

    Neglect the 1.6tdci and you will have reliability issues guaranteed. The problem is that very often the first owner is the one who neglects the car but they aren't the ones who suffer the consequences. The problems only surface 3 or 4 years down the line when the car is owned by someone else who may be perfectly on top of maintenance but it doesn't matter because the damage has already been done.

    Neglect a 1.8tdci to the same extent and you most definitely won't see it with turbo failure at 100,000km like you will with a 1.6. The engine is a very old and simple design you mentioned and unlike the 1.6 it can take a lot of abuse before it will bite back.


  • #13
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Even 1.6s serviced on time with the correct oil might not have had the filter and oil drained properly so they are a risky enough proposition, the 1.6 petrol will do 40mpg easily so I don't see the need to go for a diesel model.


  • #14
    L-M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,694 ✭✭✭✭L-M


    RoverJames wrote: »
    Even 1.6s serviced on time with the correct oil might not have had the filter and oil drained properly so they are a risky enough proposition, the 1.6 petrol will do 40mpg easily so I don't see the need to go for a diesel model.

    From talking to a Main Dealer the sumps have to be dropped and cleaned out every 2-3 services.

    Think they only found that out recently themselves.

    Plus the little filters on the oil lines to the turbos of course.


  • #15
    166man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,575 ✭✭✭166man


    RoverJames wrote: »
    Even 1.6s serviced on time with the correct oil might not have had the filter and oil drained properly so they are a risky enough proposition, the 1.6 petrol will do 40mpg easily so I don't see the need to go for a diesel model.

    40mpg easily in a 1.6 Focus? I dunno about that now, that would take some serious careful driving to easily get 40mpg.


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