Mk3 Focus 1.6 EcoBoost
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking at getting something a little more practical, and the current front runner is the above named car. I've had 2 mk2 Foci and really enjoyed them, one being a 1.6, the other a 2.5 ST.
The idea of this car would be just a run around, but having a little poke makes it a little more fun then a run of the mill hatchback. What are they like to drive? I don't expect it to be like mty current Megane, but a decent steer would be nice.
Is there anything to look out for, particularly with this engine? I've messaged a bunch of dealers and I'm honestly surprised about the number of cars that haven't had the timing belt replaced!
Ideally I want a Titanium X, but Titanium will suffice. Looking at spending £5k tops, so earlier cars.
Cheers.
I'm looking at getting something a little more practical, and the current front runner is the above named car. I've had 2 mk2 Foci and really enjoyed them, one being a 1.6, the other a 2.5 ST.
The idea of this car would be just a run around, but having a little poke makes it a little more fun then a run of the mill hatchback. What are they like to drive? I don't expect it to be like mty current Megane, but a decent steer would be nice.
Is there anything to look out for, particularly with this engine? I've messaged a bunch of dealers and I'm honestly surprised about the number of cars that haven't had the timing belt replaced!
Ideally I want a Titanium X, but Titanium will suffice. Looking at spending £5k tops, so earlier cars.
Cheers.
My mother has a pre-facelift 2012 1.6 Powershift. She covers very few miles, still less than 33k on the clock. I have driven it and it feels claustrophobic and the dash is dated. Can't say it has ever made me want one ( though I loved my Mk 7 Fiesta ST) but this is probably my short mother's driving position.
Boot leaks and the lacquer on the front bumper (Mars Red) is lifting quite badly and the headlights get a lot of condensation in them.
Boot leaks and the lacquer on the front bumper (Mars Red) is lifting quite badly and the headlights get a lot of condensation in them.
Master Bean said:
I already knew it was a belt. Thanks anyway. LuS1fer said:
My mother has a pre-facelift 2012 1.6 Powershift. She covers very few miles, still less than 33k on the clock. I have driven it and it feels claustrophobic and the dash is dated. Can't say it has ever made me want one ( though I loved my Mk 7 Fiesta ST) but this is probably my short mother's driving position.
Boot leaks and the lacquer on the front bumper (Mars Red) is lifting quite badly and the headlights get a lot of condensation in them.
I quite like the interior. Don't get me wrong, it's not great, but not bad. Including the dash.Boot leaks and the lacquer on the front bumper (Mars Red) is lifting quite badly and the headlights get a lot of condensation in them.
Shame about the colour, as that's my favourite. But I'm also not that fussy as it's only going to be a run around so anything will do, as long as it's the right spec, condition and engine. I'll do a little reading to see if it's a common issue.
LuS1fer said:
My mother has a pre-facelift 2012 1.6 Powershift. She covers very few miles, still less than 33k on the clock. I have driven it and it feels claustrophobic and the dash is dated. Can't say it has ever made me want one ( though I loved my Mk 7 Fiesta ST) but this is probably my short mother's driving position.
Boot leaks and the lacquer on the front bumper (Mars Red) is lifting quite badly and the headlights get a lot of condensation in them.
LuS1fer, your mother will have the 1.6 Duratec, they didn't make the 1.6 ecoBoost with an automatic box (at least not in the UK). Boot leaks and the lacquer on the front bumper (Mars Red) is lifting quite badly and the headlights get a lot of condensation in them.
I drive a family members MK3 focus 1.6 150bhp ecoBoost quite regularly, and it is a good car, handles well, and is fairly quick for what it is. From a driving point of view, I find the throw on the gearbox a bit long, but then again I'm used to driving more performance-oriented cars. The same engine is used in the Fiesta ST (ok different turbo) so there are lots of companies offering maps / tuning for not a lot of money if that sort of thing interests you. (Mountune do a 200bhp upgrade I think which back in the day came with a good warranty). This MK3 1.6 150bhp ecoboost Titanium definitely handles a lot better than a MK2 2.0 duratec (145bhp) focus that I also drive regularly. (reasonable comparison as whilst the MK2 is a few years older, I've refreshed the suspension all around and had tracking done etc).
If you are buying one, make sure it has had the recall done on the cooling system (upgraded header tank and sensor fitted). You should just be able to take it to Ford for this and as it's a recall they should do it for free. There were some people having cooling issues prior to this recall.
With ours, it has been relatively trouble free other than a wheel speed sensor (easy enough to DIY) and some water ingress into the boot through the rear vents and light cluster (you'll probably need to take the bumper off and silicon these up). Again an easy job to do yourself.
The titanium comes with a reasonable number of features such as climate control, cruise, heated front screen. The TitaniumX had upgraded lights I think along with heated seats. Think they also came with bigger wheels, which may have a negative impact on ride comfort and handling. (but I'd have to drive one to know for sure).
The interiors and NVH are a big step up from the mk2 focus, but I'm not such a fan of the windscreen wipers on these mk3 models.
Overall, I'd say they are a fairly good buy. You'll have a choice of 150bhp or 182, but if you plan to tune it then save your money and opt for the 150.
LeftLake said:
LuS1fer, your mother will have the 1.6 Duratec, they didn't make the 1.6 ecoBoost with an automatic box (at least not in the UK).
I drive a family members MK3 focus 1.6 150bhp ecoBoost quite regularly, and it is a good car, handles well, and is fairly quick for what it is. From a driving point of view, I find the throw on the gearbox a bit long, but then again I'm used to driving more performance-oriented cars. The same engine is used in the Fiesta ST (ok different turbo) so there are lots of companies offering maps / tuning for not a lot of money if that sort of thing interests you. (Mountune do a 200bhp upgrade I think which back in the day came with a good warranty). This MK3 1.6 150bhp ecoboost Titanium definitely handles a lot better than a MK2 2.0 duratec (145bhp) focus that I also drive regularly. (reasonable comparison as whilst the MK2 is a few years older, I've refreshed the suspension all around and had tracking done etc).
If you are buying one, make sure it has had the recall done on the cooling system (upgraded header tank and sensor fitted). You should just be able to take it to Ford for this and as it's a recall they should do it for free. There were some people having cooling issues prior to this recall.
With ours, it has been relatively trouble free other than a wheel speed sensor (easy enough to DIY) and some water ingress into the boot through the rear vents and light cluster (you'll probably need to take the bumper off and silicon these up). Again an easy job to do yourself.
The titanium comes with a reasonable number of features such as climate control, cruise, heated front screen. The TitaniumX had upgraded lights I think along with heated seats. Think they also came with bigger wheels, which may have a negative impact on ride comfort and handling. (but I'd have to drive one to know for sure).
The interiors and NVH are a big step up from the mk2 focus, but I'm not such a fan of the windscreen wipers on these mk3 models.
Overall, I'd say they are a fairly good buy. You'll have a choice of 150bhp or 182, but if you plan to tune it then save your money and opt for the 150.
Great post, thank you LeftLake. Yes the 150 ticks the boxes at the moment, but mapping is definitely not out of the question. I'd get a Zetec S, but the seats and general dash just look poor in comparison to the cars fitted with the Sony stereo, so I'll be trying to opt for the Titanium (or X) with the sports package (believe this are the cars with the larger wheels you mention).I drive a family members MK3 focus 1.6 150bhp ecoBoost quite regularly, and it is a good car, handles well, and is fairly quick for what it is. From a driving point of view, I find the throw on the gearbox a bit long, but then again I'm used to driving more performance-oriented cars. The same engine is used in the Fiesta ST (ok different turbo) so there are lots of companies offering maps / tuning for not a lot of money if that sort of thing interests you. (Mountune do a 200bhp upgrade I think which back in the day came with a good warranty). This MK3 1.6 150bhp ecoboost Titanium definitely handles a lot better than a MK2 2.0 duratec (145bhp) focus that I also drive regularly. (reasonable comparison as whilst the MK2 is a few years older, I've refreshed the suspension all around and had tracking done etc).
If you are buying one, make sure it has had the recall done on the cooling system (upgraded header tank and sensor fitted). You should just be able to take it to Ford for this and as it's a recall they should do it for free. There were some people having cooling issues prior to this recall.
With ours, it has been relatively trouble free other than a wheel speed sensor (easy enough to DIY) and some water ingress into the boot through the rear vents and light cluster (you'll probably need to take the bumper off and silicon these up). Again an easy job to do yourself.
The titanium comes with a reasonable number of features such as climate control, cruise, heated front screen. The TitaniumX had upgraded lights I think along with heated seats. Think they also came with bigger wheels, which may have a negative impact on ride comfort and handling. (but I'd have to drive one to know for sure).
The interiors and NVH are a big step up from the mk2 focus, but I'm not such a fan of the windscreen wipers on these mk3 models.
Overall, I'd say they are a fairly good buy. You'll have a choice of 150bhp or 182, but if you plan to tune it then save your money and opt for the 150.
I had a 1.6 Focus as well as a 2.5 mk2 ST and loved both, had them for a combined 11 years. Great cars. Mk3 looks to be good in terms of kit and general reliability, with some daft issues like door seals and water ingress. All stuff I'm comfortable sorting.
I'll keep looking. Cheers!
Xenoous said:
Great post, thank you LeftLake. Yes the 150 ticks the boxes at the moment, but mapping is definitely not out of the question. I'd get a Zetec S, but the seats and general dash just look poor in comparison to the cars fitted with the Sony stereo, so I'll be trying to opt for the Titanium (or X) with the sports package (believe this are the cars with the larger wheels you mention).
I had a 1.6 Focus as well as a 2.5 mk2 ST and loved both, had them for a combined 11 years. Great cars. Mk3 looks to be good in terms of kit and general reliability, with some daft issues like door seals and water ingress. All stuff I'm comfortable sorting.
I'll keep looking. Cheers!
It's probably just me, but I had a mk3 focus zetec as a hire car once, and didn't get on with the seats on a long journey. Not that it would put me off the right car though, as service history and general condition is more important (and titanium/ titaniumX seats can be had on ebay for not a lot of money)I had a 1.6 Focus as well as a 2.5 mk2 ST and loved both, had them for a combined 11 years. Great cars. Mk3 looks to be good in terms of kit and general reliability, with some daft issues like door seals and water ingress. All stuff I'm comfortable sorting.
I'll keep looking. Cheers!
Just worth noting, the cambelts / water pump are supposed to be done at 10 years old, so look out for a car with this done (or use it as a negotiation point on price). Luckily this is just a standard cambelt, and a lot easier to do than on some of Ford's other cars.
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