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Ford and the griffin.


bub2006

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42 minutes ago, bub2006 said:

No and for that snotty cow earlier saying that their system works fine and they wouldn't tell me to cancel at bank is a joke. I remember ringing up on more than 1 occasion as they had done that numerous times and was always told to cancel it. As for my wife well she never had anything bounce or cancelled it. They only get taken off when car is sold or scrapped. 

I was paying my tax monthly and decided to change it to six months instead. It literally tells you to cancel the DD.

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Mpg on computer has settled around 29.4.  That is less than the c4 but in practice it's better than the c4. So either the c4 picasso was over reading, the focus is under reading or a combination. Getting around 105 mile to 14.6 litres. Not bad to be fair for an auto 2.0 in a hilly area

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On 10/31/2021 at 8:52 PM, Zelandeth said:

I'd say in my opinion the thread title isn't actually far off the mark.

Yes there have been more charismatic, faster, plusher and more exciting cars throughout Ford's history - but the Focus really hit the nail on the head as far as being a cracking all round car that does everything that you ever need a car to do.  While doing so still managing to have a bit of style to it, which still looks as sharp now as the day it was launched I reckon.  Both inside and out.  Focus and the original Ka were both really well thought out motors.

It was absolutely a high point for them.

Seconded. MK1 Focus is good to look at and to drive. I love them. I am now balls deep in a MK2.5 which is a bit fugly. Even the earlier MK2 looks better. Early MK3 too fussy and also frumpy, a bad combination, but MK3.5 sorted it out.

Original Ka really pretty and proper economy motoring. If only they'd put the Yamaha engine in it.

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12 minutes ago, grogee said:

. I love them. I am now balls deep in a MK2.5 which is a bit fugly. Even the earlier MK2 looks better. Early MK3 too fussy and also frumpy, a bad combination, but MK3.5 sorted it out..

I think my mk3 estate is brilliant. 2.0tdci 163 bhp. 50 mpg but goes like stink when you poke it. Very high geared though, and very easy to stall. Titanium X with every extra too so very comfy, but manual handbrake and manual gearbox. Had it 2 years now and it's been great.  Replaced a couple of calipers because binding, but only 30 odd quid. Pain in the arse to service though, especially the oil filter. Just turned 100k..

High beam assist is shite. 

Self parking works very well

Cornering lights are brilliant..

17" wheels would be better as 16s.. its quite low and ride could be smoother

Wood recommend..

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Just now, Barry Cade said:

I think my mk3 estate is brilliant. 2.0tdci 163 bhp. 50 mpg but goes like stink when you poke it. Very high geared though, and very easy to stall. Titanium X with every extra too so very comfy, but manual handbrake and manual gearbox. Had it 2 years now and it's been great.  Replaced a couple of calipers because binding, but only 30 odd quid. Pain in the arse to service though, especially the oil filter. Just turned 100k..

High beam assist is shite. 

Self parking works very well

Cornering lights are brilliant..

17" wheels would be better as 16s.. its quite low and ride could be smoother

Wood recommend..

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I had a MK3 Zetec 1.6 TDCi hatchback (the only new car I've ever had). I wanted a spec much more like yours but £ did not allow. They were doing a free 'appearance pack' (read: residual value pack) on mine so I got 16" wheels instead of 15" which I didn't really want.

Agreed it's a great car but I never did like the blobby lights. Saying that my current MK2.5 is possibly worse to look at, but I prefer the 'high' rear lights in the C-pillar.

What's wrong with doing oil filter on yours? It looks ok on my 2.0 140ps. Have they put Something Awkward on top of it?

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As said before I really didn't rate my 2005 mk2. It was a zetec so maybe a bit better trim would help? Wouldn't mind trying mk2 2.0 auto in ghia spec again just to see what's what apples for apples comparison. My mk1 1.6 saloon was a ghia auto,this 2.0 is obviously auto too but my mk2 was a manual. Found pedals off,box wasn't the best either but again just my opinion. @Barry Cade is the hype about the powershift being a poor designed gearbox and prone to failure true? Asking as you have recovery experience so you might know more than others. 

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1 hour ago, bub2006 said:

As said before I really didn't rate my 2005 mk2. It was a zetec so maybe a bit better trim would help? Wouldn't mind trying mk2 2.0 auto in ghia spec again just to see what's what apples for apples comparison. My mk1 1.6 saloon was a ghia auto,this 2.0 is obviously auto too but my mk2 was a manual. Found pedals off,box wasn't the best either but again just my opinion. @Barry Cade is the hype about the powershift being a poor designed gearbox and prone to failure true? Asking as you have recovery experience so you might know more than others. 

I've had 1 failed poweshift box on the breakdowns,  a 2.0 C-Max.. it had a full history at about 65k. Lost drive after dropping in and out of gear.. strangely enough I was out at the same car a few months later for a flat battery.. asked about it and the large Scottish car dealer chain paid for it to be fixed as they hadn't changed the transmission oil when it was due.. 

The powershift in the smaller engined Fords seem to be the really troublesome ones, big class action suit in America about them.. I think the 2.0 box is far far better?

 

The oil filter on mine... 🤬 this vid explains it..

https://youtu.be/5fIqehWKJzY

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2 hours ago, Barry Cade said:

I've had 1 failed poweshift box on the breakdowns,  a 2.0 C-Max.. it had a full history at about 65k. Lost drive after dropping in and out of gear.. strangely enough I was out at the same car a few months later for a flat battery.. asked about it and the large Scottish car dealer chain paid for it to be fixed as they hadn't changed the transmission oil when it was due.. 

The powershift in the smaller engined Fords seem to be the really troublesome ones, big class action suit in America about them.. I think the 2.0 box is far far better?

 

The oil filter on mine... 🤬 this vid explains it..

https://youtu.be/5fIqehWKJzY

Alot seems to be down to fluid or the clutch packs from what I've seen. Lifetime gearbox fluid has a lot to answer for! Unsure about engine capacity though,I do know apparently these 4f27e boxes are practically at the limit in this 2.0 focus but yet were used in the later 143 bhp focus and mondeo too which had more torque and power. 

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Even better than the Yamaha engine would have been the three pot two stroke it was originally planned to have...now that in that chassis would have been epic fun.

Right next to the Focus for being bloody good at being an car for me but everyone seems to hate is the Fusion.

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My folks had two as Motability cars before switching to Peugeot as the local Ford dealer stopped doing Motability.  Supremely competent little cars, especially the second generation one here which dealt with most of the grumbles we had about the first one.

Only real gripe we had was that it really wasn't great on fuel.  Felt a bit underpowered first few times I drove it until I was out in it on my own the first time and realised how much the 1.6 engine in them loved to rev!  Lovely gear change too.

Dad had problems with both his hips and his back so the high driving position was the main reason we looked at them originally, the rest of the car being well thought out was a bonus.

Was the first time he had ever had a new car (or indeed one not clinging to probably the last MOT it would ever see) on the drive too.

Doesn't have the same design flair as the Focus, but still did a really good job of being a family car.

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15 hours ago, Barry Cade said:

I've had 1 failed poweshift box on the breakdowns,  a 2.0 C-Max.. it had a full history at about 65k. Lost drive after dropping in and out of gear.. strangely enough I was out at the same car a few months later for a flat battery.. asked about it and the large Scottish car dealer chain paid for it to be fixed as they hadn't changed the transmission oil when it was due.. 

The powershift in the smaller engined Fords seem to be the really troublesome ones, big class action suit in America about them.. I think the 2.0 box is far far better?

 

The oil filter on mine... 🤬 this vid explains it..

https://youtu.be/5fIqehWKJzY

Jesus! That's horrendous! How on earth did that get through Service committee? 

These cars are heavily scrutinised for fleet costs. I can't imagine what that faff adds to the labour cost for each 12,000 mile service. 

Worryingly I imagine there will be a fair few that pass through Ford dealers with the same filter in place, while the grunts just suck out the old oil and pour in some new stuff, then stamp the service book.

I did hear an argument that says replacing filter in later life is pointless as the engine has relinquished all the swarf/shavings when it's new. Not something I subscribe to, but when faced with a job like this I'd be sorely tempted to skip the filter change. Bastards. 

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9 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Even better than the Yamaha engine would have been the three pot two stroke it was originally planned to have...now that in that chassis would have been epic fun.

Right next to the Focus for being bloody good at being an car for me but everyone seems to hate is the Fusion.

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My folks had two as Motability cars before switching to Peugeot as the local Ford dealer stopped doing Motability.  Supremely competent little cars, especially the second generation one here which dealt with most of the grumbles we had about the first one.

Only real gripe we had was that it really wasn't great on fuel.  Felt a bit underpowered first few times I drove it until I was out in it on my own the first time and realised how much the 1.6 engine in them loved to rev!  Lovely gear change too.

Dad had problems with both his hips and his back so the high driving position was the main reason we looked at them originally, the rest of the car being well thought out was a bonus.

Was the first time he had ever had a new car (or indeed one not clinging to probably the last MOT it would ever see) on the drive too.

Doesn't have the same design flair as the Focus, but still did a really good job of being a family car.

To my eternal shame, I laughed at my (now departed) father when he bought a Fusion. Typical giffer car, I thought. 

As I've aged my opinion has softened and I agree it's a very practical little runaround. How are they for rust? 

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I rather like the fusion too. Decent space for basically a lifted fiesta in the boot too. Have drove a 1.4 and the was quite peppy. A chap I worked with had his dad's 1.6 auto when he stopped driving and he did say for care work driving locally it was not great on fuel. 

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22 hours ago, Barry Cade said:

I've had 1 failed poweshift box on the breakdowns,  a 2.0 C-Max.. it had a full history at about 65k. Lost drive after dropping in and out of gear.. strangely enough I was out at the same car a few months later for a flat battery.. asked about it and the large Scottish car dealer chain paid for it to be fixed as they hadn't changed the transmission oil when it was due.. 

The powershift in the smaller engined Fords seem to be the really troublesome ones, big class action suit in America about them.. I think the 2.0 box is far far better?

 

The oil filter on mine... 🤬 this vid explains it..

https://youtu.be/5fIqehWKJzY

Here's the oil filter on my MK2 2.0 TDCi. To be fair there are a few bits removed for the gearbox job I'm doing, but even if there weren't it would just be a five minute job. 

Can't believe they got it so wrong for MK3. I'm guessing all that gubbins on top is emissions related.

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3 hours ago, grogee said:

Here's the oil filter on my MK2 2.0 TDCi. To be fair there are a few bits removed for the gearbox job I'm doing, but even if there weren't it would just be a five minute job. 

Can't believe they got it so wrong for MK3. I'm guessing all that gubbins on top is emissions related.

IMG_20211105_111715386.jpg

It's just a plastic bracket that's in the way, but a real hassle to get out.  I blame the French.

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10 hours ago, grogee said:

Jesus! That's horrendous! How on earth did that get through Service committee? 

These cars are heavily scrutinised for fleet costs. I can't imagine what that faff adds to the labour cost for each 12,000 mile service. 

Worryingly I imagine there will be a fair few that pass through Ford dealers with the same filter in place, while the grunts just suck out the old oil and pour in some new stuff, then stamp the service book.

I did hear an argument that says replacing filter in later life is pointless as the engine has relinquished all the swarf/shavings when it's new. Not something I subscribe to, but when faced with a job like this I'd be sorely tempted to skip the filter change. Bastards. 

I listen to a few American mechanics podcasts  and have heard them advise that if the fluid is well past its best  but the transmission is working OK..  DO NOT change the oil, or you will get slippage, as the friction materials are now in the oil. New oil doesn't have this and you will get slip.  Kinda makes sense  but sounds wrong..

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350 miles today in a 70 plate Transit Custom.. Great motorway cruiser , plenty toys, quiet and comfy.. but what have Fords done to the steering and handling?  Steering is dead, no feel at.. front end has no grip (on new Michelins) and pressing on a bit on the A702 it was washing out and flashing the TC light at me... Transits always loved to be hustled and could cover ground more quickly than many decent cars.. 

Sad.

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That looks chodtastic. I loved Henry, my old Mk2 and have really bonded with Eccles, my Mk3.5 as well. Also like the Fusion, I was looking at buying one new in 2006 but the HP payments were too expensive so bought a Fiesta instead which lasted 12 years and 173k miles before bailing due to needing too much spending for the MOT. It is still around according to the DVLA

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well this has just rolled over to 9000 miles so that's about 44 thousand from new and 9000 since since 2011. It seems to be getting better on fuel the more it's used,mpg Computer says 31.7 and manual calculations say nearly 32 which is better than the 28 I was getting when I bought it. Either way it's non too bad for a blacktop zetec auto in the Derbyshire hills.  Fitted towbar too,only used once but its handy to have. 

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I really rate the Mk2, it’s boring and it doesn’t handle as sharply as the Mk1 but it’s still a bloody good car. Ours passed the test on Thursday, only handbrake wanted nipping up. Irritatingly the wings rust like hell and used ones are all rusty as well. In next 18 months I can see me fitting a new passenger wing. It’ll stick out like a sore thumb but it’ll not affect the use ability of the car so I’ll live with it being the wrong colour. 

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19 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I really rate the Mk2, it’s boring and it doesn’t handle as sharply as the Mk1 but it’s still a bloody good car. Ours passed the test on Thursday, only handbrake wanted nipping up. Irritatingly the wings rust like hell and used ones are all rusty as well. In next 18 months I can see me fitting a new passenger wing. It’ll stick out like a sore thumb but it’ll not affect the use ability of the car so I’ll live with it being the wrong colour. 

Exactly the same on my parents Focus, passed it's MOT first time toady and has been faultless for the last 75,000 miles, but the passenger wing is completely shot and all replacements are just as rusty. Should be helping my dad mock up the new wing in the next couple of weeks before it gets painted. Very competent but slightly dull cars.

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My mk2 was a 2005 and I owned that back in 2017 so was 12 years old and had the rusty wings as did my friends 57 plater. I didn't find the mk2 as comfy but like I said before both my mk1 were ghia trims whereas my mk2 was a zetec so not like for like. 

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1 hour ago, sierraman said:

I really rate the Mk2, it’s boring and it doesn’t handle as sharply as the Mk1 but it’s still a bloody good car. Ours passed the test on Thursday, only handbrake wanted nipping up. Irritatingly the wings rust like hell and used ones are all rusty as well. In next 18 months I can see me fitting a new passenger wing. It’ll stick out like a sore thumb but it’ll not affect the use ability of the car so I’ll live with it being the wrong colour. 

Never driven a Mk1 but found my old Mk2 handled really nicely on twisty back roads, that said Eccles my Mk3.5 seems to enjoy twisty back roads as well 

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I’d still like another Mk1, I’ve had 3. Even on the shittest tyres they used to grip and grip. The 1.6 had that sweet spot where it was about right power to  be able to go flat out and not have to lift off much for the corners. People cite the Mk1 Golf GTI as a cornerstone of handling but the Mk1 Focus got it right first off, everything felt ‘right’.

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28 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I’d still like another Mk1, I’ve had 3. Even on the shittest tyres they used to grip and grip. The 1.6 had that sweet spot where it was about right power to  be able to go flat out and not have to lift off much for the corners. People cite the Mk1 Golf GTI as a cornerstone of handling but the Mk1 Focus got it right first off, everything felt ‘right’.

I'd like a go in a Mk1. The Mk2 I had and the current one both feel sure footed too, as though it could be thrown into a corner at pretty much any speed and the car just sorts it out for you. 

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Just now, Eyersey1234 said:

I'd like a go in a Mk1. The Mk2 I had and the current one both feel sure footed too, as though it could be thrown into a corner at pretty much any speed and the car just sorts it out for you. 

The Mk2 drove exactly like a Mk3 Mondeo. The Mk1 was much more harder edged, the steering was sharper, the turn in tighter. You felt a lot more in tune with what was going off at the wheels. It was a bloody brilliant car. I think what made it so good was how streets ahead it was over the Escort. 

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17 minutes ago, Eyersey1234 said:

I'd like a go in a Mk1. The Mk2 I had and the current one both feel sure footed too, as though it could be thrown into a corner at pretty much any speed and the car just sorts it out for you. 

If we meet at a shitefest or something I'll throw you my keys. It handles pretty well for an estate. I think the 2.0 with auto box isn't much quicker than the 1.6 manual but has a fair bit more mid range grunt. 

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