Ford Focus 1.8 tdci

germanicus

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1180421

What do ye think of this car? i will be starting a new job soon and will be putting up fairly high miles -hence the need for a diesel. Always admired the mk1 focus Tdci. Any one have any opinions on them? eg problems etc.

Drummerboy08

I think that may be the older 1.8TDDi unit, not the TDCi unit. May be wrong though...

germanicus

I'm more interested in opinions on the car in general not just that specific one.

Drummerboy08

The focus itself is a solid car. Nice to drive, usually reliable.

I'm not sure of the reliability of the TDDi unit though.

GTE

The TDDI unit is meant to be rather bad. I dont think the poster who replied about the engine was talking about the exact car just mentioning the fact its a different engine then what you think.

The TDDI and TDCI seem to be worlds a part in terms of performance. Also, the TDCI's seem to be prone to some problems.

The focus generally is a pretty good car, just the TDDI engine I think would let it down. Especially if you have a heavy load.

I was in the market for a diesel estate a while back and I had some research done on the TDDI and TDCI which all pointed towards walking away from the DI and finding a CI.

germanicus

So the TDCI is the one to go for then?
They seem to be as rare as hen's teeth in hatchback form.
Are they capable of high mileage?

GTE

Yeah, I would go for a TDCI over a TDDI.

If you find a well maintained one Id say you should be in for a good experience with the car and high mileage. However, I have read of problems with the TDCI. I cant expand on them however. When I was looking it up I ended up going for a VW TDI over a Ford TDCI but that was over 6 months ago so I cant give you my exact reasoning. My memory is going at 20 haha. God help me

EDIT:
Personally, and I do speak with bias.

If you want a diesel and you want a lot of mileage then I would look at an older generation VAG TDI.
The TDCI and the newer TDI (both around 2002 - 2005) all have new fangled bits and bobs and thingamajigs that if not very well maintained can cause problems. Oil is the big thing with these newer TDI's.

Although it still needs to be well maintained an old school VAG TDI from about 2000 should serve you very well. I have read of some with more then 300k miles, even an American highway cruiser from 2000 with 900k :O :O:O

All well maintained means is serviced properly and on time.

germanicus

I expect they have the dreaded DMF problem so common in CR diesels nowadays:mad: i suppose i'll just have to factor it in - it seems inevitable.
4k seems about the average pdice for a clean one - Am I right?

Incidentally what price could i expect to get for my current 1. 4 2001 focus with 140000 miles and full NCT?

bazz26

Most of the TDCi Focus sold down here were Ghia saloon models, mostly from 2002 to 2004. A TDCi hatchback is very rare here, on the contrary though up North they are plentiful so this might be an option for you.

The TDDi is a pretty old unit but from what I heard they give very little trouble, old school technology meaning no common rail injectors or dual mass flywheels to fail. Downside to that is that they are unrefined, noisy and sluggish.

The TDCi is an updated version of the TDDi but has common rail injectors, dual mass flywheel may need replacing on the TDCi engine at over 100k miles, an expensive job.