2013 era Focus/Octavia plus any other suggestions????

Old diesel

Because I'm "into cars" my sister was asking me about her next new to her car this morning.....

Doesn't want to spend big money on a car hence 2013 era....

Some questions......

Is the Mk 3 Focus 1.6 diesel the same engine as the original 1.6 PSA common rail engine and thus to be avoided.

Or is it a later better engine....

Am i right in thinking that with VW group diesels that buying an EA288 engine car is a much better idea because of the dieselgate "fix" a lot of the EA189s will have had.....

Her criteria is essentially along the lines of the following.....

Solid to drive

Reliable

Not silly money to buy

So in this 2013 to 2015 era should she just do the time honoured buy the nicest Corolla, Auris or Avensis* she can get her hands on thing.

Thank you

*avoiding the 2015 facelift Avensis with its BMW engines obviously

teediddlyeye

Can't comment on the ford.

Re the VW engines, I'd actually go with the older EA189 in 2.0 form. Less likely to have issues with injectors/coolant. Change the EGR and they're a good engine.

Old diesel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120824923#Comment_120824923

Very interesting.

Is the coolant issue the silica bag bursting issue????.

Thank you.

bazz26

The Ford 1.6 TDCI engine is an updated version of the original PSA HDI engine. They are supposed to be more reliable than the earlier ones as they reverted back to 8v over the more troublesome 16v unit but your looking at 10 year old cars so reliability will boil down to how it was maintained by previous owners. I'd say the Focus 1.6 diesel would be no less riskier than a VAG 1.6 TDI.

I'd look at the Renault Megane or Fluence of similar vintage. 1.5dci engine is pretty reliable and they are pretty good on fuel, used Meganes can be bought for reasonable money too even in today's inflated used car market. My sister has a 2016 Kadjar with the same engine and it has over 250k km on clock without any issues but she bought it with a good service history.

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120825021#Comment_120825021

That is the coolant issue I'm referring to alright. Although in my experience, all the coolant bottles I've changed have never actually had a burst bag. Seems to be many theories on what causes it. Although thats another discussion, doesn't effect the older engine.

hoodie6029

If she wants to stand out a little bit - Alfa Romeo Giulietta.