Focus Handling: Mk1 vs Mk2

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Acedrew - 11 May 2008 17:15 GMT

I've had a Mk1 Focus TDCi Zetec for a few years and found it to be a
particularly good handling motor, with good performance to boot.

I was thinking about getting a Mk2 Focus (or even the latest 2008 facelift
"Mk3"), however having recently driven a couple of Mk2s I'm having second
theoughts.

The handling doesnt feel aywhere near as sharp, plus the performance in the
1.8 petrol versions I tried was less than impressive...

Anyone care to put a good word in for the Mk2 car - esp the 2.0 TDCi model?

TIA

Andy

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Mark Scott - 11 May 2008 18:31 GMT

> I've had a Mk1 Focus TDCi Zetec for a few years and found it to be a
> particularly good handling motor, with good performance to boot.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Anyone care to put a good word in for the Mk2 car - esp the 2.0 TDCi
> model?

I've had a 2.0 TDCi Titanium for 18 months; it replaced a 1.8 TDCi Ghia
which I liked a lot. The Mk2 feels heavier, more solid, and not quite as
sharp as the Mk1 was. On the other hand the extra grunt from the 2.0
engine more than makes up for it, and it is still a very engaging drive.
Also the 2.0 motor is much more flexible and doesn't threaten to stall at
the slightest provocation, which was my major complaint about the 1.8.

The fuel consumption is heavier though. I was regularly getting well over
50mpg from the 1.8, and the 2.0 only manages somewhere in the low 40's
over the same kinds of journeys.

The Titanium trim has been a disappointment too. I was hoping and
expecting it to be at least as well equipped as the Ghia, but less
codgerly. It has some nice additions like automatic lights and wipers,
but it lacks the climate control AC and doesn't even have a low
screenwash warning light, which is just miserly.

I'm now wondering what my next car will be. Somehow I don't think it
will be three Focusses in a row.

Mark Scott

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Acedrew - 11 May 2008 18:37 GMT

Thanks Mark.

Think u have invented a new phrase: "Codgerly"

>> I've had a Mk1 Focus TDCi Zetec for a few years and found it to be a
>> particularly good handling motor, with good performance to boot.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> Mark Scott

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Paul Giverin - 11 May 2008 20:11 GMT

>I've had a Mk1 Focus TDCi Zetec for a few years and found it to be a
>particularly good handling motor, with good performance to boot.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>Andy

I had a 1.6 Mk1 for 8 years (we only sold it three weeks ago). I also
have a Mk2 2.0 TDCi Ghia which I've had for just over a year. The Mk2 is
better in most respects. IMO the handling of the Mk2 is better. The
brakes on my Mk2 are much better although admittedly my Mk2 has discs
all round. It would be unfair to compare the 1.6 petrol engine to the
2.0 TDCi but the 2.0 is a joy to drive.

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website:- www.britjet.co.uk

My photos:- www.pbase.com/vendee

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Michael Heiming - 11 May 2008 20:56 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus Paul Giverin <paul@giverin.co.uk>:

>>I've had a Mk1 Focus TDCi Zetec for a few years and found it to be a
>>particularly good handling motor, with good performance to boot.

>>I was thinking about getting a Mk2 Focus (or even the latest 2008
>>facelift "Mk3"), however having recently driven a couple of Mk2s I'm
>>having second theoughts.

>>The handling doesnt feel aywhere near as sharp, plus the performance in
>>the 1.8 petrol versions I tried was less than impressive...

>>Anyone care to put a good word in for the Mk2 car - esp the 2.0 TDCi model?

>>TIA

>>Andy

> I had a 1.6 Mk1 for 8 years (we only sold it three weeks ago). I also
> have a Mk2 2.0 TDCi Ghia which I've had for just over a year. The Mk2 is
> better in most respects. IMO the handling of the Mk2 is better. The
> brakes on my Mk2 are much better although admittedly my Mk2 has discs
> all round. It would be unfair to compare the 1.6 petrol engine to the
> 2.0 TDCi but the 2.0 is a joy to drive.

Have a 99' Focus 2l petrol and have to admint, though it has
discs all around + ABS, breaks aren't that great, especially on
highways at fast speeds they could do better. Mine has a Sachs
shocks and spring kit (lowered), found the original handling much
to soft up to scaring on the highway.

Also, IMHO it looks more as it should:
http://www.heiming.de/pics/Focus01.jpg

With this modifications it is a pleasure driving, the 2l engine
runs pretty well. Had only driven a 1.6l mk2 petrol Focus once
and it was a tremendous difference how you needed to push it to
get along. Still the handling was not on par, somehow sluggish
compared to my old Focus.

Signature

Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
mail: echo zvpunry@urvzvat.qr | perl -pe 'y/a-z/n-za-m/'

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Tim.. - 13 May 2008 19:41 GMT

>>I've had a Mk1 Focus TDCi Zetec for a few years and found it to be a
>>particularly good handling motor, with good performance to boot.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> would be unfair to compare the 1.6 petrol engine to the 2.0 TDCi but the
> 2.0 is a joy to drive.

I am also thinking of coming back to owning a Focus, as I still miss my Mk1
and an Xtrail just doesnt do the around corners on rails thing very well...

My mileage doesnt warrant a diesel, and given that the 1.8 would be the bare
minimum I would consider -given the mk2 is quite alot heavier- and that the
2.0 petrol apparently is virtually no worse on fuel than the 1.8 and its CO2
emissions keep it in the same tax band as the 1.8 I think thats the one to
go for.

Anyone got a 2.0 petrol and care to post their thoughts?

Tim..

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Jorgen Moquist - 15 May 2008 22:54 GMT

>>> I've had a Mk1 Focus TDCi Zetec for a few years and found it to be a
>>> particularly good handling motor, with good performance to boot.
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>
> Tim..

Have an -05 1.6l tvcti 115 bhp.
handling is very sharp, breaks is superb.
Engine is very good, but not fast ;-)
/Jorgen

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Tim.. - 18 May 2008 08:56 GMT

>> I am also thinking of coming back to owning a Focus, as I still miss my
>> Mk1 and an Xtrail just doesnt do the around corners on rails thing very
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> handling is very sharp, breaks is superb.
> Engine is very good, but not fast ;-)

Indeed which is why the 1.8 is the minimum engine I would consider. My mk1
was a 1.8 and given that the mk2 is a heavier car with only 10hp more, I
think I will need to have the 2.0 for any performance advantage. 167g/km &
169g/km and apparently about 1.5mpg worse for the extra 20hp of the 2.0
makes it a no brainer really.

Now to find a nice 2.0 titanium and slap some ST wheels on it...!

Tim..

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Paul Giverin - 18 May 2008 09:58 GMT

>Indeed which is why the 1.8 is the minimum engine I would consider. My mk1
>was a 1.8 and given that the mk2 is a heavier car with only 10hp more, I
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Now to find a nice 2.0 titanium and slap some ST wheels on it...!

I know you said that your mileage wouldn't a diesel but give the 2.0
TDCi a test drive if you haven't already. Performance wise I prefer it
to the 2.0 petrol engine. Lots of grunt in all the right places.

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website:- www.britjet.co.uk

My photos:- www.pbase.com/vendee

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Acedrew - 18 May 2008 16:57 GMT

I've been looking at the 2.0 TDCi too.

The 2.5 petrol also is appealing, but the asbo/bling styling puts me right
off.

Suppose my ideal mount would be the 2.2 diesel (unlikely to ever find its
was into the focus), else a 2.5 in less hideous trim.

>>Indeed which is why the 1.8 is the minimum engine I would consider. My mk1
>>was a 1.8 and given that the mk2 is a heavier car with only 10hp more, I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> a test drive if you haven't already. Performance wise I prefer it to the
> 2.0 petrol engine. Lots of grunt in all the right places.

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