C30 General : Looking to buy C30 2.0 R Design - hints and tips

[mwnp]

I'm finally fed up of the world of the Ford Focus and have decided to buy something more unusual and more stylish, and I've long loved the looks of the C30. Research tells me I want the R Design model, and as I currently drive a 1.8 petrol Focus, I want the 2.0 engine. But I'm unsure of whether to go for a petrol or diesel - I drive about 9000 miles per year, about 1/3 of that is around town and local journeys of 10 miles or less, with 2/3 motorways, dual carriageways and fast A roads. My research tells me that I'd be looking at saving £200 per year on fuel costs with the diesel, and as I'd keep the car for 3 years or so, it's obvious to see what price difference I would be looking at if I was to decide based purely on money. But what are the experiences of members here of the different engines? Good and bad points about each? Maintenece and servicing costs for each?

In addition, does anyone have any more general tips or advice? Anything particular I should be looking for when I view cars and test drive? I'm looking to spend £12-15k. Volvo Selekt makes searching and comparing easy, but do you think it is a good source of cars? Any other particularly good sources out there?

Many thanks for any tips.

[Daim]

You'll have a hard time with a diesel and that lower mileage. The diesel service costs are higher and if you get a DPF version, you'll have that clogged up really quickly...

[mwnp]

Originally Posted by Daim

You'll have a hard time with a diesel and that lower mileage. The diesel service costs are higher and if you get a DPF version, you'll have that clogged up really quickly...

Thanks for the tip. Is there a way to tell if a car has a DPF, other than asking the dealer?

[Daim]

Search the forum There is a digit in the VIN which shows if it has the Euro 4 or Euro 3 emissions and at the same time if DPF or not.

I've had my 2.0l petrol in my C30 now for more than 5 years. I just passed the 100.000 miles today and it runs like day one... Not once have I had to have the engine repaired. Standard service is cheap. Parts are available en masse and it is quiet etc.

[mwnp]

Cheers, looking like the petrol is the way to go. Would you say the 2.0 petrol overtakes well? Quite a lot of my driving is on the way to and in the national parks, so the ability to overtake caravans on A roads matters!

[mwnp]

I just read the VIN trick as you posted your reply! :-)

[Daim]

Originally Posted by mwnp

Cheers, looking like the petrol is the way to go. Would you say the 2.0 petrol overtakes well? Quite a lot of my driving is on the way to and in the national parks, so the ability to overtake caravans on A roads matters!

If you can change gear, then yes

Don't expect loads of torque, as the 2.0l is a classic non turbo multivalve engine so it needs revs... BUT if you change down one or even two gears (the engine likes it ) and floor it, you'll leave a 2.0d standing...

I've not once lacked overtaking power... No matter on which kind of road. I just wished that the speed limits on country roads were higher

Btw. I've tested all engines in the C30. No matter if T5, 2.4i, D5, D2, 1.6 or 1.8F. Even those I didn't mention. The 2.0l performs well. It doesn't have all the torque of a 2.4i but it revs happier and more freely. It doesn't have the possible economical chances a 1.6l petrol has, but isn't much off. It is more economical than a 1.8 (the 1.8 was stated in the first year of C30 production with the same fuel economy as the 2.0l!) and less troublesome. It doesn't have the T5 grunt but nor the T5 thirst. It runs smoother than all the diesels. It has equal 0-62 mph acceleration figures as the 2.0d and D3 (136 hp, 320 nm and 150 hp, 350 nm). It has a higher top speed than the 2.0d and D3 (they both lose grunt at higher revs).

I call the 2.0l the best of all worlds. Economy, power, smoothness, cost effience, etc.

[t5_monkey]

Originally Posted by mwnp

I'm finally fed up of the world of the Ford Focus and have decided to buy something more unusual and more stylish, and I've long loved the looks of the C30. Research tells me I want the R Design model, and as I currently drive a 1.8 petrol Focus, I want the 2.0 engine. But I'm unsure of whether to go for a petrol or diesel - I drive about 9000 miles per year, about 1/3 of that is around town and local journeys of 10 miles or less, with 2/3 motorways, dual carriageways and fast A roads. My research tells me that I'd be looking at saving £200 per year on fuel costs with the diesel, and as I'd keep the car for 3 years or so, it's obvious to see what price difference I would be looking at if I was to decide based purely on money. But what are the experiences of members here of the different engines? Good and bad points about each? Maintenece and servicing costs for each?

In addition, does anyone have any more general tips or advice? Anything particular I should be looking for when I view cars and test drive? I'm looking to spend £12-15k. Volvo Selekt makes searching and comparing easy, but do you think it is a good source of cars? Any other particularly good sources out there?

Many thanks for any tips.

You'd easily lose that £200 in increased maintenance costs on the diesel... go petrol!

The T5 or 2.4 is often cheaper because of it's worse fuel consumption, yet it would take many years to spend the savings on the extra fuel.

I'd say drive a diesel, drive a 2L petrol and drive a T5 then do what your heart tells you.

Specific tips - watch out for wooly steering, crashy ride or clonking (worn bushes) make sure it has a FSH, double check its record / background and walk away if you're not 100% sure its right.

[feltorange]

Irrespective of engine, be prepared for incredible difficulty getting passengers in and out of the back. It really is a coupe. Nice car otherwise.

[mwnp]

Just the two of us most of the time. The rear seats of my Focus get used every couple of months. So the style wins over practicality.