Ford Focus III with mileage - when the new is worse than the old

The “second” Focus won truly popular love: a stylish car with good performance at an affordable price (produced in Yelabuga). It would seem that success needs to be consolidated and the next generation should be better than the previous one. But something went wrong...


It is interesting to look at the statistics: the people, convinced of the excellent performance of the "two", after the release of the Ford Focus III rushed to buy a new product. After its debut in 2011, circulation in the Russian Federation amounted to 82 thousand vehicles, and in 2012 - 92 thousand vehicles. But the following year, the excitement clearly subsided: 67 thousand cars were sold, in 2014 there was a collapse - 28 thousand copies. In 2015, in general, all Ford models were sold in the amount of 38 thousand units.


It is worth noting: in 2014, the car was restyled. However, to say that everything is so bad is still not worth it.

Body

Most models keep it pretty well if the car hasn't been in an accident. One of the reasons for the "longevity" of the paintwork is galvanization. Therefore, rust on the body panels should not be. The only exception is the front top of the roof: here zinc is traditionally saved for some reason.


It makes sense to inspect the thresholds from below, along the seam, where the largest amount of sand and reagents fall. Along the way, pay attention to the wheel arches. Chips on the wings are possible at the points of contact with the bumper. It is worth noting that the "third" "Ford" is much more resistant to corrosion compared to the "second". But nothing good can be said about the thickness of the paintwork. This is confirmed by a service company conducted by the automaker, when in 2015 dealerships pasted over the weak points of the body with a special film, along with tinting at their own expense.

Suspension

The clearance of the car for Russian conditions is too small, so there is always a “chance” to hit both the bumper and the radiator. Many people partially solve this problem by installing spacers in the springs. Thrust bearings can deliver trouble, which give out their "presence" with a characteristic crunch. However, since 2014, Ford has addressed this problem by better protecting the assembly from dirt and water.


A lot of complaints are delivered by the steering rack, which reminds of itself by tapping from under the hood when overcoming bumps. The manufacturer tried to fight this disease, but he never completely cured it. It remains only to put up with an unpleasant tapping. Of the other disadvantages, it is worth noting the wheel bearings, which "walk" no more than 50 thousand km. (on the "second" Ford they had to be changed together with the hub, on the "third" they can be changed separately). But the front struts can withstand 120 thousand km or more.


The rear shock absorbers do not last so long: 50-70 thousand km, in taxi mode, even less - a maximum of up to 30 thousand km. But the suspension arms do not require attention up to 150 thousand km. Then the transverse elements will have to be replaced, the longitudinal ones can be repaired.

Powertrains

Most often on the "secondary" there is an atmospheric gasoline engine with a volume of 1,6 liters (Duratec) with distributed injection, which was installed on the Ford Focus II. The proposed power is from 86 to 125 "horses". Preference should be given to a stronger engine, because with a weak one, the car has rather sluggish acceleration.


Good dynamics is guaranteed by a 125 hp engine. With. But it was not without a “fly in the ointment”: the unit has two catalysts at once. It must be borne in mind that on a used car they are unlikely to be in good condition, and the replacement will result in a round sum. Since 2016, Russian engines have been installed on the third-generation Focuses: they are in no way inferior to imported ones in quality.

Duratec 2.0

This motor has direct injection and has better dynamics than the previous version. However, he also has many problems. Among them are the rapid appearance of soot on pistons and valves, a short life of the high-pressure fuel pump, and clogged nozzles. The motor does not tolerate low-quality fuel and oil.


Of course, Duratec 1.6 will also not put up with bad fuels and lubricants, but the two-liter colleague will “revenge” the owner for savings earlier.

EcoBoost 1.5 and diesel

After the restyling carried out in 2014, Duratec 2.0 was no longer installed on the Ford Focus III. Instead, a 1,5-liter turbocharged engine appeared. However, the confidence of buyers in the car had already been undermined, and the model with an updated engine that had risen in price did not sell well. In a one and a half liter unit, the pump connected through an electromagnetic clutch causes criticism. There are no hydraulic compensators in the timing: every 100 thousand km you will have to adjust the valves.


As for the diesel engine, it can be called the most successful third-generation Focus power unit. This is a 140 hp engine. With. installed only on pre-styling cars. The unit is called Duratorq, but in fact it is a French PSA DW10. The motor does not cause problems: monitor the quality of oil and fuel, change filters in time. The diesel resource with proper care reaches 200 thousand kilometers.


One problem is that it is very difficult to find a Ford Focus III with such an engine on the market and all cars, as a rule, have high mileage.

Трансмиссия

The Forodites made a big mistake by replacing the outdated, but reliable “machine” with the “robot” Getrag 6DCT250 (the second name of PowerShift). The unit itself is not bad: all drives are electric, more reliable. But why the manufacturer put cheap low-quality oil seals on the input shaft is not clear! They begin to flow almost immediately after buying a new car. As a result, the oil got on the clutch discs, which began to swell, "killing" themselves after 30-40 thousand km.



After restyling, the box was somewhat improved, but again, "the sediment remained." What about "mechanics"? Alas! And not everything is in order here: seals cause problems, “thanks to” which the box can remain dry. So is there really no option? There is. These are cars with a one and a half liter EcoBoost, where an “automatic” is installed, as on the Ford Focus II. A good six-band box with a long resource. All she needs is to change the oil every 45 thousand km.

About the electrician

If you buy a "pre-reform" Ford Focus III, it is better not to use ... a glass washer. The motor passes liquid, which neatly flows down the wiring harness and can reach the electronic unit. On restyled cars, this is no longer the case. Another “jamb” of the Fords is a harness coming from a pressure sensor. The interference coming from the wires interfered with the normal operation of the motor. Another miss is the harness from the oxygen sensor located at the back. Here the wires were wiped with thermal protection, "thanks" to which the fan was cut down. The first minus was eliminated under warranty in 2015, the second - after restyling in 2014.

Conclusions

Paradox: in the secondary market, the "third" Focus may cost less than the "second". If you still decide to buy the third generation Focus, it is recommended to give preference to a car with a 1,6-liter engine with a capacity of 105 or more horses with a manual box, which you will have to carefully monitor.



The best option is to buy a Ford Focus III with a diesel engine, but such copies are very rare in the Russian secondary market. And one more thing: regardless of the configuration option, carefully select gas stations - Ford Focus III is demanding on fuel quality.