ChrisB

Ooo, any details on the tuning box?

<Fires up AutoTrader to look at Audi A3 values>

What else was in the group test with the Focus? Which model Focus?

Cheers!

[Edited by ChrisB - 10/7/2002 12:29:05 PM]

Flat 4x4

Chris

Don't believe any silly claims.

The difference with a turbo diesel over a turbo petrol is that you can (simplistically) keep adding more and more fuel until you get visible over-fuelling (black smoke).

As I said, take any of the VAG PD engines and add 20% more power and a bit more than that for torque, to be in 'safe' tolerances.
300 lb/ft from a 1.9 130 TDi Ibiza is possible but I wouldn't!

I've had chips and boxes on my diesels. THE benefit with any of the tuning boxes (look through Diesel Car mag - Bromleys are good but not alone) is that you leave the ECU untouched and simply plug in (and unplug before servicing).



[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 10/7/2002 3:50:26 PM]

ChrisB

I see they're doing 0% finance on them.

As good as Evo Mag reckoned?

Steve Perriam

depends wot u looking for m8 ?

and wot u comparing it against ?

i tried the tdci ghia a few months ago.....not that quick, was not impressed by its handling but as the ghia it had all the toys.

if you want a car that size then the golf 130 TDi is a better bet imho (and ofcourse the 150 GT PD is a loony machine for a diesel!)

ChrisB

Looked at the figures for the past twelve months in the Scoob at the weekend and nearly passed out!

0% finance looks good.

How much torque does the 130 and 150 kick out? With the overboost feature, I thought the Focus was around 200 to 230lb/ft?

Not got any figures to hand as I'm out on site today.

Spyder

Not sure about the 130 but the 150 chucks out 236 ft/lb at (I think) 1900rpm. Enough to make TC useless in first and second.

I'll be moving from a compnay Scooby to a TDI 150 later this year. Test drove the Golf and it is an amazing engine - handling's still quite soft though.

ChrisB

Ian Gratton's posted some excellent info on his Golf TDi (150 IIRC).

I'm wondering if the Focus is a bit better in the handling department?

[Edited by ChrisB - 8/29/2002 5:27:42 PM]

Jon1T

130 TDCI in Mondeo punts out 244 ft/lb - they are bloody quick!

brickboy

I've heard that Ford will be introducing an ST version of the Focus TDCi, with the 2 litre 130bhp / 240lb-ft motor from the Mondeo. Due early next year apparently.

Some say the Ford unit is better than the VAG diesels, other say not -- drive 'em both & see what u think

father_jack

Had a hirey one last week, was alright I suppose, great chassis, but dunno what all the fuss about "fast" diesels is about.

Flat 4x4

MPG and long range / cruisability are the strongest points
Have seen 134 in G/f's Mondeo TDci abroad before I realised I we were nearing the redline. And it still averages over 40mpg.

If you pay for your own fuel and do moderate to high mileage they make absolute and total sense.

ChrisB

I've done 27k miles in the last 12 months in the Scoob

Hence re-evaluating things!!!

[Edited by ChrisB - 8/30/2002 3:35:01 PM]

ChrisB

Finally taking one out tomorrow

Torque is 202lb/ft with overboost

Flat 4x4

ChrisB

Both Autocar and TopGear rated the Focus TDci best in their New Megane group tests in the last week. Basically everything about it was good or excellent. Add a plug in (removable) tuning box and you are away !

You could always get an A3 TDi Quattro 130 and chip it to 155bhp.
That way you get to keep the quattro. I had 2 A4 TDi Quattros that were excellent.

ChrisB

Hmm, just added the Ibiza TDi Sport to my list.

300 lb/ft with a chip

Robertio

iTrader: (1)

Chris, I'm getting my Ibiza tdi sport at the end of the month and will be trying to pile miles on it so I can get it chipped ASAP, so I'd have no problems popping down your way at some point, just let us know

BTW, the 6 speed box is only rated to 350Nm (so rumour has it) so I personally am avoiding any chips which exceed this by a large amount. As it stands I'm planning an APR chip, so should be verging on 180bhp and a bit over 250lb/ft. And before Flat4x4 starts about the figures being too high APR were seeing up to 145bhp from standard 130 cars so the increase is probably 20-25%.

ChrisB

Cheers Mr Flat4 New to the diesel tuning game me.

Rob, I found a thread on the TDi on the Seat board today and noticed a familar name What colour have you gone for?

Called into the Seat dealer this afternoon. £13,495 for the TDi Sport (+ £295 for paint), but nothing to add - talk about fully loaded. I had a sit in their demo car and noticed the 6 speed box. Instant "wow"

I was considering the Focus TDCi Zetec which is £13,845 (list). I want air-con, so add the Climate Pack at £650. Like ABS, so that's the Reflex Pack (with TC and side air-bags) at £500.

Thing is, the Ghia TDCi is only £15,845. You get proper Climate Control on the Ghia, discs all round (drums on the rear for the Zetec!) to name but a few of upgrades over the Zetec. Hence, better to go for the Ghia rather than spec up the Zetec.

Hurdle then is the Seat is £2000 cheaper!

Chris.

[Edited by ChrisB - 10/7/2002 10:43:41 PM]

Little Miss WRX

Chris "Ford" B

Robertio

iTrader: (1)

Chris, I get around

I've gone for Glacier blue (the blue-silver colour) but IMHO there is no colour that manages to disguise how ugly the car is I don't know about fully spec'd up, I managed to add a few hundred quids worth of options

I don't know about the Focus, but I'd be saving a couple of grand on a standard spec one by importing it (thanks to the options it is £3k cheaper than UK list) and my local dealers would only offer a couple of hundred off list price (is a 5-6 month wait to import). Might be worth checking out the Focus as Ford imports are normally a few quid cheaper, mind you it is normally possible to get a fair amount off list from a Ford dealer as well.

ChrisB

Cheers Rob. Only thing I'm not sure of are the bonnet lines around the grill. The only factory option on the UK Cars is Sat Nav and I can read a map. Might be useful for getting home from Muppet Camp though

I like the rear end though.

LMW

Chris "Half the insurance and half the fuel bill" B

igratton

the 150 is great

I'm driving derby -> milton keynes -> derby every day at the moment - 175 mile round trip. glad I'm getting avg 52mpg at er.... motorway speeds.

The Cupra 150 with 4wd will be a cracking car - Id have had one if they'd have been out.

But the VW build quality, leather - oh and my lovely Apline stereo and full boston accoustics component speakers is a great place to be for 3 hours a day.

Ian.

Flat 4x4

Robertio

Making no apology for banging on about power outputs (!), my first diesel, an A4 Tdi 1.9 Quattro (110) was rolling roaded at 122bhp before tuning, so I do know what you mean.

The point I was making was in two parts and comes from some past experience before a change of work meant I could afford to fuel a Subaru again !

1) Do not go for one tuner over another that seems to promise a lot more than others, and I'm not naming names.

2) Whilst diesel engines are generally 'tougher', the closer you push the tolerance limits (you mention gearboxes but their are other components), the more chance you have of reducing life. If you rechip to an extent that the power output is hugely different and VERY noticeable to a main dealer, you run the risk of paying out yourself.

On saying all that, at long last, most enthusiasts recognise that the best diesels make good cars to drive and are even better when 'tweaked'.

ps Did you look at Oettinger for the Seat ?

Stuart Taylor

I have just put a deposit down on a TDCi ghia and only paid 13,950 on the road with the reflex pack and climate. I am interested in the chip box. Who does it for this model? and what type of gains can be had.

Stuart

Stuart Taylor

Sorry just double checked and I didnt get the climate and reflex pack as extras because they are standard on the TDCi ghia. The only option thats not standard which is included in the relfex pack is the side impact bags.

Devil's Refugee

Ford Focus Ghia TDCi = £12,995
Ford are doing good deals at the mo

Stuart Taylor

Devil

The one thats £12,995 is only the 100 bhp.
I have check my invoice and I am paying £13,300 for the 115 bhp.

Stuart

ChrisB

The 100 BHP TDCi is replacing the TDDi engine (I think).

Devil's Refugee

Ah, becomes clear.
Quite fancy one (115ps) or the Golf GT TDI (150) but that's hellishly expensive.

Stuart Taylor

You will also find there are quite a few more extras on the 115 bhp as opposed the 100. ie rear disks and climate and a multi change CD. There may also be more. So its worth going for the 115 as opposed the 100 for the extra few hundred pounds.

The only downside is I am having to now wait for mine. It was due in this week but the dealer has phoned to say its delayed until the end of the month due to demand. There isnt any new 5-door Ghias in the country at the moment.

Stuart

father_jack

Yes, kind of - I crashed one on holiday. I failed to "take it out" completely though. The Orion I hit had a mashed bumper, healights, and wing. The Focus had a barely perceptible scratch on the bumper. Recommended

[Edited by father_jack - 11/11/2002 6:57:26 PM]