Purchasing a Focus TDCi

[davocol]

Took the tdci for a drive and as expected it was fantastic, will take a bit of getting used to as the drive is a lot different to a petrol car but I am impressed, the interior plastics are very average but for the price there about right. Hopefully have it next week.

[Turbodiesel]

Originally Posted by davocol

Took the tdci for a drive and as expected it was fantastic, will take a bit of getting used to as the drive is a lot different to a petrol car but I am impressed, the interior plastics are very average but for the price there about right. Hopefully have it next week.

Glad you liked it, yes it is quite different from a petrol I'll need to get used to it as well. Which dealer did you go to for a test drive?

[Bucknaked]

What are the comparasins between the turbo deisel and the XR5?

[davocol]

Etheridge Ford in Ringwood, vic. They had a grey one. I have not driven the xr5 so cant comment but the interior on the xr5 is miles in front of the lx and even the ghia.

[Turbodiesel]

Well it turns out I may have to wait another week, they're still waiting on the parts I ordered :(

Does anyone have or have seen a bonnet protector fitted to an LS Focus?

I ordered one because I do a lot of motorway driving, but what I would really like to know is if they look bad. It looks pretty crap on the Ford website with all those black clips...

[melbzetec]

Isn't there some stick on film you can get nowadays that protects from stone chips, but looks stock?

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

Well it turns out I may have to wait another week, they're still waiting on the parts I ordered :(

Does anyone have or have seen a bonnet protector fitted to an LS Focus?

I ordered one because I do a lot of motorway driving, but what I would really like to know is if they look bad. It looks pretty crap on the Ford website with all those black clips...

Theres a colour coded one as well as the clear one?

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

What are the comparasins between the turbo deisel and the XR5?

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1137384169661&pagename=Page&c=DF YPage
Focus Specifications and Options

TDCi - 100kw/4000rpm, 320Nm/2000RPM
XR5 - 166kw/6000rpm, 320Nm/1600 to 4000RPM

[Turbodiesel]

Originally Posted by BlackLS

Theres a colour coded one as well as the clear one?

Well regardless it should look better than a stonechipped nose at least, well I hope... :P

I was also thinking about adding some more options after I get it such as scuff plates, sports gear knob and the alloy handbrake lever. Do you guys think these items are worth it? I was hoping I could fit them myself.

Bigger wheels will have to wait until later, so hopefully the stock 16"ers won't look too bad.

[davocol]

I went with all of the above purely because they interior is quite bland without them, these are all xr5 standard equipment so they make it look that little bit nicer, just have to work out where to get the alloy door inserts and handles now All of the items are a bit pricey but for an extra 300 I think its worth it.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by BlackLS

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1137384169661&pagename=Page&c=DF YPage
Focus Specifications and Options

TDCi - 100kw/4000rpm, 320Nm/2000RPM
XR5 - 166kw/6000rpm, 320Nm/1600 to 4000RPM

Thanks. I wonder how good both models are out side by side. I like the XR5, looks good and definatley makes a statement. The TDCi has fantastic economy. I wonder how well that stack up

Originally Posted by davocol

I went with all of the above purely because they interior is quite bland without them, these are all xr5 standard equipment so they make it look that little bit nicer, just have to work out where to get the alloy door inserts and handles now All of the items are a bit pricey but for an extra 300 I think its worth it.

So you finally sold the AU. Now your in a TDCi?

[davocol]

Personally side by side I think the XR5 has it hands down, the exterior looks better and the interior is how it should look (kind of fairmont ghia v xt style) however I just could not gather the extra cash to pay for it, the lease company was going to shaft me on one. The diesel was a good balance of both power and looks.

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Thanks. I wonder how good both models are out side by side. I like the XR5, looks good and definatley makes a statement. The TDCi has fantastic economy. I wonder how well that stack up
So you finally sold the AU. Now your in a TDCi?

Yep and selling the AU in hindsight was a good financial idea but I still look at XRs go by and want to get back in one, hopefully the next car will be along the same line XR8, v6 turbo etc

[#Russ#Es#]

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

I was also thinking about adding some more options after I get it such as scuff plates, sports gear knob and the alloy handbrake lever. Do you guys think these items are worth it? I was hoping I could fit them myself.

Scuff plates - Yes
Sports Gear Knob - No
Alloy Handbrake Lever - No

I bought a Momo gear knob off Ebay off the actual distributor in Oz...I think it was about $140 for a genuine Momo gear knob and REAL Leather Gear Boot - Its a little more expensive than the stock Ford one, but it looks tonnes better!!

If you want details on the name of the ebay store pm me.

Alloy Handbrake Lever - same as above, ebay is your friend. European-Parts also have a couple nice ones.

[Mansal]

I like that Momo gear knob!

I should be picking up my TDCi this Wednesday (can't wait! ). Got the scuff plates, gear knob, mats, safety pack (the safety pack is part of a current Ford promo). Black Saphire


I drive from Melb <--> Ballarat for work every day so I need something economical.

Will post photos, economy data, subjective 'how-does-it-feel' data very soon.

BTW: Long time reader (BA Monty, EBII Wagon, Focus TDI..coming soon), first time poster....
<edit>...second time poster actually....gotta update my profile...</edit>

[melbzetec]

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

That is still the BEST looking gearknob and gaitor combination on the Forums!!!

[#Russ#Es#]

Originally Posted by melbzetec

That is still the BEST looking gearknob and gaitor combination on the Forums!!!

Why thankyou

There are 2 variations: style is called Momo Phantom





Like most Momo Gear knobs, they're also universal fit

[Turbodiesel]

Originally Posted by Mansal

I like that Momo gear knob!

I should be picking up my TDCi this Wednesday (can't wait! ). Got the scuff plates, gear knob, mats, safety pack (the safety pack is part of a current Ford promo). Black Saphire


I drive from Melb <--> Ballarat for work every day so I need something economical.

Will post photos, economy data, subjective 'how-does-it-feel' data very soon.

BTW: Long time reader (BA Monty, EBII Wagon, Focus TDI..coming soon), first time poster....
<edit>...second time poster actually....gotta update my profile...</edit>

How far is your daily commute? I'm a long distance traveller as well.

As for the gear knobs, they look nice. If I were to get one and a handbrake lever are they hard to fit at all? I assume you'd just screw the knob on and somehow clip on the handbrake cover.

Or should I get the dealer to fit them?

Car should be coming late this week hopefully, it was too late to add more options to the order so I'm going to add as I go. Tint will come first

[eXtremist]

I had a gear knob like that, I threw it away, looked like shat.

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Thanks. I wonder how good both models are out side by side. I like the XR5, looks good and definatley makes a statement. The TDCi has fantastic economy. I wonder how well that stack up

You can get a flash tune to bring the TDCi to 130kw and 400Nm standard I think.

[davocol]

Do you know does this or where you can get this done?

Originally Posted by BlackLS

You can get a flash tune to bring the TDCi to 130kw and 400Nm standard I think.

Pretty well documented on FFOC etc.

There are flash boxes you can order that do 119Kw and 390Nm and thats a very safe tune.
http://www.european-parts.net/catalo...roducts_id=614
There are others by Dreamscience as well as other Uk chip sites.

Capa have contacts with SCT and Dreamscience and had a Focus (2.0L petrol) as a flash mule before. They could push the extra KW out of it with a custom tune.

[Mansal]

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

How far is your daily commute? I'm a long distance traveller as well.

As for the gear knobs, they look nice. If I were to get one and a handbrake lever are they hard to fit at all? I assume you'd just screw the knob on and somehow clip on the handbrake cover.

Or should I get the dealer to fit them?

Car should be coming late this week hopefully, it was too late to add more options to the order so I'm going to add as I go. Tint will come first

My commute is ~250km per day * 4 so 1000km per week.

Both the Ford-accessory gear knobs and handbrake levers are available as self-install accessories (ie: "Accessory can be installed at any time"). I ordered mine with the sports gear knob only (forgot to order the handbrake cover, will add it if I later if I like it).

Yeah mine should be ready tomorrow arvo (I'm getting it tinted & glazed as well).

The one regret I have about my order was that I actually purchased one of the display stock models (the dealer apparently ordered 3 silver and 1 black for their display stock, so I took the black one!) so I wasn't able to order one with the 6-disc CD player (as that's a factory-installed option). Looks like I'll be using the standard mp3 input

[Turbodiesel]

Wow that's some serious mileage, I do 850km per week (170km x 5) driving 2 hours a day. I reckon it's great to find a car that is really economical but goes hard and is fun to drive as well. Thanks for the accessory info

I'm only getting a single-CD as well but does it really matter when you can plug an iPod in?

The reason mine is taking so long is because they're waiting for the parts to come in, which are a bodykit and body side mouldings plus I'm getting the rear spoiler painted. Be sure to post some pics when you pick it up!!

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by davocol

Personally side by side I think the XR5 has it hands down, the exterior looks better and the interior is how it should look (kind of fairmont ghia v xt style) however I just could not gather the extra cash to pay for it, the lease company was going to shaft me on one. The diesel was a good balance of both power and looks.

Yep and selling the AU in hindsight was a good financial idea but I still look at XRs go by and want to get back in one, hopefully the next car will be along the same line XR8, v6 turbo etc

I still have my AU, but it's lost it's shine a little. I've considered many times at getting rid of it. Eventhou I don't drive it's lots, it still handles well and goes great. Only 87,000 on the clock, so it still feels good.

Give a few more years and the later AU xr's will do well priced.

Thats great news then. Very keen to see the new range of focus and hearing feedback is good. Hope you enjoy the new car.

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

What are the comparasins between the turbo deisel and the XR5?

I think the biggest difference is the XR5 is built in Europe and the TDCi is built in South Africa. Build quality on the XR5 will be waaaay better.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by barra240t

I think the biggest difference is the XR5 is built in Europe and the TDCi is built in South Africa. Build quality on the XR5 will be waaaay better.

I really show read up a little more. i know the XR5 was from germany, but assumed the TDCi was from there as well.

I do love the look of those XR5's. Seen 2 in the past few days. Not many in Canberra. Saw an Orange one and Black one. Nice cars.

[Tiges]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

I really show read up a little more. i know the XR5 was from germany, but assumed the TDCi was from there as well.

I do love the look of those XR5's. Seen 2 in the past few days. Not many in Canberra. Saw an Orange one and Black one. Nice cars.

Definatly from South Africa, Bucky. They come in to dealerships with the stickers from the ship still on them.

There's not many XR5's at all in canberra. I know there's at least 8 of them

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Tiges

Definatly from South Africa, Bucky. They come in to dealerships with the stickers from the ship still on them.

There's not many XR5's at all in canberra. I know there's at least 8 of them

So they have them at McGraths. Might have to drop in and have a look that model.

I think since they were released, I've seen a total of 5 in Canberra. 4 of those were in the last week :

Thanks for the info.

[melbzetec]

You know you want one!!!!

[Mansal]

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

Wow that's some serious mileage, I do 850km per week (170km x 5) driving 2 hours a day. I reckon it's great to find a car that is really economical but goes hard and is fun to drive as well. Thanks for the accessory info

I'm only getting a single-CD as well but does it really matter when you can plug an iPod in?

The reason mine is taking so long is because they're waiting for the parts to come in, which are a bodykit and body side mouldings plus I'm getting the rear spoiler painted. Be sure to post some pics when you pick it up!!

You're welcome for the info. ;)

Yeah I agree - gotta have a car you can afford (and enjoy) to drive for work. I've done this commute for four years now - I've gotten to the point where I really need a good, reliable car that won't have me stranded half way up the Western Hwy (used to own XF Falcon, KF Laser, now EBII Wagon)... and as much as I enjoy driving my BA Fairmont Ghia (220 v8), I don't like the $38/day in petrol it costs me (not to mention wear & tear).

...I'm now expecting to pickup the car on Friday (getting the $$ finalized always dampens the fun!).

Oh FYI - organising insurance for the TDCi is going to be fun - not many insurers have the new model listed on their online forms, so you may end up having to arrrange insurance over the phone (It's gotta be "Focus TDCi").