WT Zetec buy advice

[vegabass]

So back when the WS was launched I bought one of the first WS Zetec's about and loved it. There was the pesky gearbox problem getting it into reverse and the conditioning was woeful but other than that was very happy with it. We sold it as more kids were introduced into the family.

The said family are out of nappies and prams so I will be buying a WT Zetec in the next few days and just wondering a few things.

Have they fixed the gear box (hard to get into reverse)
Have they fixed the Aircon so it actually cools in summer?
Is the 6sp auto good enough to consider? Any problems with it?


Thanks in advance!

[dirty hands]

the dual clutch is its problem -- not so much the gear box
dual clutches fail (centre design fault ) I would try to convert it back to a single clutch


the review back then
http://www.caradvice.com.au/171209/ford-fiesta-review/

[fiestaz]

I Have a manual WT Zetec. It has been nothing but excellent. Reverse hasnt been an issue at all to date (46000kms). The Air Con isnt too bad, i dont know how it compares to a WS but i find it okay. Could still be better though.
The auto's can be a great gearbox to drive, but reliability wise are an issue. Same as the focus double clutch gearboxes really.

[Pursya]

Manual WT Zetec here, 2011 50,000kms.
Apart from some interior trim issues, and the steering column being replaced, all has been great.

[oemdenied]

Reverse thing has been the way it is for a lot of manual euro fords for years.
One of our customers just got into the habit of selecting any gear first then trying reverse and gets it every time without fail. Annoying I know but its a liveable solution at least

[vegabass]

Thats for the feedback.

How about the diesel? good thing or advoid like the plague?

[wombat66]

I have a WT Zetec auto. No problems at all. Great car to drive. Ford have extended the warranty on the Dual Clutch Transmission to 5 years.

[oemdenied]

There is nothing particularly wrong with them but would chose the petrol over the diesel personally.

Diesel is the cheapest to tune though, simple flash tune will give a fair bit more poke and improved economy.

[vegabass]

Right, so I just bought a 2013 WT Zetec petrol manual.

Do these things respond to a chip/tune or is it a waste of time?

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by vegabass

Right, so I just bought a 2013 WT Zetec petrol manual.

Do these things respond to a chip/tune or is it a waste of time?

Am yet to even find a Chip..... they are not compatible with WS Fiesta tunes which knocks all options out (that i have found anyway). However if you manage to find something PLEASE TELL US!

[oemdenied]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

Am yet to even find a Chip..... they are not compatible with WS Fiesta tunes which knocks all options out (that i have found anyway). However if you manage to find something PLEASE TELL US!

Pm me your full VIN and ecu code. I'll see what if we can help you out there

[Pursya]

Just a thought on the reverse thing.
Ours was not to hard to get in, although you had to double clutch sometimes, but there was a shudder through the steering column when actually reversing.
This turned out to be a faulty steering column. A diagnosis the Ford dealer ( not the one I purchase posed the car off) made without me even realising it was an issue.
So check for shudders/knocks when reversing and turning the wheel.

[vegabass]

So, these things are so grossly under powered. 3rd gear between 2-3000 rpm is just embarrassing and in infuriating.

I hope oemdenied has a fix for it, just better driveability so you don't have to spin it up to 5000 just to feel like you are getting anywhere.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by vegabass

So, these things are so grossly under powered. 3rd gear between 2-3000 rpm is just embarrassing and in infuriating.

I hope oemdenied has a fix for it, just better driveability so you don't have to spin it up to 5000 just to feel like you are getting anywhere.

Grossly underpowered??? Really??? They dont have the torque of a big falcon no but i'd say thats a bit much. They are only a small car... I don't have any issues shifting at about 2500 -3000rpm all day long. gets me going nicely. 3000rpm merging onto a highway is plenty..

Theres nothing a like just a bit more but they arent that bad..

[Ms_Jam]

I don't have any issues shifting at about 2500 -3000rpm all day long

Same here with my WS Zetec. I assume the WT has the same gearing.

I find the WS just slightly under-geared, which gives it extra oomph after first gear.

Without even trying, I regularly outpace other more powerful (far more expensive, and I guess heavier) vehicles especially on roundabouts.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by Ms_Jam

Same here with my WS Zetec. I assume the WT has the same gearing.

I find the WS just slightly under-geared, which gives it extra oomph after first gear.

Without even trying, I regularly outpace other more powerful (far more expensive, and I guess heavier) vehicles especially on roundabouts.

Im the same with my WT. Give it 3500rpm ive left regular traffic way behind.

2500-3000 just for cruising about. no problem.

[oemdenied]

you have PM!
We can do remaps for these but it is an ECU out job if you have the EMS2205 ECU as this can not be flashed through the diagnostics port with a hand held tuner like the rest of the Euro Ford range.
Our programmer travels the country remapping cars so we can arrange for him to come to you if you are not local to us

As a note the engine in the Fiesta is designed as a high reving application - all the power is high up there in the rev range. Power is improved with a remap but for the best gains hardware upgrades such as CAI and full exhaust systems inc manifold and sports cat are the way to go.

[Pursya]

I went from a European Barina SRi to the WT Zetec.
To say it was underpowered was an understatement.
But I got used to it. And I got used to how to use the gears and rev range to at least make the superb handling shine.
I pity auto owners though.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by Pursya

I went from a European Barina SRi to the WT Zetec.
To say it was underpowered was an understatement.
But I got used to it. And I got used to how to use the gears and rev range to at least make the superb handling shine.
I pity auto owners though.

A barina SRI from memory had 1.8L motors, which ofcourse had more grunt. So i dont know what you were expecting out of a heavier car with a 1.6L.

I truly dont find mine to be too bad at all. I ran mine in from new as best as i could so i dont know if thats made the difference?

[vegabass]

The WT is a better car with the extra sound deadening, the higher profile tyres and the seats. However I drove home from the airport yesterday and it struggled to keep up with the flow of traffic off the lights, I seriously had to hold it flat in 2nd and 3rd. The fuel average is 7.4 which I think is ok but I think I may need to get ford to look at it.

I am about to load it up with park assist sensors, cameras, leather trims, signage and maybe a sunroof.