Diesel Manual Fiestas

[kevino]

What are owners experiences of these cars? Are they holding together nicely, reliable, performing well etc etc.
Appreciate any comments.

[Foobar]

I've had my WT LX TDCi since Feb 2011 and it's been a pleasure to drive, amazing economy without sacrificing performance.

I'm not exactly small, 6 foot and over 115Kg's, I occasionally ferry around 3 additional people, all of which are, let's say - big boned as well - and the car doesn't seem to care, just goes.

The only annoyance I can think of is a squeak coming from the drivers seat base, most likely solvable but I haven't bothered looking. I did mention it for the 1500K service, they said they oiled something or the other, wasn't really listening - whatever they did (or didn't do) didn't work.

[kevino]

Thanks thats good feedback as I,m 6'2'' and 95kg on a good day.
Whats the handling and braking like?

[4.0i OHC]

Absolutely brilliant little cars. By far my pick of the entire light/small car class. Handling is brilliant, neutral in every respect. So much grip as well. The steering is direct and communicative despite being electric. How much can I rave about this car? I don't own one, but they are truly a standout.

Braking is average though.

[Boss 08]

My daughter brought one 4 weeks ago.....sar far so good, I've had a drive and I'm a big fan, good power and the daughter is stoked with the economy.

She paid a 4 grand premium for tdci engine, which dosn't bother her as she intends to hang on to it for at least 10 years.

Mastro

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by kevino

Thanks thats good feedback as I,m 6'2'' and 95kg on a good day. Whats the handling and braking like?

Handling is stellar, even with a few bargearses on board. Steering is light but precise, electric assist in the WT but I can still feel everything I need to through the wheel which was a surprise. I didn't think I was going to like the electric steering but now I wouldn't want a (modern) car that didn't have it.

I don't have any problems at all with the brakes, car pulls up quickly and safely. I've done one emergency stop and the car stopped very well indeed. Drums on the back which I was a tad annoyed with at first but now I'm not at all concerned.

Go take one for a test drive, let us know what you think.

[Fiesta_Man69]

When my petrol WS was in for extensive warranty repairs I was loaned a WS Econetic for over a month. Personally I much prefer the rev happy nature of the petrol over the diesel. The diesel's torque made it more of a cruiser, whereas the petrol is the one to buy to maximise the great chassis. In the Econetic try as I might, I couldn't drop the fuel use to below 4.1 (which is still good but not near the claimed 3.7 at the time) and I usually get between 5.5 - 6 for the petrol so there's no huge difference in fuel usage. I do not sit in peak hour traffic crawls though, and do a lot of open road running. The petrol is noticably quicker than the diesel.

Whatever Fez you get I'd reccommend putting 17s on as it makes the handling even better with minimum sacrifice of ride comfort.

Brakes can be dramatically improved by replacing the horrid OEM rotors and pads (they lasted me only 40K anyways, rotors included) with Bendix pads and any half decent Brake Shop rotor - I think I've got a variation of an rda rotor - supplied/fitted at a brake shop for $270 (a third of Ford's cost to replace the brakes with the same Ford rubbish). Much better performance, pedal feel (and durability) is the result. Why they aren't like this from factory? Dollars obviously.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

When my petrol WS was in for extensive warranty repairs I was loaned a WS Econetic for over a month. Personally I much prefer the rev happy nature of the petrol over the diesel. The diesel's torque made it more of a cruiser, whereas the petrol is the one to buy to maximise the great chassis. In the Econetic try as I might, I couldn't drop the fuel use to below 4.1 (which is still good but not near the claimed 3.7 at the time) and I usually get between 5.5 - 6 for the petrol so there's no huge difference in fuel usage. I do not sit in peak hour traffic crawls though, and do a lot of open road running. The petrol is noticably quicker than the diesel.

Whatever Fez you get I'd reccommend putting 17s on as it makes the handling even better with minimum sacrifice of ride comfort.

Brakes can be dramatically improved by replacing the horrid OEM rotors and pads (they lasted me only 40K anyways, rotors included) with Bendix pads and any half decent Brake Shop rotor - I think I've got a variation of an rda rotor - supplied/fitted at a brake shop for $270 (a third of Ford's cost to replace the brakes with the same Ford rubbish). Much better performance, pedal feel (and durability) is the result. Why they aren't like this from factory? Dollars obviously.

i suspect little diesels need to be driven just like a big truck , you don`t rev the bits of them , you just rev it enough till you have enough road speed to move into the next gear, basically you lug the crap out of them, i did see a road test where they actually exceeded the fuel specs by ford, but as you say not as much fun driving them like a granny all all the time.

[Caydus]

Originally Posted by Foobar

The only annoyance I can think of is a squeak coming from the drivers seat base, most likely solvable but I haven't bothered looking. I did mention it for the 1500K service, they said they oiled something or the other, wasn't really listening - whatever they did (or didn't do) didn't work.

I'm of similar dimensions to you too and i have noticed the squeak too. I just moved the driver seat ahead one notch and it disappeared.

[mik]

probably find a bit of spray lube on the runners will quieten them up.

[simonmichael90]

I have had my WS Econetic since Dec09, excellent little car, great handling and economy. I average 4.5 L/100kms, which is mainly city driving. I did add some weight buy getting a steel spare wheel etc rather than the ridiculous tyre repair kit that came with it.
You cannot legally put 17" wheels on an Econetic as you are only able to go 2 sizes up from original. Eg 14" orig.
I do find the "green" low rolling resistance tyres pretty ordinary in wet weather, as they skid even with the ABS.
Great torque, allowing for cruising along in 5th at speeds above 60km/h.

[kevino]

How many Kms have you put on it SM90?

[simonmichael90]

Have only done 20k, as I travel overseas a far bit each year.

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by simonmichael90

You cannot legally put 17" wheels on an Econetic as you are only able to go 2 sizes up from original. Eg 14" orig. I do find the "green" low rolling resistance tyres pretty ordinary in wet weather, as they skid even with the ABS.

You can put up to 18 inch wheels on any Fiesta. This is due to the fact that the Zetec rides on 16 inches. Legally, this affects the entire Fez range, not just the Zetec.

This is why, for example, Holden Dealers can sell bodykitted base model Omegas with 20 inch wheels legally, because other versions of the Commodore have at least 18 inches as standard.

Mind, I've got 17" on my WS CL and while giving brilliant handling the ride does suffer a little on Sydney's roads - for a daily drive I'd keep at no bigger than 16. Putting 18s on would make the thing look like a moon buggy....

And yes, having driven an Econetic loan car while my car was in for extensive rust repairs under warranty, I can attest to the general carpness of the eco tyres... it renders the excellent chasis useless for bugger all fuel savings.

[Franco Cozzo]

In Victoria, I'm sure its 25mm above factory rolling diameter of the tyre is the maximum increase allowed.

[JKL]

Hi

Have a little fiesta diesel, first time purchase of a small car and it goes well, done about 22k now - however it has developed a steering knock when turning the wheel while stopped - only 2000km ago anyone else expereinced this issue and know what it is?? Other than that a great little car

jason

[vhcbm]

Take it back to the dealer and get them to look at it. It could be a range of things and should be covered under warranty unless it's low power steering fluid which I don't think it would be.