benweston

I too think a custom remap would be better for overall performance. However, I went Bluefin as I wanted the ability to take it on and off and you can still go to Superchips HQ and get a custom map done which is then loaded on your Bluefin. You pay a premium for that flexibility, of course, but it's worth it IMO. The stock map for the 2.0 TDCI was good but they tweaked it a bit for me and I think I'll still go and get a full custom remap when I've another year's NCB.

Well I tried the 08 facelift clocks in my Focus and to my surprise they're fully functional (and look lovely) apart from the small fact that (obviously) you can't start the engine. Everything else works - all the stalks, faders, buttons, menus, etc - but obviously the immobiliser light is continuously flashing. Now dismantling the original speedo and the new one to work out how they work. I have a feeling it'll be a no-go as the ROM chip is probably soldered onto the PCB and therefore too much of a task to risk £700 on a new set of clocks.

Spill the beans. :roll: I need to get rid of the green illumination asap. Couldn't agree more - I want to know as well. The green puts me in mind of an 80s calculator! EDIT: It's not this, is it? Because I reckon this looks worse/tackier than the green! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-FOCUS-MK2-PE ... 736wt_1165

CV joints in one or both of the driveshafts is buggered. I had this.

Thanks revoltos. I was wondering if perhaps the cluster is built from several PCBs or a removable ROM chip or something that just holds the data specific to that cluster? I.e. As the Mk2 and Mk2.5 clusters are similar in all but aesthetics, would it be possible to remove the ROM chip (if it exists) from your old cluster and stick it in a new one, thus retaining the serial number and mileage but working in the new cluster? I only ask as I picked up an '58 TDCI diesel cluster for a tenner so the more of it I can wang in my car, the better.

You'll get the same comfort, better MPG and a quieter, more refined engine from the 1.6 TDCI. And it's just as fast as the 1.8.

Don't get the 1.8. It's an older engine based on a different, older design to the 1.6 and 2.0 TDCI. If you can't stretch to the 2.0 (which is well worth it, by the way), go for the 1.6. It's identical 0-60 as the 1.8, it returns 4mpg better economy and is far, far more refined. The 2.0 engine is a bit gruffer but MUCH more powerful and gives a really good shunt in the back, even in 6th. The premium of the 2.0 over the 1.6 is worth it, if only for the 6th gear which makes motorway cruising very easy work. The 1.6 and 2.0 are very good, modern PSA/Ford engines. The 1.8 isn't.

Fantastic car, congrats. My father in law has a 2.0 TDCI Ghia Mondeo and I drove it whilst we were over in France and I couldn't believe how expensive the chassis and ride felt. Handles and grips very well through the corners too. Lovely, lovely car 8)

I wondered this too. The 115 has exactly the same emissions, economy and insurance group as the 100bhp engine, and it's a second faster to 60. So why the hell did Ford neuter it? I could understand for emissions or economy reasons, but the two are identical in those respects! By the way - the Titanium comes with air con.

Whatever the engine, I think the the Mk2.5 Titaniums in Panther Black are the best looking Focus, and the best looking of any main hatch (Golf, Astra, Civic, etc) around at the moment. ST aside, obviously 8)

Mate, the 1.6 isn't slow and it's worth sacrificing some BHP for the excellent Titanium trim, in my opinion! At least you won't have the clatter of my 2.0 TDCI! Enjoy your new car 8)

Where can you get those MS Design grilles?! That looks great! EDIT: Should have refreshed before posting a question - already answered :)

I bought the Titanium Mk2 and, like you, found it to be a bit average looking with the worst offender being the front end. I don't mind the Titanium alloys so I sprayed the front and rear calipers red and am in the process of fitting the ST front bumper and grilles to my car. Also tinted the rear door and boot windows to match the look of some of the 2008 models. Next step is to lower it 15(ish)mm and change the aerial for something a little less... cheap. I'll get pictures up when I'm done. This is what it'll look like, just in metallic black: If I were you, I'd change those alloys a

Have you considered the 1.6 TDCI? It's quite a bit nippier (and obviously more frugal) than the petrol 1.6 and can be had, in many cases, for very similar money. My mate had a 1.2 Clio and it seemed pretty nippy, but then it weighed absolutely nothing. I agree with what adam_young said - I wouldn't want anything under 130bhp in a car as heavy as the Focus.

The 1.6 has marginally better economy but is 1.5 seconds slower 0-60. Not that you'll really notice the difference. Neither is particularly quick to be honest but, by the same token, it's bang on the money in terms of performance for a 1.6 hatch.

I agree also. I really want them to drop the 2.4-liter Volvo D5 five-pot diesel into the Focus. 180 bhp, 295 lb/ft torque and very quiet. That's a sweet little unit in the C30 and would make a really good warm-to-hot Focus.

Hi benhaha85, yeah I agree a lot. However, the Mk2.5 is quite a bit quieter than the Mk2 and I know they added more acoustic deadening to the facelift so I think it'll be possible to cut out a fair chunk of the intrusion.

Can't see them doing a remap for the 2.0 petrol Focus, there wouldn't be much point. Without a turbo, it's very limited as to what you can achieve with a remap without modification. Bluefin is really for turbo engines - diesels and turbo petrols - where there are much higher gains.

Hi all After having driven a new Mondeo the other day, I couldn't believe how unrefined and loud it made my Focus feel. Had enough of the pretty terrible road and wind noise on my Mk2 Focus so looking to add (more) sound deadening around the wheel arches and hopefully between the cabin and the engine. Already padded all the doors with acoustic treatment which improved bass no-end but had marginal effects on sound intrusion into the cabin. What are the noisiest parts of the Mk2 Focus and what deadening material should I be looking at to use? Really want to go to town on this and quieten

If you ever need to know what oil your car takes, you can type your registration number into the Halfords website and it'll tell you. Not as fool-proof as checking the manual but has never been wrong for me yet.

'Fraid to say mate, but sometimes they just get totally stuck. Especially if the keys bend (which they do easily, because they're crap) and miss the latch. Same happened to me. I actually hammered the stuck key in harder than it should to actually be able to get it out. The key was ruined but I bent it back in to shape and took it very slowly the next time. All was fine. Eventually. Good luck!

No sump key, it's just an 8mm torx bit as I recall. Don't see the point in buying Ford's oil for the hell of it - Castrol, etc, will be manufactured to at least the same standards and often even states it's designed for Ford, etc. Cost me something like £30 all-in to change the oil and filter in my Focus a few weeks ago. AND I bought 9L of oil, could have been even cheaper.

Sorry, I didn't realise it was frowned upon. Why? It's not illegal is it? It was sold to me by the original owner and I'm talking about paying for a proper online decoding service, not scamming a free calculator for it. Thanks for the help though, I shall look into it with a dealer.

Got a 6-disc 2007 Ford Sony oval radio cheap but doesn't have code. Looking for a place to decode it like I did with an old whizzpopper radio. Any ideas? What will Ford charge me if I take it to them? It's Sony Item No. CDX - FS307JE

Ok cheers mate, I'll give it a go. Didn't want to be too brutal in case I snapped it off!