I'd get a petrol engined Focus if I was doing trips of that kind of distance. I don't think you'd be doing the mileage to justify the higher purchase cost, servicing costs and possible repair costs of a diesel.

Either the 1.6 or the 2.0 are good engines.

Seconded. Little to go wrong on a 4-5 year old petrol car, shudder to think what could be waiting for you on an uncared for CR diesel.

Okay, so I admit to buying and owning an old, unloved, high mileage CR diesel with no problems covering 40k a year - but the more I read the more I think I'm the exception that proves the rule!

To echo the above a petrol would probably make more sense for those sort of miles, and usage. You've correctly identified the potential costs associated with a DPF, but you also have to bear in mind the potential costs on a diesel with dual-mass flywheel, turbo, etc. Also these 1.6 units are fairly notorious for carbon / sludge issues (possibly caused by leaking injectors, or other problems) which kill the turbo and generally lead to needing a new engine.

I've ignored all that and got one anyway, a 90 bhp in an estate, obviously each person has their own preferences but i'm more than happy with the performance. These days I drive with a fairly light foot with an eye on the avg consumption, which I can usually keep around 60mpg unless I've got a lot of town driving. Having said that it easily keeps up with modern traffic, eg the hectic dual carriageway commute at rush hour. I too originally wanted a 110 thinking a 90 would be too slow, but most have a DPF fitted and everything is going to be under that much more stress.

In May I drove down to Dorset with the Mrs and the kids, a 6 man tent, recliner chairs, calor bottle, etc etc- the roof box was stuffed and the estate boot was full. The car went as well as it always does, and I couldn't even get the consumption to drop below 60mpg even with a heavy right foot on the motorway.