Is there no suggestion that Ford will offer any sort of extension to the warranty?

I was told, unofficially, by a technician/mechanic at my local dealer, that VAG would very likely still offer some sort of "goodwill" if the replacement clutch pack failed ... but that sounds like a long shot to me after 6 or seven years, even though it's been VAG serviced locally from new.

I'm still unsure what (if any) small/medium Fords have actually dropped the twin clutch in favour of torque converter. I am told, by someone who works at Fords Technical Centre at Dunton, that Ford will move over to torque converter given how dissatisfied the Americanm market is with Powershift . The new Transit has already done so.

EDIT. You have said your box isn't fitted to Fords any more ... but not said what has replaced it. Also it seems you're not absolutely sure whether it's a wet or dry clutch in your car. Can you expand a bit? I thought wet ones went into bigger vehicles (due to the ability to handle higher power outputs) and dry ones intop small vehicles for obvious reasons.

Edited by KB. on 20/09/2017 at 22:15

Not 100% sure if your clutch is wet or dry. But going by what i have read on this forum, certainly regarding VAG products, the wet clutch type seem to be for bigger engines with lots of torque, such as a turbo diesel. But no real idea where the 'changeover point' would be. I'm fairly sure that with petrol VAG engines, up to at least the 1.4tsi, use the dry clutch version. So i would assume, unless i found out for sure otherwise, your B-Max also has the dry clutch.

Once you get shot of it, i would urge you to have a look at and test drive of a jazz CVT. We have had ours for nearly 5 months now and are very happy with it. In terms of space, i think it would be the equal of the B-Max, even though it doesn't have the groovy door setup. It's ride is also considered by some to be a bit firm, but i find it a good compromise between comfort and control (it is very sure footed and agile when you need to press on!).

The balance of probabilities as you both outline it seems to indicate that yes, the Powershift as fitted to smaller engined cars is dry clutch. So thanks for that.

BBD, the Jazz was recommended to me on this forum (possibly by yourself) before I bought the B Max, the rest being history. Since purchasing this car I do seem to encounter examples of the Jazz on a regular basis, so maybe there's something psychological going on, and perhaps the only way to lance that particular boil is to buy one.

I'm only sorry that poor old Skidpan, who so vehemently warned me against the Powershift and small autos in general, no longer seems to be around to contribute any further pearls of wisdom to this discussion.

Edited by argybargy on 21/09/2017 at 14:57

I believe, quite strongly, that VAG make their own and Getrag make them for Ford. But, as mentoned yesterday, I'm told, by a reliable source at Ford's Technical Centre in Essex, that Ford will make the forthcoming torque converter boxes in the Fiesta/Focus.