The term zetec was first used when the mondeo came out in 1993.
Since then it has been used to describe the 16v engine and various trim levels in the ford range.
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The term zetec was first used when the mondeo came out in 1993.
According to the link I posted above, the first Zetec engine appeared in 1992, powering the fourth generation of the European Ford Escort and Orion.
ps, this thread will move across to discussion shortly.
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All Focus bar the 1.4 use Zetec engines IIRC.
What people are saying is go for a Zetec trim level, and I agree.
It outclasses the LX and CL versions in every way, it drives better, looks better and has more comfortable seats.
The only one that betters a Zetec is the Focus Ghia, now that is a lovely car if you get something 51 plate or newer.
Blue
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Bear with me a second...
Zetec.
Zetec is, like poeple said, a name of a family of engines Ford produced between 1992 and very recently. All 4 cylinder petrol Mk1 and Mk2 Mondeos, and 1.6/1.8/2.0 petrol Focus used Zetec engines. Thats that - or at least it would have been, had Ford not decided to do the following...
Around 96/97 Ford decided that actually, Zetec was quite a cool name. Perhaps even as cool as super cool names like 'Sport'. So, they decided they could actually call some trim levels in their car 'Zetec' and garnish them with alloys, a bit of fake alumium trim, perhaps some nicer seats, sometimes lower sports suspension that sort of thing. The engine itself was no different to that in non 'Zetec' cars - a Focus Zetec and Focus Ghia have identical engines, my Mondeo Ghia X has a Zetec engine as well.
The Zetec trim level was born. It was originally restricted to cars with Zetec engines but Ford soon gave up with that and now plaster it on everything - you can buy Mondeo Zetec's, for example, with Duratec engines, and TDCi diesel engines!
As far as the Focus goes Zetec is the most popular trim level. You get alloys, some silver sportyness inside, some nicer seats and 15mm lower suspension. Contrary to what Blue said Zetec is NOT better than an LX in every way - up until fairly recently Focus Zetec did not have standard air conditioning or heated front screen whereas LX had both. You had to specify the climate pack to get these on a Focus Zetec.
So, get a Zetec, with the climate pack. Or get a Ghia.
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Sorry, you're quite right, but then I wouldn't be likely too buy a Focus Zetec without climate pack nor would I consider buying a Focus LX either. What I should have said is "a Focus Zetec with optional climate pack is better than an LX in every way."
Pilgrim - If you do consider an LX, then watch out 'cos the pre 2001 LX models did not have standard quickclear screen, nor did they have the alloys as fitted to the later ones. So I'm with your frinds on this one, if buying pre 2001 then Zetec or maybe Ghia really is the only way to go (although pre 2001 Ghia wasn't that great either).
Blue
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Around the tranisitional face between the pre facelift and the post facelift, it seems to be a bit patchy what you actually get spec wise.
However, Blue is right in as much that, if you find a decent Zetec you'd be happy. I think you got traction, ABS, heated seats etc... even on some pre facelift models.
I've got a pre facelift Ghia and whilst I love the car, it shouldn't have been called a Ghia. It has the nice cream interior and fake wood but a Zetec outclasses it equipment wise. No heated seats, no rear electric windows, no traction control, no rear discs, no computer.
Still a great car though...you know - I think I may go and wash it again :-)
Also, take a look on www.ffoc.co.uk. The forum's pretty good but I think the main site has a breakdown of all the models and what you get spec wise on each one.
(That's a legitimate link by the way)
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Adam
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www.ffoc.co.uk/modules.php?name=Focus_Info
That should have everything you need.
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Adam
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I'm struggling a bit to remember here, but I *think* traction control was standard on the Focus Zetec 2.0, and was a part of the optional "Reflex Pack" across the rest of the range, the pack got you ABS, Sidebags and traction control IIRC. Unfortunately this safety pack was priced around the same as Air Con, so when people bought the car new, they could generally afford to pick one option, guess which one they went for?
In the time I worked for Ford I only saw one pre 2001 Focus with the reflex pack! Just one!
Blue
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I forgot about your calling Blue :-)
He's the man to speak to Pilgrim!
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Adam
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IIRC the first Zetec engine was the 105ps 1.8 in the Orion and Escort joined shortly afterwards by 130ps 1.8, both were also fitted to the Fiesta XR2i and RS respectively.
When the Mondeo was launched in '93 the Zetec engine range became 1.6 90ps, 1.8 115ps and 2.0 130ps, later the Yamaha developed 1.25, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 engines fitted to the Puma, Fiesta and Focus all used the Zetec name. The 1.6 90ps was also fitted to the Escort replacing the CVH though the 2.0 in the RS2000 Escort was a completely different engine.
Of the engines in the '98 to '04 Focus the 1.4 and 1.6 were Yamaha developed and the 1.8 and 2.0 were based on the original '92 Zetec.
Someone will know the correct engine designations etc.
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IIRC the 1.4 used to be designated simply 1.4 16V DOHC.
I thought that the 1.6 was the first proper Zetec engine, could be wrong about that though, we never got into that much detail about the dirty bits of the car in my job, equipment specs were used more when dealing with customers, most didn't care what engine it had.
Blue
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IIRC the 1.4 used to be designated simply 1.4 16V DOHC. I thought that the 1.6 was the first proper Zetec engine, could be wrong about that though, we never got into that much detail about the dirty bits of the car in my job, equipment specs were used more when dealing with customers, most didn't care what engine it had. Blue
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Interestingly also, I understand that the 1.6 Zetec engine in the Focus was designed under contract from Ford by Yamaha. Not surprisingly it is a great smooth revvy and trouble-free unit.
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Yep, it's a pretty good enigne, I would say it would be my engine of choice, if it's been run in correctly it should be just as quick as a 1.8 but gives better MPG.
I've driven plenty of 1.8 Focus and the only time they have noticeable difference powerwise over a 1.6 is at high speeds when they can pull slightly better in 5th gear. Off the mark and around town I reckon the 1.6 is a better engine. Just my personal opinion though.
Blue
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Focus was designed under contract from Ford by Yamaha. Not surprisingly it is a great smooth revvy and trouble-free unit.
smooth revvy YES , trouble free NO
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The Zetec S unit (1.25, 1.4, and 1.6) is not as durable as the Zetec E (1.8, 2.0). Incidentally the Zetec E was also available in 1.6 guise in the Mondeo mk1 and mk2.
The Zetec S unit especially the 1.4 in the 90bhp state of tune can burn its valves at 70k even when correctly serviced and run on the correct 5w30 oil. The Zetec E unit is much more durable and I am aware of a 1.8 unit covering 320k without a rebuild and still running well.
The Zetec S is however much more free revving than the Zetec E. Despite this there is no contest with durability and reliability that the Zetec E if properly maintained and run on the correct oil is the one to have.
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The Zetec S unit especially the 1.4 in the 90bhp state of tune can burn its valves at 70k even when correctly serviced and run on the correct 5w30 oil.
This is the engine I have in my S reg Fiesta Ghia X - Great so that's something to look forward too in 15000 miles time !!!
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If the vehicle has not been driven that hard then you may be ok for some miles yet. The Zetec S is a great little engine and I personally like them but some owners have reported issues with burned valves.
It may be worth having an interim oil change halfway through the service schedule just to minimise any risk. There is no guarantee that any specific engine will burn its valves however I understand that early N and P reg models are slightly more prone to this problem.
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