I would agree on Sierra 1.8 cvh, pretty much every one I've come across has been shagged out!
Totally disagree with the wee 1.3 crossflow/endurance though - not fast and tappet noise is a pain but so reliable and easy to maintain! Only goosed one I came across was in a mk4 Fiesta where the young girl had managed to put a fist size hole in the block and it still ran!