Hi all...

Thinking of getting a W plate Zetec-S as a second runaround...

...can anyone give me any pointers when looking at one?...

...what does anyone whos got one think of them?... any problems?

cheers

 

brill little cars iv got 1 and i love it they are lovely as standard but if you want to modify it then they are great handling cars and really do go some . try 2 get with low millage prob around 30 -40 k mark with good interior look out out for sterring wheel wear it will show signs of abuse but if you decided ot modify it then you can always change it or have it coverd. the fuel economy is not too bad. if you have any more q's then pm me and ill be happy to help

 

iv had my 02plate 2 years now carnt fault it not like the misses though

 

try and get a phase 2 as the earlier ones had engine probs(oil starvation i think) but they are brill little cars. always puts a smile on my face

 

the phaze 2 is the one to go for a w reg would be phaze 1 and has a weak bottom end there has been a few at 50,000 miles gone bang.lower arm bushes wear out fast but powerflex do a uprated bush to cure that.top of door under rubber can be a water trap check for rust as iv seen a few that are bad.Nothing else to really worry bout check has good service history you should be ok

 

There is no problem with a phase one or two...just go for the lowest miles u can find with ffsh
The only differences are and extra lambda sensor, a different way of setting the valve clearances and a revised end bearing on the crankshaft with slightly more float.

Common faults;

rusty sills, panel join under rear lights
heater controll valve fucked
rear beam bushes
arb bushes
steering wheel melting
Some people complainf of 'blowing them up' when in fact poor servicing or lack of checking the fluids regularly is to blame. Some had problems with oil usage because the oil control rings could fail, u'd notice this through smokey running and obviously a low oil level! I have head of a few peeps having leaky valve stem seals too but again this isnt widespread.

Also dont listen to internet bullshit, it's a very very tunable engine and has been announced by caterham in their latest lineup. See www.shawspeed.com for tuning ideas

 

I'm looking to get something sporty but good on fuel, what sort of miles do you get out of a tank? how much does it cost to fill up?

I have several cars in mind, this, a Saxo, a Corsa and there all priced the same so it mainly comes down to mpg as insurance is about the same

 

I get betwen 38 and 40mpg thats with a panel filter and magnex, driven quickly

 

mine costs around 36 squid to fill up and thats from running on fumes

 

same here mines around the same sort of price i can get 200 miles out of it when givin it some driving sensbible then 280 [/quote]