Hope im posting in the right place, anyway im looking to buy a focus as i need a bigger car than my fiesta, not sure which engibe to get out of the 1.6,1.8 or 1.8 tdi, i want to get the one with the best tuning capabilities any advice would be a great help, thanks guys

 

If its tuning you want go for the largest engine you can afford.

 

If it is the MK1 Focus you are talking or even a MK2 then the 2.0 petrol would be the best choice in both cases really.

 

Gotta be diesel?

Then I take it remap you plan only, go for 2.0 TDCi as gjh said (although the TDDi 1.8 is by far more reliable, but less efficient/power (not common-rail).

If petrol is an option, go with what pani_k said....

 

If its for tuning forget the lower capacities, you'll only be pissing into the wind trying to get to a power level you could have bought in the first place.

Just get an rs or st you'll have a better car as standard than you would if you bought a smaller one and started tuning it, plus it'll probably work out cheaper £/bhp.

Me personally, I'd be looking at the 2ltr diesel, get it remapped and it'll be nippy enough and still good on fuel.

 

Also my hypothetical preference.

 

Thanks guys, my olny issue with bigger engines is insurance as i have no no claims and only been driving a year and a half

 

1.8 engine then.
Has same tuning as the 2.0 with lower insurance. ( 1.8 for me was cheap to insurer than a 1.25 fiesta by 400 pound )

 

Ok cool im guessing the petrol 1.8 is the best for bhp? Im not expecting massive gains i just want to be able to beef it up a little after ive got used to the engine and it starts to bore me,

 

A modified, small engined car will be more expensive to insure than a standard larger engine one.

If it were me, keep your car standard and tidy for the first few years while you build up a bit of no claims, then when you can afford to insure something decent, either start modifying what you already have, or sell it and buy something quick out of the box.

If I hadn't wasted so much cash on crap cars when I was younger I would have an awesome car by now lol

 

Thats a fair point, ive had a decent quote on a mondeo 2.0 tdi, opinions?

 

I would be going for the 1.8 tdci.

 

Over the 2.0? Any reason why?

 

I could be wrong but I think the only way ur gonna see decent gains in HP out of a N/A engine are a decent set of bike carbs (ie CBR600 or Yamaha R1 carbs) and decent cams, seen people I know on the VW scene get up to 100+ hp out of little 1.3 engine polo's that are good for 55hp stock