C30 General : Which C30

[Funky Diver]

So we're in the market for another car... already got an XC90, which is fab for the whole family, but not very handy when the wife's at work and I can't get my 4 kids into my works van... two seat conundrum, lol.

Very much like the C30, the size is right but needs to have a bit of zip about it, decent trim levels, and not feel like I'm riding around on a baking tray.

Ideally...

1. Decent 0-60
2. Full internal options - leather, electrics, the whole lot if possible
3. Not bothered about R design specifically as I understand there are faster variants... and end of the day if I need the extra oomph, nothing a bit of remapping can't sort.
4. Diesel or petrol, not bothered... but in the interests of the wife not misfuelling... diesel would probably be a better option (the XC is the 163 BHP Diesel).

Apologies for the intrusion... I just don't know the model well enough to make an informed choice, so where best to go?

My budget is around the £5k mark. I'm not overly bothered about age (facelift) if it's a solid car.

I have VIDA / DICE, so a heads up on common issues to look for all round would be good.

Cheers
Rich

[Ninja59]

Going to be brutal here but the c30 would not be my choice witha family 3 doors make it difficult and it is afair reach in.

T5 or d5 would be your answer though.

Earlier cars appear to be better made and various metal interior fixings thatgot reduced to plastic in later years.

[Funky Diver]

Originally Posted by Ninja59

Going to be brutal here but the c30 would not be my choice witha family 3 doors make it difficult and it is afair reach in.

Cheers Ninja... and yes, if I was buying a family car then that would be a consideration. In this case however, it's not.

This purchase is not to be used as a family car, that's what the '90 is for. It's primarily for the wife commuting to work (70 miles round trip) when her shifts change, and for the odd nip to the shops kinda routine, drive into the country (we're not far from the Yorkshire Dales) when the kids are at school.

We both work shifts that allow us to be off together during the week

Hope that clarifies it?

So, in summary, either D5 or T5 (T5 petrol?) and pre-facelift? I actually prefer the look of the pre-facelift model personally, lol.

[merf777]

Hello, I would recommend the T5 as having a good amount of poke . The C30 is suprisingly spacious I have found despite looking small from the outside. Top gear said it was one of the best looking hatchbacks ever made and I agree.

I am thinking about selling my low mileage 2008 T5 in R Design SE LUX as it happens for a 4x4, but it would be sorely missed!!

Regards Paul

[marc]

You can rule out the C30 for a start...you've got 4 kids right? one of you which comes to 5...C30 only has 4 seats in total.

Other than the S40 or V50 you may have to look at the Ford Focus or similar.


UPDATE:

Just seen your next post, my bad. In that case, the C30 will be spot on. I've had mine for 5 years now and the D5 still makes me smile when I get a little heavy footed.

[Funky Diver]

Originally Posted by marc

D5 still makes me smile when I get a little heavy footed.

I've the 163bhp in my XC90 and that's enough grunt for a 2 ton car... so stick that engine in something a smidge lighter is my thinking also, lol.

Plus, means same engine, same parts (ish) so makes sense to me

So... engine sorted (ish), trim levels... would I be right in thinking the SE would be the top of the range trim? Heated seats, climate control, etc etc.

Is there a year from which USB in for audio was standard? I'm not overly bothered about that as I'm guessing there's a fix for it similar to the XC90, but if I don't have to faff about that'd be nice, lol.

[merf777]

I have an SE LUX and heated seats, USB connectivity, sat nav and upgraded stereo etc.. are all costed extras.

Regards Paul

[Funky Diver]

Excellent to know Paul, thank you

Cheers
Rich

[dme123]

Has to be D5 or T5, the 2.4i makes a nice noise but uses as much fuel as the T5 for a lot less power.

The other engines are all 4 pot Ford jobs and not worth bothering with IMHO.

I've never been particularly impressed with the low pressure turbo version of the T5 they use in these cars, it lacks the character and punch of the "proper" 2.3 and 2.4 HPT versions they used in the S60 and V70 and yet seems to manage to use even more fuel. The D5 is very efficient for it's output (particularly when remapped), has a great engine note for a diesel and a decent spread of power too. That said, getting to enjoy a nice 5 pot turbo petrol before they become extinct has a lot of appeal and the gearing on 1st and 2nd on the D5 is rather short and quite irritating.

The challenge will be finding a manual gearbox on either, but I'd highly recommend it as the autobox is really not very good and manages to make even the 230bhp T5 feel a bit flaccid. The D5 is actually detuned from 400NM to 350NM or torque with the automatic as it's not up to the job.

I'll throw this out there, but you should be able to find a C70 in your budget (this probably would have to be the 2.4i though). In SE Lux trim you get both front seats powered and a phenomenally good Dynaudio stereo, and even the standard SE trim comes with plenty of toys. Also it can fold it's roof up and put it in the boot, which is a neat trick.

[T5R92011]

[QUOTE=dme123;1960921]Has to be D5 or T5, the 2.4i makes a nice noise but uses as much fuel as the T5 for a lot less power.

The other engines are all 4 pot Ford jobs and not worth bothering with IMHO.

I've never been particularly impressed with the low pressure turbo version of the T5 they use in these cars, it lacks the character and punch of the "proper" 2.3 and 2.4 HPT versions they used in the S60 and V70 and yet seems to manage to use even more fuel. The D5 is very efficient for it's output (particularly when remapped), has a great engine note for a diesel and a decent spread of power too. That said, getting to enjoy a nice 5 pot turbo petrol before they become extinct has a lot of appeal and the gearing on 1st and 2nd on the D5 is rather short and quite irritating.

Agree with the fuel comments on the T5.

i have never seen an engine drink fuel so quick......horrible economy.

On the flip side, some dude on the Focus ST forum (which uses same T5 engine) claims the following, which I call total BS: