(re)introducing myself - Econetic - Page 2

In Focus · 20-02-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ1979

OK, had a crap month.

Computer glitch = engine malfunction and Limp Home mode.... TWICE.
Two more buckled rims......

So, instead of paying $945+ Fitting per wheel, have bought new CSA 16"wheels using my existing tyres- much cheaper.
Not quite sure what I think of them yet, am so used to seeing my car with Zetec alloys - the good two will get onto ebay when I clean em and get round to it.

Sorry bout the iphone pic, not great but all I have thus far!

[IMG]

They look like CSA Swords. I've got a set on my Focus. In fact, you can see it modelling them on the CSA Australia website. I reckon they look the goods, though I was only replacing steelies. Haven't had a problem yet, touch wood...

GoesLikeAZetec · 20-02-2011, 09:58 PM

awesome to hear from ya buddy. glad the car is still going well in general...

sad about the wheels, but like everyone is saying, they must be a very soft wheel, and after seeing your problems I avoid potholes like the plague!!!

I hope your engineering thing goes well if you ever do it... I have a close relative that works at ROH and he says plenty of other brands of wheels they test, dont pass the same tests they use on their own wheels at all...

On your engine problem, so the fez has been fine until the service and then its started happening? sounds fishy

shevek · 23-02-2011, 02:53 PM

I drive under 20k a year but considered Econetic.
Steel wheels, lack of rear power windows, no spare, lack of bling, body kits, halogen weighed the other way.

I think Ford should have made econetic top of the range for an extra 1k & included all that. I realise steel wheels were to achieve a Euro target but that's less relevant here. Let the Prius keep it's tag.

The market is there for people like me who like small but don't mind shelling out a bit. Evidence for this being the fact that 50%+ (I think) WS sales were Zetecs, which should not have surprised Ford, who were caught short.

DJ1979 · 23-02-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shevek

I drive under 20k a year but considered Econetic.
Steel wheels, lack of rear power windows, no spare, lack of bling, body kits, halogen weighed the other way.

I think Ford should have made econetic top of the range for an extra 1k & included all that. I realise steel wheels were to achieve a Euro target but that's less relevant here. Let the Prius keep it's tag.

The market is there for people like me who like small but don't mind shelling out a bit. Evidence for this being the fact that 50%+ (I think) WS sales were Zetecs, which should not have surprised Ford, who were caught short.

steel wheels, no spare and even wind up windows were justified in its weight reduction. As such it is obviously heavily based on CL, plus the fun buts that I deemed essential (USB, airbags etc). At the end of the day, a petrol Fiesta is not uneconomical and will suit the masses. I wasn't THAT concerned about the economy (but happy given the k's I do and zero overall cost difference between Econetic and Fiesta for me).

What i wanted was Torque - which the diesel has plenty of. I can live without fog lights and optioned up wheels. I just wish they didn't buckle!

dannyhilton · 23-02-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shevek

I drive under 20k a year but considered Econetic. Steel wheels, lack of rear power windows, no spare, lack of bling, body kits, halogen weighed the other way.

Ford listened to you. Pretty much the same engine can be had in the 2011 WT Fiesta range, including the Zetec. It gets 4.4L/100km according to the stats. So all the features of the Zetec, with the extra torque and much better fuel economy. Not that the petrol is a fuel guzzler, but gee the diesel just sips the stuff!

DJ1979 · 07-04-2011, 06:52 PM

10 months, 36000km's & 3 Zetec rims later, I have traded the Fiesta.

I bought this car as my commute to Melbourne from Ballarat justified its economy, and the torque justified the cost of the Econetic.

Long term fuel average was just over 4.0l/100km - mostly in part to ignoring the shift indicator light, and 16" alloys.

Why am I moving it on? I have two cars. A turbo Saab convertible manual, and the Fiesta. As I have now moved to Melbourne, I am doing far fewer kilometers, and would prefer to have a car that I enjoy more so as my daily driver (keep in mind I only used the Fiesta for commuting pretty much).

So, I am moving both the Fiesta and Saab along, and have bought a 2008 Ford Focus CC in auto (clutch leg needs a break in peak hour!).

So, I shall bid the Fiesta forum good bye - thanks for the posts and comments, this is a great community to learn and share info and knowledge. I joined this forum when I had an ED Falcon, then EL, then the Fiesta, so now I can move to the Focus one!

Junkie · 08-04-2011, 08:20 AM

If the reason for buying the Econetic was for fuel economy, then only having it for 36000 kms would have not got the money back from the original purchase price.

Eg:
Assume same price ($1.40 per litre) for diesel and unleaded.
(i.e. diesel is normally a bit more than 95 octane unleaded, but less than 98 octane unleaded)

2010 Eco Zetec Manual - $24,990
36000km at 4l per 100 would have cost $2016

2010 Zetec Manual - $20,990
36000km at 8l per 100 would have cost $4032
Note: IMO 8l per 100 is VERY conservative estimate for highway driving. It would be more around the 6 mark.

So, car cost $4k more.
But only saved, at most, $2k in petrol.

At those numbers, you would have had to do twice as many Km's to break even.

If the reason for buying was for less CO2 Emissions, then you have done a great job reducing your carbon emissions by 32%.

Hope I haven't trodden on anyones toes :~

dannyhilton · 08-04-2011, 06:05 PM

Congrats matey!

DJ1979 · 08-04-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkie

If the reason for buying the Econetic was for fuel economy, then only having it for 36000 kms would have not got the money back from the original purchase price.

Eg:
Assume same price ($1.40 per litre) for diesel and unleaded.
(i.e. diesel is normally a bit more than 95 octane unleaded, but less than 98 octane unleaded)

2010 Eco Zetec Manual - $24,990
36000km at 4l per 100 would have cost $2016

2010 Zetec Manual - $20,990
36000km at 8l per 100 would have cost $4032
Note: IMO 8l per 100 is VERY conservative estimate for highway driving. It would be more around the 6 mark.

So, car cost $4k more.
But only saved, at most, $2k in petrol.

At those numbers, you would have had to do twice as many Km's to break even.

If the reason for buying was for less CO2 Emissions, then you have done a great job reducing your carbon emissions by 32%.

Hope I haven't trodden on anyones toes :~

Mate, you missed the point of my post, and perhaps my reason for the ECO over a Zetec when I was making that decision 10 months ago.
My commute justified an economical small car. The petrol struggled with the long hills on the way back to Ballarat (did a test run in a 10k demo LX). The torque of the Econetic justified the price to me - the economy was a bonus.

I know the LX did more than 8l for the 100km stretch back up hill from Melbourne to Ballarat, so 8 isn't THAT conservative IMO

Additionally - I know I got a higher price for my Econetic at trade in, and with lower servicing costs (2 in 10 months, 15k & 30k), this was at least as costly as a Zetec, if not cheaper (don't factor in my wheel saga - which I would have had with a Zetec anyway).

And yeah - you stood on my toes - questioning decision making, and $$$ decisions on a car that I know the running costs of, (fuel card statements), combined with my location where until 6 weeks ago Diesel was never more than $1.20 a litre, I will maintain my cost strategy was accurate.

sim_in_mel · 11-04-2011, 11:43 AM

Hi there,
This has been an interesting thread and thought I would post in this thread instead of starting a new one.
My wife bought a Fiesta Econetic car December 2010 and she loves it. Now understands what zippy means.
What is troubling us a little at the moment is the fuel consumption.
In general running around here trip, to work and back is around 30km she is getting around 4.6l which seems reasonable.
Early on we had a journey which was mostly freeway (150km round trip) and returned 3.9L with only about 1200km on the clock
We have just come completed a trip Melbourne to Adelaide a round trip of 1500 km, the fuel consumption was 4.6L
We had reset all trip information and also I kept a separate record.
I was really interested in what we could get so the cruise control was set to the Speedo setting of 100 and 110 kph even through these tend to read 5 kph low according to GPS.
The card had just over 5000km at the start
Aircon was not used. The driving style was reasonable smooth with no hard accelerating and braking.
I was hoping for around 4.0 – 4.1 so to get 4.6 which we get with normal running was pretty disappointing.
Anyone got any comments. I have spoken to the local Ford Dealer and it would seem that there is not a lot to check without an engine check lights…………

GoesLikeAZetec · 11-04-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sim_in_mel

Hi there,
This has been an interesting thread and thought I would post in this thread instead of starting a new one.
My wife bought a Fiesta Econetic car December 2010 and she loves it. Now understands what zippy means.
What is troubling us a little at the moment is the fuel consumption.
In general running around here trip, to work and back is around 30km she is getting around 4.6l which seems reasonable.
Early on we had a journey which was mostly freeway (150km round trip) and returned 3.9L with only about 1200km on the clock
We have just come completed a trip Melbourne to Adelaide a round trip of 1500 km, the fuel consumption was 4.6L
We had reset all trip information and also I kept a separate record.
I was really interested in what we could get so the cruise control was set to the Speedo setting of 100 and 110 kph even through these tend to read 5 kph low according to GPS.
The card had just over 5000km at the start
Aircon was not used. The driving style was reasonable smooth with no hard accelerating and braking.
I was hoping for around 4.0 – 4.1 so to get 4.6 which we get with normal running was pretty disappointing.
Anyone got any comments. I have spoken to the local Ford Dealer and it would seem that there is not a lot to check without an engine check lights…………

One thing I have noticed with long trips in the the little fez, is if its really windy the whole way on a long trip, it seems to affect the economy.

A recent trip from sa to vic and back, with one way a tail wind, we got 4.9ltrs/100 but on the way back with a good headwind and some rain the whole way we got 5.5ltrs/100.

Just something to add anyway.

In Focus · 11-04-2011, 08:44 PM

I'd add hills to the factors to consider. I took the petrol Fiesta on a long run yesterday and was keeping half an eye on the instant econo display - it got up to 10L/100km up hills trying to hold 100-110km (depending on the steepness of the slope). You can compound this if you're using cruise control, because a human being knows to ease off, or even take the foot off the accelerator altogether, downhill. Cruise controls are at their most effective on long, flat runs.

deesun · 11-04-2011, 08:45 PM

Sim_in_mel, Were there 2 in the car rather than 1? Was there extra luggage?
I have been lurking and posting in this and Focus forums recently and as an owner of an FG XR6T find it a little amusing that you fellas are picky about .5kpl. I know you buy them for their economy but WTF? I also own a BA that runs LPG and I am sometimes dissapointed when it runs out at 380k rather than 420k but thats only because 400k between fills is very annoying on a trip. Apart from that there are some nice cars here and of course the best part is that they are FORDS.

sim_in_mel · 12-04-2011, 08:13 AM

Thanks for the comments above.
Deesun – yep the car was 2 up with luggage which I do understand would have an effect on fuel economy. With small cars 0.5l/100 is an issue, whereas with a larger engine car that can be made up very easily with being a little lighter on the throttle.
Fuel economy isn’t my first priority with this car. The additional torque from the diesel engine means less gear changes when hilly.
The overall package of the car is great with handling and especially the steering very responsive. Which certainly makes it a good car to drive and isn’t boring like some of the Japanese cars.
In was just interested in what other people were getting from the econetic’s………

deesun · 12-04-2011, 10:09 AM

Yep the car companies worry about every extra kg, hence space,weight saving tyres and thats part of the reason for your .5. Anyway welcome to the forums and enjoy your car.

kevino · 12-04-2011, 08:03 PM

The other variable on fuel consumption is whether you fill the tank to exactly the same level each time. If you fill it lower you will get a higher fuel consumption.
Used to run a fleet of trucks and wonder why they varied so much. Some drivers took the extra effort to fill the tank completely many just stop at the first click off.

deesun · 12-04-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

The other variable on fuel consumption is whether you fill the tank to exactly the same level each time. If you fill it lower you will get a higher fuel consumption.
Used to run a fleet of trucks and wonder why they varied so much. Some drivers took the extra effort to fill the tank completely many just stop at the first click off.

This will only change how many klms you get out of a tank but not the overall fuel consumption.

Caydus · 12-04-2011, 11:29 PM

Prob best measure of how much u get off a tank is to see how much fuel economy you got out of the last tank.

Compare the odometer reading you got off your last full fillup to what u got at your current fillup, calculate the difference in KM. Check the amount of fuel you put in from the pump in Litres.
Work out your L/100km.

Then from that, extrapolate how many KMs you would have gotten out of a 45L tank (WT Petrol Fiesta capacity).

Not sure how much a diesel carries, but i'd assume something similar to that.

DJ1979 · 20-04-2011, 06:47 PM

round town it might go up, but on the open road it was consistent, maybe up 4.3ish, my air con worked very well, and my economy didn't change either way when it was on.

Keep in mind that I had alloys, and without the anti rolling resistance tyres I was expecting to lose 10% of economy - given how fresh yours is, likely to settle after a little while (mine did).

Should also mention that I did only highway k's, so it ran in on highway - from experience this can affect it.

I also heard from Ford that these need to be run - ie lots of short trips "clog em up" (courtesy of my dealer), so don't know the implications - but that's all I know. Well, that and the shock of going back to petrol in a bigger car has been an adjustment lol

greenfoam · 21-04-2011, 06:19 PM

After my buckled wheel investigations and seeing how many incomplete sets are for sale I'm thinking the majority of Fiestas must have buckled wheels if the owners were to have them checked. I don't believe the Zetec wheels can possibly pass Fords own testing track or the ADR's. We should really be getting together and putting pressure on Ford about that especially when they are charging 800$+ for a rim that costs 160$ in the UK. My wife hit a small pothole with one of my known straight rims yesterday so I'll check it tomorrow if it's bent Vicroads can pay for that one. Maybe they are in a better position fight Ford over Junk rims :P. You really shouldn't have to be in a state of bump paranoia while driving a car on a major highway

EcoSqueeze · 05-05-2011, 06:58 PM

Hi everyone, I am on my second Fiesta Econetic and new to this forum. My first Econetic was a listed demo (Vision...blue) and I paid $20089 (drive-away) for it in October 2010. I happily ran up 8000km before I got a phone call from Ford to bring it in so they could check the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Turns out that my Econetic; along with about 90 others left the factory in Cologne Germany without the DSC fitted. Ford offered me $3500 or a new Econetic. I told them I would like a green one (Squeeze). Returned my listed demo with 12216km and drove off in a new 23km Squeeze Econetic, also when I dropped the first Econetic back the trip computer was showing 3.6l/100km and that was for about 1000km of easy driving.
I live in Drouin and my local commute is quite hilly and the torque is great. My current fuel consumption is 3.9l/100km and that is over the last 1500kms(mix off commute and easy highway. The highway speed makes an enormous difference to economy at 100kmh about 4l/100km at 90kmh about 3.6l/100km. If anyone is interested I have lots more to tell about my Econetic.
Cheers Mark (EcoSqeeze) Squeeze Econetic

Caydus · 06-05-2011, 07:52 AM

Glad you're happy with it mate. Kind of sucks that Ford had to charge you $3500 for their **** up though.

Pretty damn awesome fuel consumption you got there.

How many RPMs are you ticking over at, at 100kph? I know mine (petrol) hovers around 2.5k rpm at highway speeds (100 - 110)

dannyhilton · 07-05-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caydus

Kind of sucks that Ford had to charge you $3500 for their **** up though.

Think he means Ford offered him two options. Take $3.5K or trade it in for a new one at no extra cost. Ford would have been covering their behind, just look at the US, they sue at the drop of a pin.

I kinda wish mine didn't have DSC now hahahahaha! Top stuff buddy. Glad you like your car.

Caydus · 07-05-2011, 02:22 PM

ah, read or as (f)or. That's great then :P

cause if they made you pay for a new one... well, yea... Ford, this is Mr Lawyer, Mr Lawyer. Mr Lawyer, this is Ford.

EcoSqueeze · 08-05-2011, 10:39 AM

Hi, yes I'm very happy with the Econetic. There are two things that I don't like and they are: High Beam is really, really, really, poor and you have to remember to wind up electric windows before turning key off. I must be a slow learner because it catches me every time. My wife's E-gas BA allows you to wind up windows after taking key out and so did my old BA XR8 (Phantom 5 speed).
I cruise mostly at about 95kmh which is 2000rpm. I do this because I get a kick out seeing how good I can get the economy. If I still had the XR8 it would be in the police impound while I ride a bicycle because it wanted to do high speeds and my licence would have been cancelled by now...lol.
I would like to know what the Zetec high beam is like? Also does anyone know where I can buy a secondhand Econetic rim and tyre? I reckon a spare would be nice to carry on a long interstate trip.
Regards Mark

EcoSqueeze · 08-05-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ1979

Twice now, and not too long after a service, I have had the error engine malfunction, Service Now It then goes into limp home mode, equaling very little power. both times it has gone in (under warranty) and had something reset. This time it went into my new local dealer, who commented about will see if it happens again after they have fixed it, I think suggesting something about the other ford dealer. This has happened twice, neither time was the car doing anything ordinary (1st was on fwy traveling 110kmh cruise on, 2nd time was doing about 60 on a suburban street).

Other than that, I know nothing!

Hi DJ1979, from what I know the engine management monitors the driving conditions (number of short stop start cycles/ distance etc) and to prevent damage to the engine from oil that is no longer useable it comes up with Service Now and goes into limp mode so you HAVE to get it serviced.
I reckon what happened was that the person who serviced it forgot to reset the (oil changed) parameter in the computer and because the engine management relies on this to monitor the oil condition it thought you still had old oil in the engine. When you took it back they reset the ECU.......(not going to admit they forgot something though).
As I am a licenced mechanic I intend to do my own servicing but will have to get the ECU reset on the Ford Diagnostic Laptop every service because of this oil monitoring feature.
Regards Mark

dannyhilton · 08-05-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcoSqueeze

I would like to know what the Zetec high beam is like?

I like my high beam a lot. It is bloody bright, the light is very wide, and high enough to see a good distance in front. Much better than my old WP Fiesta, and much better than the FG Falcon. Perhaps the projector beams have something to do with this. Do other Zetec owners reckon their high beam is great?

GoesLikeAZetec · 08-05-2011, 09:57 PM

Im happy with the high beam, not so happy about the standard beam though for dark back streets.

dannyhilton · 08-05-2011, 10:23 PM

Yup, agreed. Driving on the hi-way or back roads, as soon as I see an oncoming car and dip the lights I crap myself hoping there are no potholes / live animals/ dead animals or others on the road. They're not the best on low beam.

EcoSqueeze · 10-05-2011, 10:28 PM

I can see a set of Zetec headlights being on my 'things to do liist'
Does anyone know where I can find a standard 14 inch steel rim for my Econetic? It is the same rim as the CL & LX in both the WS & WT