2001 Ford Fiesta Zetec-S from UK and Ireland - Comments

Front knocking of the anti-roll bar bushes - have been replaced.

Loose connections on the stereo key code pad which kept cutting the radio/CD off (been to the dealership 5 times - still not entirely right).

Irritating rattle from centre console/ashtray and door panels rattle when the volume is up.

Graunch/hiss when I pull away in the cold. (dealership say it is the ABS testing itself - I remain unconvinced. If anybody may know, please enlighten me!)

Great car. Superb/unbeatable handling, reasonable economy and enough punch to have a good time makes this an inspiring car to drive. Having driven rivals such as the Saxo VTR/Corsa SRI etc, the Zetec-S is in a different league.

The power steering is perfectly balanced with excellent feedback for the driver. Long, bendy country roads are a joy!

Thirsty at high speeds on the motorway,

urban economy is relatively good, provided you are driving sensibly.

Dealership is a big let down. A culmination of things have led me to go in and out of my local dealership on countless occasions. (eg. Had a puncture and the spare wheel was straight off a Ford Galaxy. Fortunately I didn't have to drive far on such a slant).

My zetec-s makes the same noise when I initially pull away too. The dealer also says its the ABS self testing. So they are either right, or there is a conspiracy.

The graunching noise IS the ABS self-test. Have a look at www.pumapeople.co.uk, bearing in mind that the Zetec-S used the same system. Interesting that you mention that you've have the FRONT bushings replaced, all the knocking noises appear to be coming from the back end of my car...

This "gaunching noise". Is it a bizarre crunch/grind sound? I get that when I pull away in the mornings when it hits about 3000 revs. It only does it once. Is this the same thing you are talking about??

That'll be the noise, it would be nice if we were advised of it, so we didn't think there is something wrong with our car.. its the ABS/traction control system testing itself.. nothing to be afraid of =)

I have to disagree with your comments made about its performance. I think the Zetec is viciously underpowered, just the other day I was seen off at the lights by a Citroen Saxo VTR which looked rather lavish in silver I must say. I am going to sell the Zetec now which I regret buying in the first place.

I agree that the Zetec S needs a bit more power. Although the handling is fantastic on winding country roads, it needs a bit more 'oomph' when it comes to acceleration. I too get burned off at lights be people in Saxo VTRs.

Strange you should say that you were burnt up by a VTR the other day at the lights, because only this morning I absolutely annihilated a Saxo VTR from the lights. As I swiftly pulled away, utilising my traction control, the short, cropped haired, VTR driver sat there spinning away his power and rubber whilst maintaining the archetypal Saxo driver pose. I could see him trying with all his might to catch me until, rather amusingly, steam began to pour from his standard non-mesh grille and he pulled over as his hideous 8 valve engine, had atypical to all VTR engines, overheated. Yet another triumph for the Zetec-s driver I am sure you will all agree.

The knocking from the back is probably the spare wheel carrier. It's a very common problem.

I recently brought a zetec s and when driving around town I get heckled as people shout "hairdressers car" at me. I think although I am in vast debt for this machine it was well worth the money as its stylish rear drums and traction control (which is a waste of time on black ice) amalgamate to produce a sheep in wolves clothing. I say this as the power the car has is almost vomit inducing compared to the hot hatch heirarchy the saxo vtr.

I must say that I am mightily impressed with your continuing and futile persistence in attempting to mock the Fiesta Zetec-s and it's drivers.

Clearly quite unacquainted with the majesty of the styling of the Zetec-s, you have unwittingly mistaken people dribbling an pointing at the side of the road in absolute amazement that such a magnificent piece of machinery can be accompanied by such a splendidly good looking driver, for this so called "heckling".

Your brief mention of the Saxo VTR was also quite amusing. On paper the Saxo is marginally quicker than the Zetec-s 0-60, despite this being proved otherwise on more than one occasion on the road. This is because of its revolting size and chronic lack of opulence with a pathetic tape player, horrific speakers and an interior that consists of next nothing. The lack of rear spoiler on many silver VTR models also brings a smile to my face as I frequently thrash past them after 40 mph when my illustrious 16 valves kick in and do the business.

The faint shouts you may have heard with the words hair dresser in would only be the same shouts that I hear quite frequently which usually sound something like this. "My wife, who is a hairdresser, ran off with one of you bloody Zetec-s drivers because she was sick to death with my horrendous VTR, I'm going to go and buy a panther black Fiesta Zetec-s with additional Thatch am category 1 alarm and immobiliser with air-conditioning and lavish lazy locking option, now."

As already stated by other proud Zetec s owners like myself, the crunching noise that you hear at about 3000 revs is the ABS self test. The main problem that I have had with the car is the front anti roll bar bushes (a knocing noise will be heard) which have now been replaced by the dealer. The most recent problem I have is the paint pitting and bubbling up on the rear spoiler. A local ford dealership say this is a common problem. Anybody else experienced this??

The Saxo VTR makes about 90 bhp and weighs about 50 kg less than a Zetec S. The Zetec S will make a minimum of its quoted 103 bhp at the flywheel. Power tends to vary between cars considerably. I have seen cars with as much as 112 bhp. It is always advisable to run the engine in for 1000 miles keeping it under 3500 rpm, and always letting it warm up before hard use when run in. This ensures ring bedding in etc and bearings can bed in also. This ensure good power when the engine gets older. Ignore boy racers and car dealers who say you don't need to run them in, that's sheer ignorance.

As for Saxo VTR's...the build quality and standard of trim fitment is dreadful. I have met several people who have traded their VTR for a Zetec S or a Punto. Standard a VTR will match a Zetec up to about 70 mph, where the road surface is good, I. e no wet or grease. Then the fiesta is quicker to 115 mph, considerably, because of better breathing. The VTS is no doubt much quicker but suffers from poor build also. To make a Zetec S as quick as a VTS you only need do three things... Superchip (gives 9-12 bhp) depending on car, a 57i kit K&N and an uprated exhaust set. This gives around a 25 bhp improvement. Total power on my Zetec is 132 bhp. To get a few more horses a cat replacement pipe can warrant another 5 bhp. Zetec S knocking on for 140 bhp, benefits from traction control as it can haul in Peugeot 206 GTi, Cougar 24v and Golf GTI turbo.

Wilf (Zetec tuning business prop.)

Have you managed to do the above without invalidating your warantee?

How much in all did that cost?

I am quite interested in making some similar mods to my Zetec-s.

The paint on my spoiler is bubbling. It's a 2000 Imperial Blue model. Ford are replacing it and the bloke said I was one of hundreds they have had to fix.

Your all talking rubbish about the "ABS Self-Test" The noise is the traction control. It does it in the cold; normally because traction can be bad in these conditions.

At 3000 rpm, it is not surprising. That power will induce spin on the front wheels.

The noise you hear is the ABS servo/actuator being activated; to add braking on the wheel that is slipping.

The traction control in the car uses the ABS system. Hence, the noise is made everytime ABS is activated and everytime you drive on cold/snow/ice.