I suppose I am just anti-Ford. My dads got an 05 plate Passat with nearly 200,000 miles on and all weve ever done is standard servicing on it. To be honest most new diesels go on forever nowadays, but as has been mentioned before you do get the odd horror story.
Best bet, whichever way you go is to buy one with a full service history, and if its got a cambelt find out when was it changed last as this can be an expensive job if you take it to a garage, or worse if it snaps....

Wife: "Can I drive?"
Husband "No, I'm fine"
Wife "Oh please let me I really want to"
Husband "No"
Wife "I tell you what, if you let me drive, just for a bit, when we get home I'll give you a blow job"
Husband "Really?"
Wife "Promise"
Husband "Oh go on then"
"And that, your honour, is the final entry from the black box on the cruise ship Costa Concordia"

what about the London branch, Shoreditch i think it is??   

Ive fitted Goodridge and HEL Stainless brake pipes to other bikes, just wondered if the 'Wezmoto' ones are as good.

Ive just bought a pair of Maxxis Touring tyres from ebay for 129.99, Ive done 800 miles on them so far in all weathers and Ive got to say they are very confidence inspiring! I do tend to throw the bike around and if you look at the rear tyre its been right over on the edge, which isnt bad considering its only January!! 

Could also be a wire shorting to earth, check your wiring from the tank sender all the way back.

All that advice was worthwhile then....

Whats the quality of the Wezmoto braided hoses? I was looking at those and wondering.....

I know the fazer 600 can handle a good few thousand miles, theres one on eBay sitting at 68,000 miles and apparently still going strong. Anyone clocked over 100,000 yet on the same engine without any major catastrophies??? I'm a firm believer in regular oil & filter changes with good quality oil, and as Ive just bought my 1999 Fazer with only 9,000 miles on I'm hoping its going to last me a good few years yet!!!!  
 

I've got to say that out of nearly all the bikes I've owned over the last 20 odd years (and I've had a few as I'm always chopping and changing!) my fazer 600 is one of the best all round bikes I think I've ever had.
I bought in November it as a non runner for £1350 with 9,000 miles on, its a T reg 1999. A quick strip and clean out of the carbs, new battery, tyres and a service and what a bike! I do all the work myself so have saved a fortune and I believe I got a good deal after looking on ebay and bike trader I cant find a fazer that cheap with that mileage in such good condition!
I use the bike every day as a commuter into London around 80 miles a day and its so comfortable, I'm 5'11 and get no aches or pains. It goes like a rocket for a 600 and handles really well, and the brakes are superb (well the front one is) the back could do with an overhaul but is ok for now.
The only mods I've done is fit heated grips, the headlight mod, a delkevic Stainless can and a rear hugger.
Absolutely love it!
Sorry for going on about it for so long, I just had to say what a F**king marvellous bike for the money.

All sorted, had crap in no4 float bowl, drained it out alls well! I think the TPS was me not doing the test properly, ie disconnectiing it before turning ign on as opposed to turning ign on then disconnecting it!
Thanks anyway   

I've got a 1999 FZS600 and I need to fit my oxford heated grips, but dont want to wire them straight off the battery as they can be switched on without the ignition being on. If  I wire them to the switched side of the main ignition switch so that they only work with the ignition on, will the main fuse be ok to protect the circuit or do I need an additional fuse?

Just balanced my carbs with the aid of your easy to follow steps. Runs like a dream now and its stopped the clutch clatter/ rattle on tickover too!