Mondeo ST TDCI, any good?
Discussion
Thinking of doing the unthinkable and buying a DERV, maybe even an estate! 
3 or 4 year old mondeos seem too good to be true with good specs at reasonable prices, the ST even looks pretty good. My only query is I've read a few things saying that there can a few 'issues' with the duratec and other parts of the car. My main goal for swapping from the ultra reliable E36 to a DERV is fuel savings, but not at the cost of reliabilty. Anyone got any experiences, good or bad?
3 or 4 year old mondeos seem too good to be true with good specs at reasonable prices, the ST even looks pretty good. My only query is I've read a few things saying that there can a few 'issues' with the duratec and other parts of the car. My main goal for swapping from the ultra reliable E36 to a DERV is fuel savings, but not at the cost of reliabilty. Anyone got any experiences, good or bad?They are very good. There were issues with the clutch and dual mass flywheel, but if you're looking at 3-4 years old that should be after the ones affected. Not sure if it applies to the 2.2, may just have been the 2.0.
Bear in mind that Ford offered that 2.2 155bhp engine in other trim levels from about 2005 - there's something very appealing about ST performance in a small-wheeled Zetec
Bear in mind that Ford offered that 2.2 155bhp engine in other trim levels from about 2005 - there's something very appealing about ST performance in a small-wheeled Zetec
I have heard bad things about the fuel pumps letting go, and on a common rail diesel these are expensive, not to mention the hassle of coded injectors .etc, quite complex...they can be rebuilt however and i'm sure it's not too much of a problem, just some isolated cases
BMW diesels are also brilliant, and the 2.4 JTD might also be worth a look, as does the 2.7 V6 in Jag and Pug/Citroen cars (though the french applications are not good bar the C6 which will be out of price range)
BMW diesels are also brilliant, and the 2.4 JTD might also be worth a look, as does the 2.7 V6 in Jag and Pug/Citroen cars (though the french applications are not good bar the C6 which will be out of price range)
Well rather than what I have heard I can go on experience - Mine is a 55 plate ST TDCI, picked it up with about 9K on it and it now has 15K on it. .
Does what it says on the tin, goes well, handles well, doesn't look that bad either.
Average since I have had it is around 40mpg, though a long run can easily get 50mpg.
Long service times, and so far nothing has gone wrong.
You can also get quite a bit of stuff in it if you need to.
Direct answer to your question, Yes it is good IMO
Does what it says on the tin, goes well, handles well, doesn't look that bad either.
Average since I have had it is around 40mpg, though a long run can easily get 50mpg.
Long service times, and so far nothing has gone wrong.
You can also get quite a bit of stuff in it if you need to.
Direct answer to your question, Yes it is good IMO
rapid for a Diesel.flattotheboards said:
Justlivyalife will be on in a moment, he should be able to answer your questions.
As if by magic...The car is brilliant, had mine for 3 1/2 months / 10,000 miles and it hasn't skipped a beat. They aren't without their troubles though (what car is?!)
There are stories of EGR valve failure and injector failure on the 2.2 TDCi engine, which seems to affect both the Euro 3 and Euro 4 engines.
The car was facelifted in 2005 (05/55 plates). with chrome bits and bobs, red stitched interior and new rear lights, plus a few other little bits and bobs.
Any other questions, do ask! I love it, it's brilliant around the track and on the motorway. Long term average of 46.5mph over 10,000 miles according to my Excel spreadsheet, and I don't hang about!
.One think I will say, is to get the highest spec you can, Recaro's, Xenons, Nav weren't factory fit on the ST and are valuable options. 12.5k service intervals too, so check mileages etc on cars you'r elooking at so you don't end up buying then servicing!
Hi justlivyalife. Do you know if the titanium x came as standard with the heated/cooled seats? That would be a gadget I could see being very useful in the summer, no more ariving somewhere in a sweaty shirt! I would like the ST though, especially with Recaros, heard nothing but good things about them. What is the ride like being an ST? Any harsher than normal?
The ST TDCi is a superb piece of kit. As mentioned by others, get as high spec as you can. The Recaros were optional on the TDCi and are fairly rare. The sensor for the ventilated seats looks at the ambient temperature in the vehicle and varies the seat fan according to that, but doesnt't blow cold air up through them
I've only had trouble with injector rattle when cold, but this disappears when it's warmed up, although it does sound like the big ends rattling away at times...
I've had one of my customers 'chip' mine and it's producing around 185BHP and 400Nm of torque which isn't too shabby - removes the 1st and 2nd gear restriction and gives you a lot of grunt at motorway cruising speeds
The brakes feel a bit spongey but it's peculiar to the TDCi - going to try uprated pads and discs and see if that makes a difference. However, in an emergency situation the car anchors up very quickly as the pressure is decided by the ECU depending on how quick you come off the throttle and on the brakes
Other than that, a discreet performance vehicle. Mine's a black hatch and looks awesome when washed and polished!
Edit: The ride is firmer than standard, but not overly so. You can tramline a bit with the 18's on there, but that's life
I've only had trouble with injector rattle when cold, but this disappears when it's warmed up, although it does sound like the big ends rattling away at times...
I've had one of my customers 'chip' mine and it's producing around 185BHP and 400Nm of torque which isn't too shabby - removes the 1st and 2nd gear restriction and gives you a lot of grunt at motorway cruising speeds
The brakes feel a bit spongey but it's peculiar to the TDCi - going to try uprated pads and discs and see if that makes a difference. However, in an emergency situation the car anchors up very quickly as the pressure is decided by the ECU depending on how quick you come off the throttle and on the brakes
Other than that, a discreet performance vehicle. Mine's a black hatch and looks awesome when washed and polished!
Edit: The ride is firmer than standard, but not overly so. You can tramline a bit with the 18's on there, but that's life
Edited by kevy427 on Thursday 17th April 21:15
Don't think the Heated/Cooled seats came standard on the Tit X, they were quite an expensive (and rare) option I believe. My ST TDCi is fairly basic, just with parking sensors, mine's an ex Ford-Direct car. Check out www.archersofashby.co.uk as they tend to have a good stock of STs (though not too many at the moment).
Check out insurance costs too, as I was originally going for a Tit X but found that the ST was (Bizarrely) cheaper to insure (though I am only 19) so cost fluctuation was greater!
As regards a D5, I'd look at the them but I found that they "felt" slower than the ST, don't know if they are, figures suggest they aren't.
Edit: Not sure on ride-quality, I don't find it at all crashy really, the suspension is slightly lower than a standard Mondeo but the seats are very comfortable which helps! The 18s do tramline a little bit but I suspect that can be cured by selecting tyres carefully.
Also check the following:
- Diamond Cut Alloys corrode very easily once curbed
- Rear bumper - common for these to "drop" away from the rear lights as they are a poor-fit, check out ST Drivers for a huge load of threads, had mine fixed under Ford Warranty with a bit of persuasion.
- Lumpy idle & smoke @ cold start - could indicate early signs of injector failure (about £1k to replace them). Mine's just started a lumpy idle with a puff of blue smoke at cold startup but no other signs yet. (60k miles now)
Edit 2:
Forgot to say that I've found the handling amazing - I came from a SEAT Ibiza TDi and the Mondeo is probably better handling out on the open road and on track! The ST copes very well with it's track outings (been at Castle Combe three times since I've had it!).
As regards fuel economy - I stated an average of 46mpg during ownership, but has been as high as 52mpg on some tankfuls, and no lower than 40mpg normally! (2 tanks of 35mpg were trips to Wales
)
Check out insurance costs too, as I was originally going for a Tit X but found that the ST was (Bizarrely) cheaper to insure (though I am only 19) so cost fluctuation was greater!
As regards a D5, I'd look at the them but I found that they "felt" slower than the ST, don't know if they are, figures suggest they aren't.
Edit: Not sure on ride-quality, I don't find it at all crashy really, the suspension is slightly lower than a standard Mondeo but the seats are very comfortable which helps! The 18s do tramline a little bit but I suspect that can be cured by selecting tyres carefully.
Also check the following:
- Diamond Cut Alloys corrode very easily once curbed
- Rear bumper - common for these to "drop" away from the rear lights as they are a poor-fit, check out ST Drivers for a huge load of threads, had mine fixed under Ford Warranty with a bit of persuasion.
- Lumpy idle & smoke @ cold start - could indicate early signs of injector failure (about £1k to replace them). Mine's just started a lumpy idle with a puff of blue smoke at cold startup but no other signs yet. (60k miles now)
Edit 2:
Forgot to say that I've found the handling amazing - I came from a SEAT Ibiza TDi and the Mondeo is probably better handling out on the open road and on track! The ST copes very well with it's track outings (been at Castle Combe three times since I've had it!).
As regards fuel economy - I stated an average of 46mpg during ownership, but has been as high as 52mpg on some tankfuls, and no lower than 40mpg normally! (2 tanks of 35mpg were trips to Wales
)Edited by justlivyalife on Thursday 17th April 22:05
the st diesel is a great car.
Mrs Wipes company car is an ex ford st estate in black with a great spec, recaros, dvd navigation and leccy sunroof
the car swallows a huge amount of kit and regardless of load will propel you along the road at a surprising rate of knots. the wave of torgue is ace.
the suspension set up is a little stiffer than standard but not so youd notice.
i have done a number of long distance runs and each and every time i have arrived at my destination fresh as a daisy.
in all, a great piece of kit for the cash. get one now before the market gets flooded with leggy high mileage metal
Mrs Wipes company car is an ex ford st estate in black with a great spec, recaros, dvd navigation and leccy sunroof
the car swallows a huge amount of kit and regardless of load will propel you along the road at a surprising rate of knots. the wave of torgue is ace.
the suspension set up is a little stiffer than standard but not so youd notice.
i have done a number of long distance runs and each and every time i have arrived at my destination fresh as a daisy.
in all, a great piece of kit for the cash. get one now before the market gets flooded with leggy high mileage metal
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