Mondeo 1.8Zetec or 2.0 tdci. Which one would you go for.

[simba1]

The family is growing and I'm thinking of getting a mondeo. Budget is upto 5 K and I'll be doing around 20k miles p.a. Honest john recommends the 1.8 but was thinking with the price of fuel a diesel may be more cost effective with the mileage I'll be doing. What do you guys think, and what should i look for when buying, Thanks.

[bones33]

The tdci is a good work horse had one for my company car.

It pulls well once you are in the turbo range.
Parts are not that bad a price.
You will go through front tires quicker tho as the engine is more heavy.

[DJ_AS]

I can only speak for the 2.0 TDCi (130bhp version) with which I am really happy. It goes well, even when fully laden and is economical.

Can't help thinking that the 1.8 petrol may not be great at hauling around what is a large car, especially if you're going to be carrying passengers / heavy loads on a regular basis.

As ever, best to try a couple a make your own mind up!

[simba1]

Thanks, guys,i'm also inclined to go for the tdci. What goes wrong that i should look for in the derv.

[bones33]

Well i did not get much go wronge with mine but ill list all that happened:

Most anoying key opener in the bonet broke needed new front grill and locking system (they broke grill to unlock it)
Idle problems
Had a fuel filter problem which took ages to get sorted cant rem what it was sorry.

[andy_quantum]

simba1 said:

Thanks, guys,i'm also inclined to go for the tdci. What goes wrong that i should look for in the derv.

Problems I've had with my TDCi:

Dual Mass Flywheel
Injectors
Fuel pump
Rear Subframe bushes
Water ingress through boot liner
Bulbs blowing that require half the front of the car to be taken to pieces
Ford's Customer Service Call Centre

[DJ_AS]

simba1 said:

Thanks, guys,i'm also inclined to go for the tdci. What goes wrong that i should look for in the derv.

Had mine for year and a half (03 reg), put 20k miles on it (now 54k) and the only problem I've had is the cam position sensor. Had to diagnose it myself cos the numpties at the local dealership are useless.

[Damian S]

simba1 said:

The family is growing and I'm thinking of getting a mondeo. Budget is upto 5 K and I'll be doing around 20k miles p.a. Honest john recommends the 1.8 but was thinking with the price of fuel a diesel may be more cost effective with the mileage I'll be doing. What do you guys think, and what should i look for when buying, Thanks.

Ive had a 1.8 16v as a courtesey car a few years back and was reasonably impressed. pulled well enough for a large car. Ive also driven a 2.0 tdci estate which pulls much better in gear and is much better on fuel.

The onyl thing I would say is for that money youll get a much newer and lower mileage 1.8. doubt youll get much of a tdci for that money.. although to be fair I havent really looked.

[simba1]

I did a test drive of a 1.8 zetec 2004 54 reg and liked it very much. Despite 80 K miles it sounded and drove really well. I also test drove a 2.0 tdci 130 6 sp and the in gear acceleration was impressive. Stalled the derv a couple of times and the 1st gear in the torquey derv seems useless. I most probably will be getting a diesel but the one i saw is the lx without alloys. And my neighbour has the new diesel smax and has had problems with the "dual mass fly wheel" so that is a concern for a car out of warranty.

[DJ_AS]

simba1 said:

Stalled the derv a couple of times

I did too when I got mine - it doesn't take long to adjust to the car.

[stocky1]

when a tdci gets to high mileage the injectors and dual mass flywheel are expensive to replace.........

[andy_quantum]

stocky1 said:

when a tdci gets to high mileage the injectors and dual mass flywheel are expensive to replace.........

Try 67k

Not amused

[simba1]

I ended up getting the 2.0 zetec estate in black. Looks nice and well specced but gets dirty easily. Worries of a derv going tits up out of warranty helped in deciding to buy petrol.