The "I love my ST220" thread...

[Podie]

The sat nav isn't great, but looks good with the built in climate control. Parking sensors (PDC) is useful. Sunroof is rare. Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) gives people in the back headphone sockets.

I have PDC, Xenons, sat nav and heated rear seats.


In terms of aftermarket stuff, a decent exhaust and Focus ST front calipers are nice to haves IMO

[Podie]

GSDog said:

Podie said:

The sat nav isn't great, but looks good with the built in climate control. Parking sensors (PDC) is useful. Sunroof is rare. Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) gives people in the back headphone sockets.

I have PDC, Xenons, sat nav and heated rear seats.


In terms of aftermarket stuff, a decent exhaust and Focus ST front calipers are nice to haves IMO

Thanks.

I have a couple more questions.

What differences does the facelift bring besides visual changes? Is there a particular year which is best? I'm looking at 04/05/06 cars and I do prefer the look of the facelift models but if I find the perfect example pre-facelift then I will consider it.

Am I right in thinking that some of the later models are in a higher tax band? Do you know what month/year those tax changes were made? I don't want to be paying £400+ on tax!

There were 3 facelifts, roughly as follows.

The original cars (amber rear indicators, 5 speed)
Facelift 1 (6 speed, revised dash, clear rear indicators)
Facelift 2 (interior accents in red, chrome bits everywhere)

I think the £400 VED cars are 06, but may be 55 plate. My 05 plate is £260.

[Podie]

Steve H said:

Ho All

Dont usually post in here but know this is the best place for advice. I am thinking of going to view this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... and was after any advice/help you guys could offer.

Also, am I right in thinking that this will be the lower VED band??

Thanks

Steve

It is a lower VED car.

Looks in good condition, but no optional extras that I can see. No mats either!

Check for door bottom rust, that all electrics work and a decent service history. Rear calipers known to stick, so have a look.

[Podie]

One from last night...

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Howard- said:

So I've been considering changing mine recently, for something a bit more "fun" - I.e. a smaller hot hatch. I've weighed up the pros and cons of many options and I've pretty much decided that the Mondeo is too good at doing everything I need it to do, so it's staying.

I still love my ST220, 2 years and 4 months on.

Exactly the issue I have. I don't need anything as big, fancy something smaller, but I keep coming back to the ST220.

Did a 5 hour trip on Friday night on A roads. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Quick enough, comfy, quiet and got out feeling fresh.

Had mine 4 years now - the longest I've owned a car.

[Podie]

Howard- said:

I can feel a JP exhaust coming on

Love mine. No motorway boom, but give it some beans and you get the V6 howl.

[Podie]

rumple said:

I don't mean to incur the wrath of PH but how would one of these respond to LPG?.

Seem to be ok - a few people have done it

[Podie]

Blimey - quite a mess! Real shame, that was a lovely car.

[Podie]

Had mine 4 years - the longest I've ever owned a car, which says a lot.

Gary, did you not consider an engine rebuild?

[Podie]

[Podie]

farmeryellow said:

Hi All,

Long time no see Podie!

Right i am in the market for a ST220, Estate would be my first choice but a 5 door will do. Any of you fellow pistonheaders selling?

Paul.

Blimey, blast from the past! hello mate.

Fewer estates about, but buy the best you can afford.

[Podie]

Kidders said:

The main reason it's so smooth and thrives on revs is due to its short stroke. Pretty much everything these days is long stroke, for example the engine in my Transit 2.2 is 94.6mm stroke, the duratec30 is 79.5mm, very short !

I never knew that!

[Podie]

Kidders said:

All you need now is tyres that will grip the tarmac

[Podie]

Howard- said:

BLOODY RATTLES!!

Plasticy rattling sound coming from the rear/boot area, sounds like loose trim but I've taken all the rear trim out! Any suspect items/areas? Doesn't sound like the sort of muffled noise the parcel shelf would make.

I find my rear seats squeak if I'm not careful how I put them back, and I've recently installed a rattle having had the door cards off recently for cleaning

[Podie]

Howard- said:

Podie said:

I find my rear seats squeak if I'm not careful how I put them back, and I've recently installed a rattle having had the door cards off recently for cleaning

I've fixed the seats by adding felt (your idea IIRC - a good one!) so it's not those

Definitely is either coming from the boot or the bumper/ underside area

Used the felt on the centre console to stop the leather seat rubbing!

Is it the plastic that supports the parcel shelf? Screws are known to pop out of those.

[Podie]

TheBALDpuma said:

Thanks for the info so far. What's real world economy like?

B-road hoofing - 18-22mpg. Pootling around town - 23-25mpg. Decent motorway run 28-32mpg.

[Podie]

So I have a lighter hoofing foot, but a heavier motorway one

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TheBALDpuma said:

GaryST220 said:

Fuel costs are trivial compared to the maintenance bills, especially as they get old and hammered like mine

(at least in my experience)

Are they that expensive to run?

Not as expensive as the TVRs I've owned....

[Podie]

Mine's an 05 and I've had it 4 years. Both rear hubs have been replaced, but it's not let me down yet.

Got a dodgy door handle, but that's due to some inconsdierate st in the station car park reversing into the driver's door.

I had to change the breather pipe as it was revving erratically about a year ago, but that's about £30. Most things have really been upgrades or consumeables to be honest.

That said when I bought the car the boot wouldn't open from the rear hatch. Replaced the boot button, but it's obviously a driver's door lock / GEM issue, but I've never got round to sorting it out

[Podie]

Spoonman - long time no see!