Mondeo ST220 V6 vs ST220 2.2 TDCI
Discussion
done a search an couldnt find the anwser to my question.
Anyone own either of these? Im looking for real world running costs and MPG.
Ive been looking at the TDCI for my next car. Cheap to buy, cheap to run and seems quite quick - albeit not as quick or sporty as the V6.
Ive always had a petrol car as i believe they are cheaper to run for me. 5k miles a year, only few miles a day, if any. Motorway miles are 100m round trips once every few months etc.
Ive just done a comparison on running costs (which is a big factor for me) and this is how its turned out.
TDCI:
Tax - £170
Fuel - £698
V6:
Tax - £270
Fuel - 1146
Above is based on yearly costs but even monthly or 3 yearly, the diesel still wins on costs.
Is there anything else i need to factor in? servicing? parts?
At the moment the diesel is a strong pick for next car. Cheap to run and still got a bit of umph.
So, anyone can give me some real world experiences?
Anyone own either of these? Im looking for real world running costs and MPG.
Ive been looking at the TDCI for my next car. Cheap to buy, cheap to run and seems quite quick - albeit not as quick or sporty as the V6.
Ive always had a petrol car as i believe they are cheaper to run for me. 5k miles a year, only few miles a day, if any. Motorway miles are 100m round trips once every few months etc.
Ive just done a comparison on running costs (which is a big factor for me) and this is how its turned out.
TDCI:
Tax - £170
Fuel - £698
V6:
Tax - £270
Fuel - 1146
Above is based on yearly costs but even monthly or 3 yearly, the diesel still wins on costs.
Is there anything else i need to factor in? servicing? parts?
At the moment the diesel is a strong pick for next car. Cheap to run and still got a bit of umph.
So, anyone can give me some real world experiences?
Avoid the TDCi like the plague, especially at that mileage. Expensive parts like injectors, fuel pumps, injector rails, EGRs, DMFs etc are regular failures. If they havent been replaced recently the likelyhood is they will probably need doing in the near future. The early 2.2 tdci in the mk3 seemed to have a lengthy list of problems. At that mileage it will definately bring those problems on quicker as low mileage means the engine wont get up to temp, a common killer of modern dervs.
A good tdci will cost more to buy than a 220 due to people looking at the headline mpg and which keeps them in demand.
The Tdci also has less kit as standard, slower and has higher, more wallowy suspension on.
Someone I used to work with and had an ST220 which he kept about 2 years and loved, and only got rid as he was doing over 20k a year. He swapped it for a ST tdci, kept it all of 3 months and got rid he did not like it at all.
A good tdci will cost more to buy than a 220 due to people looking at the headline mpg and which keeps them in demand.
The Tdci also has less kit as standard, slower and has higher, more wallowy suspension on.
Someone I used to work with and had an ST220 which he kept about 2 years and loved, and only got rid as he was doing over 20k a year. He swapped it for a ST tdci, kept it all of 3 months and got rid he did not like it at all.
SteBrown91 said:
Avoid the TDCi like the plague, especially at that mileage. Expensive parts like injectors, fuel pumps, injector rails, EGRs, DMFs etc are regular failures. If they havent been replaced recently the likelyhood is they will probably need doing in the near future. The early 2.2 tdci in the mk3 seemed to have a lengthy list of problems. At that mileage it will definately bring those problems on quicker as low mileage means the engine wont get up to temp, a common killer of modern dervs.
A good tdci will cost more to buy than a 220 due to people looking at the headline mpg and which keeps them in demand.
The Tdci also has less kit as standard, slower and has higher, more wallowy suspension on.
Someone I used to work with and had an ST220 which he kept about 2 years and loved, and only got rid as he was doing over 20k a year. He swapped it for a ST tdci, kept it all of 3 months and got rid he did not like it at all.
Thats interesting,A good tdci will cost more to buy than a 220 due to people looking at the headline mpg and which keeps them in demand.
The Tdci also has less kit as standard, slower and has higher, more wallowy suspension on.
Someone I used to work with and had an ST220 which he kept about 2 years and loved, and only got rid as he was doing over 20k a year. He swapped it for a ST tdci, kept it all of 3 months and got rid he did not like it at all.
All the diesel STs ive seen have more kit than a standard 2.2 diesel. Leather seats etc.
also, i cant seem to find it anywhere, even on seller adverts... does the ST 2.2 diesel (TDCI) have a turbo? Ive just compared running costs and the ST TDCI is only about 50quid more a year on fuel :s Confused.
Ill admit, other searches have mentioned the problems u have with the TDCI.
Maybe i should just try to find a decent 2.2 diesel? all that'd be missing is the turbo?
dowsett said:
also, i cant seem to find it anywhere, even on seller adverts... does the ST 2.2 diesel (TDCI) have a turbo? Ive just compared running costs and the ST TDCI is only about 50quid more a year on fuel :s Confused.
Yes all TDCIs have a turbo....... (Turbo Diesel Common rail Injection)All the 2.2 tdcis are the same engine, 155 bhp.
There is no st220 TDCi. the ST Tdci is the same as all of the other 2.2's but with a bodykit.
Seats are the same as a titanium X, the kit is less than a titanium X.
You might be lucky and have no issues, but they are all getting on a bit now and probably had a few years of lack servicing/maintenance. Even if the DMF/injectors etc havent failed prematurely on a good one it would be likely that they will be not far off going.
Personally for 5k a year any commonrail diesel will be a ticking timebomb. Just stick to petrol. The headline figures are less appealing, but in the long run it willbe more reliable.
There is no st220 TDCi. the ST Tdci is the same as all of the other 2.2's but with a bodykit.
Seats are the same as a titanium X, the kit is less than a titanium X.
You might be lucky and have no issues, but they are all getting on a bit now and probably had a few years of lack servicing/maintenance. Even if the DMF/injectors etc havent failed prematurely on a good one it would be likely that they will be not far off going.
Personally for 5k a year any commonrail diesel will be a ticking timebomb. Just stick to petrol. The headline figures are less appealing, but in the long run it willbe more reliable.
The ST220 is the far better option for what you have planned. The ST TDCI looks good on paper as a blend of economy and perfomance but they have many more weak areas than the ST220 which have already been mentioned (DMF, injectors, turbo - a case of when not if).
The ST220 is more thirsty but you save a lot if you buy comparable models (eg ST220 £4000 vs ST TDCI £6000) which is a lot of fuel.
I have an ST220 estate as the family car as we simply wanted something that would swallow a lot of gear, be refined and reliable, be a nice place to sit and were not concerned about mpg.
I would go for the ST220.
The ST220 is more thirsty but you save a lot if you buy comparable models (eg ST220 £4000 vs ST TDCI £6000) which is a lot of fuel.
I have an ST220 estate as the family car as we simply wanted something that would swallow a lot of gear, be refined and reliable, be a nice place to sit and were not concerned about mpg.
I would go for the ST220.
Ok thanks all.
I have a focus ST3 225 atm. According to paper figures, the mondeo ST drinks more than my focus st which i was a bit supprised by. Saying that, its an extra cylinder and more engine.
Now im more lost as to what car to get. Thought a mondeo diesel might of been the one.
Ive never owned a diesel - Are the injector racks more difficult to replace than petrol models? more expensive? If i remember right it was just one injector that went on a rail on a standard focus before which is located at the back of the engine. are they more expensive? harder/more complicated to get to on a diesel?
I have a focus ST3 225 atm. According to paper figures, the mondeo ST drinks more than my focus st which i was a bit supprised by. Saying that, its an extra cylinder and more engine.
Now im more lost as to what car to get. Thought a mondeo diesel might of been the one.
Ive never owned a diesel - Are the injector racks more difficult to replace than petrol models? more expensive? If i remember right it was just one injector that went on a rail on a standard focus before which is located at the back of the engine. are they more expensive? harder/more complicated to get to on a diesel?
dowsett said:
Ok thanks all.
I have a focus ST3 225 atm. According to paper figures, the mondeo ST drinks more than my focus st which i was a bit supprised by. Saying that, its an extra cylinder and more engine.
Now im more lost as to what car to get. Thought a mondeo diesel might of been the one.
Ive never owned a diesel - Are the injector racks more difficult to replace than petrol models? more expensive? If i remember right it was just one injector that went on a rail on a standard focus before which is located at the back of the engine. are they more expensive? harder/more complicated to get to on a diesel?
Ah, missed you had a Focus ST!I have a focus ST3 225 atm. According to paper figures, the mondeo ST drinks more than my focus st which i was a bit supprised by. Saying that, its an extra cylinder and more engine.
Now im more lost as to what car to get. Thought a mondeo diesel might of been the one.
Ive never owned a diesel - Are the injector racks more difficult to replace than petrol models? more expensive? If i remember right it was just one injector that went on a rail on a standard focus before which is located at the back of the engine. are they more expensive? harder/more complicated to get to on a diesel?
Is the Focus standard? The Mondy is a slightly bigger car, but doesn't really feel it - you really can throw an ST220 about (assuming it has decent tyres).
To be honest I'm finding very little difference in terms of MPG between the ST220 and the Focus.
Everyone raves about the 5pot warble, but I prefer (and miss) the V6 howl (the JP exhaust helped that!)
Podie said:
Ah, missed you had a Focus ST!
Is the Focus standard? The Mondy is a slightly bigger car, but doesn't really feel it - you really can throw an ST220 about (assuming it has decent tyres).
To be honest I'm finding very little difference in terms of MPG between the ST220 and the Focus.
Everyone raves about the 5pot warble, but I prefer (and miss) the V6 howl (the JP exhaust helped that!)
Yes its standard (except for ford mudflaps to protect the underside of the paint) - no need to modify it! fast enogugh. If i was buying one then id be buying a standard, not a modded one - so i figure anyone else would want standard. It took me a few months to get used to it as i upgraded from a standard 1.6 focus. Plus once u start upgrading stuff, u need to start upgrading the rest of it. I.e intercooler etc. it can get expensive, but it can also be upgraded to be faster than an RS.Is the Focus standard? The Mondy is a slightly bigger car, but doesn't really feel it - you really can throw an ST220 about (assuming it has decent tyres).
To be honest I'm finding very little difference in terms of MPG between the ST220 and the Focus.
Everyone raves about the 5pot warble, but I prefer (and miss) the V6 howl (the JP exhaust helped that!)
the 5 pot is a beast. Sounds really nice. i love it. Ive been around an outdoor car park in 1st gear (looking for a parking space) and i dropped the clutch to slow down from about 10mph and it was still popping
Cant comment on the V6. Im just trying to find something cheaper but still quite fun to drive and balanced as well as being a family car with a bit more range than 250 miles per tank
ST220's are cheaper than ST TDCi's.
450 miles before the light comes on in an ST TDCi.
250 is the average in an ST220.
5000 miles in a ST220 will be £1500 a year in fuel.
The same in a TDCi would be £850.
Common problems with ST TDCi...
Let's not forget this is the internet so people go on forums to look for advice with their cars.
Clutch, flywheel - £800
Injectors - £800
Turbo - £500
EGR valve - £150
I do 15-20k miles a year so the ST TDCi works out ok for me, I save £1500 a year by having the diesel.
If I was you i'd pay the £55 a month extra in fuel to have the ST220 and not have to worry about the above four.
450 miles before the light comes on in an ST TDCi.
250 is the average in an ST220.
5000 miles in a ST220 will be £1500 a year in fuel.
The same in a TDCi would be £850.
Common problems with ST TDCi...
Let's not forget this is the internet so people go on forums to look for advice with their cars.
Clutch, flywheel - £800
Injectors - £800
Turbo - £500
EGR valve - £150
I do 15-20k miles a year so the ST TDCi works out ok for me, I save £1500 a year by having the diesel.
If I was you i'd pay the £55 a month extra in fuel to have the ST220 and not have to worry about the above four.
This topic has been done to death on the Ford ST forums. The long and short of it is that the ST220 is the more reliable car, makes the better noise and will be a nicer car to drive if you are going to drive it hard/fast at times. The TDCI sounds like a transit (and shares an engine with one) and is not a great diesel engine. Pulleys rattling is very common, egrs and if unlucky injectors are a big cost.
VS the Focus ST my experience of the two (I did 60k miles in my ST220 and have driven a pile of Focus STs) is that driving sensibly the Mondeo is more economical, especially round town. At 50-60 in top gear on a country road run driving gently you will get a few more MPG from the Focus (I think the weight hurts the Mondeo).
If you are thinking of an ST220 the main thing to check is the clutch. These tend to fail between 65 and 85k miles (though this is obviously not set in stone). Mine went at 75k and cost £900 to replace along with the DMF. Ford main stealer will quote closer to £1300. Bear this in mind if you look at them second hand. The only other costs I had with the ST220 (I sold it at 110,00 miles) were wear and tear items (heavy on front tyres due to the power through the front wheels and heavy engine up front) and a couple of breather hoses - the breather hose to the upper inlet manifold is prone to splitting - this costs £34 to buy from Ford, can be changed in 10 mins and is the most common ST220 problem causing the EML to come on and usually a rough idle or revs hanging when changing gear.
ST220s should be reliable as long as well serviced. Avoid those with a dubious service history.
From the Focus ST you will notice much less torque and will need to use the gearbox more to get performance from it. The 220 also doesn't handle quite as well, though for it's size and weight handling is excellent. The Mondeo has a more luxury feel though and as standard is better equipped. One thing you will find after the Focus is that the standard Mondeo ST brakes (which are the same as every other MK3 Mondeo including the 1.8) aren't great. A common upgrade is to swap to Focus ST front calipers, pads and discs - I did this on mine and the improvement was huge. Also, as others have mentioned the V6 can be made to sound great with a new exhaust. I had a Miltek on my 220 and the noise was utterly fantastic. Best bit of the car I think.
At 5k miles a year, if you want a Mondeo ST then the 220 would be a no brainer IMHO. MPG wise I averaged 26 during my whole period of ownership. Low 20s round town, 33 on a motorway run and teens when I was having fun. That gave a range of on average about 320 miles per tank though bear in mind this is bigger than in the Focus.
A Mondeo ST won't feel as 'fun' as your Focus. Plus side is the space is great. I used to throw my mountain bikes in and out of mine and love the ease I could get them in wheels and all still attached. Hope some of that helps.
VS the Focus ST my experience of the two (I did 60k miles in my ST220 and have driven a pile of Focus STs) is that driving sensibly the Mondeo is more economical, especially round town. At 50-60 in top gear on a country road run driving gently you will get a few more MPG from the Focus (I think the weight hurts the Mondeo).
If you are thinking of an ST220 the main thing to check is the clutch. These tend to fail between 65 and 85k miles (though this is obviously not set in stone). Mine went at 75k and cost £900 to replace along with the DMF. Ford main stealer will quote closer to £1300. Bear this in mind if you look at them second hand. The only other costs I had with the ST220 (I sold it at 110,00 miles) were wear and tear items (heavy on front tyres due to the power through the front wheels and heavy engine up front) and a couple of breather hoses - the breather hose to the upper inlet manifold is prone to splitting - this costs £34 to buy from Ford, can be changed in 10 mins and is the most common ST220 problem causing the EML to come on and usually a rough idle or revs hanging when changing gear.
ST220s should be reliable as long as well serviced. Avoid those with a dubious service history.
From the Focus ST you will notice much less torque and will need to use the gearbox more to get performance from it. The 220 also doesn't handle quite as well, though for it's size and weight handling is excellent. The Mondeo has a more luxury feel though and as standard is better equipped. One thing you will find after the Focus is that the standard Mondeo ST brakes (which are the same as every other MK3 Mondeo including the 1.8) aren't great. A common upgrade is to swap to Focus ST front calipers, pads and discs - I did this on mine and the improvement was huge. Also, as others have mentioned the V6 can be made to sound great with a new exhaust. I had a Miltek on my 220 and the noise was utterly fantastic. Best bit of the car I think.
At 5k miles a year, if you want a Mondeo ST then the 220 would be a no brainer IMHO. MPG wise I averaged 26 during my whole period of ownership. Low 20s round town, 33 on a motorway run and teens when I was having fun. That gave a range of on average about 320 miles per tank though bear in mind this is bigger than in the Focus.
A Mondeo ST won't feel as 'fun' as your Focus. Plus side is the space is great. I used to throw my mountain bikes in and out of mine and love the ease I could get them in wheels and all still attached. Hope some of that helps.
Edited by PaulD86 on Monday 6th January 14:51
PaulD86 said:
This topic has been done to death on the Ford ST forums. The long and short of it is that the ST220 is the more reliable car, makes the better noise and will be a nicer car to drive if you are going to drive it hard/fast at times. The TDCI sounds like a transit (and shares an engine with one) and is not a great diesel engine. Pulleys rattling is very common, egrs and if unlucky injectors are a big cost.
VS the Focus ST my experience of the two (I did 60k miles in my ST220 and have driven a pile of Focus STs) is that driving sensibly the Mondeo is more economical, especially round town. At 50-60 in top gear on a country road run driving gently you will get a few more MPG from the Focus (I think the weight hurts the Mondeo).
If you are thinking of an ST220 the main thing to check is the clutch. These tend to fail between 65 and 85k miles (though this is obviously not set in stone). Mine went at 75k and cost £900 to replace along with the DMF. Ford main stealer will quote closer to £1300. Bear this in mind if you look at them second hand. The only other costs I had with the ST220 (I sold it at 110,00 miles) were wear and tear items (heavy on front tyres due to the power through the front wheels and heavy engine up front) and a couple of breather hoses - the breather hose to the upper inlet manifold is prone to splitting - this costs £34 to buy from Ford, can be changed in 10 mins and is the most common ST220 problem causing the EML to come on and usually a rough idle or revs hanging when changing gear.
ST220s should be reliable as long as well serviced. Avoid those with a dubious service history.
From the Focus ST you will notice much less torque and will need to use the gearbox more to get performance from it. The 220 also doesn't handle quite as well, though for it's size and weight handling is excellent. The Mondeo has a more luxury feel though and as standard is better equipped. One thing you will find after the Focus is that the standard Mondeo ST brakes (which are the same as every other MK3 Mondeo including the 1.8) aren't great. A common upgrade is to swap to Focus ST front calipers, pads and discs - I did this on mine and the improvement was huge. Also, as others have mentioned the V6 can be made to sound great with a new exhaust. I had a Miltek on my 220 and the noise was utterly fantastic. Best bit of the car I think.
At 5k miles a year, if you want a Mondeo ST then the 220 would be a no brainer IMHO. MPG wise I averaged 26 during my whole period of ownership. Low 20s round town, 33 on a motorway run and teens when I was having fun. That gave a range of on average about 320 miles per tank though bear in mind this is bigger than in the Focus.
A Mondeo ST won't feel as 'fun' as your Focus. Plus side is the space is great. I used to throw my mountain bikes in and out of mine and love the ease I could get them in wheels and all still attached. Hope some of that helps.
Big help. Thanks for your input.VS the Focus ST my experience of the two (I did 60k miles in my ST220 and have driven a pile of Focus STs) is that driving sensibly the Mondeo is more economical, especially round town. At 50-60 in top gear on a country road run driving gently you will get a few more MPG from the Focus (I think the weight hurts the Mondeo).
If you are thinking of an ST220 the main thing to check is the clutch. These tend to fail between 65 and 85k miles (though this is obviously not set in stone). Mine went at 75k and cost £900 to replace along with the DMF. Ford main stealer will quote closer to £1300. Bear this in mind if you look at them second hand. The only other costs I had with the ST220 (I sold it at 110,00 miles) were wear and tear items (heavy on front tyres due to the power through the front wheels and heavy engine up front) and a couple of breather hoses - the breather hose to the upper inlet manifold is prone to splitting - this costs £34 to buy from Ford, can be changed in 10 mins and is the most common ST220 problem causing the EML to come on and usually a rough idle or revs hanging when changing gear.
ST220s should be reliable as long as well serviced. Avoid those with a dubious service history.
From the Focus ST you will notice much less torque and will need to use the gearbox more to get performance from it. The 220 also doesn't handle quite as well, though for it's size and weight handling is excellent. The Mondeo has a more luxury feel though and as standard is better equipped. One thing you will find after the Focus is that the standard Mondeo ST brakes (which are the same as every other MK3 Mondeo including the 1.8) aren't great. A common upgrade is to swap to Focus ST front calipers, pads and discs - I did this on mine and the improvement was huge. Also, as others have mentioned the V6 can be made to sound great with a new exhaust. I had a Miltek on my 220 and the noise was utterly fantastic. Best bit of the car I think.
At 5k miles a year, if you want a Mondeo ST then the 220 would be a no brainer IMHO. MPG wise I averaged 26 during my whole period of ownership. Low 20s round town, 33 on a motorway run and teens when I was having fun. That gave a range of on average about 320 miles per tank though bear in mind this is bigger than in the Focus.
A Mondeo ST won't feel as 'fun' as your Focus. Plus side is the space is great. I used to throw my mountain bikes in and out of mine and love the ease I could get them in wheels and all still attached. Hope some of that helps.
Edited by PaulD86 on Monday 6th January 14:51
I just took my ST220 estate to Ford with a running problem.
I've had 3 coils in 6 months
I wanted them to do it so I can take it to them if it happens again.
This time its had new Ford plugs leads and coil at a cost of £490 and is running great.
I've uprated the brakes to Brembo discs/ pads and Focus ST calipers.
JP stainless exhaust and a Bluefin on mine too.
I don't think the engine is as good as the BMW 3.0, but its smooth, and cheap to buy. As a tool for a job being our family car its great.
Very happy with mine
I've had 3 coils in 6 months
I wanted them to do it so I can take it to them if it happens again.This time its had new Ford plugs leads and coil at a cost of £490 and is running great.
I've uprated the brakes to Brembo discs/ pads and Focus ST calipers.
JP stainless exhaust and a Bluefin on mine too.
I don't think the engine is as good as the BMW 3.0, but its smooth, and cheap to buy. As a tool for a job being our family car its great.
Very happy with mine
I've had both so will outline my 2 penneth.
I bought an st tdci initially, kept it for 6 months before trading it in for an st220. Stock, it's a very poor car imho. Saying that, I purchased a bluefin for it and it transformed the car, from 3rd gear up. It really came into it's own on the motorway, upwards of 40 mph. It flew in 6th gear from 60-100. Great fuel economy too, averaged 35-40 mpg flooring it.
Saying all that, I hated the diesel engine. Sounds like a tractor, absolutely awful in 1st and 2nd gears, even with the bluefin. Very rough. Took forever to get to 30 mph in 2nd. Yes, nice torque from 3rd gear but got sick of constantly changing gears. Plus, within 6 months the (second) egr valve went. Got rid of it rather than shelling out. A lot more can go wrong with the diesel, egr, injectors etc.
I pretty much regretted not getting the st220 from the start, choosing economy over everything else. Now, if you're on a strict budget, it makes sense to get the diesel, but as far as I'm concerned, that is the only benefit.
Onto the st220. Managed to pick up a rare grey one, 2005 facelift model. It's a dream to drive, revs forever from 2nd gear up. Wonderful gear ratio, you can stay in 4th gear from 15 mph all the way to 100 if you choose. 2nd and 3rd gears really pack a punch (particularly 3rd) and it really comes into it's own when you go past 4000 rpm in any gear. The noise of the engine past 4000 is fantastic. Recaro seats as standard.
The one and only downside of the st220 is mpg. I average 23 compared to 35 in the diesel (and I don't hang around). But that 12 mpg sacrifice is so worth it for the driving pleasure of a V6.
If your wallet can take the hit, do not hesitate to buy the st220. The st tdci really is the poor, ugly cousin.
All I'd say is wait until you find one with a good service history. I managed to find one that had been at regular intervals to the same Ford garage since new.
Good luck!
I bought an st tdci initially, kept it for 6 months before trading it in for an st220. Stock, it's a very poor car imho. Saying that, I purchased a bluefin for it and it transformed the car, from 3rd gear up. It really came into it's own on the motorway, upwards of 40 mph. It flew in 6th gear from 60-100. Great fuel economy too, averaged 35-40 mpg flooring it.
Saying all that, I hated the diesel engine. Sounds like a tractor, absolutely awful in 1st and 2nd gears, even with the bluefin. Very rough. Took forever to get to 30 mph in 2nd. Yes, nice torque from 3rd gear but got sick of constantly changing gears. Plus, within 6 months the (second) egr valve went. Got rid of it rather than shelling out. A lot more can go wrong with the diesel, egr, injectors etc.
I pretty much regretted not getting the st220 from the start, choosing economy over everything else. Now, if you're on a strict budget, it makes sense to get the diesel, but as far as I'm concerned, that is the only benefit.
Onto the st220. Managed to pick up a rare grey one, 2005 facelift model. It's a dream to drive, revs forever from 2nd gear up. Wonderful gear ratio, you can stay in 4th gear from 15 mph all the way to 100 if you choose. 2nd and 3rd gears really pack a punch (particularly 3rd) and it really comes into it's own when you go past 4000 rpm in any gear. The noise of the engine past 4000 is fantastic. Recaro seats as standard.
The one and only downside of the st220 is mpg. I average 23 compared to 35 in the diesel (and I don't hang around). But that 12 mpg sacrifice is so worth it for the driving pleasure of a V6.
If your wallet can take the hit, do not hesitate to buy the st220. The st tdci really is the poor, ugly cousin.
All I'd say is wait until you find one with a good service history. I managed to find one that had been at regular intervals to the same Ford garage since new.
Good luck!
Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff