Test driving a 2.2 Titanium X in the morning

[37Flipper]

Hi all

I'm actually test driving a 163 and the 200bhp version back to back. (It's fair to say I'd rather have to 2.2 though!) Has anyone got either of them? Is there anything I should look out for.

Cheers.

Flipper

[Chris Stott]

I had a ’09 2.2 Titanium X (185bhp & 300lb/ft IIRC) as a company car and covered 173k miles in it in just under 4 years.

It only suffered from a couple of faults - Power steering pump failed & it blew a turbo pipe, other than that it was regular servicing and consumables only. The bonnet catch also seized twice, which I believe is a common fault on all models.

Overall, I really liked it. Mega comfortable on the motorway and generally good ride quality everywhere. It had reasonable handling, nice steering, always felt fast enough once it was up and running and averaged c.40mpg driven quite hard. Loads of space inside, well built (nothing fell off, no rattles squeaks), decent entertainment system, good on tyres (c.30k from a set of fronts).

[CHimeara3]

I have a 55 plate Titanium X. It has full service history and 65k miles. In the last year it has cost over a grand to put right. All wheel bearings, two front springs and top mounts. Both front lower wishbones, most of the exhaust and brake pipes, power steering pump is on the way out and water is leaking into the boot area from heaven alone knows where. Having checked the service records most of this had already been done in the past. In the last ten years I've had BMW and Mercedes so this was my first experience of a Ford....NEVER AGAIN it's a peace of junk. My advice...buy a Beemer or Merc.....I will be soon.

[37Flipper]

CHimeara3 said:

I have a 55 plate Titanium X. It has full service history and 65k miles. In the last year it has cost over a grand to put right. All wheel bearings, two front springs and top mounts. Both front lower wishbones, most of the exhaust and brake pipes, power steering pump is on the way out and water is leaking into the boot area from heaven alone knows where. Having checked the service records most of this had already been done in the past. In the last ten years I've had BMW and Mercedes so this was my first experience of a Ford....NEVER AGAIN it's a peace of junk. My advice...buy a Beemer or Merc.....I will be soon.

Hi CHimeara3, I've got a 55 plate 2.0TDCI with 90k on it, I've done 55k over the last five years. It has also cost me the best part of a grand in the last year. However, all I've done for the last 5 years is put fuel in it and general servicing, things I can do myself. The reason why I've been looking at another Ford is because the parts are cheapish and it's easy to work on. I do all my servicing myself!

My wife has a Beemer and although it's pretty reliable, when it needs fixing its far more expensive, all I need it for is to drive to work each day and take me across the country to Wales to climb mountains every other month.

Cheers, Flipper

PS Water is probably leaking through the lights, it's pretty common, try taking them out and just put some silicon around the back so it forms a seal so water can't get through the hole and put it back on. It'll probably be fine then.

[Spitfire2]

I have a 163 Titanium - had it a few years (company car) and its a very decent drive. Never feels lacking in go.

Not a very PH thing to say but I'm not entirely convinced the extra power of the 2.2 will be all that noticeable

[SonicHedgeHog]

How did the test drive go?

[37Flipper]

SonicHedgeHog said:

How did the test drive go?

Hi Sonic, I test drove the 2.0 and then the 2.2 as I wanted to see if there was a noticable step in the power. Dynamically both of the cars felt tight and handled pretty much like each other, I think the build quality has come on a lot since my mk3. My only criteria for the new car will be a DAB radio, Xenons and Heated Seats (my wife wants those!), any other toys will be a bonus.

I would definitely recommend anyone wondering whether to get a 2.0 or a 2.2 to try them back to back with the 2.0 first. I think the difference in power will be very noticeable. Whilst I wasn't able to bury the pedal in first and second (the dealer was sitting next to me and I thought I should exercise a little restraint!) I buried the throttle in third and it had instant go and pulled very hard and clean through the rev range. It had more go than I was expecting. Just got to find a good deal on one now...

Spitfire2 said:

I have a 163 Titanium - had it a few years (company car) and its a very decent drive. Never feels lacking in go.

Not a very PH thing to say but I'm not entirely convinced the extra power of the 2.2 will be all that noticeable

I have to disagree Spitfire, after driving them back to back I think it's very noticeable and the midrange in the 2.2 is a nice step up. I'll definitely be getting a 2.2. With no change in insurance its a no brainer to me. I accept I'll use a little more fuel in it though. A price I'm willing to pay.

Mind you, I have just discovered I can get a pretty sound Jaguar XF sport for the same kind of money too..... The servicing and fuel costs would be far greater (although I try to do as much as I can), but the insurance is only an extra £75 a year. Hmmm I shouldn't browse on Autotrader so much...

Cheers Flipper

Edited by 37Flipper on Wednesday 2nd April 14:30

[igiveup]

Sorry have to ask, is this a Mondeo or S-Max or kuga?

[37Flipper]

igiveup said:

Sorry have to ask, is this a Mondeo or S-Max or kuga?

Sorry, I apologise for never putting that in the original post. It's a Mondeo

Cheers

Flipper

[Spitfire2]

37Flipper said:

I have to disagree Spitfire, after driving them back to back I think it's very noticeable and the midrange in the 2.2 is a nice step up. I'll definitely be getting a 2.2. With no change in insurance its a no brainer to me. I accept I'll use a little more fuel in it though. A price I'm willing to pay.

Mind you, I have just discovered I can get a pretty sound Jaguar XF sport for the same kind of money too..... The servicing and fuel costs would be far greater (although I try to do as much as I can), but the insurance is only an extra £75 a year. Hmmm I shouldn't browse on Autotrader so much...

Cheers Flipper

Edited by 37Flipper on Wednesday 2nd April 14:30

Useful to know. Although mine is a Company car and won't be replaced with a Mondeo as the only engine now offered is the 1.6 Diesel. So It will probably be a C220 instead.

[mondayo]

I have to agree with the OP...the 2.2 is putting out about 200bhp now and is significantly pokier than the 2.0 163. It's a bit less economical but if you need/want the extra power, I think it's well worth the extra money

[37Flipper]

Took a while to find one, but I'm now the proud owner of a TXS! I got a brilliant deal too, although I did have to drive to Stockport to collect it.

[Shadow R1]

That looks great.