The "I love my ST220" thread...

[Sexual H Panda]

Yeah was told that there was a £1000 pound exhaust system on it, not sure on the make though, will get a better look on Monday.

[Podie]

Sexual H Panda said:

Yeah was told that there was a £1000 pound exhaust system on it, not sure on the make though, will get a better look on Monday.

£1000 - not unless it's manifolds back.

[Sexual H Panda]

lol probably the usual salesman bullst then . Do you know the service intervals and what look out for on the test drive or anything else to check bodywork/interior wise?

[Podie]

Check everything works. Make sure the boot opens from the boot button and the interior button - if fitted.

Check for damp carpets and boot.

Once warm, give it some beans - it should have another kick about 4000-4500rpm

Service intervals are annual or every 12500 miles. Make sure the oil has been changed. Big service at 72k I seem to recall - new plugs and leads recommended.

[GSDog]

I'm considering getting one of these in a couple of months.

What are the servicing costs like? I've never owned a Ford before.

What options would you say I should look out for? I definitely want xenon headlights and ideally sat nav.

[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

[GSDog]

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!

[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.

[Dave_ST220]

It's £435 now!!

[a_bread]

junglie said:

only wish it was RWD but hey, you can't have it all!
!

RWD has some plusses ( better balance, adjustability etc, better grip from a standstill) but also disadvantages. Worse in snow, heavier, and more of the power gets sapped between engine and wheels.

Edited by a_bread on Monday 27th June 13:37

[Kidders]

GSDog said:

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!

The below took effect from June/July 2003 build models -

Rear lights changed with clear sections.
Wing mirror design changed to 'Focus' style folding
Dash centre console and trim changed, auto climate control, silver/brushed metal look trim around gear lever (trim also changed)
Sony CD132 or Visteon 6000 CD head unit (latter is rare)
6 Speed Getrag MMT6 gearbox
Revised ECU
Early builds till October 2003 had rubstrips after a couple of months was dropped so these are quite rare to see.
Slight change on dash instrument faces (clearer)
Auto wipers
2nd air feed on airbox removed due to lack of space

Few other minor changes
Silver trim on inner front door panels
Leather material changed to thicker grain


Alot of colour options were dropped, no more Infra Red, State Blue became Ink Blue.

From around 2005 late, the chrome appeared on door trims, door handles, grille, a little bit later Sea Grey replaced Magnum Grey. Dash clock face changed colour from silver to black. Trim on dash and centre console became a more chrome effect look. Rear lights changed again, reflectors moved to rear bumper. Chrome on lower grille and foglight trims.

2006 till production end, a gradual phase in of the red stitching on wheel, handbrake etc, the ST220 badge was fitted to the front lower grille too.

As you can see, lots of minor changes, the 5 speed cars dont do it for me, they lack quite a few bits that i love about my facelift 2003 model. The MXT75 gearbox is meant to be stronger but gearbox issues with both are pretty rare, its torque that kills a box and the 220 doesnt have a huge amount of it.

Edited by Kidders on Sunday 28th October 07:38

[GSDog]

Podie said:

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.

Thanks.

Kidders said:

That's very interesting, thanks.

[Steve H]

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

[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...

[Howard-]

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.

[Podie]

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.

[Howard-]

I can feel a JP exhaust coming on

[junglie]

Just given my ST220 a good clean in and out and I think they still look great.

I have what feels like a slightly buckled alloy as I am getting some vibration around 70 mph. Had standard 18" alloys and, until they wear out, some ditchfinders.

[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.