Mk 3 Mondeo Issues - Overstated?

[LongLiveTazio]

Currently having a 'head vs heart' type debate with myself. I need a car for around the 2k mark and have been looking at 'quick' Volvos/Saabs. I'm not sure I could quite cope with potentially large problems/high running costs.

So with my brain switched on, naturally have looked at Mondeos - having spent some time in a petrol Mk 3 and loads of time in Focuses I really liked how it drove/they drive. Good spec ones seem to be readily available and you can always wait 'til a decent one comes up.

I also want something not as common as a 3-series

I'm swayed towards the diesels as I think they're great units, the 2.0 130 is plenty punchy enough for normal driving. However, the internet is littered with DMF problems, injector problems, etc. Are they really that bad or is it just a case of the fact there's so many sold that a higher number of cases are reported? Should I not dismiss the petrols? Anything I'm looking at will inevitably be over 100k miles so if there's any concrete ways of seeing if something is on its way out...

Argh!

[SD1992]

I think it is a bit hit and miss, and it also depends a lot on how they have been driven.

I played it safe and went for a 1.8 petrol last year and it has been brilliant. Still running really well and returns good mpg. Don't discount the petrol models, they need to be worked a bit harder, but for everyday driving they are very good.

For sale if you are interested

Also with the diesels, the older TDDI engine has better injectors (ie it is not known for them to fail) than the newer TDCI ones so that is one less thing to worry about. Some say they are a bit slower, but there are a few simple cheap mods you can do to make them much better

[A2Z]

That's the thing with internet reviews, you tend to get the really bad or really good experiences told. You never seem to get the majority where people were just happy.

I took a 130ps to 120,000 miles without a single issue. I currently have a 155ps at 145,000 and no significant issues. This one however is on it's third EGR valve and the last one seized and knocked the injectors out of calibration. Never replaced an injector or Dual Mass Flywheel

[LongLiveTazio]

SD1992 said:

For sale if you are interested

Tempting! The 1.8/2.0s do seem relatively economical, surprisingly. Was perhaps hoping for a few more goodies than LX though; quite fancy all the Ghia X toys. Also noticed the rare '1.8 Sci' engine looks rather good.

I don't know anything about said EGR valve, care to elaborate? How much is that to fix?

[SD1992]

LongLiveTazio said:

Tempting! The 1.8/2.0s do seem relatively economical, surprisingly. Was perhaps hoping for a few more goodies than LX though; quite fancy all the Ghia X toys. Also noticed the rare '1.8 Sci' engine looks rather good.

I don't know anything about said EGR valve, care to elaborate? How much is that to fix?

The only thing it doesn't have which may be useful is cruise control. Besides that it has everything I need

The Ghia X doesn't come in 1.8 form, just 2.0 petrol and diesel. Nice motors though!

Don't know much about the SCI engine, I haven't seen many about.

The EGR valve is only really an issue on the diesels and occasionally the petrols. In most cases all you have to do is clean it out. Never had an issue on mine, and I think it is fairly easy to clean it out or even bypass it.

[mybrainhurts]

in another thread I said:

I've done 335,000 in a 54 Mondeo 130 TDci with few repairs.

It's had...

Two reconditioned injectors
Starter motor
Alternator
One trackrod end
One rear suspension bush
Screenwash pump
1 rear shocker (under 10,000 miles)
One rear brake caliper

The rain sensing wiper is on the blink at the moment, and that's it.

I've always run her on BP and she's cost me very little.

[HellDiver]

LongLiveTazio said:

Tempting! The 1.8/2.0s do seem relatively economical, surprisingly. Was perhaps hoping for a few more goodies than LX though; quite fancy all the Ghia X toys. Also noticed the rare '1.8 Sci' engine looks rather good.

I'm not sure what toys you want that a LX doesn't give? Only thing I'd like would be rear cabin lighting.

I got a leather steering wheel off EBay for £20 delivered, sold my own plastic one for £30, took literally 5 minutes to swap.

I stuck in a decent DAB head unit and handsfree kit.

I spent £1.50 on two bulbs and instantly got footwell lighting.

I got the engine remapped - pulls just under 140hp now, and does over 40mpg on the motorway, and never less than 30mpg around town.

I needed new shocks, so put Eibach lowering springs in while I was at it, now handles even better.

This is the first car I've kept for more than 18 months, mainly because I'm having difficulties finding anything that fits the bill better. My previous car was a 1 year old Mitsubishi Lancer, which was frankly rubbish compared to the 7 year old Mondeo.

[LongLiveTazio]

HellDiver said:

I'm not sure what toys you want that a LX doesn't give? Only thing I'd like would be rear cabin lighting.

Cruise control, better hifi, leather, heated seats... just personal preference stuff. Seems to be little price difference between the trims on the second hand market to be honest, so I would have my pick.

I take it you're pretty happy with yours, which model? Cheers for the input all!

[SD1992]

LongLiveTazio said:

Cruise control, better hifi, leather, heated seats... just personal preference stuff. Seems to be little price difference between the trims on the second hand market to be honest, so I would have my pick.

I take it you're pretty happy with yours, which model? Cheers for the input all!

You are right, there is hardly any difference in price between the trims

One thing to watch out for is insurance - I found that Zetec and LX models were considerably less (remember I am 19, may not be as big a difference for you) than the other models. Don't know if that is a factor, just something worth bearing in mind

Also, the stereo that comes standard (CD 6000 or something like that) is brilliant. I don't know what the ones on the superior models are like, but the bog standard one is fantastic!

[LongLiveTazio]

Going to go see a diesel Mondeo tomorrow. If it had DMF issues would it be completely obvious?

[HellDiver]

LongLiveTazio said:

Cruise control, better hifi, leather, heated seats... just personal preference stuff. Seems to be little price difference between the trims on the second hand market to be honest, so I would have my pick.

I take it you're pretty happy with yours, which model? Cheers for the input all!

Facelift LX has cruise control. Mine's a very early facelift LX, on a 54-plate. I'm more than happy with it, first car I've had since I started driving that I've been happy with.