ST220 glitches (and a 4x4 question)
ST220 glitches (and a 4x4 question)
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Discussion

la fluer

Original Poster:

319 posts

186 months

Friday 10th December 2010
quotequote all
All,

we've had our 02 ST220 estate for a few months but only recently started to notice a minor annoyance in this cold weather.

The passenger heated seat control button does not turn the seat on, it pushes in flashes orange then turns off. The seat will heat if you press and hold the switch so we assume its just a faulty switch. Easy enough to replace?

We have the standard ford 6 cd changer but like the look of both the Sony unit and the Sat nav. Are these easy to replace (as in will they retro fit without problem) and if so where is a good place to get one?

The tail gate sometimes needs 2 or 3 attempts to close. You close it and it semi-engages so you need to open and shut again. I presume this is an easy ajustment?

And now the final question. I notice the floor pan has a transmission tunnel, I suspect as a result of the 4x4 x-type platform? If so how easy is it to convert to 4x4? I am sure it would cost a fair few pounds but would be a worthy modification. Obviously need a donor gearbox but should be able to source from a wrecked x-type?

La Fluer

Podie

46,649 posts

301 months

Friday 10th December 2010
quotequote all
la fluer said:
All,

we've had our 02 ST220 estate for a few months but only recently started to notice a minor annoyance in this cold weather.

The passenger heated seat control button does not turn the seat on, it pushes in flashes orange then turns off. The seat will heat if you press and hold the switch so we assume its just a faulty switch. Easy enough to replace?

We have the standard ford 6 cd changer but like the look of both the Sony unit and the Sat nav. Are these easy to replace (as in will they retro fit without problem) and if so where is a good place to get one?

The tail gate sometimes needs 2 or 3 attempts to close. You close it and it semi-engages so you need to open and shut again. I presume this is an easy ajustment?

And now the final question. I notice the floor pan has a transmission tunnel, I suspect as a result of the 4x4 x-type platform? If so how easy is it to convert to 4x4? I am sure it would cost a fair few pounds but would be a worthy modification. Obviously need a donor gearbox but should be able to source from a wrecked x-type?

La Fluer
Heated seat switch is easy enough... not sure on the early cars if you can just pop the switch, or if the dash panel has to come off though.

Sat Nav isn't great - you're better off with a TomTom to be honest. It'll be cheaper too. Not sure on the Sony fit.

Tailgate - Google that. Pretty sure I've read about problems in that area.

I believe someone has converted their ST220 to 4x4. Bear in mind the X-Type has closer relations to the Mk2 Mondeo than the Mk3.

a_bread

721 posts

211 months

Friday 10th December 2010
quotequote all
But it handles better than the Xtype. Not sure why you'd want to convert. It's faster than the 3.0 litre Xtype also because of the differences between 4wd and fwd and the amount of power that gets sapped.

la fluer

Original Poster:

319 posts

186 months

Friday 10th December 2010
quotequote all
Handling wise is not an issue or speed for that matter. I just look at the transmission tunnel and beleive it to be calling out for a propshaft!

a_bread

721 posts

211 months

Friday 10th December 2010
quotequote all
OK fair enough, I suppose I can understand that. But this is a car which is great at performance and handling, so if those things aren't important to you, you could just have a standard Mondeo. If BMW was making a Mondeo it would have made the ST220.

la fluer

Original Poster:

319 posts

186 months

Friday 10th December 2010
quotequote all
Whilst I appreciate your answers and input my question was not a what car should I have bought question! I'm more than happy with the car, its performance (it is the wifes run around) and its handling, what I am looking at is a modification to a 4x4 platform.

I would assume it rather easy as a case of getting a replacement box from a 4x4 3.0 xtype and running gear?

la fluer

Original Poster:

319 posts

186 months

Friday 10th December 2010
quotequote all
Podie said:
la fluer said:
All,

we've had our 02 ST220 estate for a few months but only recently started to notice a minor annoyance in this cold weather.

The passenger heated seat control button does not turn the seat on, it pushes in flashes orange then turns off. The seat will heat if you press and hold the switch so we assume its just a faulty switch. Easy enough to replace?

We have the standard ford 6 cd changer but like the look of both the Sony unit and the Sat nav. Are these easy to replace (as in will they retro fit without problem) and if so where is a good place to get one?

The tail gate sometimes needs 2 or 3 attempts to close. You close it and it semi-engages so you need to open and shut again. I presume this is an easy ajustment?

And now the final question. I notice the floor pan has a transmission tunnel, I suspect as a result of the 4x4 x-type platform? If so how easy is it to convert to 4x4? I am sure it would cost a fair few pounds but would be a worthy modification. Obviously need a donor gearbox but should be able to source from a wrecked x-type?

La Fluer
Heated seat switch is easy enough... not sure on the early cars if you can just pop the switch, or if the dash panel has to come off though.

Sat Nav isn't great - you're better off with a TomTom to be honest. It'll be cheaper too. Not sure on the Sony fit.

Tailgate - Google that. Pretty sure I've read about problems in that area.

I believe someone has converted their ST220 to 4x4. Bear in mind the X-Type has closer relations to the Mk2 Mondeo than the Mk3.
Hi Podie

just to quickly say thank you for your pointers! I don't suppose you have a link to removing the buttons or the dash if required? As for the Sony head unit is it a multi-cd like the 6000 unit?

monkeyra

105 posts

242 months

Tuesday 14th December 2010
quotequote all
ST220 4WD how-to available here:

http://www.talkford.com/files/category/23-other/

HTH smile

monkeyra

105 posts

242 months

Tuesday 14th December 2010
quotequote all
Potential tailgate solutions:

http://www.talkford.com/topic/115118-tailgate-wont...p__1103626__hl__tailgate__fromsearch1#entry1103626

and

http://www.talkford.com/topic/135341-boot-release/...p__1287198__hl__tailgate__fromsearch1#entry1287198

la fluer

Original Poster:

319 posts

186 months

Tuesday 14th December 2010
quotequote all
Thanks for those!

Just found a small shopping car park scrape on the rear wheel arch (nothing major). The only time she parks in a non parent-child space and it get a small trolley prang mad

anonymous-user

80 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
Why does your wifes run around need to be 4 x 4? confused

la fluer

Original Poster:

319 posts

186 months

Thursday 16th December 2010
quotequote all
It doesn't but I fancy a project (fantasy project for now). I think a 4x4 st220 estate would actually be quite fun. It is also a perversion of mine, if there is space being wasted for a prop shaft then it should at least house a prop shaft!

la fluer

Original Poster:

319 posts

186 months

Thursday 16th December 2010
quotequote all
Also it is her run around as that was how I justified buying it rather than a boring family run around.