Mondeo ST155 TDCI - suspension

[197213gt]

I recently bought an 07 plate st tdci as my old ghia x tdci was a little broken!

I love the new car,it's by ar the best i've ever owned but i have found that at speed it seems a little twitchy, almost as if it's sitting too high.

I dont really want to lower the car as i lowered my last mondeo and it was hard as the hobs of hell, and a very uncomfortable drive on the motorway...not to mention the QE2 like turning circle!

I was wondering if there was anything i could do to make the car feel a little more planted but without loosing the ride comfort???

Also a little more power wouldn't go amiss but i fitted one of them piggy back ecu's on my last one and it was nothing but trouble!

any advice would be much appreciated

cheers

karl

[lookout]

Check the rear subframe bushes.......

[197213gt]

I'll have a look m8 but the car's only just clicked onto 17k, i bought it with 11k on the clock...is this a common problem???

[lookout]

Yes, very common. Your local factor will have polyurethane replacements in stock. Get the car properly 4 wheel aligned will make a big difference as well.

[197213gt]

Mine really doesn't...my dad's is identical,his has only done 5k and he's the only owner but he has exactly the same problem.His also cut out the other day without warning.It took a while to start again but when it did, it was as though nothing had happened and the problem hasn't arose since???

In my car when i cross over the white lines, it feels as though the car is trying to drag me back over.

Also it doesn't inspire confidence through the long sweeping bends.

I haven't had a chance to check the sub frame bushes but as soon as i get a chance i will

[Glassman]

GR said:

An ST should feel planted at any speed.

[197213gt]

Thanks for the ''advice'' GR and Glassman....what i should of said was that when i first bought the car it was awsome on B roads and motorways alike...I dont drive the car hard and even if i did, i wouldn't expect any component failure at 17k miles.....only 5k on my dads!

[Mr Whippy]

Are the tyre pressures ok, and the correct brand?

Does a light flicker when ESP does it's job on these cars?

Just start at the start and work your way through

As per lowering, should be fine if you find something that lowers but doesn't stiffen by about 25% at the same time.

As for tuning, get a proper remap. Tuning boxes are far from the best solution. As for which to get, I'm not sure, but 180-185bhp figures seem the most honest. Tuners offering more probably are not, or are pushing it too hard on the turbo (it's only quite a small blower)

Dave