ST220 Estate ??

[Jamesp24]

Mums looking to get rid of the scoob for something more sensible but still abit of fun,she wants an estate really with a budget of around 5.5k.

I suggested ST220 to start..they any good ??

[Wafflesmk2]

A lot of PH swear by them, i hate mine however.

[k15tox]

Wafflesmk2 said:

A lot of PH swear by them, i hate mine however.

Please elaborate......

[RichTBiscuit]

Legacy 3.0 Spec B - Great Car and likely to be more reliable than the ford.

[Wafflesmk2]

k15tox said:

Please elaborate......

When i bought it, all 4 wheels had to be re-furbed (common problem). The rear bushes had already been done (also common).

Within the last 18 months, two wheels have been bent (one was my fault, the other i hit a pothole about the size of a pea), a breather hose cracked and brought the engine light on (common fault), the auto wipers dont work properly, the ride is hard, the handling is average, the seats are not comfortable, the middle heater vent broke despite never being used, the rear heated screen doesnt work, it sometimes wont go into reverse, the glovebox hinges dont work properly, the interior lights often dont work and have to be tapped or knocked to bring them on, the centre armrest locks into a clip and this clip snapped off and dropped down the hole it was situated in and now moves around under the handbrake somewhere, handbrake cables broke, water leaks into the boot/spare wheel area, water leaks into the drivers door and onto the floor, the remote key doesn't always work, on full lock at slow speeds the car stalls, the PAS pump is very noisy when cold. This is from memory, im sure there's a few other things.

From a design point of view, the steering wheel feels too big, the cruise control buttons are on the steering wheel and dont light up, meaning you have to use the interior light (when it works) on the motorway to see which buttons to press, and you cant use the rear foglights without having the front ones on.

This is with 3 owners in 7 years, perfect service history and 74k on the clock.

Needless to say, it's been a great car.

[RenesisEvo]

RichTBiscuit said:

Legacy 3.0 Spec B - Great Car and likely to be more reliable than the ford.

Seconded, I drove a 135k-mile example that was as sound as a 50k one. The boot is probably a bit smaller than the Mondeo, but the way it pulls to the redline is something else.

[k15tox]

Wafflesmk2 said:

When i bought it, all 4 wheels had to be re-furbed (common problem). The rear bushes had already been done (also common).

Within the last 18 months, two wheels have been bent (one was my fault, the other i hit a pothole about the size of a pea), a breather hose cracked and brought the engine light on (common fault), the auto wipers dont work properly, the ride is hard, the handling is average, the seats are not comfortable, the middle heater vent broke despite never being used, the rear heated screen doesnt work, it sometimes wont go into reverse, the glovebox hinges dont work properly, the interior lights often dont work and have to be tapped or knocked to bring them on, the centre armrest locks into a clip and this clip snapped off and dropped down the hole it was situated in and now moves around under the handbrake somewhere, handbrake cables broke, water leaks into the boot/spare wheel area, water leaks into the drivers door and onto the floor, the remote key doesn't always work, on full lock at slow speeds the car stalls, the PAS pump is very noisy when cold. This is from memory, im sure there's a few other things.

From a design point of view, the steering wheel feels too big, the cruise control buttons are on the steering wheel and dont light up, meaning you have to use the interior light (when it works) on the motorway to see which buttons to press, and you cant use the rear foglights without having the front ones on.

This is with 3 owners in 7 years, perfect service history and 74k on the clock.

Needless to say, it's been a great car.

Wow.

Maybe a lemon, or unless any other owners want to tesify?

Good to hear an opinion from someone who actually owns one though.

[Jamesp24]

Hmmm thats quite a list of issues.Seems to be quite afew 100k + cars about

[Jamesp24]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Ford-Mondeo-ST220-3...

Looks a good price..

[veevee]

None of those sound specific to an ST220 vs a standard Mondeo?

[Podie]

k15tox said:

Wow.

Maybe a lemon, or unless any other owners want to tesify?

Good to hear an opinion from someone who actually owns one though.

Bought mine at 45k in 2008, now on 75k.

Aside from routine servicing and upgrades that I've chosen to do, I've had the following:

• Leaking fuel filter - £14
• Sat nav lost reception, new mast and base needed - £79
• Cheap car charging kit blew a fuse - £1.60
• Replaced the battery in one of the key fobs - £2
• Wipers and a tail light bulb
• Leaky power steering pump
• a new battery - £115 (it was the 7 year old original part)

...and I've just replaced both rear bearings (will be circa £300 when I get the bill) and the breather hose (£32).

Personally, I find it handles well for a big old bus, the Recarros don't give me any issues, I can use the cruise in the dark (there are raised markers on the buttons) and I have no issues with the car. Recently thought about replacing it, but couldn't find anything with the same level of kit for the money.

[Podie]

Wafflesmk2 said:

... you cant use the rear foglights without having the front ones on.

That is annoying. Seems to plague a lot of cars - the missus Skoda is the same.

[Podie]

doogz said:

Podie said:

Wafflesmk2 said:

... you cant use the rear foglights without having the front ones on.

That is annoying. Seems to plague a lot of cars - the missus Skoda is the same.

I've never came across this. I've had cars where you have to have the rears on, to put the fronts on, but never the other way around.

Mondeo does it, and the old model Skoda Fabia does it.

Must admit, I have thought about wiring a button in...

[essexplumber]

http://www.jpssportscars.co.uk/used-cars/ford-mond...



Glad this thread came up, I was going to start one exactly the same as I'm hoping to go and see this tomorrow.

I've always liked the looks and I need an estate and this dealers about a mile away from me

[300bhp/ton]

Vectra VXR with it's 2.8 turbo V6

[Legend83]

essexplumber said:

http://www.jpssportscars.co.uk/used-cars/ford-mond...



Glad this thread came up, I was going to start one exactly the same as I'm hoping to go and see this tomorrow.

I've always liked the looks and I need an estate and this dealers about a mile away from me

I was going to go and have a look at that one. Moved on to XC90 / E Class considerations now but would be interested to hear your opinion on it.

Good luck!

[essexplumber]

Legend83 said:

essexplumber said:

http://www.jpssportscars.co.uk/used-cars/ford-mond...



Glad this thread came up, I was going to start one exactly the same as I'm hoping to go and see this tomorrow.

I've always liked the looks and I need an estate and this dealers about a mile away from me

I was going to go and have a look at that one. Moved on to XC90 / E Class considerations now but would be interested to hear your opinion on it.

Good luck!

Small world I really like the look of it, never heard of the dealer untill I saw the website. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing, he sells plenty of cars though so he must be doing something right.

[essexplumber]

300bhp/ton said:

Vectra VXR with it's 2.8 turbo V6

I started a thread about those a while back but it didn't get that good a reception.

I've concidered the following

Vauxhall Vectra VXR

Mondeo Tittanium X 2.5t

BMW 3 Series 325 and above

Subaru Legacy 3.0 spec B

Saab 9-3 2.8t (Vectra in a suit)

Saab 9-5 Aero hot

Volvo V70/50

Renault Laguna 180 sport

Alfa Romeo 159

Basically every half decent estate I can think of.

Sorry about the highjack OP but I hope my questions can assist you in your search too.

[Podie]

essexplumber said:

http://www.jpssportscars.co.uk/used-cars/ford-mond...



Glad this thread came up, I was going to start one exactly the same as I'm hoping to go and see this tomorrow.

I've always liked the looks and I need an estate and this dealers about a mile away from me

That's an early nav unit - you'll be hard pressed to get updates. Mine is an 05 car and has the Denso unit.

[essexplumber]

Podie said:

That's an early nav unit - you'll be hard pressed to get updates. Mine is an 05 car and has the Denso unit.

Really? Is that a bartering tool d'ya rackon?