Ford Mondeo ST220: PH Carpool
We love a fast wagon here on PH, as does this week's Mondeo-owning Carpooler
Car: Ford Mondeo ST220 estate
Owned since: August 2013
Previously owned: Mk2 Golf Driver, Fiat Stilo (blurgh - the shame), Ford Puma
Big enough for walkies without getting out
"I'd had the Puma three years and I loved it, but the rust had really started to take its toll and as well as looking pretty shabby, mechanically it was starting to let me down. It had also an argument with a skip, so wasn't looking very pretty with a big dent on the wing. For my job I have to carry a lot of kit around, some of which is quite large - it fitted in the Puma but only just, with the seats constantly lying flat. This means I needed an estate, so the hunt was on.
"On top of this with such a large dog, an estate was a must. I was originally looking at the E46 330i and also played with the idea of an Octavia VRS, or a fast Volvo. I wanted something fun but ultimately something a little bit special. The ST220 wasn't even on my radar until one popped up in a classified search and I soon stated to realise that for the money nothing came close to matching my criteria."
What I wish I'd known:
"I did a lot of research and realised I wanted a post facelift with the six-speed 'box and nicer interior but a pre '06 plate, so I didn't have to pay nearly double the tax each year! This left a fairly narrow window of cars, which are fairly rare in the first place (I've not seen another yet!). Saved searches set up on all the big classifieds meant a few months of waiting until the perfect one came up, only an hour or so away. I went to view it, and although I said I didn't want another black car, it looked awesome and I broke an often touted rule, buying the first one I went to see.
Hard driving sees the V6 return 17mpg!
Things I love:
"The poor fuel economy is all but forgotten when I plant my right foot. Just tootling about the engine is subtle and refined but when you bury the throttle it has a fantastic growl and really starts to howl as you approach the redline. I thought the engine would have loads of grunt from low down in the revs, but in truth it pulls well but doesn't really come into its own until 4,000rpm where it really goes and sounds fantastic. The engine is strong and feels like it pulls even harder once you get out of second and into third. It goes round corners really well too, and certainly doesn't feel like a big car. I have grown to love the toys it has too, something which I'm not used to. Cruise, heated seats and climate control are all things I've never had before and which I have now become quite accustomed to.
On top of all of this I can throw loads of work stuff in the boot or sit in sixth at motorway speed and waft incredibly comfortably (the Recaro seats are excellent) all day long. It really is the perfect all rounder. "
Took a while to find but worth the effort
"I'm not sure there is anything I hate about my ST. I dislike spending the best part of £80 on fuel and not making it to 300 miles before I have to fill up again. I also dislike some of the trim quality. It looks and feels good but there are a number of rattles. Something unidentified rattles in the back, the lid for the cigarette lighter rattles, the passenger seat squeaks against the centre console if someone of any size sits in it and a cubby hole door above my right knee falls onto my knee when I drive hard or go over a big bump. However, I'm not overly fussy with this kind of stuff so it goes unnoticed most of the time."
Costs:
"I paid £3,100 for it, which I think is an absolute bargain when you think just how much car you're getting for your money. As I've mentioned it likes a drink but the insurance and parts are reasonable. I did have an unexpected cost when I took it in for a service three weeks after I bought it. My local indy called me up and said "Erm, Mr Baldwin I think you need to come in and have a look at this." Probably the worst opening line from your garage!
The car had just gone through an MoT three days before I collected it but the MoT garage had been extremely careless. Rear brake lines were extremely corroded, a front brake hose had been fitted incorrectly and was rubbing on my wheel and had nearly worn all the way through and a front coil spring had snapped (and rusted) and was holding on by about 2mm. I'll give Moorfield Garage in Yeadon, Leeds a mention as I've been through a few until I settled with these guys and I'm very happy with the work I've had done here."
Fast, affordable and practical - PH gold!
"I've racked up only about 3,000 miles since I bought it about two months ago. I've not been anywhere too exciting; except for the Lake District where there are some stunning roads. I drove over Kirkstone Pass while I was there, which is a fantastic stretch of tarmac. I fancy popping my track day cherry with this car, and have a half-baked plan for a 'ring trip next year with a friend who thinks he'll outgun me in his E46 330d."
What next?
"I have no plans of selling it yet (although I've already had one enquiry to buy it). I think it will be a keeper until I no longer need an estate, at which point I want something with a V8and no roof. I'm not the modifying type so I expect it will stay standard, although a more fruity exhaust may be on the cards."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
They sound lovely especially with a miltek system but its not quite enough for me. Probs why nearly every ST you see is the 2.2 diesel.
And yes, I do appreciate the hypocrisy given my statement on the Granada, but it was the 70's....
They sound lovely especially with a miltek system but its not quite enough for me. Probs why nearly every ST you see is the 2.2 diesel.
Oh, and you NEED a JP exhaust.
These are limited in the first 3 gears, so they go even better with a remap.
a badge exercise. The TDCi is a spec'd up standard car.Oh, and you NEED a JP exhaust.
Great buy, Ive had an ST220 hatch back since 2005 and didnt want to trade her in so Ive made her into a track day special! You say youre not really into modifying but Id highly reccomend the Pipercross VIS induction kit (not done a remap yet but its on the cards). Whilst expensive and a pain to fit, you can get them for about £220 sometimes, it makes a massive difference and that induction roar approaching the limiter is addictive! In the process of getting the car ready for the track I had her on the dyno and with only the induction kit and higher spec oil (think 5w-40 off the top of my head) we were getting 238hp.......thats on an engine with 79K miles and thrashed every day of its life!
Thanks for the tip with the hobbycraft felt, a must do really as it's such a simple fix!
As for exhuast, I think I will get it done. Does a remap make a great deal of difference in terms of performance, and does it effect the economy much? The thing that worries me most about both of these is how it would effect my insurance premium, has anyone got any experience of this to share?
As for the ST TDCI, as others have said it's just not the same. My trip over Kirkstone pass (a half hour detour from the suggested route) was on the way to Whinlatter forest for a weekend mountain biking and drinking with pals. A fully loaded car of guys and all our kit, an awesome weekend ahead, a fantastic stretch of tarmac and a growling V6 - perfect. Replace the last bit with a rattly diesel, and it's just not the same!
Great buy, Ive had an ST220 hatch back since 2005 and didnt want to trade her in so Ive made her into a track day special! You say youre not really into modifying but Id highly reccomend the Pipercross VIS induction kit (not done a remap yet but its on the cards). Whilst expensive and a pain to fit, you can get them for about £220 sometimes, it makes a massive difference and that induction roar approaching the limiter is addictive! In the process of getting the car ready for the track I had her on the dyno and with only the induction kit and higher spec oil (think 5w-40 off the top of my head) we were getting 238hp.......thats on an engine with 79K miles and thrashed every day of its life!
I've hears a lot produce more than the book bhp standard, not sure if there is any truth in it though.
One thing that is particular to all estate Mondeos of this era though is the rear subframe, which has more in common with the Jaguar X-Type than the saloon Mondeos. The saloon uses Mcpherson strut rear legs and a subframe that develops a terrible wobble thanks to perished bushes. The estates/X-Type use wishbone suspension which is far better planted.
Is this of any use?
The blue line is a standard car on Tesco RON 95 (the ST220 doesn't have a knock sensor), as you can see the modified car has a lot more power sub 4000rpm. Admittedly it also has an exhaust and intake but I too had a Blueflame exhaust and induction kit at one point and I thought performance and drivability was better without it.
Personally I'd just stick with a Dreamscience remap, the acceleration and responsiveness in 3rd gear at 1000rpm was uncanny for what is just a 3 litre engine
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff