Mondeo St220?
Author
Discussion

walsh

Original Poster:

652 posts

188 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
A thinly veiled what car thread really..

I need something to replace my car fairly pronto, And have stumbled across some st220's in the classfields.

Are they any good? I haven't driven one (or any mondeo actually), but they look like good value.

I dont want to spend more than a couple grand at the mo (saving for an m5), And another 5 series is a bit...predictable.

Or would I be making some horrible RWD > FWD mistake.

Cheers

(Other suggestions welcome, So long as its not an MX5...As I don't fit)

walsh

Original Poster:

652 posts

188 months

TEKNOPUG

20,452 posts

234 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
Saab 9-5 Aero? 280+ bhp just a few hundred quid.

nottyash

4,671 posts

224 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
These are getting a lot of attention lately, mainly because they are good value for money.
I have a facelift 53 plate Performance blue estate, and had it a year now.
Very impressed, apart from consumables a running problem was sorted with a new coil.
Brakes are poor, but I fitted Focus ST front callipers, and Brembo discs and pads so its spot on.
Mine came with a bluefin and Full JP stainless system.

rb5er

11,657 posts

201 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
Lots of quick and comfy car for not very much money.

T0MMY

1,562 posts

205 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
None of these cars are really my bag but if I wanted something big, quite fast and FWD I'd be tempted to get an Accord Type-R over an ST220.

anonymous-user

83 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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To answer the OP, yes they are good & fantastic value now. Read the threads Podie posted but most of all go & drive one. Oh, & don't test drive a 2.5 & think that the ST won't be much different!!

TEKNOPUG

20,452 posts

234 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
T0MMY said:
None of these cars are really my bag but if I wanted something big, quite fast and FWD I'd be tempted to get an Accord Type-R over an ST220.
I'd probably agree although they differ in ethos somewhat. An ATR is mush more of a stripped-down sports saloon. It's pretty basic inside and power delivery is more focussed on spirited driving. ST220 is more of a long distance mile-muncher. Much better appointed, with more toys and comforts.

The one thing I did find odd when putting some miles on an ST220 was how much fuel they used in comparison to the power they produced. Maybe it was my driving but it seemed a thirsty old thing for 6 cylinder, mildly sporting saloon. Certainly a lot worse than say a V6 Omega, 328i or even an M3 over similar journies.

nottyash

4,671 posts

224 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
They are quite thirsty for the performance, but they are cheap to buy.
If you want to save fuel, buy a diesel.
The drivability of the 3.0 v6 is in a different league to a Honda VTEC 4 pot.
If you want a sports car, don't buy a ST220 because it isn't, its a comfortable brisk family car with an apatite for fuel.

T0MMY

1,562 posts

205 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
nottyash said:
If you want a sports car, don't buy a ST220 because it isn't, its a comfortable brisk family car with an apatite for fuel.
To meet those requirements I'd change my suggestion to an E46 330i then.

TheBALDpuma

5,940 posts

197 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
TEKNOPUG said:
I'd probably agree although they differ in ethos somewhat. An ATR is mush more of a stripped-down sports saloon. It's pretty basic inside and power delivery is more focussed on spirited driving. ST220 is more of a long distance mile-muncher. Much better appointed, with more toys and comforts.

The one thing I did find odd when putting some miles on an ST220 was how much fuel they used in comparison to the power they produced. Maybe it was my driving but it seemed a thirsty old thing for 6 cylinder, mildly sporting saloon. Certainly a lot worse than say a V6 Omega, 328i or even an M3 over similar journies.
People have mentioned this before but compare it to the equivalent bmw or merc (experience of both), the e46 330i and the c280, and the fuel ecobonomy is pretty much the same, despite it being a bigger car - it's probably more comparable size/weight wise with a 5 series/e-class but I couldn't tell you how they do on economy.

Overall it's a fantastic car. So much for your money, and a rewarding drive. Obviously, as I bought one, but in the market for a fast estate for a few grand I think I'd always choose the ST over rivals.

TEKNOPUG

20,452 posts

234 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
nottyash said:
They are quite thirsty for the performance, but they are cheap to buy.
If you want to save fuel, buy a diesel.
The drivability of the 3.0 v6 is in a different league to a Honda VTEC 4 pot.
If you want a sports car, don't buy a ST220 because it isn't, its a comfortable brisk family car with an apatite for fuel.
I agree entirely. MPG has never been a concern of mine; performance has to paid for somehow. I was just surprised at the consumption v performance, given that the Duratec is supposedly quite a modern, clever unit.

I'd still plump for a Saab in the comfortable brisk family car with an appetite for fuel category.

nottyash

4,671 posts

224 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
TEKNOPUG said:
I agree entirely. MPG has never been a concern of mine; performance has to paid for somehow. I was just surprised at the consumption v performance, given that the Duratec is supposedly quite a modern, clever unit.

I'd still plump for a Saab in the comfortable brisk family car with an appetite for fuel category.
Exactly. I get about 26mpg the way I drive mine to work each day. A 20 mile A road, that's remapped which makes it a lot more responsive using a little more fuel than standard.
My 280bhp Subaru gives about 24, my 340 bhp M3 used to be up at 28mpg, and a 3.2 boxster s an amazing 35mpg.
S2000 was 28mpg, Z4 3.0 29mpg
I know a lot is down to how its driven, but this is all in the last 2 years same journey driven by me.

Edited by nottyash on Friday 9th May 16:54

TEKNOPUG

20,452 posts

234 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
T0MMY said:
nottyash said:
If you want a sports car, don't buy a ST220 because it isn't, its a comfortable brisk family car with an apatite for fuel.
To meet those requirements I'd change my suggestion to an E46 330i then.
If cash was not an issue, sure. For the same money, an ST220 will be much better, newer, less mileage etc.

nottyash

4,671 posts

224 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
TEKNOPUG said:
If cash was not an issue, sure. For the same money, an ST220 will be much better, newer, less mileage etc.
Not sure its like for like.
My Mondeo estate is bigger that the 335d touring I had before it.
compared to the earlier 3 series in the same price range its bigger by far.
Good BMW 3.0 straight 6 though.

walsh

Original Poster:

652 posts

188 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
T0MMY said:
nottyash said:
If you want a sports car, don't buy a ST220 because it isn't, its a comfortable brisk family car with an apatite for fuel.
To meet those requirements I'd change my suggestion to an E46 330i then.
Fuel doesn't bother me, commute is very short.

I did eye up the ATR as well if I am honest, but I cant get past the spoiler...

Plus, I am looking for something 6 cylinder really, 4 pots don't do it for me.

Ps: I understand the vtec's go batst at 7000rpm plus, but really, how often can you do that in normal driving.