ST220 Estate - Panther Black - Infra Red Interior
Discussion
Its taken some time to get round to writing this up, but seeing as there is a bit of ST220 love on PH, I thought I would finally write a little about ours.
With the imminent arrival of our first baby, last February, and the amount of paraphernalia that seemed to go hand in hand with the little bundle of joy, we needed a bigger car than my shed-esque 2005 tdci mondeo hatchback. To add to the complication we also have a German Shepherd cross, which tends to go most places with the Mrs and subsequent baby. This meant she needed something to take a pram, and the dog, and some luggage.
With my business in the process of failing, and not wanting to finance anything and also not to tie up lots and lots of cash we looked at 3 Series estate, Audi A4 S Line estate, Insignia tourer, landrover discovery, Navara but then found someone on here asking questions about Black ST’s with Infra Red interiors…
It turned out we were looking at the same car! We travelled down to Royal Leamington Spa to view the car at a local independent dealer. Panther Black Estate with Infra Red Recaro Leather interior 64k mile ex ford management car, FSH, fastidiously maintained (full ford service history, every bit of work done by the main dealer) Michelin Pilot Sport 2 & 3’s, no knock or suspicious sounds. Certainly ticked all the boxes, so did a deal and travelled back up North.
Nice steady run home showed a very reasonable MPG
Got the car home and in the sun decided to crack open the rotary polisher and Gtechniq P1 & P2 to reveal a cracking finish.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/mzPodpHD.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/mzPodpHD" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/mzPodpHD.jpg)
Mrs is very happy with it, although now winter has been and gone the car is filthy, spending a lot of time on the farm, where I will admit to taking my eye off the ball with regards to cleaning her! Although, Ill also admit a Discovery may have been more practical – especially with the Mrs using it to drive to the field to feed the horses, although she hasn’t got fully stuck as yet!
Although the initial MPG was very impressive, it was somewhat flirting with me, and turned south from that point on! It doesn’t really go on the motorway and spends most of the time on A roads, or the od quick blast on the A1 in North Yorkshire.
Whats gone wrong, or whats she cost I hear you say – well, we got her in August with 64,750 miles on the clock, and she is now showing 77,560 so she has done just shy of 13k. Got her serviced the Monday after we picked her up at the local ford dealer – who kindly did the service for £99, and stamped the book for good measure.
As business has taken a somewhat imminent turn for the worst by November, so Michelin Pilot Sports were not the tyre of choice - with the fronts now resembling Kimi’s qualifying tyres! I got hold of a pair of Event WL905 225/40/18 for £48 a corner plus fitting.
And yes, we are still alive to tell you the tale. In the winter the drivers heated seat stopped working, along with the rear wash, although I am told the latter is an easier fix than the seat.
She goes well, although needs at least 3k revs to really get going, and keeps on going right upto the red line. I quite enjoy all the reps who think she is the diesel one, certainly surprises them. Planning on taking her to the Costa Del for the summer so will certainly give her a good run down!
I am cracking open the detailing gear and am going to give her a good clay, cleanse and machine polish and add some Gtechniq protection to her so it makes washing easier. Also getting the wheels booked in fro refurbishment as they are showing the usual laquer pitting and peeling which is so common with these. Was just thinking a silver finish rather than like for like refurbishment.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/T9ulByZ1.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/lmFjJYYG" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/lmFjJYYG.jpg)
With the imminent arrival of our first baby, last February, and the amount of paraphernalia that seemed to go hand in hand with the little bundle of joy, we needed a bigger car than my shed-esque 2005 tdci mondeo hatchback. To add to the complication we also have a German Shepherd cross, which tends to go most places with the Mrs and subsequent baby. This meant she needed something to take a pram, and the dog, and some luggage.
With my business in the process of failing, and not wanting to finance anything and also not to tie up lots and lots of cash we looked at 3 Series estate, Audi A4 S Line estate, Insignia tourer, landrover discovery, Navara but then found someone on here asking questions about Black ST’s with Infra Red interiors…
It turned out we were looking at the same car! We travelled down to Royal Leamington Spa to view the car at a local independent dealer. Panther Black Estate with Infra Red Recaro Leather interior 64k mile ex ford management car, FSH, fastidiously maintained (full ford service history, every bit of work done by the main dealer) Michelin Pilot Sport 2 & 3’s, no knock or suspicious sounds. Certainly ticked all the boxes, so did a deal and travelled back up North.
Nice steady run home showed a very reasonable MPG
Got the car home and in the sun decided to crack open the rotary polisher and Gtechniq P1 & P2 to reveal a cracking finish.
Mrs is very happy with it, although now winter has been and gone the car is filthy, spending a lot of time on the farm, where I will admit to taking my eye off the ball with regards to cleaning her! Although, Ill also admit a Discovery may have been more practical – especially with the Mrs using it to drive to the field to feed the horses, although she hasn’t got fully stuck as yet!
Although the initial MPG was very impressive, it was somewhat flirting with me, and turned south from that point on! It doesn’t really go on the motorway and spends most of the time on A roads, or the od quick blast on the A1 in North Yorkshire.
Whats gone wrong, or whats she cost I hear you say – well, we got her in August with 64,750 miles on the clock, and she is now showing 77,560 so she has done just shy of 13k. Got her serviced the Monday after we picked her up at the local ford dealer – who kindly did the service for £99, and stamped the book for good measure.
As business has taken a somewhat imminent turn for the worst by November, so Michelin Pilot Sports were not the tyre of choice - with the fronts now resembling Kimi’s qualifying tyres! I got hold of a pair of Event WL905 225/40/18 for £48 a corner plus fitting.
And yes, we are still alive to tell you the tale. In the winter the drivers heated seat stopped working, along with the rear wash, although I am told the latter is an easier fix than the seat.
She goes well, although needs at least 3k revs to really get going, and keeps on going right upto the red line. I quite enjoy all the reps who think she is the diesel one, certainly surprises them. Planning on taking her to the Costa Del for the summer so will certainly give her a good run down!
I am cracking open the detailing gear and am going to give her a good clay, cleanse and machine polish and add some Gtechniq protection to her so it makes washing easier. Also getting the wheels booked in fro refurbishment as they are showing the usual laquer pitting and peeling which is so common with these. Was just thinking a silver finish rather than like for like refurbishment.
GaryST220 said:
Nice.
Coincidentally I almost bought an identical car in February just gone (black estate, red leather, ex-Ford so all options ticked etc.).
Could be the one. Think it was pixie who was looking at same time.Coincidentally I almost bought an identical car in February just gone (black estate, red leather, ex-Ford so all options ticked etc.).
Black and red just works I think - most Cars look good with it.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff