RE: Shed of the Week: Ford Mondeo ST220
Discussion
ajguk said:
You're absolutely right actually! I assumed a Vectra A would be the first shape but I guess that was the Cavalier in the UK?
Yes, the mk3 Vauxhall Cavalier was the Opel Vectra A Edited by ajguk on Friday 26th April 13:41
Irmscher bits on yours too! I think I liked that stuff at the time
but it hasn't aged too wellRat_Fink_67 said:
CharlieAlphaMike said:
They seem to be a 'marmite' car. Personally, apart from the V6 engine, I think it's quite possibly the worst car I've ever owned. I couldn't wait to get rid of it.
Quite a bold statement! Out of interest, in what way was it the worst car you've ever owned?
). Like I said, mine was an ex-Ford management car and was loaded with almost every extra, including electric sunroof, xenon's, sat nav and that red leather interior. It was a saloon, finished in a rare metallic blue colour (which I think was called Ink Blue). I loved the looked of it and with such a great spec, it should have been my 'almost' perfect car. I purchased it from a main dealer so it had a perfect service history and being less than a year old, it had low mileage (can't remember exactly how many miles) too.
The engine, like I said, was fantastic. I'm a fan of V6's and whilst this wasn't the most powerful of engines, I loved the way it revved and I loved the noise it made (with the standard exhaust and with the Miltek I had fitted). Unfortunately, that was its only redeeming feature. All the test reports talked of it being a great handling car. My experience was one of vague steering and laughable torque steer. I tried several brands of tyre (Pirelli, Goodyear and Continental) to see if that would cure it but to no avail. I didn't think the gearbox was any better or worse than any other car. I've subsequently owned a Honda S2000 whose gearbox is in a different league altogether.
Of course, the diamond cut wheels, like with most wheels with this finish, lasted 5 minutes before the lacquer peeled off. Ford were not interested in any warranty claim though. In contrast, Iater owned a Subaru Legacy Spec B with the same wheel finish and had the same problem but Subaru replaced (not refurbished) them under warranty. I ended up having the Ford's stripped and powder coated in silver.
I also suffered from the 'droopy' rear bumper. Mine was a late model, despite what you might think from the pictures; I changed the rear lights for those from a pre-facelift ST220 because I didn't like the chrome, I preferred the cleaner look of the earlier lights without the chrome inserts/surrounds. I discovered that Ford had a 'dealer notice' and remedy for the bumper but despite many phone conversations with my local dealers (I tried several) and Ford Customer Service (joke), no one was interested. I ended up fixing it myself with some carefully shaped foam insulation which was pretty much the same as Ford's own remedy.
So my dealer/customer service experience wasn't exactly what you might call the best!
I lost count of the number of times the headlight washer cover's came adrift. They had a habit of flying off when the washers were activated. They were replaced by my dealer each time at great expense (for a piece of plastic) so I assumed they'd have been re-fitted properly. I just think there was some design flaw. Painting them was obviously expensive too but they might as well have been left in primer because I've never know a car to suffer so much from stone chips. Being dark metallic blue didn't help because it made the grey/white primer even more visible.
The look of the red interior was great but I was surprised at how uncomfortable those front Recaros were. On any longish drive, I always had a 'numb bum' and generally had a back ache too. I've never had this problem with any other car I've owned. Not the fault of Ford as such but it didn't help with my ownership experience.
The general feel of the car was that it was built to a price. It never felt like a quality car to me. I remember the doors closing, not with a nice reassuring thud but with that awful 'hollow' sound I'd associate with much older cars.
Like I said, I couldn't wait to get rid of it and when I did find someone to take it off my hands, I was shocked at how much it had depreciated during my short ownership.
Checking on its MOT History, it looks like someone enjoyed it (although it failed the MOT plenty of times). The last MOT was recorded at over 150,000 miles but that was few years ago so I assume it's probably no longer with us.
I don't wish to offend anyone who owns an ST220. Like I said, I think they're a Marmite Car. I guess I just don't like Marmite
I've had my 53plate St220 four years after owning an St tdci for four years too. The tdci was usually broken and in the end I did a straight swap for the petrol. It's been faultless barring usual oil leak and breather Hose issues and the frequent fuel stops. I absolutely love it and plan to keep it forever more. Most cars I've sold previously have rocketed in price so I'm not missing this gravy train if it passes by
I will pass, I had a 1.8 Mondeo years and years ago - it was ok for what it was but developed a habit for driking oil, I flogged it off while the going was good and bought a Honda Accord 2.4 (much better car) then had a Lexus is250, a Merc CL55 and now a Subaru Legacy SpecB, all much better cars. Would be a brave soul to buy this car at the milage on it
based on my experience seems plausible.I had an 04 plate estate 4 years ago. Only had it for about 8 months and I sold it for about the same as I paid for it. It was a second car but the fuel economy was shocking when used for running about (30 if driven steady on a run, less than 20 if used on short journeys). It had the oil leak and a very annoying engine warning light which wouldn't stay off no matter what was done to it (plugs, hoses etc). I did like the car though, it had 1 previous owner and was totally original, it had well over 125k on the clock though, body work was ok at best and the wheels needed sorting. I sold it and bought an MK4 2.0 Tit X with 170k on the clock, said car is now approaching 250k!!!
Prompted by my earlier post, and looking at some of the photos posted, I dug out a pic of my 1.8LX. It was technically a company car. I had it in 2010 and it was bought for me by my then boss as he'd posted me out in Paris. I practically lived in this car for almost a year.
Pictured outside my apartment there. Happy memories. I miss having a car like this.
[wanders off to browse wifetrader]
Pictured outside my apartment there. Happy memories. I miss having a car like this.
[wanders off to browse wifetrader]
Loved the ST220 since I saw pics online, which I quickly photoshopped into a slammed, debadged Max Power-esque model. Looking around to replace my Mazda 3 2.0 Sport, the ST220 was tempting again but ultimately I opted for the MK4 Titanium X Sport. Got a great deal on it and have always wanted to own an I5 Turbo. That said, the V6 soundtrack of the 220 is something I really should have gone for but turns out its still easier to find these for sale than the 2.5 Turbo Titanium X Sport. Saw a few of the TXS 2.5T before I bought mine but since they've been impossible to see listings. I think they're even rarer (like a few hundred left).
In any case, love Fords as a whole but don't see my car fetching silly money. The ST220 is more likely, but not many will make it. And why not? Would prefer if cars were enjoyed while they can be, than letting them become unused garage queens.
In any case, love Fords as a whole but don't see my car fetching silly money. The ST220 is more likely, but not many will make it. And why not? Would prefer if cars were enjoyed while they can be, than letting them become unused garage queens.
Edited by ChiggyWiggy on Saturday 27th April 06:30
Limpet said:
Most cars go through the council thing. Look at older BMWs for instance. The trick is to buy at this stage, maintain and cherish, and then after the council lot have killed theirs off with crap mods, bad driving and neglect, you are left with a nice example of an increasingly rare, and hopefully gently appreciating car.
Says the guy who most likely lives on a council estate but will only buy a car from someone with a nice crunchy gravel driveway..I've always wanted one of these and I love the Mondeo and I've had a 1995 1.8LX/2000 ST24/2000 V6 Ghia X. I love the way they drive and they make a brilliant cruiser.
It is only until recently that I realised how thirsty the V6 engines were, and I didn't take much notice at the time that I ran mine...I guess that petrol was a good chunk cheaper back then though.
I love the spec on the ST220 and I love the Recaro seats big time. It is a car that I'd really like to have one day for sure.
It is only until recently that I realised how thirsty the V6 engines were, and I didn't take much notice at the time that I ran mine...I guess that petrol was a good chunk cheaper back then though.
I love the spec on the ST220 and I love the Recaro seats big time. It is a car that I'd really like to have one day for sure.
joropug said:
I'm in the minority on these. Totally overrated, didn't like mine at all really. Awful handling (contrary to the reviews ) and deadly poor brakes. Shocking MPG for the power output.
Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
I'm with you. I really wanted to like my ST220 but was totally disappointed with the whole experience. I couldn't wait to get rid of it. See my comments just above your post.Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
joropug said:
I'm in the minority on these. Totally overrated, didn't like mine at all really. Awful handling (contrary to the reviews ) and deadly poor brakes. Shocking MPG for the power output.
Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
I wouldn't go as far as 'deadly' to describe the brakes but I wouldn't say they're actually that good either. And if yours didn't handle well there must have been something wrong, as said, I've previously owned a couple of mk3s and driven another three that I can think of and they were all fine handling cars, the ST with uprated springs and new dampers was excellent.
joropug said:
I'm in the minority on these. Totally overrated, didn't like mine at all really. Awful handling (contrary to the reviews ) and deadly poor brakes. Shocking MPG for the power output.
Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
I wouldn't go as far as 'deadly' to describe the brakes but I wouldn't say they're actually that good either. And if yours didn't handle well there must have been something wrong, as said, I've previously owned a couple of mk3s and driven another three that I can think of and they were all fine handling cars, the ST with uprated springs and new dampers was bloody excellent to be frank.
njw1 said:
joropug said:
I'm in the minority on these. Totally overrated, didn't like mine at all really. Awful handling (contrary to the reviews ) and deadly poor brakes. Shocking MPG for the power output.
Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
Arguably though, irrelevant on a shed budget.
I wouldn't go as far as 'deadly' to describe the brakes but I wouldn't say they're actually that good either. And if yours didn't handle well there must have been something wrong, as said, I've previously owned a couple of mk3s and driven another three that I can think of and they were all fine handling cars, the ST with uprated springs and new dampers was excellent.
I currently use my 05 reg Zetec tdci mondeo for commuting and it’s my workhorse, it’s in good shape with 140k on it , of course I have replaced The tensioner,belts crank pulley , injectors, starter motor and finally the clutch off course yes you might be thinking 🤔 this amount to more of the value of the car ,but it’s reliable and now getting rare but you have to keep on top of the maintenance servicing to keep it going like all cars .
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