RE: Ford Mondeo ST220 | Shed of the Week

[GhiaInjection]

ScoobyChris said:

GhiaInjection said:

Putting new tyres on the front and leaving worns on the rear will always increase the risk of oversteer in a FWD car. Should have moved the rear SC2 to front and put new Michelins on the rear. Then when the Front Contis were worn repeat - worn Michelins to Front and new Michelins on rear..

Thanks for patronising … much appreciated. The contis were new (and went on the rear) and the part worn Michelins from the rear went on the front. Let me reiterate in case it’s not clear … they were rubbish.

Chris

Apologies, not my intention. But TBH your original post was not clear at all, if that's what you did! (Why was putting Michelins on the front relevant?)

So, you put new SC2s on the rear and the car started oversteering on the limit.

That's pretty impressive assuming the rest of the chassis was in good nick, conditions were good etc.

Although I don't think we're comparing the same thing anyway. Assuming your Ghia X had the standard 17" wheels and 205/50 tyres and not optional 18" with 225/40 tyres.

MK3 Mondeos with 18" (Zetec-S, ST220, ST TDCi & Titanium X optional on others) came with 225/40 SC2s. All the MK3 I've driven had 18s. So I can't comment on MK3 Mondeos with smaller wheels/tyres.

The ST220s featured in the positive reviews would have had SC2s. Not to mention the infamous 2 sec faster than the BMW
on the Top Gear track was a 2.0 Zetec with optional 18" SC2s as was the Mondeo featured in the 2003 Autocar best drivers cars for under £15k. Where they specifically praise the grip of the Mondeo on the 18" SC2s.

I don't think the SC2s were the greatest tyre, but in 225/40 x 18 form they clearly weren't rubbish.

[AmirGSXR]

Thought this might be relevant here. A short video about my ownership experiences of the iconic ST220.
https://youtu.be/gE3xNA-NG0U?si=9mqkyoioLHc0-NY3