What replacement for Mk4 Mondeo Estate?
Discussion
Andy Meads said:
Fastdruid]The Volvo V70 isn't as good a steer with reviews calling it dull to drive and that along with the lack of a manual[1 said:
discounts it personally.
[1] The 2.5T was only available to 2010 (ie the same as the Mondeo), the T6 and 3.2 was auto only.
Fair enough on the lack of petrol manuals. Mine is a manual, which I sought out deliberately, but it’s diesel. My one is essentially a Mondeo underneath and drives like one as far as I can tell. Again, I am not sure how true that is of the newer ones. Did they stop using Ford underpinnings or did they carry on until run out in 2016? [1] The 2.5T was only available to 2010 (ie the same as the Mondeo), the T6 and 3.2 was auto only.
It is the same platform 07-16. Trouble is with saying it's essentially a Mondeo underneath...well while it's the same "platform" that doesn't make it the same. It's all about how it is tuned and the Volvo isn't tuned for driving enjoyment.
Fastdruid said:
Andy Meads said:
Fastdruid]The Volvo V70 isn't as good a steer with reviews calling it dull to drive and that along with the lack of a manual[1 said:
discounts it personally.
[1] The 2.5T was only available to 2010 (ie the same as the Mondeo), the T6 and 3.2 was auto only.
Fair enough on the lack of petrol manuals. Mine is a manual, which I sought out deliberately, but it’s diesel. My one is essentially a Mondeo underneath and drives like one as far as I can tell. Again, I am not sure how true that is of the newer ones. Did they stop using Ford underpinnings or did they carry on until run out in 2016? [1] The 2.5T was only available to 2010 (ie the same as the Mondeo), the T6 and 3.2 was auto only.
It is the same platform 07-16. Trouble is with saying it's essentially a Mondeo underneath...well while it's the same "platform" that doesn't make it the same. It's all about how it is tuned and the Volvo isn't tuned for driving enjoyment.
I am certainly of the view that Mondeos are often underrated. I wonder for how much longer Ford will continue to offer them, given the apparently relentless march to SUVs. But that’s for another thread I suppose.
We've had a 2012 Mondeo estate Titanium X with the 160bhp petrol Ecoboost for about a year now, and it's been absolutely wonderful. It's not mega quick, though, but good enough for us and there's sufficient punch for overtaking.
I usually try to think of what car might be next but so far nothing else appeals. It's a shame the 2.0 turbos were auto only, otherwise I'd be all over one of those like a flannel.
If you can tolerate the 160bhp version or an auto box for the extra grunt, a late mk4.5 (was 2014 the final year?) might be the way to go. Or just keep your current one until it explodes!
The Octavia is a decent size, good legroom in the back and boot isn't bad, so it might be worth having a poke around a vRS. The Superb is lovely and so huge inside but it's tough to track down a petrol-manual combo.
I usually try to think of what car might be next but so far nothing else appeals. It's a shame the 2.0 turbos were auto only, otherwise I'd be all over one of those like a flannel.
If you can tolerate the 160bhp version or an auto box for the extra grunt, a late mk4.5 (was 2014 the final year?) might be the way to go. Or just keep your current one until it explodes!
The Octavia is a decent size, good legroom in the back and boot isn't bad, so it might be worth having a poke around a vRS. The Superb is lovely and so huge inside but it's tough to track down a petrol-manual combo.
Glasgowrob said:
current mondeo with its minor facelift will be the last of them 
That is a shame. It’s incredible how the market has changed and it feels like it’s happened quite quickly, too. It’s not just mainstream saloons and estates, either. It wouldn’t surprise me if, possible electric XJ aside, Jaguar stopped selling saloons in the medium term. Andy Meads said:
That is a shame. It’s incredible how the market has changed and it feels like it’s happened quite quickly, too. It’s not just mainstream saloons and estates, either. It wouldn’t surprise me if, possible electric XJ aside, Jaguar stopped selling saloons in the medium term.
Mercedes, BMW and Audi still seem to sell a lot of saloon cars.I don't want a saloon with a small boot aperture, but I don't want a big wheeled, high, pseudo off-roader crossing over anything either.
I just want a decent handling and riding family car with a big, square boot with windows in it and a lift up back.
With all cars getting bigger at each iteration, have you thought about a well specced focus? Slightly more choice of petrol turbos.....like this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
plumslikerocks said:
With all cars getting bigger at each iteration, have you thought about a well specced focus? Slightly more choice of petrol turbos.....like this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Funnily enough, I had been considering the Focus. There does appear to be more choice in the smaller cars. I'd need to consider the size of the boot. The width of the Mondeo, although bad for parking, made for a spacious car. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
MC Bodge said:
I just want a decent handling and riding family car with a big, square boot with windows in it and a lift up back.
With a manual gearbox (if I recall correctly, that’s a requirement), it’s actually pretty tough. Most, possibly all, more powerful petrol BMW, Mercedes and Audi offerings will be automatics of some sort I suppose. A Subaru Spec B came to mind, but perhaps they are not recent enough. If an auto were tolerable, a 5 Series Touring might fit your criteria. So might an E Class, as others have said.
Best of luck with the search.
MC Bodge said:
plumslikerocks said:
With all cars getting bigger at each iteration, have you thought about a well specced focus? Slightly more choice of petrol turbos.....like this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Funnily enough, I had been considering the Focus. There does appear to be more choice in the smaller cars. I'd need to consider the size of the boot. The width of the Mondeo, although bad for parking, made for a spacious car. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
MC Bodge said:
Andy Meads said:
That is a shame. It’s incredible how the market has changed and it feels like it’s happened quite quickly, too. It’s not just mainstream saloons and estates, either. It wouldn’t surprise me if, possible electric XJ aside, Jaguar stopped selling saloons in the medium term.
Mercedes, BMW and Audi still seem to sell a lot of saloon cars.MC Bodge said:
I don't want a saloon with a small boot aperture, but I don't want a big wheeled, high, pseudo off-roader crossing over anything either.
I just want a decent handling and riding family car with a big, square boot with windows in it and a lift up back.
+1 I just want a decent handling and riding family car with a big, square boot with windows in it and a lift up back.
I want a nice to drive car with a big boot not a wobbly mini-bus or faux off-roader. Sure the Estate version is never going to be as quite as good to drive as the Saloon (or even the hatch) version carrying as it does some 40-50Kg extra weight and not as stiff...but the difference is small and I'm personally prepared to put up with that loss of "performance" for the additional practicality.
The replacement for my Mondeo is to be a 2 year old Octavia in the spec I wanted: 1.4 150ps petrol estate with a manual gearbox and 16" wheels and it has a decent trim/equipment level.
The engine seems surprisingly eager, even in 6th, smooth/quiet and should hopefully not be too thirsty.
Ride and handling appeared better than expected (and it felt light compared with the Mondeo). I suspect that it may be less composed at speed over a bumpy back road than the impressive old Mondeo, but time will tell.
It should be easier to squeeze into parking spaces.
The engine seems surprisingly eager, even in 6th, smooth/quiet and should hopefully not be too thirsty.
Ride and handling appeared better than expected (and it felt light compared with the Mondeo). I suspect that it may be less composed at speed over a bumpy back road than the impressive old Mondeo, but time will tell.
It should be easier to squeeze into parking spaces.
Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 18th March 22:35
MC Bodge said:
The replacement for my Mondeo is to be a 2 year old Octavia in the spec I wanted: 1.4 150ps petrol estate with a manual gearbox and 16" wheels and it has a decent trim/equipment level.
The engine seems surprisingly eager, even in 6th, smooth/quiet and should hopefully not be too thirsty.
Ride and handling appeared better than expected (and it felt light compared with the Mondeo). I suspect that it may be less composed at speed over a bumpy back road than the impressive Mondeo, but time will tell.
It should be easier to squeeze into parking spaces.
I had an A4 estate with the 1.4 150ps and it never felt lacking in daily use. People coming from 300hp hot hatches would probably hate it, but for normal day to day driving it's absolutely fine.The engine seems surprisingly eager, even in 6th, smooth/quiet and should hopefully not be too thirsty.
Ride and handling appeared better than expected (and it felt light compared with the Mondeo). I suspect that it may be less composed at speed over a bumpy back road than the impressive Mondeo, but time will tell.
It should be easier to squeeze into parking spaces.
ilikejam said:
I had an A4 estate with the 1.4 150ps and it never felt lacking in daily use. People coming from 300hp hot hatches would probably hate it, but for normal day to day driving it's absolutely fine.
That's good to hear. I did get that impression. I wonder how it will be with the family a load of camping gear inside it.
Each to their own.
One or two up, it's actually fairly brisk at the legal speeds I've driven it at so far -Moreso than I expected and is much more responsive than modern diesels I've driven. The trip computer says long term 48mpg.
Interior-wise, it's fairly pleasant and I can't see any obvious shortcomings (It's much nicer than my Mk1 Octavia was!) There's certainly no hardship in being inside it, the infotainment screen is responsive (and intuitive), there are real knobs and buttons too and the leather & Alcantara seats feel comfortable.
One or two up, it's actually fairly brisk at the legal speeds I've driven it at so far -Moreso than I expected and is much more responsive than modern diesels I've driven. The trip computer says long term 48mpg.
Interior-wise, it's fairly pleasant and I can't see any obvious shortcomings (It's much nicer than my Mk1 Octavia was!) There's certainly no hardship in being inside it, the infotainment screen is responsive (and intuitive), there are real knobs and buttons too and the leather & Alcantara seats feel comfortable.
Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 19th March 06:25
I was going to suggest the XF Sportbrake as it is a very nice drive, decent range of engines to choose from and has the excellent ZF transmission. Rear suspension is self leveling air so even fully loaded it's composed. Often overlooked this car is. It's also got Ford's heated front windscreen which is damn handy in winter.
But you've chosen a car which I'm sure will be a good one.
But you've chosen a car which I'm sure will be a good one.
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