What replacement for Mk4 Mondeo Estate?

[MC Bodge]

ninjag said:

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.

I'm sure the XF is really good. I know my choice isn't very PH, but it fulfills my requirements.

It's sad to admit, but a mid size car with 150bhp and 0-60 in about 8 seconds is more than adequate and can be driven briskly.

[Fastdruid]

ninjag said:

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.

It's a lovely car I'm sure but it's a *lot* more than the Mondeo, both to buy (especially as looking at autotrader there are *no* petrols apart from 2018+) and run and far more likely to go very expensively wrong...Plus personally, auto only.

[ninjag]

Fastdruid said:

It's a lovely car I'm sure but it's a *lot* more than the Mondeo, both to buy (especially as looking at autotrader there are *no* petrols apart from 2018+) and run and far more likely to go very expensively wrong...Plus personally, auto only.

Yeah it's a bit of a bummer regarding petrol for the Sportbrake unless going pretty much new. I don't mind the diesel as you can't hear it in the cabin unless going loud and it's a nice enough sound then. But if emissions are restricting or it's only for short trips then petrol is definitely a better choice.

I think the unreliability thing is a bit of a misconception just as say the Honda reliability thing is perhaps exaggerated. There are a few well documented niggles which go wrong with the XF, much of the issues were pre-facelift and saloon related so don't effect the facelifted Sportbrake. But just like the Bavarian hordes (which aren't on PCP) you will have to be prepared to spend some money I'm sure.

There's tons of support out there though and as I love the drive so much I don't mind if I have to put my hand in my pocket, in comparison my previous and newer Honda was irritating to drive and still had issues of its own, parts were more expensive as well with less pattern parts available. Front lower control arm from Honda? £600, each! Ouch! lol But everyone has their own requirements of course, for me and unlike before I now prioritise the driving experience over reliability but that may not suit others.

I'm a complete auto convert! lol Honestly, I just can't be bothered with manual transmission anymore on our crowded roads unless it's in a high performance hot hatch or something. The 8 speed ZF is just too good! But in something like an S2000 I would prefer manual

[ninjag]

MC Bodge said:

I'm sure the XF is really good. I know my choice isn't very PH, but it fulfills my requirements.

It's sad to admit, but a mid size car with 150bhp and 0-60 in about 8 seconds is more than adequate and can be driven briskly.

That's pretty good for a 1.4 petrol putting out 150bhp especially when you look at the economy figures, besides you always have the option of a remap which I think will take it to about 185bhp

[Barchettaman]

Nice choice OP, the neighbour opposite has this exact car and he’s absolutely delighted with it.

The Octavia estate is so big you really have to be carrying lots of bodies around to justify the Superb.

[Fastdruid]

ninjag said:

Fastdruid said:

It's a lovely car I'm sure but it's a *lot* more than the Mondeo, both to buy (especially as looking at autotrader there are *no* petrols apart from 2018+) and run and far more likely to go very expensively wrong...Plus personally, auto only.

Yeah it's a bit of a bummer regarding petrol for the Sportbrake unless going pretty much new. I don't mind the diesel as you can't hear it in the cabin unless going loud and it's a nice enough sound then. But if emissions are restricting or it's only for short trips then petrol is definitely a better choice.

I think the unreliability thing is a bit of a misconception just as say the Honda reliability thing is perhaps exaggerated. There are a few well documented niggles which go wrong with the XF, much of the issues were pre-facelift and saloon related so don't effect the facelifted Sportbrake. But just like the Bavarian hordes (which aren't on PCP) you will have to be prepared to spend some money I'm sure.

Well...even if you ignore the whole warranty direct ratings, from chatting with owners they have issues and when they do they are expensive to fix.

Although the Japanese are more reliable the parts can be eyewateringly expensive...but the chance of needing them is far lower.

ninjag said:

I now prioritise the driving experience over reliability but that may not suit others.

Well this is why I like the Mondeo. I'll quote Evo here https://www.evo.co.uk/ford/mondeo

evo said:

...yer average disinterested punter will still lust after something German with a posher badge even though this car is almost certainly nicer to drive than pretty much any Audi bar the RS4

ninjag said:

I'm a complete auto convert! lol Honestly, I just can't be bothered with manual transmission anymore on our crowded roads unless it's in a high performance hot hatch or something. The 8 speed ZF is just too good! But in something like an S2000 I would prefer manual

Meh, if I wanted auto I'd go the whole hog and get a Mercedes and waft round. The whole point in wanting something that drives nicely is the driving experience and the gearbox is a major part of that. I've driven a number of auto's, DCT, CVT and torque converter. I hate them all.

Plus I don't live in the grim clogged south.

[MC Bodge]

ninjag said:

That's pretty good for a 1.4 petrol putting out 150bhp especially when you look at the economy figures, besides you always have the option of a remap which I think will take it to about 185bhp

It seems well regarded by reviewers and I was pleasantly surprised by the urgency from it. Remapping may be an option, but the potential longevity and the insurance impact are downsides.

[ninjag]

Fastdruid said:

Well...even if you ignore the whole warranty direct ratings,

I do for pretty obvious reasons.

Which jags have you had? I also don't live in the South, but the roads are still very busy up here.