E36 320 Tourer VS ST200 Mondy

[mgmrw2003]

As in the title... debating which is better for a spot of bangernomics.

Had the 320 around 3months now, and it does the job of work wagon, dog cart, workhorse for tip-trips and garden centre runs... All in, inc. t&t it owes me £2k.

Basically, I'm bored and it's a bit of a tubby bus for what I want... I've scratched the beemer itch and now debating something else. Cue the FORD MONDEO ST200.

Mate of a mate rocked up in his, and it's a "minter" so reckons it's worth £3k.

Bittov ebay scouring and I've found them for £1k upwards, that need some TLC... which is no issue due to various mates in the trade who can oblige.

Just wondering if anyone knows of a valid reason for keeping the E36 and not plumping for a 2.5v6 ford repwagon with full leather, air con, and on a 2001 plate?

[a_bread]

Seems a shame, a month has gone by and you have had no reply to that perfectly good question! So here is my 5p.

Apart from the Mondeo being a fair bit faster (I'd guess - 50hp more, and less weight), I can't imagine it having much else to recommend it over the BMW. Surely the BMW handles better, is better screwed together, has more chance of attaining genuine classic status if kept in top condition (some would say it already is a classic). I also think in terms of looks the BMW wins easily.

It would be a lot less clear cut if you were putting an E46 against a same-period Mondeo because the Mondeo moved on further with that version than the 3 series did from E36 to E46. It does of course depend which engines you are comparing.

[Dimski]

a_bread said:

Apart from the Mondeo being a fair bit faster (I'd guess - 50hp more, and less weight), I can't imagine it having much else to recommend it over the BMW. Surely the BMW handles better, is better screwed together, has more chance of attaining genuine classic status if kept in top condition (some would say it already is a classic). I also think in terms of looks the BMW wins easily.

And my 2p.

I think for £1k you're taking a bit of a risk with an ST200. They were a lot rarer than the ST24, I've no idea if that would mean parts problems, but it's bottom of the market for them, that's for sure.

Assuming it is a good 'un, or you can get it fixed easily:

I go the other way.

The ST200 was said to be better than the ST24, which itself wasn't bad. I would have though that between a standard (non sport) 320 tourer, and an ST200 the Mondeo might be the better handler. (In spite of the BMW's god-like status due to RWD, of course!)

Also, classic status... Well, given the ST200 was much rarer than the ST24, that's a tough one.

Looks? Subjective, of course. Oh balls to it. I'm not comparing with an M3, it is a 320 tourer! I'll go for the Ford again.

[SteveS Cup]

Not a tough one for me... ST200 everytime!

I seem to have a soft spot for the ST200 and also the Vectra GSI of that era, I think it's because a mates dad had an ST24. Strange I know but I really like them! If I needed a comfy 4 door saloon or estate it would be hard to choose something else of similar value for me!

[a_bread]

Dimski said:

The ST200 was said to be better than the ST24, which itself wasn't bad. I would have though that between a standard (non sport) 320 tourer, and an ST200 the Mondeo might be the better handler. (In spite of the BMW's god-like status due to RWD, of course!)

Also, classic status... Well, given the ST200 was much rarer than the ST24, that's a tough one.

Looks? Subjective, of course. Oh balls to it. I'm not comparing with an M3, it is a 320 tourer! I'll go for the Ford again.

Actually that does look damn good! Not sure what I was thinking of before.

[Strawman]

What happens to the dogs, and trip tips etc. did the fast Mondeo come as an estate ? I vote 328 touring as the solution, fast as the mondeo and same MPG as the 320 in day to day use.

[mgmrw2003]

Thanks for the replies chaps.

Already own a 320i tourer on a 96plate, so buying a 328 is a no-no. Since the question was posted, I've done something stupid and entered the classic car ownership.

Also, new insurance on the luxo barge saab means 3rd party use of fathers 4x4 for dog/tip trips is now a go...... SOOOOOOOooooooooo the 320 is surplus to requirements, and now up for sale. Hoping to get a grand for it as it's in good nick, then pay off 1/2 of the classic car cost. Before using a weeks wages for an ebay hunt for a 1.0 micra with T&T, for the 4miles each way work run over winter.

Below sits the 320 in its glory:

[DannyVTS]

Bonnet bra?

[Smike]

Strawman said:

What happens to the dogs, and trip tips etc. did the fast Mondeo come as an estate ? I vote 328 touring as the solution, fast as the mondeo and same MPG as the 320 in day to day use.

They did about 75 estate versions I think. Nice handling but a lot of mags said the ST200 brakes weren't up to extended, spirited driving

[mgmrw2003]

DannyVTS said:

Bonnet bra?

I was bored. May of been tempted to "try" the "euro look" by fellow beemer nuts near me...... lasted all of a week

[Mr Whippy]

mgmrw2003 said:

DannyVTS said:

Bonnet bra?

I was bored. May of been tempted to "try" the "euro look" by fellow beemer nuts near me...... lasted all of a week

There was a guy I passed on my way to work who had one on his new shape SLK... looked a real spanner. Disappeared a month later


ST200 Mondeos are nice. Some parts might be a bit of a pain to come by though. Not sure it'll be any worse than any other relatively rare car of that age though.

Dave

[mgmrw2003]

Mr Whippy said:

mgmrw2003 said:

DannyVTS said:

Bonnet bra?

I was bored. May of been tempted to "try" the "euro look" by fellow beemer nuts near me...... lasted all of a week

There was a guy I passed on my way to work who had one on his new shape SLK... looked a real spanner. Disappeared a month later


ST200 Mondeos are nice. Some parts might be a bit of a pain to come by though. Not sure it'll be any worse than any other relatively rare car of that age though.

Dave

I can imagine..... Only plus side I found was finding it in a car park became dead easy as no-one parked next to you.

As for parts..... Im now going to be hunting for 1970 Austin bits.... so much more fun.

The beemer is on a 28day ebay listing, be nice to see it go to someone who'll use it as it's a great car.

[Baryonyx]

I'd go for the ST200. It'll be great fun to drive, very comfortable and it's still a looker, even if the looks are dated now.

The BMW on the other hand I would only keep if it was going to be rigorously looked after to preserve it's value. Since you're looking for a car that you can use and enjoy, I'd say the Mondeo is the much better option.

[mgmrw2003]

Baryonyx said:

The BMW on the other hand I would only keep if it was going to be rigorously looked after to preserve it's value.

Value? It's worth a grand

[a_bread]

Baryonyx said:

Since you're looking for a car that you can use and enjoy, I'd say the Mondeo is the much better option.

Didn't realise the ST200 was so highly thought of. I've never driven one. I thought Ford really struck gold later with the ST220, a car so good I gave up my 330ci for one.

[Smike]

a_bread said:

Baryonyx said:

Since you're looking for a car that you can use and enjoy, I'd say the Mondeo is the much better option.

Didn't realise the ST200 was so highly thought of. I've never driven one. I thought Ford really struck gold later with the ST220, a car so good I gave up my 330ci for one.

The only thing with the ST200 was that it never seemed quite as quick as you might hope of 200bhp in a 1400kg car. 20 seconds to a 100 seems a lot

[a_bread]

Smike said:

The only thing with the ST200 was that it never seemed quite as quick as you might hope of 200bhp in a 1400kg car. 20 seconds to a 100 seems a lot

Yeah but probably about the same as an E46 325i, which was a later car with the same size engine. The old FWD/RWD thing is a factor here. I know FWDs have improved 'off-the-line' more recently with advances in traction, but they were always traditionally disadvantaged 0-60 but as the speed builds they tend to claw some back as the advantage from smaller transmission power losses becomes more relevant. My ST220 will not get to 60 as quick as my 330 did, but how often did I do that? 60-100 a different story.

[Baryonyx]

a_bread said:

Didn't realise the ST200 was so highly thought of. I've never driven one. I thought Ford really struck gold later with the ST220, a car so good I gave up my 330ci for one.

Ford were cranking out hits back in those days. The ST200, the Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S, the Focus ST170. Never the fastest in the class but always sporting superb handling and styling. I love them.

[mgmrw2003]

Baryonyx said:

Ford were cranking out hits back in those days. The ST200, the Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S, the Focus ST170. Never the fastest in the class but always sporting superb handling and styling. I love them.

Yup. That's what I love most about those 3 cars..... Driven them all.

And they're all the same, look subtle, all gotta be blue. Never the quickest in terms of power compared to the competition, BUT always the best drivers.

I'm seriously looking into selling the 320, and the 2006 SAAB, banking some of the cash for rainy day purposes and shelling out 3-4k for a mint ST170 as they're such a great all rounder, and not quick enough for the inexperienced OH to stuff when doing the weekly 160mile in 1day commute

[Dimski]

Baryonyx said:

Ford were cranking out hits back in those days. The ST200, the Mk5 Fiesta Zetec S, the Focus ST170. Never the fastest in the class but always sporting superb handling and styling. I love them.

Ford have currently lost my business. I liked my old Ghia V6, and as an all-rounder loved my ST diesel.

Kept waiting for them to do the new mondeo ST, and it never happened. Pity.