Mondeo TDCI or 530D ???
Discussion
Hi chaps,
would be interested in your collective opinions on this one....
My current mondeo (TDDI) is now over 11 yrs old & showing 208,000 Still reliable & drives surprisingly well, handles well, pulls like an old train, but is starting to get tired & needs to be replaced.
Whatever i buy will probably have 100k on the clock, 5,6,7 years old & will be worked fairly hard (20k a year) as a van - but never carries any weight as such.
My head says 2007/8 mondeo 2.0 or 2.2 TDCi (possibly a 125ps 1.8 but that's another question)
My heart says 2004/5/6 BMW 530D
For similar wedge, with similar miles, it looks as if the mondeo would be 2-3 years later than the BMW.
Which will be more reliable & offer less in repair bills ??
I know the 530 will be heavier on fuel but i can live with that.
Opinions ??
thanks ;-)
would be interested in your collective opinions on this one....
My current mondeo (TDDI) is now over 11 yrs old & showing 208,000 Still reliable & drives surprisingly well, handles well, pulls like an old train, but is starting to get tired & needs to be replaced.
Whatever i buy will probably have 100k on the clock, 5,6,7 years old & will be worked fairly hard (20k a year) as a van - but never carries any weight as such.
My head says 2007/8 mondeo 2.0 or 2.2 TDCi (possibly a 125ps 1.8 but that's another question)
My heart says 2004/5/6 BMW 530D
For similar wedge, with similar miles, it looks as if the mondeo would be 2-3 years later than the BMW.
Which will be more reliable & offer less in repair bills ??
I know the 530 will be heavier on fuel but i can live with that.
Opinions ??
thanks ;-)
I know it's not the right budget, but I turned my nose up at a BMW 530D 'M Sport' at Swain and Jones in Farnham, and drove away from the local Ford dealer in a nearly new '12' plate Mondeo Titanium X 163 instead. I'm not regretting it either. The BMW was up for a little over 13k, the Audi A4 next to it for 14k, and there were quite a few Jaguars in-budget too. The Ford cost me near 17k.
The Mondeo is great, especially in Titanium X spec. Options fitted included leather seats and nice alloys, 'privacy' glass in the back, and I loved the colour. It has a lot of tricks and toys, including voice command for things like the audio, telephone, and climate control. I've had it a few months now, and still haven't learned about all of the features for the phone/stereo, but then the radio is always tuned to Kerrang! on DAB, and I only ever answer calls on the hands free. If I need to make a call, I'll pull over so that I can give the conversation my full attention. Most importantly, it drives and handles itself really well. The steering is far more 'alive' than my previous car (Vectra C), it accelerates better in every gear, and has 50% more power than the Vectra, similar economy figures, a bigger fuel tank, and, joy of joys, I've been able to rediscover the art of overtaking. The Vectra was so light on power that I rarely dared attempt a pass except on DCs/Mways/long straight roads. It even costs less to insure than the old car, which was 11 years old.
Ultimately it's up to you. Buy the right car because it's the right car, not because you're a slave to a particular brand. And there's nothing wrong with a bit of love for the blue oval.
The Mondeo is great, especially in Titanium X spec. Options fitted included leather seats and nice alloys, 'privacy' glass in the back, and I loved the colour. It has a lot of tricks and toys, including voice command for things like the audio, telephone, and climate control. I've had it a few months now, and still haven't learned about all of the features for the phone/stereo, but then the radio is always tuned to Kerrang! on DAB, and I only ever answer calls on the hands free. If I need to make a call, I'll pull over so that I can give the conversation my full attention. Most importantly, it drives and handles itself really well. The steering is far more 'alive' than my previous car (Vectra C), it accelerates better in every gear, and has 50% more power than the Vectra, similar economy figures, a bigger fuel tank, and, joy of joys, I've been able to rediscover the art of overtaking. The Vectra was so light on power that I rarely dared attempt a pass except on DCs/Mways/long straight roads. It even costs less to insure than the old car, which was 11 years old.
Ultimately it's up to you. Buy the right car because it's the right car, not because you're a slave to a particular brand. And there's nothing wrong with a bit of love for the blue oval.
Quick off the line there chaps !! Thanks :-)
To be fair to o,d Fords, my knackered old dog still impresses me for what it is - it's appearance that's letting it down a bit now.
I have only driven one late mondeo & thought it was very nice, not had the pleasure of a 530D - do I need to avoid driving one for fear of discounting the mondeo completely !!
PCD - valid point on the depreciation, I had thought of it as another "run it into the ground" vehicle.
But I guess a 530 will still be worth something when I have finished with it, probably around 160-180k
If either could do as well as my existing one, i would be shocked.
Is a 530D REALLY that much more surefooted, powerful & comfortable than a later mondeo !!!
I will probably get one through the trade - my Son is a s/emp mechanic & does quite a bit of work for car dealers, I know a few very well & am pretty sure i will get a "nod".
To be fair to o,d Fords, my knackered old dog still impresses me for what it is - it's appearance that's letting it down a bit now.
I have only driven one late mondeo & thought it was very nice, not had the pleasure of a 530D - do I need to avoid driving one for fear of discounting the mondeo completely !!
PCD - valid point on the depreciation, I had thought of it as another "run it into the ground" vehicle.
But I guess a 530 will still be worth something when I have finished with it, probably around 160-180k
If either could do as well as my existing one, i would be shocked.
Is a 530D REALLY that much more surefooted, powerful & comfortable than a later mondeo !!!
I will probably get one through the trade - my Son is a s/emp mechanic & does quite a bit of work for car dealers, I know a few very well & am pretty sure i will get a "nod".
yellowjack said:
Ultimately it's up to you. Buy the right car because it's the right car, not because you're a slave to a particular brand. And there's nothing wrong with a bit of love for the blue oval.
Thanks for that ;-) You're saying everything i thought about the later mondeo's, certainly more than good enough to use as a work tool / van :-)Badge snobbery does nothing for me, in fact i have never had a BMW or Merc - i don't really go along with it all. In my 20's & 30's i had a succession of jags, loved them, then in my 40's had around 25 jap sports toys (partly hobby, partly trading them) - now I'm a touch over 50, i have to be Mr Mondeo etc :-)
I just know nothing is going to be as cheap to run as my current beast. 4 years, 80,000 miles & apart from servicing doing the dual mass when i first bought it (for peanuts), it's had rear shocks, brakes, one turbo pipe, one driveshaft and a lift pump - not bad going for an old car that's driven quite hard !
Be sure you can live with the ride comfort on the BMWs run flat tyres.
Friend of mine has a 520d and wasn't impressed with the ride comfort.
Im also far from convinced with BMW reliability going into big mileages.
Id go Mondeo - but it may be worth looking at a high spec Superb.
Sir Fergie
Friend of mine has a 520d and wasn't impressed with the ride comfort.
Im also far from convinced with BMW reliability going into big mileages.
Id go Mondeo - but it may be worth looking at a high spec Superb.
Sir Fergie
Ran a 54 plate 530D for about 2 years back in 07/08.
The engine is superb and is on another planet with regards to performance, torque and refinement to a 4cyl Ford unit. TBH it's probably one of the best diesel engines ever produced.
The ride quality is far better on the non M-Sport versions (especially when you replace the awful RFT's) and the purchase price is considerably lower also. They still handle very well so that is what I would go for.
As most are auto's you will be lucky to get 30MPG on average in an earlier car (new gearbox/efficient dynamics came in after 07 which improves things quite a bit)
Interiors are a lovely place to be, but again later cars (07 onwards) are a definite improvement in design and quality.
If anything does go wrong it's not going to be cheap to fix, even at a specialist. Servicing is pretty pricey also.
At the end of the day if you take running costs out of the equation it is a far nicer car to drive/own than a Mondeo (I've ran a Mondeo as my daily commuter hack for the last 2-3 years), but whether it's the best car for your situation is down to you.
The engine is superb and is on another planet with regards to performance, torque and refinement to a 4cyl Ford unit. TBH it's probably one of the best diesel engines ever produced.
The ride quality is far better on the non M-Sport versions (especially when you replace the awful RFT's) and the purchase price is considerably lower also. They still handle very well so that is what I would go for.
As most are auto's you will be lucky to get 30MPG on average in an earlier car (new gearbox/efficient dynamics came in after 07 which improves things quite a bit)
Interiors are a lovely place to be, but again later cars (07 onwards) are a definite improvement in design and quality.
If anything does go wrong it's not going to be cheap to fix, even at a specialist. Servicing is pretty pricey also.
At the end of the day if you take running costs out of the equation it is a far nicer car to drive/own than a Mondeo (I've ran a Mondeo as my daily commuter hack for the last 2-3 years), but whether it's the best car for your situation is down to you.
SWoll said:
As most are auto's you will be lucky to get 30MPG on average in an earlier car
30mpg average from a diesel? Hardly seems worth it, might as well settle for the soundtrack and refinement of the 530i (if you can find one...), it won't cost much more at all (and perhaps less prone to expensive faults).Personally I'd take the Mondeo every time, having spent quite a bit of time in a 2.0 TDCi Titanium; it's always impressed me how relaxing it is when taking it steady, yet it's good when pushing on, and it's got all the toys you could ever need.
Drove an e60 530d auto few years ago with intention to buy, road noise, harsh suspension, didn't think much of the interior/idrive so didn't bother. Driven many mondeos at work at they just seem perfect in nearly every way get new shape 07- 2.0 tdci you won't be disappointed. Some bargins out there I've seen recently aswell, fsh with just over 100k for less than 4k and it won't bend you over and ruin you like the bm will
I have owned three mondeos & a E61 520d & to be honest they both do the same job very well both comfy mile munches, I haven't drove the latest Mondy but it is highly regarded aswell, suppose it depends on whether you fancy fwd & rwd, I wouldn't hesitate in buying another mond as I think they are great at what they do.
I am a really big fan of beemers aswell so whichever you go with I don't think either is a bad car.
I am a really big fan of beemers aswell so whichever you go with I don't think either is a bad car.
I found the inside of the BMW boring and plain, so much so I sold it at a big loss after just 3 months.
I was getting over 40 mpg (manual), straight line performance was good and yes the engine was much nicer then the 4 pot Ford.
I suppose the handling was better, still not all that with an open diff and dozy TC, and you could always feel the weight. Never felt remotely "sporty".
So for the daily grind, really, if it had to be one of those two, I'd get the Mondeo, with the best interior possible.
If you're happy with auto, I'd prefer an XJ6 to either.
I was getting over 40 mpg (manual), straight line performance was good and yes the engine was much nicer then the 4 pot Ford.
I suppose the handling was better, still not all that with an open diff and dozy TC, and you could always feel the weight. Never felt remotely "sporty".
So for the daily grind, really, if it had to be one of those two, I'd get the Mondeo, with the best interior possible.
If you're happy with auto, I'd prefer an XJ6 to either.
I wouldn't touch another TDCi with a bargepole. Worst, most unreliable piece of s
te I've had the misfortune to own. Even a new one as a company car (was an '03) left me stranded on the 5 lane section of the M25 near Heathrow. God knows why I bought another. Injectors, DMF, starting issues, going into limp mode due to cam position sensor (known by Ford) issues, noisy pump, using water, oil leak, EGR valave clogged, Speedo/dials dropping to 0 and all warning lights coming on (another known issue).
Unless you're doing mega miles I'd get a petrol. Modern diesels out of warranty are a liability in my humble opinion. A 530D would make my wallet wince everytime I breathed near it.
te I've had the misfortune to own. Even a new one as a company car (was an '03) left me stranded on the 5 lane section of the M25 near Heathrow. God knows why I bought another. Injectors, DMF, starting issues, going into limp mode due to cam position sensor (known by Ford) issues, noisy pump, using water, oil leak, EGR valave clogged, Speedo/dials dropping to 0 and all warning lights coming on (another known issue).Unless you're doing mega miles I'd get a petrol. Modern diesels out of warranty are a liability in my humble opinion. A 530D would make my wallet wince everytime I breathed near it.
tr7v8 said:
Ridden in both & TBH the ride of the BMW is dire. The Mondeo is a nice place to be, will be newer for the money & less cash to run. Also the BMW will be rubbish in the snow whereas the Mondeo being FWD will have an advantage.
They are very sensitive to wheel and tyre choice.dfen5 said:
I wouldn't touch another TDCi with a bargepole. Worst, most unreliable piece of ste I've had the misfortune to own. Even a new one as a company car (was an '03) left me stranded on the 5 lane section of the M25 near Heathrow. God knows why I bought another. Injectors, DMF, starting issues, going into limp mode due to cam position sensor (known by Ford) issues, noisy pump, using water, oil leak, EGR valave clogged, Speedo/dials dropping to 0 and all warning lights coming on (another known issue).
Whilst I agree with what you are saying all those well documented problems were ironed out on the 07-onward model. Nothing under the bonnet was carried over from the 02-06 tdci mondeo.te I've had the misfortune to own. Even a new one as a company car (was an '03) left me stranded on the 5 lane section of the M25 near Heathrow. God knows why I bought another. Injectors, DMF, starting issues, going into limp mode due to cam position sensor (known by Ford) issues, noisy pump, using water, oil leak, EGR valave clogged, Speedo/dials dropping to 0 and all warning lights coming on (another known issue).Oh and for the record the 07-onwards 2.2 tdci in my experience isn't great on fuel tried a few in different power outputs/gearboxes but can't seem to get more than 34mpg.. A 2.0 will do low 40's all day long
Edited by hi court on Sunday 24th March 12:41
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