Mondeo 2.5t Advice
Discussion
I've had mine for 3-4 years now. Expect MPG to average low 20s (although I can manage 35mpg on the motorway sticking at 60mph).
There are no major issues with these cars really. By far the main cost is the petrol, although I have had a few minor problems.
A very common issue is the diaphragm in the oil filter housing - this will split eventually. Mine went at ~65k miles. The replacement part is a revised design so shouldn't happen again and cost £150 including VAT. Fairly easy to fit yourself in 1-2 hours. Symptoms are a very loud whistling noise at idle (it'll be obvious if it happens). Try not to drive it like this as the excess pressure can blow other seals.
The boost control solenoid is also prone to failure - again only a £40 part and an easy DIY fix with the drivers-side wheel removed. The car will only boost to ~5psi when this happens as all pressure will be directed to the wastegate actuator. The car will feel sluggish if this part fails. However, my car has done 80k miles and it's not failed, though I did recently replace it as a precaution.
If your car has IVDC (electronic adjustable dampers) the wires around the wheel arch can rub through and split. I recently had this on mine and fixed it by stripping the wire back and adding a short length of replacement wire with heatshrink.
Also, listen out for whining in the steering. The power steering pump went on mine at about 40k miles and the part alone was around £500 including VAT I believe. The part is different than the other engines. I've not heard of many other people having this problem though.
Bluefin really makes a difference with the performance. I was a little disappointed with mine at first but the remap makes it a lot stronger at the top end. New units are around £400 but I managed to get a used one that had been reset for £170.
There are no major issues with these cars really. By far the main cost is the petrol, although I have had a few minor problems.
A very common issue is the diaphragm in the oil filter housing - this will split eventually. Mine went at ~65k miles. The replacement part is a revised design so shouldn't happen again and cost £150 including VAT. Fairly easy to fit yourself in 1-2 hours. Symptoms are a very loud whistling noise at idle (it'll be obvious if it happens). Try not to drive it like this as the excess pressure can blow other seals.
The boost control solenoid is also prone to failure - again only a £40 part and an easy DIY fix with the drivers-side wheel removed. The car will only boost to ~5psi when this happens as all pressure will be directed to the wastegate actuator. The car will feel sluggish if this part fails. However, my car has done 80k miles and it's not failed, though I did recently replace it as a precaution.
If your car has IVDC (electronic adjustable dampers) the wires around the wheel arch can rub through and split. I recently had this on mine and fixed it by stripping the wire back and adding a short length of replacement wire with heatshrink.
Also, listen out for whining in the steering. The power steering pump went on mine at about 40k miles and the part alone was around £500 including VAT I believe. The part is different than the other engines. I've not heard of many other people having this problem though.
Bluefin really makes a difference with the performance. I was a little disappointed with mine at first but the remap makes it a lot stronger at the top end. New units are around £400 but I managed to get a used one that had been reset for £170.
Edited by AccessViolation on Wednesday 12th February 22:01
Edited by AccessViolation on Wednesday 12th February 22:02
edition said:
Thanks for the replies. The one I'm looking at is at 100k which was worrying me but by the sounds of it they are pretty robust.
Anybody know how much things like a clutch would be?
I'm thinking of one of these or a Saab 9-5 Aero, what are peoples opinions?
Thanks.
Mate of mine ran one for about a year. The clutch was iffy when he bought it (about 120k miles) IIRC it cost around £500 for a new one at a local indy. Other than that it was a very reliable car, felt well balanced and well put together. Anybody know how much things like a clutch would be?
I'm thinking of one of these or a Saab 9-5 Aero, what are peoples opinions?
Thanks.
Thing that impressed me the most about it was the huge torque from low (1500rpm) revs - made overtaking a doddle.
Don't really know too much about the 9-5, would be interesting to drive one to compare but for me I'd have a 2.5t in a heartbeat.
I've got an '08 2.5T Titanium X Estate, had it for a year, got it with only issue I've had is the aircon was leaking condensate, cost me £136 to get fixed. It's the same engine as many volvos and of course the Focus ST and there aren't too many grumbles online about it, worst seems to be the PCV which leads to excessive oil consumption and is a bit of a PITA to replace (as its hidden behind the inlet manifold) easy to diagnose though, pop the dipstick out and put a bag or something over it while running, if it bulges out then it needs sorting.
Heavy on front tyres and fuel but not helped by having a lead foot.
Personally I'd avoid any with 19in wheels as the tyres are ~£100 extra per corner for budget tyres.
If you're thinking of going to look at a specific one then pop the reg into http://www.etis.ford.com/ and you can see the full spec.
Great engines though, slightly disappointing at the top end but mostly because it's so strong at the bottom end.
Mine is stock but you can remap for a fair bit more although I've heard that the clutch is then a weakness. RS clutch can be fitted as a replacement though along with a Focus intercooler and pretty much all the other goodies. :-)
Handling is good although it's a big car and the ESP can get a workout.
Heavy on front tyres and fuel but not helped by having a lead foot.
Personally I'd avoid any with 19in wheels as the tyres are ~£100 extra per corner for budget tyres.
If you're thinking of going to look at a specific one then pop the reg into http://www.etis.ford.com/ and you can see the full spec.
Great engines though, slightly disappointing at the top end but mostly because it's so strong at the bottom end.
Mine is stock but you can remap for a fair bit more although I've heard that the clutch is then a weakness. RS clutch can be fitted as a replacement though along with a Focus intercooler and pretty much all the other goodies. :-)
Handling is good although it's a big car and the ESP can get a workout.
Superb car. I've had mine for just a smudge over two years, done 28k in it.
It's cost a lost in fuel, but apart from that, just tyres and servicing. I have a reasonable commute at 16 miles each way and get 27mpg from it, I can stretch that to 35mpg on a run to my parents in France, but I can also drop it to something truly scary by pressing on.
Positives:
1) The steering is just lovely, proper hydraulic PAS, with lovely feel and linearity.
2) Excellent seats, part leather and alcantara.
3) Damping and body control is imperious, especially for what is a big car.
4) Huge boot, and I do mean huge, vast, cavernous boot, what anybody needs an estate for I have no idea, to live in maybe?
Negatives:
1)As alluded to, the fuel consumption, I budgeted for 30 mpg when I bought it, so 28 is nowhere near a deal breaker.
2) Tyre noise, the 18's fitted to the Titanium X really do produce some roar. I don't know if it is my imagination, but this seems to be worse on older tyres. I fitted a full set of Michelin's after a year which improved things a lot, but now they are wearing, it seems to be coming back. Also, the 18's seem to like new tyres, anything less than 4mm produces noticeable tramlining and a reduction is sharpness to the steering around straight ahead.
3) Again, already alluded to, the size. This is a beast of a car, with a *very* high scuttle and dash for pedestrian regs. I really wouldn't want to try and park one without front and rear sensors.
It's cost a lost in fuel, but apart from that, just tyres and servicing. I have a reasonable commute at 16 miles each way and get 27mpg from it, I can stretch that to 35mpg on a run to my parents in France, but I can also drop it to something truly scary by pressing on.
Positives:
1) The steering is just lovely, proper hydraulic PAS, with lovely feel and linearity.
2) Excellent seats, part leather and alcantara.
3) Damping and body control is imperious, especially for what is a big car.
4) Huge boot, and I do mean huge, vast, cavernous boot, what anybody needs an estate for I have no idea, to live in maybe?
Negatives:
1)As alluded to, the fuel consumption, I budgeted for 30 mpg when I bought it, so 28 is nowhere near a deal breaker.
2) Tyre noise, the 18's fitted to the Titanium X really do produce some roar. I don't know if it is my imagination, but this seems to be worse on older tyres. I fitted a full set of Michelin's after a year which improved things a lot, but now they are wearing, it seems to be coming back. Also, the 18's seem to like new tyres, anything less than 4mm produces noticeable tramlining and a reduction is sharpness to the steering around straight ahead.
3) Again, already alluded to, the size. This is a beast of a car, with a *very* high scuttle and dash for pedestrian regs. I really wouldn't want to try and park one without front and rear sensors.
I get ~16mpg round town, 24mpg avg but that's mostly due to a short (7m) commute which while part motorway tends to be rather stop/start.
I normally get ~34-36mpg on a run depending on how much is motorway and have managed 40mpg but that required sitting on cruise at 60 and not touching the throttle. I only did it the once as it's way too boring, far more fun to put your foot down out of roundabouts etc
I had a mk2 Mondeo estate before this and the Mk4 is huge in comparison, so much so I considered a Focus estate as an equivalent sized car!
I normally get ~34-36mpg on a run depending on how much is motorway and have managed 40mpg but that required sitting on cruise at 60 and not touching the throttle. I only did it the once as it's way too boring, far more fun to put your foot down out of roundabouts etc
I had a mk2 Mondeo estate before this and the Mk4 is huge in comparison, so much so I considered a Focus estate as an equivalent sized car!
Jon999 said:
Valves / valve seats are too soft. Flashlube reduces the wear but they still wear out. Not a good idea on this engine.
Yep, there aren't many around with LPG fitted. Heard of a few Focus STs with LPG kits fitted but they do seem to cause problems.Megaflow said:
3) Again, already alluded to, the size. This is a beast of a car, with a *very* high scuttle and dash for pedestrian regs. I really wouldn't want to try and park one without front and rear sensors.
As above, definitely try to get one with parking sensors. Visibility isn't great, especially with my saloon with the tinted rear glass. The long wheel base and poor turning circle isn't great for the multi-storey car parks either.Megaflow said:
Again, already alluded to, the size. This is a beast of a car, with a *very* high scuttle and dash for pedestrian regs. I really wouldn't want to try and park one without front and rear sensors.
Real men (and my wife) can manage to park one without sensors. It did feel a bit unwieldy at first though and you do often need to decide whether it is the passenger door or the driver door needs to opened when you park in a typical UK car parking space....Agree with all the above. Not ashamed to admit that front and rear sensors are a boon. Petrol consumption was a bit of a shock, but massive bargain next to the equivalent Audi or BMW.
Little point revving it, but lots of low down torque.
Only fault in a year with mine is a broken headrest (very common apparently, but £100 for new part, so have put up with it), and a one off (I hope) hissy fit from the electrics- all the dials went crazy until able to reset itself - maybe rain related?
Little point revving it, but lots of low down torque.
Only fault in a year with mine is a broken headrest (very common apparently, but £100 for new part, so have put up with it), and a one off (I hope) hissy fit from the electrics- all the dials went crazy until able to reset itself - maybe rain related?
MikeO996 said:
Only fault in a year with mine is a broken headrest (very common apparently, but £100 for new part, so have put up with it), and a one off (I hope) hissy fit from the electrics- all the dials went crazy until able to reset itself - maybe rain related?
This happens to mine every few months - gauges bouncing around and the radio turning itself on and off - got a video of it somewhere. Can usually be fixed by unplugging the battery for a few seconds and it resets itself. However, the needles once got stuck in the wrong position (way off the scale) and I had to remove the cluster and move the needles back into place manually.This has probably been be fixed by a software update from Ford but I'm guessing it would cost £100+ so I've never bothered.
AccessViolation said:
MikeO996 said:
Only fault in a year with mine is a broken headrest (very common apparently, but £100 for new part, so have put up with it), and a one off (I hope) hissy fit from the electrics- all the dials went crazy until able to reset itself - maybe rain related?
This happens to mine every few months - gauges bouncing around and the radio turning itself on and off - got a video of it somewhere. Can usually be fixed by unplugging the battery for a few seconds and it resets itself. However, the needles once got stuck in the wrong position (way off the scale) and I had to remove the cluster and move the needles back into place manually.This has probably been be fixed by a software update from Ford but I'm guessing it would cost £100+ so I've never bothered.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff