ST220 Info pretty please
Discussion
Hi,
Ive finally decided on my next car and its going to be a ST220 (performance blue of course!), with a bit of hope ill be able to pick one up in july.
Id like to clear up a few facts before i start the viewing/buying process as my research hasnt answered all of my questions.
Firstly, do they come with electric folding wing mirrors? (may sound a small thing but my street is narrow), if they do is this a standard fit on all cars or a optional extra?
Also, i guess they come with locking wheel nuts to prevent little feckers nicking the 18's. I assume the key to these must frequently go missing, is this key kept in a specific compartment in the car so i can check for it?
ill be looking for a 2003 or later car so do these all have the 6 speed gear box?
i have a heard a mention of a aux in for the stereo in the glovebox, is this true? (im a avid ipod user so this would be handy and would mean i wouldnt have to install my own).
are the dvd sat navs any good and do they warrant the exta expenditure the cars fitted with them usually command?
a more generic question; is there anything else i should look out for specific to this model (i know about the sagging bumper and rusting door issues)
Thanks for taking the time to read my post, as you can probably tell by the questions ive never been in a st220, let alone driven one!
SM.
Ive finally decided on my next car and its going to be a ST220 (performance blue of course!), with a bit of hope ill be able to pick one up in july.
Id like to clear up a few facts before i start the viewing/buying process as my research hasnt answered all of my questions.
Firstly, do they come with electric folding wing mirrors? (may sound a small thing but my street is narrow), if they do is this a standard fit on all cars or a optional extra?
Also, i guess they come with locking wheel nuts to prevent little feckers nicking the 18's. I assume the key to these must frequently go missing, is this key kept in a specific compartment in the car so i can check for it?
ill be looking for a 2003 or later car so do these all have the 6 speed gear box?
i have a heard a mention of a aux in for the stereo in the glovebox, is this true? (im a avid ipod user so this would be handy and would mean i wouldnt have to install my own).
are the dvd sat navs any good and do they warrant the exta expenditure the cars fitted with them usually command?
a more generic question; is there anything else i should look out for specific to this model (i know about the sagging bumper and rusting door issues)
Thanks for taking the time to read my post, as you can probably tell by the questions ive never been in a st220, let alone driven one!
SM.
Edited by smash_bannana on Tuesday 23 June 18:40
smash_bannana said:
Firstly, do they come with electric folding wing mirrors? (may sound a small thing but my street is narrow), if they do is this a standard fit on all cars or a optional extra?
Yes 
. Turn the electric mirror switch to the centre and flick it downwards; the mirrors will fold in.smash_bannana said:
Also, i guess they come with locking wheel nuts to prevent little feckers nicking the 18's. I assume the key to these must frequently go missing, is this key kept in a specific compartment in the car so i can check for it?
I had two locking wheel nuts on each wheel on mine, and I kept them in the glovebox - I would expect to see them either in the glovebox OR in the spare wheel well. smash_bannana said:
ill be looking for a 2003 or later car so do these all have the 6 speed gear box?
Post 2003-facelift cars had clear rear indicator lenses and a different centre console & surround. They are all 6 speed from about June 2003 onwards (IIRC the production date change was the 2nd or 3rd of June 03), when the new interior and rear lights were added. There was also the facelift in 2005 which added Chrome to the exterior, and red piping on gearstick, handbrake, steering wheel.smash_bannana said:
i have a heard a mention of a aux in for the stereo in the glovebox, is this true? (im a avid ipod user so this would be handy and would mean i wouldnt have to install my own).
are the dvd sat navs any good and do they warrant the exta expenditure the cars fitted with them usually command?
The standard Sony Stereo and the Denseo Sat Nav have an Aux-In port in the rear of the glovebox.are the dvd sat navs any good and do they warrant the exta expenditure the cars fitted with them usually command?
smash_bannana said:
a more generic question; is there anything else i should look out for specific to this model (i know about the sagging bumper and rusting door issues)
As you know about the bumper and door issues, check all the wheels for corrosion as they can be pretty horrific if they are still the standard diamond cut surface. Check that the heated seats work too, as I had issues with them on my ST-TDCi and have heard of plenty more. There are issues with the V6 "Moosing" - check out FordMondeo.org and STDrivers.co.uk, STOwnersClub.co.uk and FordSTOwnersClub.co.uk for more information on that and other specific 220 issues.Hope this information is helpful
.smash_bannana said:
Hi,
Ive finally decided on my next car and its going to be a ST220 (performance blue of course!), with a bit of hope ill be able to pick one up in july.
I saw an earlier thread where you were undecided between that and a 330Ci. What was it that swung the decision for you?Ive finally decided on my next car and its going to be a ST220 (performance blue of course!), with a bit of hope ill be able to pick one up in july.
Dave_ST220 said:
Note there were two facelifts in 2005, the first changed the sideskirts & added chrome trim, the second added red stitching to the inside and an ST220 badge on the lower front grill in addition to this. Watch out for clutch/DMF problems-this can happen at low miles.
Cheers Dave - I knew there'd be something I'd miss out! .thanks for the replies, very much apprieciated!
I was looking at potential purchases last night and there dosnt seem to be many around for sale at the moment which fill the criteria i desire, ill just have to keep my fingers crossed a good one becomes available in the next few weeks and hopefully not too far away.
i decided on the st over the 330 as personnally i think the st is a better looking car (im sure many will disagree). also, for the same money i would be able to get a newer and lower mileage car if i get the mondeo. plus my balls would shrink whenever i saw an m3.
I was looking at potential purchases last night and there dosnt seem to be many around for sale at the moment which fill the criteria i desire, ill just have to keep my fingers crossed a good one becomes available in the next few weeks and hopefully not too far away.
jon_80 said:
smash_bannana said:
Hi,
Ive finally decided on my next car and its going to be a ST220 (performance blue of course!), with a bit of hope ill be able to pick one up in july.
I saw an earlier thread where you were undecided between that and a 330Ci. What was it that swung the decision for you?Ive finally decided on my next car and its going to be a ST220 (performance blue of course!), with a bit of hope ill be able to pick one up in july.
What timing, I Could well be selling my ST220 in performance blue on a 54 plate.
43,000 miles
Full service history with 6months Tax and MOT.
New tyres conti contact 3, and Alloys. The old Alloys corroded and looked a bit rank.
New Brake discs and pads with braided brake lines.
VIS Intake System.
New style rear lights with bumper reflector oe not cheap copies.
All the oe extras + HID lights, sunroof and reverse parking sensors.
Cream leather recaro seats.Heating still works...
£6550ono
Nice clean car, let me know if you're interested.
Give me a ring to chat, I live in the Herts area: 07901 726854
43,000 miles
Full service history with 6months Tax and MOT.
New tyres conti contact 3, and Alloys. The old Alloys corroded and looked a bit rank.
New Brake discs and pads with braided brake lines.
VIS Intake System.
New style rear lights with bumper reflector oe not cheap copies.
All the oe extras + HID lights, sunroof and reverse parking sensors.
Cream leather recaro seats.Heating still works...
£6550ono
Nice clean car, let me know if you're interested.
Give me a ring to chat, I live in the Herts area: 07901 726854
Edited by TUS1 on Wednesday 24th June 22:35
Edited by TUS1 on Wednesday 24th June 22:36
Edited by TUS1 on Wednesday 24th June 22:39
smash_bannana said:
Podie said:
The sat nav / touchscreen looks nice, but IMO a TomTom is a better bet.
to be honest the looks of it is 90% of the reason why i want it.
TUS1 - i have sent you a couple of messages regarding the car, ignore the fsh bit, i didnt read your post correctly!!!! oops.
lol, one of the reasons i got it!! The stereo on it is pretty good too. I got the "why didn't you get a BMW" line when i got mine, becuase for the price of a new basic 318 i got a fully loaded V6 with every toy known to man, i also like the look of it(in saloon form-some hate them). Good luck with the search, i have been looking for a second one for the wife for quite a while now, finding clean unmolested ones at a decent price is not easy, i missed out on a fully loaded 55 plate for £6K!!ha, you must have been gutted about the 55 plate, sounds like a bargain! theres a 54 fully loaded st220 on autotrader at the moment for around £6.5k but its in black, otherwise id have snapped it up by now!
Dave_ST220 said:
smash_bannana said:
Podie said:
The sat nav / touchscreen looks nice, but IMO a TomTom is a better bet.
to be honest the looks of it is 90% of the reason why i want it.I've got a facelift 2004 ST220 and a few pointers that has been missed in this thread.
The stereo is ok on CD/Radio but I found that using the aux through an ipod, the quality absolutley sucked. After a month of ownership i've changed the headunit for a Blaupunkt DAB54 and the sound quality has improved massively (still running the standard speakers and running a sub also) Shame as I really liked the look of the Sony HU.
Looks pretty good I think though. Went for a HU that isn't in your face like some Alpine models.
Also the bloody jack point covers!! Mine keep falling off. I've lost 2 since ownership (6 months ago) had a spare, stuck that on with some silicone and it's fell off again! They really ruin the look of the car when there are gaps in the skirt.
I've priced up replacements at £14.98 each unpainted.
The stereo is ok on CD/Radio but I found that using the aux through an ipod, the quality absolutley sucked. After a month of ownership i've changed the headunit for a Blaupunkt DAB54 and the sound quality has improved massively (still running the standard speakers and running a sub also) Shame as I really liked the look of the Sony HU.
Looks pretty good I think though. Went for a HU that isn't in your face like some Alpine models.
Also the bloody jack point covers!! Mine keep falling off. I've lost 2 since ownership (6 months ago) had a spare, stuck that on with some silicone and it's fell off again! They really ruin the look of the car when there are gaps in the skirt.
I've priced up replacements at £14.98 each unpainted.
Edited by peterattheboro on Friday 26th June 10:42
The jack covers have a tie that keeps them on(or should do!), apprently the early versions have been changed, mine are tight as anything(latest version). What happens is when service monkey rips them off they bend the clips-if they did the job right this wouldn't happen. Simply bend them gently back 
As for the I Pod connection-i have heard of some people with the same complaint but theirs appeared to be a fault, mine(via the Denso Sat Nav) is as clear as CD.
Jack covers here btw :-
http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/c/exterior_accesso...
As for the I Pod connection-i have heard of some people with the same complaint but theirs appeared to be a fault, mine(via the Denso Sat Nav) is as clear as CD.Jack covers here btw :-
http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/c/exterior_accesso...
Dave_ST220 said:
peterattheboro said:
Dave what paint would you recommend then? Obviously it's going to be some sort of acryllic in silver?
If you want it to last then get a body shop to do it, if you dont mind chips then the Ford cans give an excellent match for £12.Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff