Shed of the Week: Ford Mondeo ST24
The pictures may be rubbish, but this Mondeo has been with the same owner since 1998...
What we can see here looks rather good...
Yes, it's a Mk2 Mondeo, and as such a slightly embarrassing symbol of Ford's failed $6 billion attempt at global domination. It's not the sort of car you'd buy in order to make a splash at the Henley Regatta, unless you were thinking of driving it directly into the Thames as some kind of proletarian protest. But this one is an RSAP (Rally Sport Appearance Pack) ST24 saloon, and that's rather more interesting.
There are now about 600 ST24s still running about on UK roads, which is a biggish drop from the near-1,000 that were registered alive in 2015. If you think, as some do, that this model is likely to appreciate in value, you'll want to find a clean, solid example to lay down in your temperature-controlled underground bunker - and this one could be exactly that.
Now, the ST24 is not an ST200. It has 15mm lower suspension than cooking Mondeos but it only has 168hp in its chain-driven Duratec V6, which means the sort of performance (if not the fuel economy) you'd expect from some diesel Golfs.
Lusty V6 still in fine order too
How many of you, right at this moment, are thinking RUST? Well, maybe you don't need to fret about that because last summer this car had some pretty major rust-remedial work carried out on the rear suspension, seat belt anchorage points and sills in order to get it through the MoT. He did it so you don't have to, etc.
Presumably the owner was a bit skint after that outlay, or has possibly had some bad luck in his life since then (which might explain why he's selling), because the Mondeo has done less than 2,000 miles in the 12 months between last June's MoT and this year's one, through which it gaily skipped with no advisories.
As in 1998. Which probably wasn't great then
It's worth checking that the plastic impeller fitted to pre-2000 model water pumps has been replaced. Given the history, you'd like to think it has. There's a syndrome called 'moosing' which is a weird honking noise that generally happens at higher temperatures. The Mondeo Enthusiasts' Group can help with this. Throttle hang is another potential annoyance, and the inlet manifold runner control (IMRC) system has a reputation for melting thanks to its ingenious placement in the engine bay.
Some folk fit EGR blanking plates to ST24s. As every self-respecting PHer will know, probably, the idea of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve is to send exhaust gases back through the inlet manifold for a second burn, with a view to reducing emissions. Over time however the build up of unburnt fuel and oil particles can clog up the EGR valve and the inlet manifold.
Anyone got a spare Blue Oval?
Whether you do that or not, we reckon this fully-MoT'd and welded up ST24 four-door represents pretty good value. Elsewhere on the Internet we've seen an equally clean 91,000-mile ST24 in the same colour at £1,450, and a 4,600-miler perhaps a little optimistically priced at £10,893 (gumph!). So, a bargain really.
A propos of nothing much, when a Frenchman sees a Mondeo, does he think "oh look, there's a Worldo"? Just wondering.
Rare ST24 Saloon for sale which is well above average condition. I have owned the car for over 19 years (car was 9 months old when I purchased it) and still have all the Ford books and paperwork for any work that has been carried out on the car. Mileage is 93k and I have original keys including the spare master. Metallic red paintwork has a brilliant shine and is regularly polished using high quality products. Common problem point with the sills rusting has been dealt with with both sills being replaced to a very high standard. Interior is in immaculate condidtion with no rips or tears. Under bonnet area and boot area is in excellent condition which shows how this car has been looked after. Original ST24 wheels, unkerbed with good tyre tread depth. All usual extras plus air conditioning and optional sunroof. Serviced by Ford technician every 6k miles and all MOT's carried out by Ford main dealer. In all this excellent ST24 (rarer than the ST220) that has been very well looked after. Inspections welcome.
As above it's aged very badly when compared perhaps a BMW of similar age which could be purchased for similar outlay with a straight six, or even a cheap E46.
I remember thinking it was absolutely bloody fantastic at the time as an 8 year old. What they are actually like I have no idea. Not sure how they only managed to squeeze 168bhp out of a 2.5 v6.
He swapped it for a ST200 which was even better.
I remember thinking it was absolutely bloody fantastic at the time as an 8 year old. What they are actually like I have no idea. Not sure how they only managed to squeeze 168bhp out of a 2.5 v6.
He swapped it for a ST200 which was even better.
Without turbos, superchargers or making it an utter pain in the arse to drive, back then, that was about your lot, maybe some nearer 200 but generally a lot less.
As said, the 90s curvy Ford design hasn’t aged well IMO. Although price doesn’t appear all that bad given you’re getting a cherished car. Begs the question as to why owner is selling though
Its 19 years old. Its a mass produced car made very cost sensitivity with cheap materials,protection and limited life. Its not a daily shed more a hobby car at that age. If it was say a 2005 mk3 then yes.
Being a fan, I was looking to replace my Sierra and was after an ST200. Drove a couple of them, one for a few days and thought better of it. Bought another Sierra.
Years later, I had a loan of an ST220 which I really liked. Not sure what they managed to do between MK2 and MK3.
Changing an engine is probably actually more work on a V6, a front wheel drive one that will have air con and power steering stuff to move. Thats if you can find the correct one, cant imagine that unit is super common, then you get into variations, I changed an engine in the same model/year but didnt notice the flywheel was different, turns out mid model year they had reviced the ECU/immobiliser and it had a different reluctor wheel so my ecu didnt understand the signals coming from the engine and wouldnt start. It is rarely simple in reality.
I had the Ghia X 2.5 V6 version of this car (pretty much the same, but without the bodykit). Went well for the power available, but not the most inspiring engine note under load (certainly when compared to other sixes from BMW and Alfa Romeo).
At top money, these are unattractive cars. At shed money, they are strangely alluring!
Changing an engine is probably actually more work on a V6, a front wheel drive one that will have air con and power steering stuff to move. Thats if you can find the correct one, cant imagine that unit is super common, then you get into variations, I changed an engine in the same model/year but didnt notice the flywheel was different, turns out mid model year they had reviced the ECU/immobiliser and it had a different reluctor wheel so my ecu didnt understand the signals coming from the engine and wouldnt start. It is rarely simple in reality.
Ran an ST24 Hatch back in my student days, it was fun back then but I imagine these days it would be terrible.
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