After what seems like an eternity searching for a VW Golf GT to replace the work horse, swmbo has now decided to look in to alternatives! Her latest brain child is the Mondeo ST155 diesesal, now a few years ago prior to Skoda ownership I was looking at these cars right up until my neighbour parked his spanking ST220 on his drive.

So the question is, should I talk her out of this idea, and if so why and how? Any current or previous owners of these out there who can give some sound advice......?

Currently, apart from the fact its not a Skoda and it has 18" wheels which could prove a problem should we get snow again I can't really come up with any con's! The pro's are, they look nice (particularly the blue one she has found), go well and are reasonably economical and relatively cheap to buy. Not fussed about it being a Ford as I have owned a multitude of Dagneham dustbins and have always been more than happy with them. So! What to do?

EDIT: I know I can get another smaller set of wheels and fit snow tyres but having a spare set in the garage for the vRS I haven't really got room for any more and tbh I can't be ar5ed.

I say go for it. While they arnt the fastest sporty diesel`s they look smart, and from what i`v seen are pretty well kitted out. Lots of car for the money

Matt

I say go for it. While they arnt the fastest sporty diesel`s they look smart, and from what i`v seen are pretty well kitted out. Lot of car for the money

Matt

My thoughts exactly, however I can't help thinking perhaps we could wait another 6 months and maybe go for a another Octavia vRS hatch but the 170 dieseal!

I've always liked them, but I'd only buy it if it has the recaro seats :love: It's like they were made for me, soooooo comfortable

Drop Rik_t a PM, He has a Mondeo ST155, he bought his after his Fabia vRS was stolen.

Meanwhile I'll forward the URL to this thread to his email address

I have owned an st220 a few years ago and it was a very nice car with lots of nice extras and options with a real road presence to it.

I have driven the diesel version and had one for 3 weeks whilst on a course at the same time as owning the st220.

They have a really good engine with lots of useable power, a big boot an they are a safe family car. If you go for one get one of the facelifts with puddle lights, auto lights/ wipers etc

I like them. Looked into getting the missus one.

Was thinking about this overnight. This time last year I was looking at an STTDCI Mondeo as the 407 didn't cut it. My findings were the ride is very smooth & comfortable and the interior is very spacious which is a big bonus if you have kids. No big Cambelt change costs due to the 2.2 using a timing chain , I found the Octavia Elegance seats more supportive than the Mondeo's seats though.

The other big bonus with the Mondeo is that there were plenty around when I was looking and could afford to be really picky about price & condition.

I eventually went for the Octavia though as the Mondeo just wasn't as much fun to drive as the Octavia and the Octavia felt quicker (tested both the STTDCI & Current Octavia in the same garage and did the same test route)

The Mondeo is still a good choice. Happy Hunting

Looked at a Mondeo before the Octy.

Nice to drive, well kitted but the interior plastics are nasty.

ST is maybe a bit overpriced but tbh I'd have a mondeo before a French car of the same age.

Heated windscreen is a godsend in winter. Had one on a Focus.

I have had one of these for a while now, just like the one in the picture actually. Really comfy car, full of toys and a joy to drive. Pulls really well, especially on motorway.

I have decat on mine which makes a nice difference, also if you really want some extra kick get bluefin or remap. Standard half leather seats are more than comfortable for me, I don't like the look of the massive recaro seats you can get in it.

Thanks for all the comments so far, real food for thought, definately liking the idea of a timing chain.

I have owned an st220 a few years ago and it was a very nice car with lots of nice extras and options with a real road presence to it.

I have driven the diesel version and had one for 3 weeks whilst on a course at the same time as owning the st220.

They have a really good engine with lots of useable power, a big boot an they are a safe family car. If you go for one get one of the facelifts with puddle lights, auto lights/ wipers etc

The one I have my eye on is a MY2007 07 reg which I think is the last year they made the ST 155, after that it was the same engine (iirc) but the car was the Titanium. Would this be a facelift model?

I *think* it was 2005 the facelift happened

Matt

The one I have my eye on is a MY2007 07 reg which I think is the last year they made the ST 155, after that it was the same engine (iirc) but the car was the Titanium. Would this be a facelift model?

Titanium X is very high spec if you can get one of them. Better than the ST possibly. Think VRS Vs L&K for a Skoda analogy.

Titanium X is very high spec if you can get one of them. Better than the ST possibly. Think VRS Vs L&K for a Skoda analogy.

I have compared the 2 and yes the Titanium has a few more goodies but tbh, I much prefer the look of the ST, I suppose that's why I have a vRS..... :p

One issue I was concerned about is the longevity of the dual mass fly wheel, I have read that these are prone to failing and can be very expensive.

I have compared the 2 and yes the Titanium has a few more goodies but tbh, I much prefer the look of the ST, I suppose that's why I have a vRS..... :p

One issue I was concerned about is the longevity of the dual mass fly wheel, I have read that these are prone to failing and can be very expensive.

The flywheel does fail on these & also the injectors can be problamatic & the rear subframe bushes fail,every car has its faults though,i like the st,they are a lot of car for the money,i wanted a v6 st220 but couldnt justify the fuel bill!

If it is for the wifes use then let her buy it, At least if it breaks down or she doesn't like it, you can say it had nothing to do with you.

It's got no more issues then any other car...

My st220 was a 52 reg and suffered badly with a faulty alternator, unfortunately due to the engine design the alternator was very packed in and a big job to change!

Get the st you'll love it and of course your wife will as well!!

I may have to change my vRS for an estate car if a career change come to fruition, will need the space for a police dog and cage. I'm looking at the MK1 Vrs estate or an ST TDCi estate.... baisicaly i'll have to get as much as I can for my vRS and then get another car with the cash raised.

As much as I want to stay with Skoda, the Ford seems to have much more toys compaired with the Skoda

They are a very nice car, nice to drive to, I had a 2.0TDCi zetec-s before the octy but got fed up of fixing it.

Had new turbo, new injectors, new fuel pump, new flyweel, bonnet release broke so needed a new grill after i smashed my way in, boot release kept sticking so couldn't shut the boot properly, was absolutely useless in the snow we had due to 18" alloys even with decent tires took me 3 hrs to dig the road out enough to set off then proceeded to get stuck every 3 feet so gave up ( hence the reason for the 4x4 octy) used to go through tyres quite quick too, total i spent fixing it in 18months of ownership was somewhere in the region of £3500 and that was me doing the labour.

Don't get me wrong though, when they are running right they are fantastic, some of them are plagued with problems but have seen some on forums with around 300k miles that had no problems and only replaced usual wear and tear things like brakes and tyres etc

Might just be me though, seems like as soon as my name is on the V5 the car just gives up lol, no matter what car it is and i've had a few now

I looked at these when i was looking for my A6. Really nice cars, but every one i looked at was an absolute dog, or silver (i hate silver cars). Nice spec, lovely to drive, very good looking. Reading sites like Honest John, there seems to be quite a few problems with this era of Mondeo, but what car hasn't got its issues?

Had i found a good condition blue/black one, id have seriously consider it. Soo much better value than an A6.

I did consider one fairly seriously before I got the latest Octy.

In the end I just couldn't break away - but did think the shape was ageing a bit, and the interior was beginning to show its age too, especially considering the later revision.

They drive very well out of the box. Should give the vRS a bit to think about through the twisties Suspension setup and steering feedback are excellent too.

Good motor overall though, and decent value for money. And yes you're right Pagey, that blue's the only colour to buy

Off the wish list now, spoke to my mechanic this morning and he painted an nasty picture of Ford common rails'. :S

Fair enough. Any more info? What does he not like about them - seen a few rail/pressure failures or something?

Ford have been using CR for a lot, lot longer than VAG, so I would have said by an MY07 on this 2.2 unit things should be decently reliable and not particularly prone to failure or specific faults/weaknesses. Could be wrong though!

Fair enough. Any more info? What does he not like about them - seen a few rail/pressure failures or something?

Ford have been using CR for a lot, lot longer than VAG, so I would have said by an MY07 on this 2.2 unit things should be decently reliable and not particularly prone to failure or specific faults/weaknesses. Could be wrong though!

He actually likes them..........because of the business they bring!

He has the 2.2 tdci in his Transit which has been problematic from day one, but main issues are what have been mentioned previously, fuel pump, injectors, dual mass flywheel etc. Also he said the timing chains can rattle and do need changing.

Back on the hunt for a Golf again.

Haha fair play. Didn't know they used the 2.2 in the Transit either - so that's something I've learnt

If a Golf, why not a Skoda?