Callum i personally don't know much about the subject, but i recall a,ot of people on here making negative comments about the 2.0 tdi pd engine, apparently it's the rotter in the range. i think a mk1 vRS could serve you better, best if someone else can comment on it that knows a bit more.

2.2tdci is a good engine, titanium x is very good spec, it will serve you as well as a skoda 2.0 tdi, if your heart is set on the vrs then just get it.

The ford st tdci are brilliant cars and I would put the tdci up against any other diesel engine as we have them as work cars, they never miss a beat and our cars are put through their paces, we current have s-max's in both 2.0 and 2.2 diesels both of which are good engines and the 2.2 isn't that much slower than the Volvo v70 twin turbo diesel we have on loan at the minute.

don't forget Aspman that the OP is after a large/ish family car and wants something with a bit of GO.

Fair enough.

Here's the old ST 155 thread

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/200073-mondeo-st155/page__hl__mondeo+155

I doubt a 155 would be in your price range anyway tbh. VRS is going to be hard to beat as a car that's biggish, reliable, fast and good value.

I agree with Aspman, vRS is a hard package to beat. only bother with a diesel, mondeo or octy if getting 40mpg is important or if you fancy racking up big miles.

Mk1 vRS it is then unless something spectacular pops up.

Thanks for the input everyone!