OK, I am currently driving a Mondeo Estate titanium x 140TDCI with nearly 100k on it.  I'm about to get some funds and want to replace the beast.  I have pretty much decided that I want to go petrol because I can see diesel being hit harder in the next few years, DSG because I'm getting lazy and probably an L&K spec as I already have lots of the toys in my mondeo e.g. heated leather seats, park sensors etc etc.

 

BUT having decided that I really can't afford to go New and don't want to go all the way up to the 280PS so am looking for an 220PS DSG L&K estate.  and looking for is the phrase as they seem to be few and far between.

 

Oh did I mention that I cant stand black white grey or silver?  sorry to those that have them but not my cup of tea!

 

I have time to keep looking but heres the question.  if this was the youd had decided on, what would you do as an alternative?

Swap the DSG for a gearstick?

Suck up the diesel hate and drop to a 190 diesel?

drop the spc and "suffer" with an SE-L?

 

all are possible, as is the colour choice but having driven a grey car for the last 4 years I genuinely detest it!

 

because of what I cart around occasionally I dont really want to drop to the slightly smaller Octavia either even thoiugh there is more choice of VRS estates...

 

ta in advance

Andy

Out of them options... i would be expanding the search to include SEL's also..

 

I think the thing to do is review and make a note of  the spec differences between the SEL and L&K . Once you have the list tick off the must haves v nice to have which you will never use...

 

At that point you can decide the car and spec you want... then look for SEL's with extras fitted too..

 

If its a private purchase, i agree i would go petrol.

Wow.....you have a challenge on your hands. There are very few 220 Estates unless you include your "boring" colours (I agree that they are boring too!).

 

Even new, the colour choice is limited. However try a Drive the Deal or CarWow quote on a new one to compare with the "nearly new" prices.

 

I'm really chuffed with my Corrida Red 220TSi SE-L Executive; added heated screen, heated rear seats and front parking sensors as the main options + spare wheel and heated washer nozzles. Apparently red is no longer available.

Cheers, I have car wow quotes already and it's tempting but it does depend on what the wife buys herself first and how much she spends.  Red is my first choice too! 

Well having just sold a 2.0 petrol Tit X I might have provided some thoughts on the differences but I am waiting for the car.........

 

Anyway my rationale appears similar to yours, size, got used to the gadgets, didn't want diesel.  I was borderline between the exec and the K&L and went for that as when I added the bits up it was nearly L&K price anyway and settled for http://cc-cloud.skoda-auto.com/CarCard/93240003 and then added; tow bar, paddles on steering wheel and Smart Light Assist.

 

So I suppose I looked at what was about and realised I wanted the 220TSI and the gadgets so it was new car only. 

 

I don't know what you're transporting, but there is almost as much room in the hatchback. It's one of the reasons I chose the Sportline hatchback over the Giulia saloon. I suggest this because you're more likely to find the Corrida Red or Dragon Green on the Sportline. I think the dealers got those as demos, because the factory was trying to convince the buyers that Škoda were getting adventurous.

 

No one seems to know if the colours are disappearing from the configurators because new ones will be introduced, or no one bought them. If the latter, you may be able to pick up a bargain off the showroom floor. There's a Dragon Green Sportline on the floor in Marshall Škoda, Croydon. And the dealer demos are usually loaded. Mine was.

thanks all - yes its a private purchase so petrol is almost a given.  

 

@freelunch several times a year I transport the majority of the camping kit for my cub pack to camp - I can fit all the tables and benches in my mondeo and i've measured the boot specifically to make sure the catering tables fit in!  Thats the other reason I dont want to go down to the Octavia.  You have made me question myself now as to whether the sportier looking Superb will work quite the same as boxier backend of the mondeo when we're up to the 9th table....

Andy, good luck with your search - just do yourself a favour and check you're happy with load bay when rear seats are down - they no longer go as flat as the MK II did.

 

Coming from a Scouting back ground I know how much kit needs to be moved.

 

Not wanting to dis the MKIII (I have one) but I'm sure the MKII has more usable internal space even though it does not have a water bottle holder in every door - I cant drink that much !!

 

2.0 TSI L&K DSG all the way (in boring colour)

Edited 16 March, 20179 yr by Smudgers

thanks Smudgers - the mondeo only goes flat if you lift the seat bases and then you lose 4-6 inches of length so that doesnt worry me!  Will keep my eyes open and be patient.  One thing the L&K has that I stupidly feel i CANNOT do without is the keyless start!  The idea of putting a key in and turning it seems so "backward", havent done that for 10 years!

How did you actually get on with the Mondeo?  If you have the model I'm thinking (mk4)  then you had one of the nicest cars to drive that I've ever tried.  Steering weight was near enough perfect and it handled like a Fiesta not some 5 metre long estate.  The latest Mondeo is a step backwards IMO.  Looks dull, unless you opt for the very highest trim/spec and it's very bland to drive too.  Though I did think it was more refined than previous versions.  

 

Anyway, the reason for my babbling...I actually think the Superb is the closest VAG car I've driven (barring the Audi S and RS ranges) that drives as well as the Mondeo.  The steering is nicely weighted and it feels like when you move the steering wheel the wheels are actually moving in some kind of sync.   It just doesn't feel like a big car.

 

I'm already eying up a petrol model for my next car and in your shoes I'd just keep an eye on Autotrader and get whatever looks the best spec for the cash, whether it be the 220 or 280, SE L, Sportline or L&K.  Some dealers have no consistency or rationale to their pricing.  Some 280's with a few miles on them can be had for less than 220's with more miles and lesser spec.  I suppose it just depends on what money the car 'owes' them.    Plenty of choice though (just not in the colour department)

 

I wanted an estate initially but as @freelunch has already mentioned the hatch is cavernous and I didn't see any point in going for the estate.   Though the estate does have a more practical load bay, no lip etc.  Take some tables to a dealer and try it out 

 

 

 

Edited 17 March, 20179 yr by penguin17

The MK5 Mondeo Estate in the right  spec is great to drive - on 19" alloys on sports suspension it rides and handles very well.

 

With X Pack it looks smart as well. 

 

Plus you can get the 2.0 240 petrol.. 

@penguin17 its my 3rd mondeo - 62 plate so mk4.5 and its not quite as good as the previous Mk4 I had. I have to say the Mk3 I had was probably the best handling but then it wasnt as big.  I have to compare the drive though to my wifes 1.6 Focus and I know how quickly that corners so the mondeo always feels like a barge in comparison.  i can hustle it when I want to though with confidence!

Id stick with another mondeo if I "had to" I have nothing against them and the choice of specs and colours means I could pick one up now for less money but the standard titanium spec is missing things I have now as standard so I'd need to keep my eyes open for the right spec.  

 

I genuinely dont understand sometimes why manufacturers dont add the "little things" by default as a selling point e.g. fron and back parking sensors on a car that size should be standard? I guess they just know which options people will always add and pay for...

 

I also feel that the ford engine range is lagging with respect to efficiency etc  my current 2.0tdci 140 averages 45-50 mpg and I spend the majority of my miles at 70 on the motorway, I live and work approx 1 mile from the junction and its a 35 mile commute each way out of rush hour.  My friend has a very similar commute in a similar passat and gets 60+.

 

reading here I can probably get almost the same efficiency out of the 220PS with a lot more fun on tap.

 

 

1 hour ago, AndyMD said:

reading here I can probably get almost the same efficiency out of the 220PS with a lot more fun on tap.

If you have fun with the 220ps petrol engine, you'll get more like 30-32mpg. At least, that's what I'm getting. Still, more than my Brera. And I do more city driving than you do.

3 minutes ago, freelunch said:

If you have fun with the 220ps petrol engine, you'll get more like 30-32mpg. At least, that's what I'm getting. Still, more than my Brera. And I do more city driving than you do.

thanks @freelunch - does anyone else have some "real world" mpg figures to share - I have seen the 220ps thread with peoples early figures but curious now as to what is an honest fuel return.

 

I'll still probably get better than the Mrs gets in the focus ST she wants....

Funny how many people go from a Mondeo to the Superb, I went from a 2.2 TDCI Titanium X Mk4 to the Superb L&K 2.0 190 TDI.

 

The car is used for pretty much only long distances so I wanted something economical, I drove to work the other morning 45 miles mostly motorway, sat in lane 1 following lorries and got over 60MPG when I arrived at the office, then on the way home I "stayed with the flow" of any other vehicle and still returned over 40MPG.

 

It feels softer than the Mondeo in anything but sport setting but on long journeys that is very relaxing.

 

The Mondeo was one of the best cruisers I have driven and the Superb does not disappoint.

18 hours ago, AndyMD said:

Cheers, I have car wow quotes already and it's tempting but it does depend on what the wife buys herself first and how much she spends.  Red is my first choice too! 

Try http://www.carfile.net I went through this company, they are a lot cheaper than car wow and you get a very personal service. The car is sourced through a main agent, although I did have to travel to get it. I understand that they will deliver too.

Edited 17 March, 20179 yr by facet edge

thanks @facet edge carfile works out at the moment as about the same price as carwow but after Ive added options so definitely worth a look if I cant find my ideal "used"

 

at the moment the difference is about 3-4000 new compared to used so is the first 10-15000 miles worth 4 grand? probably if I can stretch that far and I can work out the tax difference new to used as well with the new rules

 

Andy

 

@AndyMD You might phone around the dealers and see what demo cars might be going. I bought the sales manager's ride and saved almost £9K off the list for a car with 1,700 miles on it.

Edited 17 March, 20179 yr by freelunch

6 minutes ago, freelunch said:

@AndyMD You might phone around the dealers and see what demo cars might be going. I bought the sales manager's ride and saved almost £9K off the list for a car with 1,700 miles on it.

Cheers - Ive notified all my local dealers as to what I want so waiting to see what they can find.  One of them did say they would get moe in march as the skoda UK cars get replaced - i.e. the ones they run around themselves for 6 months...

 

Andy quick question out of interest - if your happy with your MK4 what makes you want to change to the MK3 Superb.

 

I only ask the question because, I read this Forum and also MK5 Mondeo Forum and Audi A4 forum and less problems seem to crop up on the Mondeo forum...

 

It's not a critisim at MK3 Superb owners, as I have not driven one, only the MK2 1.6 TDi - which to drive is no comparison to the MK5, also the the MK5 has a unique and complex rear 5 point rear suspension similar to BMW 5 link suspension as opposed to the Superbs independent rear on a chassis based on the Golf

Edited 17 March, 20179 yr by Jimbbobw1977

So i have a modeo mk5 180 bhp diesel  from work (but rather feels like a maximum 150, anyway uncomparable with the 190 from superb)... and aside from the suspension which indeed feels high class in the mondeo, but skoda is not far at all... everything else is under the superb: practicality, space, infotainment, engine, gearshift, materials, electric tailgate (excelent feature), design (at least from my point of view)...

20 minutes ago, Corbu33 said:

So i have a modeo mk5 180 bhp diesel  from work (but rather feels like a maximum 150, anyway uncomparable with the 190 from superb)... and aside from the suspension which indeed feels high class in the mondeo, but skoda is not far at all... everything else is under the superb: practicality, space, infotainment, engine, gearshift, materials, electric tailgate (excelent feature), design (at least from my point of view)...

 

Its a difficult one because two reasons I joined this forum 1) prior to buying a Mondeo I looked at all the Forums for competitors because they provide the most unbiased reviews compared to the magazines who rely heavily on advertisement 2) because of a common complaint across both Ford and Skoda (vag) for rear brake issues (same manufacturer) 

 

one of the things that put me off VAG products - I looked at the Passat also, was rattles. Seemed to be something that cropped up regularly, as does noisy suspension, with clunks and other noises. I was also put off by the trim falling off the windows and freezing infotainment.

 

I did go for a Mondeo MK5 180 poweshift in the end - spec wise and price the superb and others couldn't match and it's amazing to drive and so smooth and quiet.

 

Stories of DSG issues put me off massively as well, this affects Ford also but only on the dry clutch boxes only.

 

I don't have any rattles on the Mondeo at all.

 

Regarding the engine, it has the same 400lb of torque and according to the recent autoexpress test is actually quieter than the vag unit.

 

Again, I'm not criticising it's what my preference came down to... 

It s like apple and samsung  on paper samsung is wow... but put toghether in practice the ecosystem mmm samsung not so good... dont wan to start a vs rly... just that i have the oportuniy to drive them both daily ... in fact the modeo i use it daily for work... but jist for you to know maybe it is important to you also, only 3k+ km and look below (picture of the my mondeos dash few days ago... this appeared and the ppwer to the engine was capped at max 2,5 k rpms... and a rattle in the dash from day one... so i will end it here... machines brake ... could be bmw audi skoda ford... but in the end you look also for: practicability, space, fuel consumption, ride quality looks etc and for all of this i think superb is a better car although i aknowledge the ford has a better suspension setup ... perfect and silent...

 

sorry all for OT... i am stopping :).

@Jimbbobw1977Its a fair question but I think its mainly that after 3 mondeos I know exactly what it does and how it behaves and its getting a little "boring".  My first Mk3 was almost like a focus in how I could chuck i around and theyve got softer with each iteration since but Ive been sensible because they do do exactly what I want.  Each of them has got to just ovr 100K befoe things have started to become expensive and my current one is at 96K and had to have some part of the DPF system replaced yesterday.

So I'm sort of letting go of sensible and sticking with what I know and choosing something else.

and when I look around at the various options, I instantly discount Audi A4 and BMW 3 series because they are simply too small - they do not compare as "large estates" and A6 and 5 series are too expensive for my budget fo r a car I will probably have for a max of 5 years and in some ways, abuse with camping kit, bikes, muddy woods etc

So that left me with a shortlist of, Superb, Octavia, Mazda6, Mondeo, Passat (I discount the insignia as Ive driven several and hated their auto box and the drive. Ive never understood why someone would choose an insignia over a mondeo except on price alone. if you have one each to their own, I just didnt like them)

 

My criteria were that it needed to be a BIG estate based upon he tables I cart to camp etc so I had to lose the mazda 6 and octavia - they'e big but the boot dimensions arent quite enough, the passat disappeared because its only available in diesel and Id like to switch to petrol, leaving me with the superb and the mondeo.  

 

Does that make sense?  the superb to me feels like a more quality car so a step up and the DSG seems to be better rated than the powershift and then the engines in the skoda lineup just again sem to edge the fords for power and efficiency.  I know manufacturers numbers mean nothing but I know what I get out of mine.  if I thought I could afford to keep filling up the 240PS mondeo I'd be tempted but the mpg numbers make that a non starter for me.  I also currently have a TiTx and some of the same kit I have as standard is now options that are standard on the L&K.  (as the wife is looking at a focus ST we compared the numbers, the focus with 250PS gets a (theoretical) better mpg then the 240PS mondeo - appreciating its a bigger heavier car but even so, doesnt seem to quite add up)

 

sorry to ramble on, but theres my (probably flawed) logic!

I see where your coming from as I spent so long looking around and comparing prices.

 

i ruled out the 3 series touring as it was to small and dated. The A4 because it made me feel claustrophobic inside and for the price I could get a lowly 1.4 no kit model.

 

The Mondeo I chose is a 180 Powershift Estate. It has X Pack.

 

Full LED headlights

Full Leather

Sat Nav

12 Speaker Sony system with Sub

Full 10 way electric seats

Heated Steering Wheel

Heated Seats

Electric Boot

Adaptive Cruise, lane departure and Colision assist

19" alloys

Sports suspension (the ride is still excelent and handling better than a MK3 Focus)

Body kit 

Scrolling indicator lights

 

It has loads of other stuff as well.

 

Its an ex-management car from Ford headquarters, was a year old and had done 11k miles.

 

i watched it for ages on the Ford Direct website until the price came down to £20300.

 

No other car I looked at could compete spec wise for the price.

 

The Superb was several thousands above the price.

 

i did seriously consider the Superb as I think it's a fantastic looking car, but they are not the value product they once were 

 

 

Edited 18 March, 20179 yr by Jimbbobw1977