Having faced a fair bit of difficulty in re-insuring my re-mapped Octavia vRS in Manchester and with the possibility of having to do a lot more miles, I'm considering alternatives...

The novelty of having a fast car hasn't worn off so I'm wondering if it would be too much of a wrench to drive a Mondeo TDCi for example? -I like the size of the Octavia, which 'feels' like a bigger car than a Focus, even if it isn't.

I drove an early one and it was a good car, -albeit with a very strange throttle response which made standing starts very tricky (other TDCis did the same thing).

I know the handling is very good.

What's the insurance like on a 130bhp TDCI Ghia or Zetec-S? An ST TDCI is out of budget and probably wouldn't save much in running costs anyway!

Best to get some quotes, but my Mondeo costs me next to nothing to insure including mods. Not sure what you mean about the throttle response being strange - it feels just the same as any other diesel, or maybe I'm just used to it

Hellfire on here used to run a Zetec-S and I have the Ghia X. The handling on the Zetec will be more sporty, but saying that the Ghia is still good to chuck around.

There was a facelift on the '03 plate so aim to get one of those onwards if possible, but be aware that they also introduced 2 flavours of the TDCI (115bhp and 130bhp) so make sure you check the plaque under the bonnet to get the 130bhp one....

In terms of driving experience, it won't be as quick as your Octy, but you do get the shove in the back when you accelerate thanks to the torquey delivery of the diesel lump....

Chris

The 'throttle' (I know it's not a throttle as such) seemed to be completely random. More pedal didn't stop it bogging down when moving away or trying a hill start. It was probably a fuel pump software issue with early cars that was rectified at the first service.

I once had a Mondeo TDDi pool car (possibly the engine from the older Mondeo), now that was a bucket of c'rap!

Hmmm, a 2003 Ghia X TDCI 130 will still cost 525quid to insure, so not as cheap as I'd hoped.

Beware of the 115 TDCi which is laggy as hell (dangerously so IMHO) :thumbdwn:

It would mean that you could get a sticker saying "My other car's an Octy"

*I'll get my coat*

Mo

I once had a Mondeo TDDi pool car (possibly the engine from the older Mondeo), now that was a bucket of c'rap!

Don't say that on Main Index - Mondeo Enthusiasts Group - Powered by FusionBB, you'll be lynched! I do agree though, it was the old unrefined direct injection unit that was replaced at the facelift by the 115bhp TDCI (which is also pretty slow!)

Chris

It wasn#t the lack of power that was the problem. It was peaky, rough and just unpleasant to drive!

The TDCi 130 is quite responsive and quick, my Zetec S with 60mm lowering certainly cornered well on it's 18" wheels I'd go for a later 03 reg onward where they updated the interior, rear lights and also added an extra gear to the TDCi. If you want more info PM me and i'll send you loads of pics/0-60's runs/dyno runs etc. Mine ran at a comfortable 170 bhp for 1 1/2 years with no issues.

The ST TDCi has a slightly larger 2.2 TDCi engine, larger turbo, different injectors. Insurance group is 12 and handling is simply great. However, for the cost difference (even early ST's are still costing £11000) compared with an equivelant Zetec S @ £8000 I don't think it's worth the difference. I'd simply get the 2.0 TDCi remapped/tuning box for the extra oomph and keep the lower (group 10) insurance rating

Chris.

My brother has had to ditch his Octy II vRS after 5 months of ownership as he's moved jobs and now has a new model Passat SE 1.9TDI (110bhp I think). He's putting a brave face on it. Sort of on topic I drove a Focus 1.8 TDCI last week, at first I thought it was REALLY slow but once I got used to the throttle response and gearchanges it was actually pretty nippy.

I went from a modded RS to my current diesel Octy. Bit of a wrench but doing 50-60k miles per year I had to have a diesel. Seems to go quite well

Tempted by a Mundane-o as my next one. Chris, you'll be getting a PM if I go down that route.....

However, for the cost difference (even early ST's are still costing

I'm currently running a Passat Sport 2.0TDI (140) estate alongside the Octy RS. Sure it's a lot slower away from the lights, but for most of my driving (motorway and unclassified twisties) it's not that much of a wrench - the grunt is there when needed.

I find it surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly) similar to drive - most noticeable difference is going back to the hydraulic power steering after the featherlight electo- jobby.

And I never seem to have to put any fuel in the diesel