New daily drive - Mondeo ST TDCi - Saxperience

Andy_K · 8th November 2012, 20:38

Well, I've not posted a progress thread for quite a while, so thought I'd make a quick one for my new daily.

I had a 307 HDi for a few years, which despite rumours, was actually pretty reliable. However, the mileage was getting on a bit and the associated wear and tear and general maintanance items required for it to get through another MOT meant that financially, it wasnt really worth it.

I narrowed down its replacement to an Audi A4 TDi S-line, BMW 320d M-sport or a Mondeo ST TDCi. It had to be low mileage as I plan on keeping it for a few years, so didnt want to be starting on 100k+. The price of BMW and Audi were quite high, whereas the MOndeo was a lot less, for a slightly better level of specification, if not the badge 'prestige'!

I spent a long while looking round for the perfect ST. There were plenty of absolute shitters around, and I missed out on several 'perfect' ones. So when a black '06 plate in 44k miles popped up, I rung straight up and left a deposit. 2 weeks later, it was mine.

Its got the normal ST spec, plus factory upgraded full leather Recaro interior, HID lights and parking sensors, which most ST's dont have. Full service history, 1 private owner and direct from a Ford dealer at a good price. Very happy with it so far.

Only pics I have so far:

Plans are:

to sort the paintwork out, as it looks like the cars lived in a car wash - full of swirls and holograms and feels rough to the touch. A local lad should hopefully be giving it the once over with a rotary to sort it though.
Refurb the wheels as they are corroded (common problem) and kerbed in places. Probably do them in antracite
Lower it a bit - already bought a set of Eibach springs for it
new front mount intercooler, exhaust and a remap which should see a good power increase

Also going to stick a bit of stereo in it, as I still have most of the install I used to have in my old Focus. Will do a stelth install as I need the boot space, but JL Audio sub and amps will be going in, with DB Audio T-rex components in the front, and I have a set of Morel 5x7's on their way to me for the rear doors. Just need a new head unit to run it all, but that probably going to have to wait till after christmas.

Xplodee · 8th November 2012, 20:40

Nice car dude, I like them leather seats.

Baz · 8th November 2012, 20:47

Does it have the Sony 6 CD changer in it? Can I have it if so lol.

Do like the look of these!

Jay_ · 8th November 2012, 20:49

I like these

Andy_K · 8th November 2012, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xplodee

Nice car dude, I like them leather seats.

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

Does it have the Sony 6 CD changer in it? Can I have it if so lol.

Do like the look of these!

Yes it does lol. I'll probably be replacing it in a few months time though lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay_

I like these

Thanks. I quite like the look of them tbh. Should be better when lowered and after a tidy up

LSOfreak · 8th November 2012, 21:01

looks good
whats the st badge doing up there lol?

Mike- · 8th November 2012, 21:02

Looks nice mate.
Proper luxury cruising!

Baz · 8th November 2012, 21:05

When you do decide to change it, let me know! Defo be intereste, hate the look of mine at the min

barwell1992 · 8th November 2012, 21:10

good cars and the seats are great, my dad had the v6 estate in blue, mum got car jacked in it and then was used in a few armed robberies....

darker wheels would be nice

swampy · 8th November 2012, 21:13

Be careful with the six disc changer although they state it's six disk they have a habit of jamming if you put six in!!!

Nice car, shame about the colour has to be the blue!!

One of these was on our short list to replace the family tdci gear, like you we couldn't find a decent one.
So the net was cast wider and we ended up with an Alfa 156 jtdm 2.4 20valve and do far it's proved better than the Mondeo, better fuel economy, more power out the box and very nice to drive

gazza808 · 8th November 2012, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampy

Be careful with the six disc changer although they state it's six disk they have a habit of jamming if you put six in!!!

Nice car, shame about the colour has to be the blue!!

One of these was on our short list to replace the family tdci gear, like you we couldn't find a decent one.
So the net was cast wider and we ended up with an Alfa 156 jtdm 2.4 20valve and do far it's proved better than the Mondeo, better fuel economy, more power out the box and very nice to drive

I've had 6 CDs in mine for the last 184k..
Not one jam?

Do love the mondeo's will certainly replace mine with another, far better than the passat I had previous.

swampy · 8th November 2012, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazza808

I've had 6 CDs in mine for the last 184k..
Not one jam?

Do love the mondeo's will certainly replace mine with another, far better than the passat I had previous.

Then you have being very lucky, it's a common issue with them

Brettles1986 · 8th November 2012, 21:25

I do love these, supposed to be pretty quick aren't they

Andy_K · 8th November 2012, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSOfreak

looks good
whats the st badge doing up there lol?

supposed to be there isnt it? lol just above the diesel badge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-

Looks nice mate.
Proper luxury cruising!

Ta

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

When you do decide to change it, let me know! Defo be intereste, hate the look of mine at the min

Will do

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwell1992

good cars and the seats are great, my dad had the v6 estate in blue, mum got car jacked in it and then was used in a few armed robberies....

darker wheels would be nice

its been good so far. Seats are quite hard compared to teh armchairs in my old pug, but the heating function in a morning is a beauty!
Yeah darker wheels will be much better. Not really a fan of the diamond cut shinyness!
Hope I dont get car jacked!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampy

Be careful with the six disc changer although they state it's six disk they have a habit of jamming if you put six in!!!

Nice car, shame about the colour has to be the blue!!

One of these was on our short list to replace the family tdci gear, like you we couldn't find a decent one.
So the net was cast wider and we ended up with an Alfa 156 jtdm 2.4 20valve and do far it's proved better than the Mondeo, better fuel economy, more power out the box and very nice to drive

Yeah I looked for a blue one, but they attract a premium on the price, and this one came up with the exact spec and mileage I was after, so coulour wasnt a big issue. Decent ones are hard to come by.

I know the disk changer issue. Mines ok so far

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brettles1986

I do love these, supposed to be pretty quick aren't they

They are ok. Very torquey so its no slouch.. But they are big and heavy so not really a rocket ship.

swampy · 8th November 2012, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brettles1986

I do love these, supposed to be pretty quick aren't they

2.2 diesel
155bhp
Weigh nearly 1.5 tonne

gazza808 · 8th November 2012, 21:57

I'd say they are mildly quick,
My 130 is quick enough for me,
Pulls well even in 6th... Used to hit 130+ with ease when I first got it, it's lost a fair few horses now lol!

Just ride those torque waves lol.
I nearly get in trouble cause sitting at 100 is just like sitting at 70 lol.

LSOfreak · 8th November 2012, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazza808

I've had 6 CDs in mine for the last 184k..
Not one jam?

Do love the mondeo's will certainly replace mine with another, far better than the passat I had previous.

so what mileage is it at now?? unless you bought it new?

gazza808 · 8th November 2012, 22:18

It's on 184k now,
I've owned it since 100k ish,
But been driving it since 20k Ish,
(Was company pool car)
So I know it's history well.

Andy_K · 10th November 2012, 11:46

Plenty about on 150k+. If looked after they will eat high mileages. There's quite a few on 200k+.

Andy_K · 27th November 2012, 23:17

Been collecting a few bits off eBay for the mondeo:

Got some lowering springs to reduce the nasty looking arch gap. probably get them fitted after christmas now when I get the wheels refurbished.
Also got a set of Morel speakers for the rear doors, and an Alpine I-Phone interface, to match an Alpine headunit thats also on its way. Already have a set of speakers for the front, and a JL Audio sub. The trims are spares so that I can fibreglass some tweeter pods into them.

Just need some sound deadening to stop any rattles, and a hefty amp to run the system. Currently looking at a Vibe 5 channel job to save my boot space.

The car should also be being machine polished this weekend to remove all the the car wash swirls and holograms.