Mondeo petrol vs diesel
- Thread starter jamoor
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
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Also check the bonnet + tailgate inside edges. Mine had dodgy sealant on both rear doors and the inner edge of the tailgate. Ford fixed it under warranty despite no stamps in the log book!
I believe from browsing various internet forums that the subframe bushings tend to die quite early on MK3 Mondeos - check for knocking / clunking from the back end while going over bumps. I think mine is starting to do that! Luckily you can now get replacement bushings instead of replacing the entire subframe.
Petrol one shouldn't give you much trouble.
The diesel one is fine as long as its serviced correctly, i own a zetec s 2.0tdci one and like it a lot. I paid about 4k for it with a full ford service history with 45k on the clock. I was lucky i must admit.
I done a bit of research on the web and noticed people having issues with the tdci model between 2001 and 2002 and the odd one in 2003.
2003 and on seems to have ironed out most of the issues.
The diesel one is fine as long as its serviced correctly, i own a zetec s 2.0tdci one and like it a lot. I paid about 4k for it with a full ford service history with 45k on the clock. I was lucky i must admit.
I done a bit of research on the web and noticed people having issues with the tdci model between 2001 and 2002 and the odd one in 2003.
2003 and on seems to have ironed out most of the issues.
The Honda 2.2 iCDTi engine is supposed to be very good - as in the current in house designed Honda version and not the rebadged Isuzu tractor found in some of the older Honda diesel cars.
Would have said the the new BMW twin turbo diesel engines....but the 320/330d BMW diesel engines haven't exactly had the best reliability record so who knows what BMW are going to produce this time.
Would have said the the new BMW twin turbo diesel engines....but the 320/330d BMW diesel engines haven't exactly had the best reliability record so who knows what BMW are going to produce this time.
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I feel I have to stand up for the diesel here. I have the Focus 2005 2.0 TDCI, and have tuned it up with Bluefin from the standard 134 bph to 171 bph.
There is no doubt it growls when cold, but once warm, from inside the cabin there is no sound other than the whistle of the turbo. The downside though is that because of the massive torque, on wet roads you can struggle for grip if you're heavy on the throttle.
Nevertheless, the torque has huge plus points, as well as the fact that some 68,000 miles later I am still just over 51 mph. On long motorway runs, the economy is great and if you need the power, putting your foot down in 6th gear at 70 mph and 1,800 rpm, the power simply surges through.
I've been on diesel now for over 3 years (also with a V70) and I must say I prefer the lower rev power delivery. Petrol is awesome - no doubt about it - but to have to rev so high and be frantic for the equivalent power, it isn't for me atm.
There is no doubt it growls when cold, but once warm, from inside the cabin there is no sound other than the whistle of the turbo. The downside though is that because of the massive torque, on wet roads you can struggle for grip if you're heavy on the throttle.
Nevertheless, the torque has huge plus points, as well as the fact that some 68,000 miles later I am still just over 51 mph. On long motorway runs, the economy is great and if you need the power, putting your foot down in 6th gear at 70 mph and 1,800 rpm, the power simply surges through.
I've been on diesel now for over 3 years (also with a V70) and I must say I prefer the lower rev power delivery. Petrol is awesome - no doubt about it - but to have to rev so high and be frantic for the equivalent power, it isn't for me atm.
Soldato
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The Focus diesels use totally different engines which are designed and built by PSA Peugeot-Citroen, so not really relevant here.
The ST220's have different suspension and steering, but the brakes are identical to the standard models. Engine problems are rare but not unheard of the 3.0 Duratec, so check it runs smoothly throughout the rev range.
The ST220's have different suspension and steering, but the brakes are identical to the standard models. Engine problems are rare but not unheard of the 3.0 Duratec, so check it runs smoothly throughout the rev range.
I don't think they're talking about the performance/mpg but the fact that the diesel pump and injectors have a track record for failing at sub-100k mileages, both of which need to be coded to the particular car, and result in significant repair/replacement costs. Remapping a TDCi and increasing the bhp output by 30% is going to put those already stressed CR piezo injectors under even greater stress. Hope you have a warranty.......
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Nobody doubts that the TDCi are otherwise decent engines that have reasonable performance and produce good mpg. Just seems to be a bit of a weakness with the pump and injectors.
Do these exist? I thought every E60 530 was a diesel. This is what the used market reflects anyway. Anyone find a petrol E60 530? worse still, a manual?
They are pretty rare as no one buying a new E60 generally wants a manual. The diesel is only £360 more than the petrol and really suits the auto box well so again is a no brainer really, especially when you will get better residuals on the diesel to boot.
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The Mondeo TDCI is by no means a ticking timebomb or "riddled with expensive problems".
Every time someone asks about these, I say the same thing so I'll say it again this time.
The Mondeo, generally, is a very reliable car and the TDCi is no exception. The 2.2 actually manages fuel economy thats nearly as good as the 2.0 and the servicing costs are the same.
There are 2 problems with these that are relatively common and have given the car this stupid reputation around here.
The first is the flywheel - a failure of this is almost entirely due to how its been driven and how many mile's its done. I'd be looking for a relatively low mileage car on its first or second owner, and more importantly get the current driver to take you out in it. If they cant drive smoothly, labour the car in low geers etc and its done most of its journeys around town then its probably not got too long left. There's plenty of these cars about so walk away if you're not happy. Rattling at idle, struggling to start and a squealing clutch tells you its already on its way. If anyone tells you its going to cost £1200+ to fix, laugh in their face. Mine needed doing and cost £650 - yes, thats still a lot of money but its literally all thats gone wrong in the 18 months I've owned the car.
Secondly, injectors. The same point applies here about how the car is driven - if they needlessly rev the nuts off it, have a "tuning" box installed then walk away. Try to see the car when its cold - if it smokes when its starting then one or more injectors are on the way out. Contrary to my advice above, push the car to the red line when you try it - a lot of cars where the injectors have gone pop will go into limp home mode here with a flashing glowplug light. Again, people will spout crap about them costing more than a grand to replace - ignore those people too. A full set of 4 genuine delphi injectors can be ordered new for 300 quid and its an hour's job to fit them.
So, why bother then if there are these 2 problems and other cars that don't? I'm not going to get into the petrol v diesel argument, its been done to death and it never goes anywhere. However, the 2.0 TDCi 130 is a much better drive IMO than the 2.0 petrol, plus youve got the added bonus of better economy. Servicing isnt more expensive on the diesels at main dealers or independents either.
When you're looking at other cars, you have to consider how reliable the Mondeo is generally. I've had the flywheel replaced but thats it - £650 in 18 months (excluding servicing) is really quite cheap, you could buy another car and it might cost you £100 in a little repair every month.
The Mondeo is one of the best cars in the class and is brilliant value for money, if you're after a car like this then the Mondeo's the one to go for - just be rational about the petrol/diesel comparisons. If the car's been looked after and not been driven by an idiot, it will serve you well.
Every time someone asks about these, I say the same thing so I'll say it again this time.
The Mondeo, generally, is a very reliable car and the TDCi is no exception. The 2.2 actually manages fuel economy thats nearly as good as the 2.0 and the servicing costs are the same.
There are 2 problems with these that are relatively common and have given the car this stupid reputation around here.
The first is the flywheel - a failure of this is almost entirely due to how its been driven and how many mile's its done. I'd be looking for a relatively low mileage car on its first or second owner, and more importantly get the current driver to take you out in it. If they cant drive smoothly, labour the car in low geers etc and its done most of its journeys around town then its probably not got too long left. There's plenty of these cars about so walk away if you're not happy. Rattling at idle, struggling to start and a squealing clutch tells you its already on its way. If anyone tells you its going to cost £1200+ to fix, laugh in their face. Mine needed doing and cost £650 - yes, thats still a lot of money but its literally all thats gone wrong in the 18 months I've owned the car.
Secondly, injectors. The same point applies here about how the car is driven - if they needlessly rev the nuts off it, have a "tuning" box installed then walk away. Try to see the car when its cold - if it smokes when its starting then one or more injectors are on the way out. Contrary to my advice above, push the car to the red line when you try it - a lot of cars where the injectors have gone pop will go into limp home mode here with a flashing glowplug light. Again, people will spout crap about them costing more than a grand to replace - ignore those people too. A full set of 4 genuine delphi injectors can be ordered new for 300 quid and its an hour's job to fit them.
So, why bother then if there are these 2 problems and other cars that don't? I'm not going to get into the petrol v diesel argument, its been done to death and it never goes anywhere. However, the 2.0 TDCi 130 is a much better drive IMO than the 2.0 petrol, plus youve got the added bonus of better economy. Servicing isnt more expensive on the diesels at main dealers or independents either.
When you're looking at other cars, you have to consider how reliable the Mondeo is generally. I've had the flywheel replaced but thats it - £650 in 18 months (excluding servicing) is really quite cheap, you could buy another car and it might cost you £100 in a little repair every month.
The Mondeo is one of the best cars in the class and is brilliant value for money, if you're after a car like this then the Mondeo's the one to go for - just be rational about the petrol/diesel comparisons. If the car's been looked after and not been driven by an idiot, it will serve you well.