I want to know everything about the ST220

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I love these cars; I think everything about them is great. And no I haven’t driven one as of yet. I want to know your experience of one and really any information you can offer about them before I even start looking into buying.

The sorts of questions I have about them are as follows (but not limited to, any advice would be great)-

  • When was there a face life if any, I’ve worked out my self that it must have been around 2003/4? How could I tell the new model apart?
  • What’s the difference between the two and is the newer model far superior? My budget isn’t massive what would a decent pre and/or post face lift ST cost me, please note MUST be blue!

  • What was the standard kit on the both of them and what are the main options that one shouldn’t do without?

  • I’ve got no problems with a higher mileage car but would that be wise with this car? I know Mondeo’s generally go for ever but I wasn’t sure if that would be the case with the ST?

Running costs-

  • I don’t care that it will do less than 30 MPG, actually it’s a bit of a turn on, also I don’t care about road tax, it’s the “unknown surprises” that I’m far more bothered about. How often are these likely to pop up and cost to put right or are they generally quite reliable?
  • What are the service intervals and how much will it set me back?
I’m not really looking for a “what to look out for when going to look at one” guide, more of just a year in the life of an ST220 owner.

Thanks for your time, Eddie
 
facelift was 2003 53 plate, not too sure on what was new, but the modeo in general got climate control, nw front end (fogs and grille), aux socket in glove box. I'm pretty sure the engine stayed the same, though 53 facelift got 6 speed and cruise as standard, though i think th older 220 had this anyway. Then there was a minor facelift in 2005 which gave a new rear cluster with shiny bits undrneath. the 220 is a great car. Service interval is 16500 miles iirc (i should remember, my last car was a mondeo), and service cost isn't bad.

Standard kit includes Sony audio, heated electric seats (alcantara i think), cruise control, climate control. Some had extras like xenons and nav.

Generally though, you won't go wrong with the car you get for the money, not much goes wrong with them (check the rear subframe bushes as these tend to go on earlier models, also listen out for wind noise at high speed on earlier models), apart from this they are pretty much bullet proof.

Performance blue does fetch a premium over other colours too, but would you buy an ST220 in any other colour? Some do, i wouldn't
 
I believe the ST220 has service intervals of 12500miles (20000km) with a minor service costing about £120. All come with Recaros in whitish colour, black or red leather (which seems to come only on panther black cars? Not sure if it's a coincidence or what). The facelift ST220 got an improved interior and several faults were rectified. IIRC, rust under the doors was also an issue.
 
I own a ST220 and the service intervals are indeed 12500 miles. The car hasn't missed a beat from new and it's done close to 80k's worth of miles in 4 years. The only gripe I have about the car, but this could be down to my driving as well, is that the front tyres do not last more than 8000 miles or so. The car is a bit nose heavy and I know I like to chuck it around a lot (as the car does ask for it to be done ;)) which will cause more tyre wear. I've binned the original Continentals as they were £120 or so a corner and IMO they were no better than the Falken FK452's I'm now running which are £70 a corner.

I wouldn't have a problem in recommending this car to anybody and if you have any specific questions then please feel free to ask me!
 
Hi there.

I have only had mine a week and it's absolutley fantastic. I've read up on this aswell before purchasing and most things have been said in this thread already.

All I can say is that it's the best car i've owned and I plan to own it a lot longer than the ones in the past.

I payed £6490 for a 54 plate with 25,000 miles. It's a facelift model in Silver.

I don't have the extras such as Xenons or Sat Nav but i'm planning on fitting xenons myself.

My car has:

Climate Control
Heated seats
Cruise control
Electric mirrors
Remote central locking
Electric seats
Auto anti dazzle rear view (which i don't like very much)

The audio though is absolutley crap. No idea if it's the speakers or headunit (sony 6cd) but it's just really really tinny. I had an upgraded HU, speakers and a sub in the old car and going to this is really rubbish. First port of call for the Mondy is sort that out.

Overall though, again.. the car is ****ing excellent.

Obligatory picture :)

st2201.jpg
 
wez130 said:
facelift was 2003 53 plate, not too sure on what was new, but the modeo in general got climate control, nw front end (fogs and grille), aux socket in glove box. I'm pretty sure the engine stayed the same, though 53 facelift got 6 speed and cruise as standard, though i think th older 220 had this anyway. Then there was a minor facelift in 2005 which gave a new rear cluster with shiny bits undrneath. the 220 is a great car. Service interval is 16500 miles iirc (i should remember, my last car was a mondeo), and service cost isn't bad.
Click to expand...

This is true the mondeo got a facelift in late 2003 which gave you a much better interior, with the new sony audio, both heated electrc front recaros, rather than just drivers as standard, the 6 speed box and new flywheel/clutch arrangement. Engine etc stayed the same, but this version is much more reliable as the earlier models had flywheel/clutch issues. So if you got the cash get a facelift model.

The service interval is every 12,500 miles, and my previous service which was the 37500 major service was 175quid.

There was another facelift in 2005 but all this added was that rubbish chrome stuff you see on some mondeos.

Standard kit includes Sony audio, heated electric seats (alcantara i think), cruise control, climate control. Some had extras like xenons and nav.
Click to expand...

Standard kit is stuff like trip computer, cruise, heated electric leather recaros, auto dim interior mirror, folding mirrors, Electric Windows all round, auto lights auto wipers, heated front screen, Automatic climate control.

Options were limited as most stuff came standard, xenons, parking sensors, sat nav, rear tints and sunroof were optional.


Generally though, you won't go wrong with the car you get for the money, not much goes wrong with them (check the rear subframe bushes as these tend to go on earlier models, also listen out for wind noise at high speed on earlier models), apart from this they are pretty much bullet proof.

Performance blue does fetch a premium over other colours too, but would you buy an ST220 in any other colour? Some do, i wouldn't
Click to expand...


As said they are pretty bulletproof from the 53 plate facelift, watch out for the rear subframes as mentioned but thsi can be fixed with some polybushes for about 100quid and some labour, and also for dropping front and rear bumpers. which affected the later cars.

  • I’ve got no problems with a higher mileage car but would that be wise with this car? I know Mondeo’s generally go for ever but I wasn’t sure if that would be the case with the ST?

mpg dont expect more than 25 average, I can get 32 on a run but nothing more really.
 
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It was pretty terrible in my ears :D . When you cranked it up it got pretty bad. I have upgraded to JBL GT4 12" sub, JBL GTO1004 amp and 5.25" components up front, and have put in a pioneer P700bt head unit. I wanted the bluetooth and the mp3 compatibility, got all my music on a hard drive in variable bit rate now.
 
SoliD said:
It was pretty terrible in my ears :D . When you cranked it up it got pretty bad. I have upgraded to JBL GT4 12" sub, JBL GTO1004 amp and 5.25" components up front, and have put in a pioneer P700bt head unit. I wanted the bluetooth and the mp3 compatibility, got all my music on a hard drive in variable bit rate now.
Click to expand...

Nice :)

Have you got a pic as I don't really want to change the headunit as I believe it would look naff with anything else.

Though I miss my MP3s badly.
 
Somewhere but I dont want to show it, it looks pants because I had to glue it in :( but the music makes up for it.
 
also love these cars. Saw one the other day, silver, those alloys, and twin exhausts...


mmmmmmm heaven.

Deffo gonna be my next car

Don't know much about them myself other than they look like one of the best production cars ever made. Period.

I drive a MK3 Mondeo and it is the best car I have ever owned, love it unconditionally. Drives like an absolute dream, just like 'whatcar?' say.
 
also the blue does look nice. but the one I saw in silver yesterday was like some galliant and beautiful horse dancing into a roundabout from nowhere, stunningly designed car and looks gorgeous in silver....

Colour is just a preference after all.
 
smr said:
also love these cars. Saw one the other day, silver, those alloys, and twin exhausts...


mmmmmmm heaven.

Deffo gonna be my next car

Don't know much about them myself other than they look like one of the best production cars ever made. Period.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go as far as that. Audi RS4, Ferrari 599 beater? Nah :p

smr said:
also the blue does look nice. but the one I saw in silver yesterday was like some galliant and beautiful horse dancing into a roundabout from nowhere, stunningly designed car and looks gorgeous in silver....

Colour is just a preference after all.
Click to expand...

That was probably me you saw :)
 
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