Mk3 Mondeo £1600

Michael Myers

Michael Myers

Michael Myers

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Hi Guys

Just after a few pointers, im in the market for one of these as a daily, it looks like most of the cars have 100k plus on them for this price range, from my understanding the petrol version will be the one to go for?

Are there any major problems i should look out for or stay away from. Do the engines habdle high mileage well if looked after?

Thanks
 
What engine/model?

Duratecs suffer from loose tumble flaps that can destroy an engine (I've taken them off my wifes car). They revised the inlet manifold in 2003 so no need to worry about them on that age of car. If you get a 2001/2002/early 2003 you can tell if they are loose as you can hear a loud ticking near the front lh side (looking from the front) of the engine. It's only a 2hr job to take them out though - details are one Mondeo owners club.

Check the rear subframe and bushes are in good order.

Check the air con - condensers don't last long - I'd expect it to be on a replacement by 100k - check the bottom for rust. Compressors can also not engage - just need a 50p shim kit to space the pulley nearer to the clutch.

Having said that, it's £1600 - if it sounds ok, goes ok, stops ok and turns ok - what have you got to lose?
 
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CoreKrogoth said:
true, im looking at the 1.8 or 2.0 duratec engines at the moment as a tdci will be mega miles and i guess a lot more ropey.
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I've just bought a 53plate TDCi with 151k on it and it drives fine, just needs a new rear wheel bearing, it's only had 1 previous owner though from new and it seems to have been looked after.
 
I find 1.8's a bit underpowered for a car the size of a Mondeo. Even with a 2ltr they are not exactly spritely!

Forgot to mention clutches. If the biting point is high then it'll need replacing soon probably along with the dual mass flywheel - expensive at £1500 ish. You can replace DMF's with standard flywheels though, much cheaper (£300ish) with only a small sacrifice in smoothness.
 
The MK3's made before 2003 are prone to rust problems as well arn't they? I remember reading something that Ford did a paint revision or something and all MK3's made after 2003 won't suffer from this rust problem?

Liam
 
LEK-89 said:
The MK3's made before 2003 are prone to rust problems as well arn't they? I remember reading something that Ford did a paint revision or something and all MK3's made after 2003 won't suffer from this rust problem?

Liam
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Don't know about that but my wifes 2001 car on 89k has zero rust anywhere and she only washes it every 3 months.
 
100k? You shouldn't have to go that high unless you're looking at the high end trims.

I'll be shifting my LX in the new year - 02 plate, 2lt petrol, 74k, probably looking for around £1200 for it.
 
Any metallic tinkling sound coming from the belts is likely to be the auxilliary belt tensioner. If you don't fix it the water pump will go second. Handrbrake can also be a nightmare on early Mk3s.
 
Iamzod said:
Thought the DMF was only fitted to diesels?
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No, it's fitted to all of them but it's only a common failure on the diesels because of the torque.

I see absolutely no reason to replace the dmf if the clutch is biting high, thats just a worn clutch and shouldn't cost much more than 300-400 quid.

You replace the clutch when you need to replace the dmf as it adds very little time and money to the job so you may as well, but doing it the other way around is silly.
 
amigafan2003 said:
Don't know about that but my wifes 2001 car on 89k has zero rust anywhere and she only washes it every 3 months.
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They're prone to rust where the bottoms of the door panels are folded. Look right at the bottom of the doors on the inside where the seam/fold is. I bought a 2001 Mondeo about 5 years ago.... out of the 3 I looked at, 2 of them were rusting there (even at only 4 years old at the time).
 
Bottom of the doors are rusting on my 2003 facelift so they hadn't got around to fixing the problem by then :p

Also with a 1.8 be sure to take someone with you to check for smoke when revved up, a sign of buggered valve stem seals or piston oil rings, too expensive to fix in this price range I'd imagine...
 
Well just back and it was very clean, checked the mileage out which was indeed 68,000 no rust anywhere and a full mot and 6 months tax, drives lovely and smooth, going to put in an offer for it of £1300
 
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