FAO anyone who has owned a Mondeo ST220

Howard · 26 Sep 2012 at 12:24

Yes you can buy prefacelift ones for that now.

Mine's only getting less and less valuable

I think a 350Z would be ideal for me.

peterattheboro · 26 Sep 2012 at 12:26

If you get a Zed make sure it has Rays alloys

Firestar_3x · 26 Sep 2012 at 12:28

The 350z is nice enough, but the interior is a sea of cheap plastics, which is really really annoying.

AndrewP · 26 Sep 2012 at 12:49

Howard said:
I can't get a Z4 Coupe for less than about 7-8k can I?

I doubt it, the coupes are 2006 on and generally a bit more than the convertible as well, so probably not much under £10k. Should be a decent choice of pre-facelift convertibles for that budget though.

I narrowed my initial choice down to a Boxster (bit older, potentially high repair bills/running costs), 350Z (bit too much of a GT, convertible is pretty ugly at the back too) and the Z4 at the start of this year.

[TW]Fox · 26 Sep 2012 at 13:07

To properly replace it I think you need to spend proper money otherwise anything you get will be slightly better in some areas and perhaps not as good in others, or not better enough or newer enough to justify the hassle of changing.

Howard · 26 Sep 2012 at 13:17

[TW]Fox;22845331 said:
To properly replace it I think you need to spend proper money otherwise anything you get will be slightly better in some areas and perhaps not as good in others, or not better enough or newer enough to justify the hassle of changing.

That's my thinking also.

However as this thread indicates, I have been wondering about changing to a different type and sacrificing areas for improvement in others, i.e. with the Mini I'd sacrifice refinement for fun.

It all boils down to the fact I need to try out the cars and think long and hard if it's what I want to do, I think.

Or, I could just keep the Mondeo, continue enjoying it and get enough cash together to buy something appreciably better in most areas.

Gaijin · 26 Sep 2012 at 13:53

You simply need to do what Solid did Howard and get a Porsche.

NathWraith · 26 Sep 2012 at 13:54

Something saloon sized and RWD would be the logical step I reckon.

panthro · 26 Sep 2012 at 14:02

I loved my ST220. One of the best cars I've owned from an overall perspective. I can understand how you feel when it comes to replacing it.
I sold mine and was without a car for over a year as I was working abroad. In the end I bought an E46 M3 (whilst I was abroad as I wanted a car to come back to when I was home on leave) mainly because it was a dream car of mine for years and there was nothing else in my price range that came close and did everything I wanted it to do; fully loaded, seated 4 people comfortably, had a big boot and was such a brilliant car to drive. I really really really miss it. If I were to buy another I'd look for a late model >2005 or a CS.

Howard · 26 Sep 2012 at 14:07

I'd like an E46 M3 very much. But I'm guessing I can't get one worth buying for about 7-8k?

panthro · 26 Sep 2012 at 14:09

8k would buy you one, most likely a pre facelift so if you're happy with the running costs and owning a ~2002 car then that would be my choice. Would you be happy with a higher mileage car? The S54 is a very solid engine and can take big miles.

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=61893

Howard · 26 Sep 2012 at 14:14

Hmm. It's a logical progression isn't it.

My yearly mileage is a good 15k so I wouldn't want something too leggy, that I'd have to replace worn out or broken parts on every 5 minutes. I wouldn't want a bottom of the barrel car.

Gaygle · 26 Sep 2012 at 17:09

panthro said:
8k would buy you one, most likely a pre facelift so if you're happy with the running costs and owning a ~2002 car then that would be my choice. Would you be happy with a higher mileage car? The S54 is a very solid engine and can take big miles.

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=61893

I thought the M3 never got a facelift? Or was it just that it never got the facelifted front end?

Scania · 26 Sep 2012 at 17:23

Howard said:
Hmm. It's a logical progression isn't it.

My yearly mileage is a good 15k so I wouldn't want something too leggy, that I'd have to replace worn out or broken parts on every 5 minutes. I wouldn't want a bottom of the barrel car.

Whilst it will be a challenge to find one, I'd search out higher mileage low owner examples ,disregard miles, go on overall condition & service history & proof of non scrimping I.e. decent rubber & signs of preventative maintenance done etc.

Define leggy ultimately, if you can find the M3 equivalent of say Fox's 5 then I'd opt for that!

Your budget will get you a good one, but you'll soon tire of looking at snotters before you find the right one.

[TW]Fox · 26 Sep 2012 at 17:26

Gaygle said:
I thought the M3 never got a facelift? Or was it just that it never got the facelifted front end?

It got the facelift at the same time as the rest of the Coupe/Cab range - just not the front end.

[TW]Fox · 26 Sep 2012 at 17:27

panthro said:
8k would buy you one, most likely a pre facelift so if you're happy with the running costs and owning a ~2002 car then that would be my choice. Would you be happy with a higher mileage car? The S54 is a very solid engine and can take big miles.

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=61893

Only a single wishbone in all that time (Why only replace one

)- probably due a suspension overhaul? This is the problem wtih these now, almost all are at a stage where a pile of cash needs to be thrown at them to get them back to their best - but many have long been in the hands of people who cannot or will not spend the money, or would rather spend the money on new wheels or mods.

Adam · 26 Sep 2012 at 17:29

The ST220 is one hell of a car, excluding the fuel economy I have absolutely no complaints with mine. It will be a tough car to replace unless you have something specific and very different in mind.

Scania · 26 Sep 2012 at 17:50

[TW]Fox;22847341 said:
Only a single wishbone in all that time (Why only replace one )- probably due a suspension overhaul? This is the problem wtih these now, almost all are at a stage where a pile of cash needs to be thrown at them to get them back to their best - but many have long been in the hands of people who cannot or will not spend the money, or would rather spend the money on new wheels or mods.

Very true, chap at work has recently bought a tidy looking 02 plate M3, 2 owners, FBMWSH looked promising...
It was due a service so he got a bit off the price, trouble is, 6months down the line, he's changed the oil himself and swapped the oem alloys for some absurdly large ones with ditch finders, and now thinks there is something wrong with it as its very twitchy with the new wheels and he says the engine is sounding rough.

I showed him some prices for servicing and pointed out the valve clearences need checking / adjusting - he's now selling the car.

Next owner will have a potential death trap (it drives akin to an Escort mk2 on the ditchfinders!)that's at least 6 months (and lord knows how many miles) overdue for a service!

I suspect a similar fate befalls most m3's... :/

Gaygle · 26 Sep 2012 at 17:55

[TW]Fox;22847330 said:
It got the facelift at the same time as the rest of the Coupe/Cab range - just not the front end.

Fail. Why. Why would they do this?

panthro · 26 Sep 2012 at 18:19

[TW]Fox;22847341 said:
Only a single wishbone in all that time (Why only replace one )- probably due a suspension overhaul? This is the problem wtih these now, almost all are at a stage where a pile of cash needs to be thrown at them to get them back to their best - but many have long been in the hands of people who cannot or will not spend the money, or would rather spend the money on new wheels or mods.

You're assuming; he could have missed off an S. Seems like a good car with full BMW service history for 8k.