I can tell you that the E46 6 pots never die and you WILL like it when you drive it, even the auto.
Why would you want a Mondeo though? I know they are nice cars but they are definitely the 30+ age group cars (ST aside)
The only reason I was looking at them is because they are well priced, well equipped, comparatively cheap to repair, pretty reliable, fairly good looking, and the 2.5T is hardly a granny engine, it is the same lump that is in the Focus ST225, just slightly less tuned up.