MK3 Mondeo ST220/STTDCI opinions.

Hate

Hate

Hate

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,175
Location
Sussex
I've added the MK3 Mondeo to my list of potential cars for the simple reason that I hired a Mondeo to drive to Glastonbury and loved the way it drove so I've started to have a look around for them to replace my S3.

I understand the ST220 is god awful on fuel, the 2.0 one I had got a combined 31mpg on the run from Brighton to Glastonbury (for reference, my fully laden S3 with 3 people managed 33 with double the power!) so am assuming the V6 will be a shedload more.

Am I right in thinking the trim/spec is the same between the two vehicles with just the engine being any different?
 
We had the 2.2 TDCI engine and it had no end of misfires and injector issues - Luckily it was a company car (2005 Titanium X).

On the other hand, the 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002 1.8/2.0 Mondeos we had before that were petrol and were very decent in terms of 'just working'.
 
Hate said:
I've added the MK3 Mondeo to my list of potential cars for the simple reason that I hired a Mondeo to drive to Glastonbury and loved the way it drove so I've started to have a look around for them to replace my S3.

I understand the ST220 is god awful on fuel, the 2.0 one I had got a combined 31mpg on the run from Brighton to Glastonbury (for reference, my fully laden S3 with 3 people managed 33 with double the power!) so am assuming the V6 will be a shedload more.

Am I right in thinking the trim/spec is the same between the two vehicles with just the engine being any different?
Click to expand...

The ST220 isn't too bad on fuel, The best consumption I have got is 34MPG on a long run, but that was going at a steady 75mph. So it is possible, that was with a few people and some gear.

The trim specs are a little different as is the driving experience between the 2, on the ST220, the main benefit is you get the full electric recaros as standard but on the TDCI you get some rubbish half leather comfort seats, depending on how the car was specced, you obvioulsy get the diesel badge on the back too and only 1 exhaust :P

The second is the drive, mainly the power is the main difference, with it being about 75HP down, as you will find most ST's are blessed with about 230HP, the drive is similar as the engines weigh approximately the same, but I believe the suspension rates vary slightly between the two. Obviously with the diesel it had many failings, and has the potential unless under warranty to chuck you a huge bill from injectors/turbos/egr valves, numerous things did go wrong with them and still do.

I cannot fault my car it has been fabulous over the past 3 and a bit years, but I am moving on to different things so have put it up sale, which I have PM'ed you about.
 
I bought a MK3 ST TDCI and had it for 6 months.

Whilst it was a fantastic car to drive the amount of issues which are "common faults" on the ST 155 TDCi amazed me.

Rear Bumper Sagging :- Common fault on all the ST TDCis (not the ST220s iirc) the bumper support cannot hold the heavy bumper, resulting in a rather unsightly gap between the bodywork at the bumper (Near the Tail light) On mine, it caused the bumper to crack slightly.

Front Heated Seats Packing up :- Common issue, at least one of the heated seats stop working, no real fix on the forums. My passenger never worked, then my drivers seat packed up just before selling the car.

Injectors :- Almost seem like consumables on the 155 Engine, never had them go on my ST, but heard of loads of people on ST Owners forum with injectors failing. One owner had 4 sets in 120k... (£1000+ a time)

Chain Tensioner :- Again, a TDCi common issue, does not effect drive but makes a rattling noise. I know another 2 people with the TDCi and both have the same issue.

No Light in the back :- Quite a problem if you have a baby/small child. Its a family car but almost pitch black at night in the back when opening doors!

But... its fantastic value for money and a great car to drive :( which is a shame.

The ST220, apart from the fuel does not suffer from the dervs downfalls. If I was not doing high millage I would have bought the ST220.... and probably still have it. I love its aggressive look, its 18" wheels and the ST220 has a fantastic interior.
 
Last edited:
27.7mpg on my ST220 at the mo and thats combined carrigway + town driving. Reset it and did a long trip last month and got 32mpg quite easily.

Unless your doing some serious milage its not that bad.
 
markyb said:
I bought a MK3 ST TDCI and had it for 6 months.

Whilst it was a fantastic car to drive the amount of issues which are "common faults" on the ST 155 TDCi amazed me.

Rear Bumper Sagging :- Common fault on all the ST TDCis (not the ST220s iirc) the bumper support cannot hold the heavy bumper, resulting in a rather unsightly gap between the bodywork at the bumper (Near the Tail light) On mine, it caused the bumper to crack slightly.

Front Heated Seats Packing up :- Common issue, at least one of the heated seats stop working, no real fix on the forums. My passenger never worked, then my drivers seat packed up just before selling the car.

No Light in the back :- Quite a problem if you have a baby/small child. Its a family car but almost pitch black at night in the back when opening doors!
Click to expand...

The bumper issue was on all ST TDCi's and ST220's after a certain date when Ford changed the manufacturing process with some foam supports in the bumper, they left them on the Zetecs so you can use the part number for them to fix it.

The heated seat thing can't be a ST TDCi exclusive issue? I've never heard of that issue and I'd imagine it's across the Mondeo range considering how many parts they share.



I've got an ST TDCi a the moment - not had any mechanical issues. Just the 18's are a PITA. Also just changes the exhaust - what a faf - feels so restricted now - I'd suggest a proper stainless system as it will last longer and offer better flow.
 
Muffin` said:
The bumper issue was on all ST TDCi's and ST220's after a certain date when Ford changed the manufacturing process with some foam supports in the bumper, they left them on the Zetecs so you can use the part number for them to fix it.
Click to expand...

Minor problem with this, is that they have stopped producing the foam supports apparently.
 
I phoned up a few months ago and asked for a price for the foam supports, they can order them in. After I finished laughing at the price, I told them thanks but no thanks :)
 
Yup, no more foam supports. The easiest fix is to add screws behind the panel lower down - dead easy to do if you've got a decent drill.

I've run an ST TDCi for 70k. It's been pretty trouble-free. It had the injectors replaced under warranty at 35k with a software upgrade and has been OK since. I had the wheels painted because a diamond cut finish is not durable enough for a daily drive in the UK. The passenger door latch went a bit sticky a few weeks ago - replaced with a used one off ebay for £25.

Mine doesn't have heated seats - there are a few around that don't built around April-July 2005. They get 8 way electric seats instead.

Mine does have a rear light - that was one of the bugbears with my previous Zetec. I thought all the ST's had rear lights?

Servicing is cheap - doesn't need any of this liquid gold oil (but does take 6L a time) and there are relatively few consumable parts. Brakes all round can be changed for £100 for the bits. I've never had less that 40MPG from a tank, usually around 45MPG in normal use but it'll do 55+ if you stick the cruise on at an indicated 70MPH.

Injectors can be a problem but they don't tend to fail straight off like the earlier TDCi's. The nozzles wear and cause noisy and rough running from cold which a sign they are on their way, later they cause rough running/misfires when warm. You can get your injectors reconditioned for around £120 a pop so it's not a total disaster if they go.

There were problems with the first engine calibration causing the injectors to wear - this should have been updated during the first 3 years of the cars life because the same update fixes a critical problem with the ESP kicking in when it shouldn't and the light staying on. If the software has been updated the injector life should be good.
 
If you stand back, and think about it objectively, the whole TDCi injector issue is just shocking really.

No one should ever have to put up with repeated hassles and costs, misfires, rough running, stalling, reconditioning, replacement and so on and so on, that this issue causes.

Don't Ford test their parts properly with whatever engine calibration, timing or ECU setup they have with this engine?

There really is just no excuse in this day and age to use the customer base as a test rig.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom