Mondeo TDCi

Scuzi

Scuzi

Scuzi

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I've been considering getting another Passat TDi but while looking I couldn't help notice how cheap the Mondeo TDCi's were. I was searching on a budget of £7k and have seen some really nice 53/04 TDCi 130 Zetec-S Mondeos with ~50k miles for below £7k. Now to me that seems to be excellent value especially compared to the Passat which for the same money will be a year or two older, have higher miles and maybe won't be quite as loaded with toys. I used to drive a Passat TDi and I absolutely loved it. Compared to the Passat, what are your opinions on the Mondeo?

Now, I test drove a Mondeo TDCi 130 a couple of years ago and it was better built than I expected, handled very nicely and the engine pulled well but I hated the brakes, it felt like the pads were made of wood. The car was brand new and only had about 20 miles on the clock so maybe that was the cause. Are the brakes poor on the Mondeo or was it just the one I drove?

I especially like the Zetec-S as it appears to have a body kit on it (am I right here?) and looks very tidy, especially with the 17" alloys. It seems very well equipped and has everything I'd want. I considered the GhiaX but leather doesn't do it for me.

So tell me all you know, especially your views on it compared to the Passat.


By the way, some of you may have noticed my erratic threads regarding new cars recently, i.e. from 2 seat roadsters, BMW coupe's and the sort. I had my heart set on a BMW 320Cd and was about to put a deposit on a nice one but as I have 4 points with a CD10 I'm finding it hard to get insured on anything. I think the sensible thing to do is to buy a sensible car with sensible insurance until my points expire then I can get a proper car like a 330Cd or the like :)


Thanks :)
 
Ford Diesel engines are a bit................ bland.
But nice enough though, they never feel like are making the kind of torque and power they should, i suppose its because they are very linear (from what i have found anyway) in the way they deliver the power and torque in their modern diesel engines.
 
atpbx said:
Ford Diesel engines are a bit................ bland.
But nice enough though, they never feel like are making the kind of torque and power they should, i suppose its because they are very linear (from what i have found anyway) in the way they deliver the power and torque in their modern diesel engines.
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Have you actually driven a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi for any length of time? It's one of the most torqey 2.0 units on the market and pulls like a train, and most of them put at least 10% more power out than the rated figures.
 
I know what he's saying though, the Ford engine has a smoother power delivery compared to the like of a VAG PD engine which makes it feel a bit more bland but actually makes it more driveable in everyday life.
 
I think my parents TDCi is fantastic, was amazed how quick it was and really did change my views on diesels.

I'd personally go for a Mondeo over a Passat, but I've not driven a VAG diesel, so I couldn't give an accurate opinion.
 
The early facelift cars are now excellent value for money. The facelift improved what was already a good car - the interior has a more upmarket feel with better materials and the spec levels were improved so all models bar LX come with cruise and climate control.

The Zetec-S does indeed have a bodykit and the wheels are 18". It will have all the essential kit and the 6 speed gearbox on the facelifts gives a better spread of the gear ratios. The handling on the all models is very good, there is little roll and it gives loads of feedback and its easy to tell when its on limit. The 2.0 TDCi is great and although its rated at 130PS mine did 143BHP at Powerstation which is a typical RR output for them. You will find it slightly more thirsty (3-5MPG) than a VAG PD but I never got less than 41 regardless of how hard it was driven and I don't do much on the motorway - I had 56mpg off a tank with 90% motorway miles.

Re the brakes - I found an improvement when I changed the standard Ford disks and pads for Mintex items (nothing fancy, just their OEM equivalents) - they gave a greater initial bite. There is no problem with the standard items in terms of stopping power, they just don't provide much feel through the pedal. The 2005.5 facelift cars have a revisions to the braking system to provide better feel and more stopping power, but my 2002 was quite acceptable once you get used to it.

Compared to a Passat it will a be much sharper car to drive, a touch faster, have a more modern feel to the interior, be more reliable and with cheaper parts and service.

I tried all the competitors in the class, including the "prestige" brands in Nov/Dec last year when I was looking for a new car and ended up going for a Mondeo ST TDCi. Whilst other cars were better in certain areas, none of them brought a smile to my face like the ST did and provided such an enjoyable package without significant comprimises in other areas.
 
blueboy2001 said:
There is no problem with the standard items in terms of stopping power, they just don't provide much feel through the pedal.
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I agree with this 100%, the brakes work fine, but provide very little in terms of tactile responce through the pedal.
 
I knew there was something wrong with the brakes. To be honest as long as they work well I'd be happy, I don't really drive fast or enthusiastically any more, I must be getting old! ;)

I may be going to look at a couple of Zetec-S TDCi's tomorrow if the dealer gets back to me. I'll not be buying for another few weeks at least, if I do decide to go ahead.

Are there any particular things I should look out for during the test drive. As far as I know the cars I'll be looking at have spent their life on the motorway so I'm hoping they'll be in good nick.
 
Bar any big lottery wins i've pretty much set my heart on a TDCi Mondeo as the replacement for the 306.

My dads got a facelifted one on an 05 plate. Its only an LX but its got almost all the toys i'd want: AC, Cruise etc. For me i'll look out for one with Climate and possibly alloys.

The 130 BHP unit feels really refined behind the wheel (sounds a little rough from outside but thats of no concern to the driver) and pulls like a train. I was out in my dads doing 65 on the dual carriage way going up the only hill in Norfolk and he leaves it in 6th and gives it a bit of right foot and I was suprised how much it pushed you back into the seat and we were doing three figures quite rapidly.

All in I was very impressed... hence why I'm going to be looking for one :p
 
Having recently driven a Mondeo TDCI back to back with a friends mk4 Golg Gttdi I can honestly say that the Ford felt soo much more smooth, it didnt actually feel lathargic as I have found most diesels to. It was very nice to drive indeed, and just felt a whole lot more refined than its VAG counterparts.
 
Is there a site which lists service intervals, cam belt intervals etc? I want to go into the potential purchase well versed. I usually buy with my heart hence why I'm in this situation so I plan to buy with my head this time.
 
My Dad has a TDCI mondeo, I must confess it is a very nice car and the engine does really pull well, but for 7k you can get a really nice Passatt with all the toys, which is much nicer to drive in my opinion and bigger inside.
How about a sport model with 6 speed box.
But to be fair both are good cars.
 
well my grandad has just bought himself a brand new 2.2 tdci ST mondeo and its far from bland in performance and pretty much everything else
 
Banny said:
My Dad has a TDCI mondeo, I must confess it is a very nice car and the engine does really pull well, but for 7k you can get a really nice Passatt with all the toys, which is much nicer to drive in my opinion and bigger inside.
How about a sport model with 6 speed box.
But to be fair both are good cars.
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Always thought the Passat was the same size inside and not as good in terms of pure driving ability, only refinement?
 
Scuzi said:
Is there a site which lists service intervals, cam belt intervals etc? I want to go into the potential purchase well versed. I usually buy with my heart hence why I'm in this situation so I plan to buy with my head this time.
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Chain drive, so no belt to worry about for ~200K
My TDCI had its second service at 17000 last month ( first at 6667 ) , basically once a year, or 12000 miles. Cost me £85 from the ford dealer.

Mine is a late Dec 53 so still warranty ( 3 years ).

Things to check, peak torque is really kicking in low, ~1800rpm . Then a linear whoosh upto 4.5 - 5

Oh yeah, you will stall it. The take off / clutch / flywheel take getting used to.

Oil, bog standard Ford 5w30 , same as petrols. Tyres, 18" can be pricey, 225/40 R18 GY F1 GSD3 around £110 each.

Best pop over to MEG, Diesel engine section here , and forums here
 
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Yeah you will stall the car until you get used to it, I did it dangerously a couple of times!

servicing/parts are cheap
good engine
well built

mondeo 4tw :D
 
[TW]Fox said:
Always thought the Passat was the same size inside and not as good in terms of pure driving ability, only refinement?
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I would agree with you on driving ability, but passatt is definetly more roomy.
Agreed Passat can feel abit like a barge when pushed hard, but makes up for it on motorway, could we say its a bit softer than Mondeo.
Good and bad points to both I suppose.
 
blueboy2001 said:
Have you actually driven a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi for any length of time? It's one of the most torqey 2.0 units on the market and pulls like a train, and most of them put at least 10% more power out than the rated figures.
Click to expand...


Its funny how the OP, and everybody else in the thread apart from you understands the point i was making.

Does that.................... suggest anything to you at all?
 
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