brickboy

The new diesel Mondeos and Focuses have had great reviews, some say the motor's even better than the VAG diesels.

Anyone driven one, any impressions?

DJ140

Drove a friends recently, fantastic pull from around 1500RPM, as good as the VW's IMO. Slight diesel clatter at idle, but on the move very quiet, unlike the old Ford diesels which were complete crap.

Dan

logiclee

Recently tried out all the diesels on my Father in Laws works list.

Vectra, Mondeo, 406, Laguna, Passatt, C5.

Final two Mondeo Zetec TDCi v Passatt S TDPD130.

On refinement ther isn't much in it, power wise the mondeo seems crisper with a wider band of torque.
Car wise, there doesn't appear to be any difference in build quality, Mondeo has more equipment for the money and if you enjoy driving the Mondeo walks all over the VW.

Lee

47 NAT

I thought the Mondeo and Passat where the same car...they look it

Nath

brickboy

Thanks to all -- another car to add to the New Company Car Test Drive Project ....

shunty

brickboy....you can't spell mate...we all know it's spelt MUNDAYNO

shunty

Steve Perriam

tried the focus and mondeo tdci a few months ago.

also the passat 130 sport / a4 130 sport / 9-3 2.2 etc etc

found the Mondeo slower than the passat and not as comfortable.

lots of toys though as it was the ghia x.

preferred the passat overall.

Reffro

If its toys and comfort you want, and forgive me if TaviaRS ever reads this, and can do without the badge, have a look at the Skoda Superb. My friend has just ordered her's , 1.9 PD130 Comfort saloon, with 17-inch alloys, Curtain airbags and ESP as the only options it is still only £18,270 for her P11D, or £18,800 OTR. And it comes as standard with Climate control, cruise, 6CD autochanger, all the ABS EBD gubbins, metallic paint, and a huge amount of space, particularly in the back which is at least as big as a S-class Merc. Oh and emissions are only 154gms/km so its in the lowest tax band too for diesels....

Flat 4x4

Gf had one of the first batch of TDCi's and has done 10k

Great chassis, good steering, brakes, gearbox
Solid performance and terrific at cruising speeds (a very close personal friend ! of hers did an indicated 134 in it)

Only downsides are idle rattle not the best and wind noise

See last month's diesel car for one chipped to 150bhp
0-60 in 8.2 , 40mpg

brickboy

Thanks again to all.

Reffro -- wouldn't mind a Superb at all, unfortunately nearest Skoda dealer is other side of Manchester from me.

logiclee

Steve P.

I would admit that the Passatt is more comfortable than the Mondeo, the Fords chassis is set up firm for a sporty ride, just depends what your after.

The TDCi Mondeo I tried felt noticably quicker than the PD130 Passatt (tried on the same day) but this may be due to the Mondeo being able to carry far more speed through the corners, felt quick and crisp rather where the Passatt felt heavy and stodgy IMO. At the end of the day they are both 130bhp, roughly the same weight and the Mondeo has slightly more torque so there isn't going to be a vast difference in performance. Not sure wether Zetec has a sportier setup than the GhiaX.

The main reason we chose the Mondeo over the Passatt was that we felt you get a lot more car for your money with the Mondeo. In Zetec trim the Mondeo has full electrics, lumbar support, cd, 16" alloys etc, etc. The Passatt S for similar Money has wheel trims and a radio/cassette. Father in Law enjoys driving and isn't interested in having a VW badge for the image, 90% of his firm do run VW's and he's had a few looking down the nose comments about choosing the Ford.

You pays your money and picks your car.

Lee