Test drive in a new Mondeo
10 August 2007, 11:33 AM
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Test drive in a new Mondeo
Drove a new TDCi 140 manual saloon yesterday (only 30 miles or so).
It was a TitX with standard suspension but optional larger alloys.
Impressions were: VERY quiet and refined. Almost zero road / wind / engine noise. Felt very planted on the road and absorbed even huge bumps and potholes without crashing, jarring or shuddering.
Steering feels too light initially and could do with a bit more feel, but is very accurate. There's almost no body roll and handling is very neutral, with that nice Mondeo trait of feeling sharper and more pointy the faster you go.
Initial in-gear throttle response was much softer than my Passat 130 Sport (there was none of the VAG PD-engine shove in the back) but it picked up smoothly and strongly, and the speedo needle still climbed pretty damn quick .... the speed was deceptive because it's so quiet.
Overall, refinement and handling are excellent, even on badly-made B-roads. Very comfy and lots of toys too.
Looks like my next company car choice is made ...
It was a TitX with standard suspension but optional larger alloys.
Impressions were: VERY quiet and refined. Almost zero road / wind / engine noise. Felt very planted on the road and absorbed even huge bumps and potholes without crashing, jarring or shuddering.
Steering feels too light initially and could do with a bit more feel, but is very accurate. There's almost no body roll and handling is very neutral, with that nice Mondeo trait of feeling sharper and more pointy the faster you go.
Initial in-gear throttle response was much softer than my Passat 130 Sport (there was none of the VAG PD-engine shove in the back) but it picked up smoothly and strongly, and the speedo needle still climbed pretty damn quick .... the speed was deceptive because it's so quiet.
Overall, refinement and handling are excellent, even on badly-made B-roads. Very comfy and lots of toys too.
Looks like my next company car choice is made ...
10 August 2007, 04:56 PM
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I think one of the magazines preferred it to the 3 series.
From my previous drive in a 2006 (last model) 1.8LX I can understand why. It had better steering feel and fun factor on a bumpy road than my E46 M3 I had at the time! It had a wonderful compliance but with good body control. Ford seem so good at this. Astonishingly competent.
From my previous drive in a 2006 (last model) 1.8LX I can understand why. It had better steering feel and fun factor on a bumpy road than my E46 M3 I had at the time! It had a wonderful compliance but with good body control. Ford seem so good at this. Astonishingly competent.
Last edited by john banks; 10 August 2007 at 04:59 PM.
10 August 2007, 05:16 PM
#3
I think one of the magazines preferred it to the 3 series.
From my previous drive in a 2006 (last model) 1.8LX I can understand why. It had better steering feel and fun factor on a bumpy road than my E46 M3 I had at the time! It had a wonderful compliance but with good body control. Ford seem so good at this. Astonishingly competent.
From my previous drive in a 2006 (last model) 1.8LX I can understand why. It had better steering feel and fun factor on a bumpy road than my E46 M3 I had at the time! It had a wonderful compliance but with good body control. Ford seem so good at this. Astonishingly competent.
People buy all sorts, Soft Roaders, Sports, luxury etc but the Mondeo does most things better than most cars, shame its so ignored.
10 August 2007, 05:31 PM
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Body control it certainly had. Ford claim the new shell is twice as stiff as the old on against flex and I can well believe it, the cliche of being "hewn from solid" was actually true.
Made my B5.5 Passat feel tinny & flimsy.
The order is in, so owner's reports coming soon
Made my B5.5 Passat feel tinny & flimsy.
The order is in, so owner's reports coming soon
13 August 2007, 11:28 AM
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It would take an awful lot to get Audi/BMW clones out of their overpriced blandmobiles into a Ford.
Interested in the estate version when it comes out though - My badge blinkers were removed about three years ago - very liberating!
Interested in the estate version when it comes out though - My badge blinkers were removed about three years ago - very liberating!
13 August 2007, 11:37 AM
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It's the estate I'm getting, so stay tuned
There will be a Ford version of the current Peugeot 170bhp, 2.2 litre twin-turbo engine in the Mondeo etc in 2008 .... although I've seen tests of this motor in the Pug 407 / 607, and it doesn't seem to offer much benefit in either performance or economy over the 2.0 Hdi ...
There will be a Ford version of the current Peugeot 170bhp, 2.2 litre twin-turbo engine in the Mondeo etc in 2008 .... although I've seen tests of this motor in the Pug 407 / 607, and it doesn't seem to offer much benefit in either performance or economy over the 2.0 Hdi ...
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15 August 2007, 09:50 PM
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To be honest Monedo's have always been excellent. The only area they score low marks is image, and unfortunately that is a very high priority for most people.
You cant really compare Monedo's to Audi/BMW's as they are much more expensive, but its probably fair to compare them to Passat's and I have to say I would still chose a Passat over a Monedo everytime.
You cant really compare Monedo's to Audi/BMW's as they are much more expensive, but its probably fair to compare them to Passat's and I have to say I would still chose a Passat over a Monedo everytime.
16 August 2007, 09:28 AM
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Petec - I wouldn't. Mondeos have far superior handling and are much better vfm. Having implied image isn't important to you, you pick a car which I seriously think is also chosen for image purposes.
I looked at the Passat and it had no advantage whatsover - worse handling, slower, lower spec, much pricier. Of course the dash is nice if that's important.
I looked at the Passat and it had no advantage whatsover - worse handling, slower, lower spec, much pricier. Of course the dash is nice if that's important.
21 August 2007, 07:32 PM
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22 August 2007, 12:27 PM
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22 August 2007, 05:50 PM
#19
I would have loved to get the 2.5T version of the S-Max or the new Mondy estate, but both fall outside of my company car scheme owing to relatively poor fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The 2.0T Passat didn't fall at this hurdle, which is why I ended up with one of those instead
24 August 2007, 09:14 AM
#20
The only thing I dislike about the current model (I have the TDCi 130) is the wind and road noice at motorway speeds. The new one's meant to be much quiter, so it'd be ideal for me. Second hand you get far more Mondeo than Passat for your money, so it was a no-brainer for us. And they're less common the 3-series!
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