Mondeo ST220 Estate...thoughts?
 

As the quest for a fast load lugger continues I notice that nearly new ST220 Estates are bargains and in all the reviews I can find I can't find a bad word. It seems if we were less badge concious there's a fine car going begging.

Anyone driven and or own one?

drove the previous shape version, although that was the st24. even so a great drive and couldnt really fault it other than the badge.

the v6 was a bit thirsty though.

I had a normal 1.8 LX new shape Mondeo and it was great, all it needed was more power, so with 220 bhp it would be perfect.

I have the saloon version of ST220 and it's a great car. Comes fitted with loads of toys and would it make a great bargain as a second hand car.

If you have any questions about the car ask away and I'll see if I can answer them for you.......

Also had an St24 (saloon) and thought it was a good car all round..

I had the 5Dr ST220 a few years back. Good value car with a few plus points...

Very nice engine, creamy and strong low down
Very spacious inside
Comfy Recaro seats
You seem to be able to get a really high spec for not a lot of cash (not sure what the standard spec is but mine was loaded).
Pretty solid build quality and exceptional reliability.
A lot of car for the money

The down sides for me would be:

The steering is not as sweet as the other Mondeos. Not sure why - perhaps the weight of the engine?
The chassis doesn't have the same great feel of the other Mondeos... it's a very good handling car but the feedback just doesn't seem as good as something like a TDCi Zetec S. Quite subjective, but for me it wasn't as satisfying to drive as other Mondeos.
Fuel economy can be pretty poor. I was getting 20mpg average (compared to around 27mpg for the BMW 130i I have now) and on long runs found getting more than 31mpg near impossible (I get 37mpg with the Bimmer).

I'd say take a lengthy test drive before you commit. They definitely make a good used-market buy.

Here's a couple of pics of the one I had:

http://www.forddesktops.com/show.asp...ST220_Rear.jpg

http://www.forddesktops.com/show.asp...ST220_Blue.jpg

Used to own a Zetec S Estate. I know its not the ST but it was a really good car in all respects except for the 2.0 Zetec lump in it which had poor NVH when revved. I can imagine the v6 in the ST220 cures that.

I would have another Mondeo again if I was in the market for a bargain second hand motor.

When buying take care to check door and window seals. New Mondeos have probs with these. The seals are expensive to replace and the doors can prematurely rot along the bottom of the windows.

Try the Saab 95 Estate.

Just bought a 6 month old Vector with Hirsch 210bhp kit (320Nm, 0-60 in 7.5 secs), Leather, Cruise, Climate, etc, plus huge amounts of space. Not the last word in handling, but not that bad either. Decent manufacturer's warranty and the first owner has taken the bulk of the depreciation hit. Looks good next to the STi UK.

I have just got a new ST estate but Diesel..........ST155.
Only 3k on it yet so opinion still fresh, but I am very impressed. Stack of torque and in gear times that will surprise you.
6 speed and very low revs at cruise (circa 2000 rpm at 75mph). Have had 50mpg and a low (driving like a twoccer) of 37mpg. It will do 135mph if asked.
Downside is that it is noisy as heck from cold, but ok after that.
Handling pretty sweet. It even looks pretty good (apart from the rear view!) Sony ICE is top quality and it is iPod ready.
Check it out........

http://nickjdavies.fotopic.net/p22840086.html

Also check this out. http://www.autocar.co.uk/RoadTest_Summary.asp?RT=212385

Nick

Thanks for the comments.

Castrol, I have looked at the 9.5 but finding one with the right spec and low mileage is not as easy as with the Mondeo.

It seems that many are put of by the Blue Oval, but apart from the initial eye watering depreciation, the ST220 is a great car. As a second hand buy they are tough to beat.

zxr750Nick, it does look great in Panther Black...I quiet fancy it with the Infra Red Recaros too... :)

Woodmeister

There are a few around at 9ish months with 12K miles (Vector) for about £16K. Try Autotrader if interested. Good luck whatever you go for.

Cheers

www.westernsaab.co.uk/deals

Seems to have 05 reg 9-5 estates for 15-16k.
Or 9-5 2.3 HOT estates with £13k off list....down to £22-23k.

I've had one for about 2 1/2 years now and apart from a water hose coming off and the usual wheel bearing wear and tear because of the ring, it's been fine and I would recommend one :thumb:

Attachment 49200

http://ring.wegen.de/fotos/touri_20050907/117.jpg

I never had you down as a Mondeo man, Karl :D

I park it between the BMW and the Porsche :D:D:D

It's a good way to get the rolls in the morning :D


http://jvc.pingus.be/fotos/TF_2005_0.../PIC67850R.jpg

Or to tow the golf or my pug with :D

Not sure if this is relevant to you, but you can't legally fit a towbar to an ST220, they were never homologated for towing. I'm sure this is the case for the saloon and hatch, and think it applies to the estate as well, you would need to check if this is important to you.

Rgds
Neil

I'd towed Gary's Pug and my Golf with the removable towhook thing :thumb:

The chassis is identical to a normal Mondeo estate, so why can't it tow? It's the same car - even the same engine if you have one in Ghia X trim.

The ST220 is just a trim spec, not a different car.

You sure about that Ali, I'm sure the engine spec is different? :Suspiciou

Both the Ghia x and Titanimum wotsit have the same 3.0litre v6 as the ST220, minus 20 odd BHP.

Still the same engine though.

Like comparing a 105ps 1.8 Zetec to a 130ps 1.8 Zetec - they are the same.



The only issue is if you have to cut a notch out in the fancy rear bumper ;):D

So, the same but different then ;)

Probably the only difference is the throttle housing and a few 0s and 1s somewhere in an EEPROM chip ;)

The different rear exhaust and bumper is probably the reasons why they don't list the same bar as normal mondeos.

Ali-B

I'm sure your right in that the chassis is exactly the same and therefore with a bumper cut you can fit a std MK3 towbar, however Ford themselves state the ST220 is not designed to tow and therefore do not quite max loads, nose weights and did not

In this modern world, I'm not sure you find a main dealer or proper towbar centre that would fit one, of course you could do it yourself.

Again not sure of any legal/insurance implications.

The STTDCi which uses much the same body kit is fine to tow its just the ST220 for some reason or other.

From what I understand you can't get a towbar for an ST Focus either, this would be an influencing factor for me as thats how I carry all the bikes around.

FAO Woodmeister - Towbar
 

I spec'ed mine with a factory towbar (however it is dealer fit!). It is a Witter and is a lovely bit of tackle (if a towbar can be), being loackable and detachable, without the need to cut the bumper in any way.
Mine is a diesel, but all the dimensions are the same. Perhaps its just the Exhaust that causes issues.

Nick