Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    I don't know anything about the Mondeo aside from what I've read in the
    press (which is generally positive about handling, driver appeal, build
    quality, etc). However, don't pay _ANYTHING_ like 12 grand for a 2 to 3
    year old Mondeo, there will be thousands of ex-company Mondeos in this
    age range and if you hunt around you'll find a good one for a small
    amount.
    
    Mark

    I've got a list of problems that had been reported with the Mondeo and
    was pulled from a french car mag, attached below.
    
    Also if the car has ABS check out very carefully if it is making a
    grinding/releasing noise when you first pull away [both forward and
    reverse] and starting the engine. We've got this and Ford say it's no
    problem blaa blaa bullshit blaa blaa...
    
    Check out what tyres they've fitted - basically we've Continental Sport
    and the front pair have had to be replaced after 18,700 kms! Not
    impressed at all.
    
    Also have a good look around the engine so far I've found a couple of
    pipes not connected properly and therefore there was some leakage of
    liquid. Also check down the back of the battery and around the tray for
    [excessive] white deposits. The battery cover can also be affected...
    
    Seems like we've been unlucky with the problems we've had with our car
    [2L Ghia estate] - other folks have had zero problems at all with
    theirs!
    
    From a servicing point of view it's every 15,000 km [I suppose 10,000
    miles] with "major" revisions every 45,000 kms/30,000 miles. From a
    parts replacement point of view there isn't much to do. If you do the
    servicing yourself there is a lot under the bonnet with not much space
    to get to the parts. The oil filter is in a nasty position and can be
    difficult to get to if you can't get the car lifted up.  
    
    Dave
    
    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
    
Taken from French car mag which listed problems etc. for about 200 cars

Car: Ford Mondeo

Reliability: most frequent problems

Mechanical:

    Gear Box:	2litre weakness of syncro for 2nd gear. Changing between
		1st and 2nd gear is not smooth, mostly when the engine is
		running with high revs. For the TD, jumps out of second.
		New syncro since Sept. '93. On TD 5th hard/slow to engage.
		
    Breaks:	Noisy pads in front

    Suspension:	Noisy (silent blocks) at joints at rear

    Active suspension:
		Sport suspension sometimes locked in "Sport" position. New
		electronic module in June '93. Some troubles due to bad
		positioning of wiring on rear wheel housing.

    Shock absorber:
		Some rear shock absorber deficient - noise (rattle eg. due
		to movement) - change under guarentee

Body work/Equipment:

    Wind noise:	whistles on low angles of window screen

    Glove compartment:
		Doesn't shut properly - rattles

    Petrol flap:
		Blocked with remote control - Cable badly adjusted in
		factory and grips within tubing. Corrected in May '93

    Speedo:	Needle "vibrates"

    Indicators:	Airbag indicator - blinks. Connection on steering wheel
		better connected since Nov. '93. Sometimes the indicator of
		cooling liquid lights without reason. Due to fautly sensor.

    Air vents:	On '93 models, the lever breaks on the right hand side on
		dashboard. Problem still continues on central air vents.

    Seats:	Creaks after 15,000 kms especially on the rear. Lock of the
		back seat noisy.

    Gear lever:	"Ball" not properly fastened and twists

    Vibrations:	Central console rubbing type creak on uneven surfaced
		road. 5th door plastic cover and rear shelf noisy.

    Finish:	Door covering (velours/velvet) comes unstuck just over the
		arm rest. Central console vulnerable to marking from
		scratches etc. Rear comparment noisy on "berline" 5 door.

    
    I've driven a Mondeo Estate 1.8 GLX since late Aug 1994 and covered
    50,000+ miles in it. 
    
    In my experience it is one of the easiest, most comfortable cars I've
    ever driven and I would have no hesitation in having another one - 
    provided it had a diesel engine! It's not particularly economical, for
    example 8-9 miles per litre with a practically empty car. It's not a
    car I would recommend for solely town driving. 
    
    However, it has a vast luggage area ( and I've slept in it a few times,
    unpack the sleeping bag and get under the load cover!) and easily
    carries 5 adults, with their luggage, on holiday. 
    
    But I've got to change it now as the lease is expiring. 
    
    For what it's worth a Ford Salesperson has offered 7,500 pounds for it.
    
    Dave
    
    
    It has ABS - no problems experienced or unusual noises heard

I'm also in the market for a Mondeo, and have done considerable research 
on the prices you should pay.

But first, do you really want an Si?  It's not really any 'hotter' than a 
normal 2 litre Mondeo, and all you'd be doing by buying one is giving 
yourself an insurance problem and making the car a target for Joyriders.

If you've got 12K to play with then you can get yourself a '94 L 2.0 Ghia.
Prices vary depending on which part of the country you live in.  For instance
here in Manchester you should pay 12K or less for this car, but in Edinburgh 
this figure seems to be at least 500 quid less according to adverts I've seen
in the press.  (These are dealer prices)

If you get a car that's less than a year old you can pay an extra 500 quid and 
get Ford's extended warranty and extend the factory warranty on the car for an
additional two years or up to 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

On the other hand, if it's good looks you're after, you could buy yourself a 
'94 L LX or GLX, (pay 10.5K for the LX or 11K for the GLX) and with the money
you've saved invest in a smart set of 15 inch alloys with 205/50 tyres.  Mondys
look really good with a nice set of wheels.

	Hope this helps,

		Bob.

    
    Davie , speak to me ......
    
    I got the 1.8 LX in July (93L 5 dr for #9,300stlg with 12000 on the clock)
    through Ford Direct (1 years warranty + RAC). I have had no problems 
    (except 1 speeding ticket) so far. I'll let you have a run in it 
    next time we're nightshift.
    
    A possible option would be the TD but you would pay about 1 - 1.5K
    more. 
    
    As for the Si, lots of nice gadgets but is it worth the extra
    insurance + possible increased rate of depreciation ?
    
    Gordon,
    
    Q. The car is now due it's 20K service, any idea on how much I should
       expect to pay for this job...??
    
    
    

    
    That would be too easy...

    
    75 quid for a basic service 10k,20k. (less 10% discount for using the 
    dealer I bought the car through). 

In my experience, the last people to talk to about buying a Ford are
Ford dealers.

I've been looking for a Mondeo with a 'safety pack' option (ABS,
passenger Air-bag and rear head restraints).  So far none of the
dealers I've talked to (about 5 of them) have known what a safety
pack is.

In fact, they've told me so much rubbish about the specifications
of various Mondeos that I don't believe a word of what they say.

Get the brochures, Read the car mags.  Test drive an Si if that's
the model you want.  It's the only way.

	Bob.

    re safety pack
    
    Peoples in Livingston were offering this for �750. I think it is
    standard on the Si along with traction control, CD player, heated
    front windscreen etc.. I think I've still got the brochure.
    
    

    Give the Motor House in Cannock a try (see note elsewhere in here)
    
    A friend was looking at 18.LX Mondeo's still under warranty (less than
    1 year old) for less than 8K (7899,7999).
    
    Check out their adverts in the National papers.
    
    Dave D.