2003 Ford Mondeo Zetec S review from UK and Ireland

The car has performed without fault since I have owned it.

I previously had a new shape petrol mondeo and that was sluggish and thirsty (1.8LX) the Zetec S is totally the opposite it is driven hard on a daily basis and still returns 46mpg and on a long motorway trip with cruise control and the sixth gear I did a 550 mile round trip on a single tank with a bit left over.

The car handles superbly on its slightly lower and stiffer suspension (Factory Standard) and the 18 inch wheels fitted with continental tyres were fantastic! I say were because the fronts wore through to the beading on the inside edge (at 10000 miles). when I rolled up at the tyre center the fitter was not suprised to see this and said it was common on the ST220 as well due to the way the front geometry is set up I went for pirellis on his reccomendation which are good, but not as good as the continentals.

I have a tow bar fitted (A bit of an eyesaw as ford don't list a removeable one for this model as it has bigger bumpers The same can be said for the ST220) This is mainly for a cycle carrier as I have little faith in the strap on types. I was persuaded to tow a trailer recently and was pleasantly suprised as it stopps as well as it pulls.

My car is panther black metallic and looks good when clean it has a black interior which also looks good, but showes every little mark.

I have removed the TDCi badge from the rear as people seemed offended that they couldnt keep up with a stinky old oil burner.