2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Considering picking up an ST220 used.

Just a quick question. What is the actual difference between the 4 and 5 door, and does anyone have any pictures to illustrate the difference?

A few people asked about the ST TDCI, and although by now it is an extremely common car (far to common in fact) I thought I would comment. Before that though.

Loved reading this review and comments, its great to see almost Universal praise for a Blue Oval. (I am a big fan)

Its also a shame to see the stupid, irresponsible chav boy racers appearing.

"Its great at a set of lights, knowing there is going to be a race"

Grow up. Lights usually = town, anyone who drives quickly in town is behaving badly. Thing you should realise is that the hot women watching from the crossing you are racing away from is not thinking "Wow, a Corsa with huge arch gaps, wastebin sized exhausts, Little 4 pot engine coming out its bonnet, that's cool, I want to have much love with him."

She is thinking. simply, "what a **************"

I think the person who replied saying that its all about cornering, and the challenge of perfecting the line every time has it spot on.

Now, the ST TDCI.

Yes handles like the ST220. With the addition of a heavy diesel engine, so in tight (hairpin) corners it will understeer, but it still has that wonderful balance, get it near the limit, lift off and feel that balance (rear end gets light). Owners will (and already have) verify this, and I assure you, the ST TDCI has got it.

Its not as quick, but it is very torquey. I have an estate, (0-60 9.4, hatchback 8.9) but I am not sure it even feels that fast. Torque is limited in 1st and second, and it feels like it. By 4th it is pulling hard, and 5th and 6th are genuinely quick. It would be made fun off by an ST220 through the gears, but if you gave them both the lot from 60, starting in 4th gear, I really don't reckon there would be much in it.

Now, the Petrols achilles heel. 25mpg? HAHAHAHAHAHA - you can do that to me about the performance, I can do it to you now. It currently reads 42, I have had it as high as 45, even towing (another car) it managed 35ish.

To sum up, it has 98-99% the handling ability, 60-80% the performance (60 in first, 80 in 4th, maybe 90 in 5th/6th) 180-200% the economy.

It's a cracking car. Really, Really is. It is more fun to drive (better feedback, handling and balance) than my Audi S6.

If you like the ST220, and are covering serious miles, Test drive one. I don't believe there is a better sports family car out there. (Well the BMW 330D, but that is vastly more expensive)

Forget the ST220, buy a used Accord Type R; similar power and better performance and Honda reliability. You can pick a decent one up for about 5 grand.

The Accord Type R is a great machine, but I reckon although they are both sports saloons, they are quite different in character.

The Type R is far more hardcore than the ST.

However if you cover serious miles, the ST is a far better bet. More refined, Quieter, Bigger, Newer so more likely under warranty, and more motorway toys like Cruise, Climate, etc. Probably far more toys altogether, the Mondeo has just about every extra Ford could give it.

Decide what you use the car for, then take your pick.

Why did you come in to this discussion to say that? It would have been far more productive to say "consider the Type R, it's a bit more focused, and quicker."

Saying one is better than the other is a bit pointless, in my opinion. Give a Reason why.

And while the Type R has a cracking chassis, its not like the mondeo is bad is it? They are both at the top of their class, it is just they are, well, different cars.

Oh and the 4dr, 5dr and estate?

Unfortunately, ford.co.uk has taken the old mondeo off its list so you can't see it there.

4 dr is the Saloon, they are similar, but the Boot is longer. The 5dr Hatchback, the boot bit from the end of the rear window to the back is short, under 1ft.

Ah cheers I know what you mean.

Also what is the fuel economy really like. mixed driving are you likely to see an average of 25mpg.

Motorway, bit of town driving and a few blasts down country roads?

Hiya everyone.

In the pages before der was a lot of talk about 0-60.

One of my mates works at ford the actual 0-60 of a pre 2003

is 0-62 in 7.9 seconds.

The 0-60 if the post 2003 model is 0-60 in 6.8.

Not much else 2 say, but great car. there are faster cars 0-60 like the audi a4 3.0 quattro, bmw 330i, saab 93 2.8,and the old audi 1.8 turbo quattro 260r only 2 in country.

But its not all about 0-60 its about the drive and the feedback the car gives you.

I have also heard about a new mondeo st meant to have 256 bhp engine from a mazda 6 mps should do 60 in under 6 seconds top speed should be about 160 mph.

The ST220 has really great acceleration so much stronger in the flesh than the figures imply (eg 0-60 in 6.5 or 6.7)! Especially at higher speeds... maybe off the line the front wheel drive slows it down with spin, but higher up, front wheel drive has less energy losses than rear so it gets stronger?

I was treated to a ride in one by a friend of a friend, and WOW now I understand why I’ve ended up red faced in my 330i when I decided to take one on! From about 60mph upwards, st220 pulled a few car lengths before 100! I was very humiliated, will never mess with one agian, but grown to accept the ST’s place in the food chain (very high up!), it deserves its reputation for being a ego crushing beast!

PS the st220 was not modified... just imagine if it was...

Don't get an ST220; mine blew up on me at 135 mph. I wasn't even pushing.

I've only had it a couple of months.

17k on the clock.

Does anyone know an alternative to an ST220, because I've got mine fixed, but don't feel confident driving it anymore.

I'm on a 25 grand budget.

I understand that you are now put off, but engine failure in the ST220 is rare, you are unlucky.

Only problems I know about with that V6 are on earlier mk2&1 mondeos, and include:

Water pump failure (can be cured by non ford replacement, cheaper too.)

Wear in Alternator bushes causing charging problem. (Problem in mine)

'Moosing' problem with water pipes.

Apart from these (which I don't think affect the st220 anyway) the engine is quite a strong unit.

Sorry you got unlucky.

Hi, test driving a st tdci today, but can't get my head off the test drive wi the st220 it was awsom, never had a fast car, but now got the money to do it so putting deposit down soon as I get up after night shift lol soom verrrrrrry positive reviews I like it.

Handling is a delight. Worth buying for that reason alone. Does things that no Vauxhall can even get close to.

I am 19 and own a ST220, wot an awesome car! I fell in love with it from the start! My mates have R32's and Clio V6's and go hell out of leather. They always ask why I don't try to keep up. I just reply that the ST220 is more fun cruising in 6 gear and hearing the v6 rumble at 1000 revs. I give her a blip now and again and it gives me a massive grin on my face tho!! get an ST220 people!

Your 19 years old and have an ST 220? And your mates have R32's and Clio V6's? Car insurance must be getting cheaper!

Somebody said they had an st220 with 280/270bhp or something and timed it 0-60 at 4.4 seconds... an impreza with the same bhp doesn't come close to matching that, so that is quite a way out in accuracy, and if you want a car quick 0-60 don't buy the mondeo, as others have said it is more of a fast cruiser.

I do tend to have a big problem with people slating traffic light races only to promote fast driving around bends. What are you thinking? Its safer for the average kev to drive fast off the traffic lights in a straight line (when not in town) than it is to drive fast when you can't see what is coming around the corner. I'm not encouraging either, both lead to accidents, but unless you have a closed off road neither is safe or clever. What if you are speeding around some country lanes and some poor girl/boy is on a horse/bike and a car is coming towards you?

Just for my 50 pence on it all the mondeo is brilliant value for money, and even better if you buy used, it deserves its critical acclaim.