Slight leak of dampers.
Noise from the wiper's blades.
Engine noisy when cold. It needs one hour to warm up.
Fronts seats terrible. Impossible to find the "right" position.
Brakes not impressive.
Air conditioning of modest quality.
Chassis is impressive.
Engine is happy around 135-140 km/h.
Very little torque after 150 km/h in the 5-th gear.
In 2002 is outdated car. But for the right price can be an option as a second hand car.
I did not finished my review and I added entry.
I have more to say:
1) I have an oil leak in the clutch coming from the main journal or from gearbox. The dealer told me that is a common problem of these cars and I should not worry. I inspected other Mondeos and the all have this wet area at the face between the engine and the gearbox. Did you experienced such problem? How will develop?
2) The oil consumption jumped from 60 grams /1000 km to 120 grams /1000 Km. I hope the oil quality was not that one required. Nevertheless I use 5W50 Mobile that is supposed to be good. I heard frightening reports about valve stick. I hope that will not be the case. Can be the exhaust recirculation valve broken?
3) I have a loud bang / clonk (but only once) from wheel in front, only at 1 km / hour when I turn the steering wheel completely to turn the car! What can it be? I found the noise is more likely to appear on snow?! Why?
4) On low temperature -15 deg. C I had the bad inspiration to adjust the inside mirror. It fell off like a leaf with stem broken. Be aware folks the this car is designed for mild winters. If you drive in Scandinavia take care! The dealer told me that can change the mirror, but might brake the window! It happened to other people! But why to worry?! I have a full insurance to my car so I can pay the window! My insurance is at minimum as I did not claim anything in the last 12 years. Foa a wind screen I am supposed to pay again 100%. Cynical!
5) The air flow under the bonnet is excellent. The design is great. At 100 Km per hour in 3, climbing in the mountains the fan does not start. This is really good.
Still me to say something:
A) Tires: I have original all season Michelin tires. Very good, no noise. At 50,000 Km I have to change. I feel there are rather expensive and I will not buy this type.
B) Bumpers: terrible they are hollow under the skin especially at the corners. Do not even think to touch another car in the parking with your bumper and pray God that nobody will push you. The outer skin is as brittle as an egg shell. I cannot understand how Ford engineers could go ahead with such a project. I am an engineer myself and if my apprentice engineers would come with the design of such bumpers to me they will never pass or if would insist I would dismiss them.
C) I have alloy wheels originally. Very cute. My tires are 195/60/15 and I have to change them soon. I want to buy slihgtly larger and lower: 205/55/15. Will they work on the same wheel? Does anybody can answer this question?
50,000 Km.
I've changed the original Michelin tires 195/60/15H Energy with 195/60/15V Energy.
Apart that I felt expensive over 100 US$ each the adherence was greatly improved.
On cobblestone wet was more than adequate.
Nevertheless, at 140 Km/h seemed to be noisier than the original tires.
From 160 km/h noise was drastically reduced.
As such speeds are not usual I inflated the new tires at slightly higher pressure: from 2.2 bar to 2.4 bar.
The riding became unpleasant and the suspension rigid. The adherence was reduced. It seems that for 2 persons and some luggage 2.2 bar is the best.
At the higher pressure the noise spectrum remained the same as that at 2.2 bar inflation.
The fuel consumption did not decrease.
As an overall no advantage or contrary 2.4 versus 2.2 bar.
I had a problem with the fuel tank cap. The 2 way valve that is in the cap chocked from dirt!
The pressure in the tank built up. A leak under the body occurred at the link of the filling hose and the tank. Frightening. Inspected the seal at the dealer that did not clean under body before started to work. I insisted and they cleaned by compressed air.
They replied that is a filter in the tank and all the dirt that falls in will be stored in the in-tank filter (before the pump). When I asked how they clean that filter they remained silent... And they are supposed to be specialists! I wonder what do people that do not understand anything about mechanics or simply have no time to go under the car at the dealer?!
What I discovered: the fuel tank at Mondeo MK2 on gasoline has no shield on the right side (the side with the fuel filter)! (On the left is the exhaust pipe and is shielded) The plastic tank is fully visible and unprotected. Any stone from the road at high speeds can puncture the tank. Any dog or cat run over can at high speed destroy the tank.
No talking about a picnic where at any time a root or a fallen branch can be in the way.
Is no wonder that FORD lost market share in the 90-ties.
You, that guy who designed and the other one who approved so careless the fuel tank without any shield on the right side, can you sleep nights?
The automatic door lock on left back passenger side will die soon. Already I have difficulty to lock by remote. The lock mechanism inside the door has no grease anymore.
Revision and service at 50000 km.
They recommend oil Duralube instead Mobil1. We see how will perform. I put also 10W40.
What they really found was in the brake drums in back: dust from wear of brake pads. I always complained about the poor braking and the unreal position of the hand brake (too high). Nobody could solve the problem. They said is normal. After cleaning inside drums, braking is responsive and hand brake civilized. Folks this is something to know.
Service and revision at 50,000 km cheap, something like 200 US $. Good.
52000 Km.
I drive only 2ooo km /year recently. For this reason the air-con suffered. The compressor's valves blocked. I had to fill in freon (did not cool anymore) and to unstuck the valves. (about 50 US $).
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