2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 from UK and Ireland - Comments

I wouldn't touch a diesel Ford personally. The 1.6 and 2.0 TDCi engines used in the new Focus and C-Max are OK because they're basically rebadged Peugeot HDi units, but Mondeo diesels have always been troublesome. Whether it's the old 1.8 Endura snapping timing belts at 20,000 miles, the 2.0 TDDi Mondeos surging and returning less than 30 mpg, or the stalling, rough running and endless firmware update problems well documented on the newer TDCi's, they just aren't worth the risk. Ford make great cars, but they haven't got a clue how to make a half decent diesel engine - never have, and arguably never will.

158 PS from a modern 2.2 diesel is also pretty unspectacular. BMW get 2PS more from 200cc less, and Fiat / Alfa get 42PS more from 200cc more. Sad as it is to say, if you want diesel buy a French or German, or even lately, an Italian car. They're always a step ahead of everyone else.

If Ford had used the twin turbo V6 diesel from the S-Type Jag, that would have been a much better bet, as well as running the ST220 a lot closer on performance and refinement. Another rebadged Peugeot HDi engine by the way which also appears in the new 407 Coupe.

168 aint too bad for a diesel, its hard to get bhp from a diesel, lotts of torqe, good if you got a caravan. But vauxhall did a 2.2 petrol with only 147 bhp (it was N/A, but still crap). The 2.0 GTE had 156 bhp. Engines are better now than a few years ago though.

There is no way a ST 220 Mondeo could keep up with a Megane 225. the Mondeo has 3 BHP less and is about 230 KG heavier. Mondeo ST 220 only hits 60 in 7.6 Secs the Megane will do it in 6.3 seconds. So you can try to race a Megane 225 but you will be upset when you lose.

I agree the Megane is still quicker, but magazine tests have clocked the ST to 60 in 6.5. It's a much quicker car than people realise.

Oh, and not being a Renault, it will still be in one piece at 60,000 miles!

I drive a ST220, you should realise the power it kicks! il even take your french loving taste for a spin it, my mate has a r32 and he can't put me to shame neither can my scoop lovin mate, definitely a very fast and great engine, drives like a BMW!.

P.S £900 fully comp @ 25 can't complain, with insurance!

I got my ST220 4months ago and I love it. Previously drove a BMW 325i, and I can say the Mondeo is a far superior car. Not only is it quicker, but also better specced and a nicer place to sit on long journeys. Badge snobs will never appreciate a fast Ford. Nothing can match it for the price. I also recently drove an SL350, and can safely say the Mondeo is quicker. The engine is far more eager to rev. Good job Ford. Looking forward to the new one.

I am driving my ST220 about 6months. The performance is brilliant. I got the estate model and nothing can beat it for space or speed at the same price. The Reccaro seats are the business too. It's a real wolf in sheeps clothing. I would recommend one to anybody.

I have owned an 05 st220 saloon for 8 months now and prior to this vehicle I had an st200 ltd which was preceded by a Granada Scorpio 24v cosworth so I am a little ford biased. The st200 was somewhat of a disappointment in all aspects (brakes and engine power) but the st220 is a credit to the sports technologies denomination. The car is simply fantastic even in standard form, far better than many of the afford mentioned vehicles. my st220 is running a super-chips blue-fin map a k&n panel filter (no heat soak as the induction kit suffers) and a free flow sports main cat (faster throttle response) the dyno figures are 240bhp 304n/m torque making it a real autobahn stormer, a genuine 160mph super saloon.

240 BHP? I've got a standard ST220 and it goes well. Do you notice any difference in the performance with the upgrades? Is it expensive?

You all drive too fast!

Road safety.

If you drive any faster than 30 mph and hit a pedestrian, they have a 30 % chance of surviving. Anything above that speed and it's highly likely to be curtains. Speed doesn't kill. Bad driving does and they don't necessarily go hand in hand, providing you drive to the prevailing conditions. The government love the hype around 'speed kills' as they make a lot of money from static cameras. I don't agree with speeding in 30 mph zones, however.

I have never driven a Mondeo. I did own a Ford Contour and it was an absolute piece of crap. I also owned a BMW 3-series which was great.

What I want to say is that you should NEVER EVER compare a Ford to a BMW.

I have owned an st200 Y reg 2001 for 2 years and after fitting a full exhaust including de-cat pipe, Bluefin re-map and K&N panel filter it recorded 238bhp, easily hits the 160mph and sounds great.

As for the brakes; just bolt on some drilled and groved with some Ferrodo track day pads and it stops on a dime. It's a great car in the right hands.

To the person that said "NEVER EVER compare a Ford with a BMW"

We are talking about the ST220 here, not some random Ford. If you can say that the st220 is crap and that the bmw 3-series are better BECAUSE you driven them both, that's one thing. But to say that the St220 sucks because you driven a old ford (non mondeo, non st) is just not fair. Now, go away and troll the bmw forums instead.

BMW drivers are just a breed of their own. Ignore them.