2002 Ford Mondeo LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

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This car replaces http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_24034.html.

I have not yet had it for a week, but I can tell already, I am impressed. It is smooth quiet, comfortable, heavy, solid, and big. All of these factors are important to me in a car. It is slightly (noticably) slower than my saab 900 was, but I am in my 40s now, so 0 - 60 is not an issue. You will see from my saab review, that I lean towards European (not American) cars, As far as the Mondeo is concerned, I think it is fair to say it is a European car even if Fords Father-land is the U.S.

Any way; for now, I am very happy with my decision... I will throw in a few updates over the coming few years;- like I did with the SAAB.

I love the 'retro' interior styling, no fuss non-hi-tech controlls on the dash, the simple, but good sterio, and the Aluminium trim on the steering wheel and gear change lever. And the clock ;- Art!

The interior look and feel of this car is how it sold its self to me.

My sister in-laws Toyota avensis is like a rocket-scientists microwave oven in comparison. (unnecessarily complicated), Unappealing.

P.s. I am still on my first tank of petrol,... looking good!.

Where will I start.

I have scratched it 3 times. I have had a rear wheel blowout. The reverse lights have failed. The engine makes a rattle noise when at low revs.

In a word, I have had enough of this car. My problem now is, how do I get even close to the amount I paid for it back so that I can replace it with something a bit less ford.

Any suggestions?

"I have scratched it 3 times."

Be more careful then - your fault rather than the car, surely.

"I have had a rear wheel blowout."

Can (and does) happen to tens of thousands of people in all makes and models of car every year. Nothing to do with the car itself.

"The reverse lights have failed."

Probably a switch or something equally simple / cheap to put right.

"The engine makes a rattle noise when at low revs."

Any professional mechanic will tell you these engines are good for 200,000 miles if properly serviced. Bearing failure is almost unheard of unless the engine has been neglected or has done starship mileage. Most rattles of this type are something daft like a loose heatshield.

If you've "had enough" of a used car after this, you really need to realign your expectations, or stump up the cash and buy a new Mercedes.

Regarding the second comment; Thanks for the sympathy mate. But don't get me wrong, I still acknowlledge that it is a fine car, Quality wise, value for money etc... and yes the 'problems I listed are not the cars fault. I bought it as a head-over-heart decision... It couldnt be more practical.

P.s. I wouldn't drive a mercedes. If a car is a statement, Merc' says : "Deep-down I'm insecure; but look, I can affoard to buy security"

Ford says : "It's a good thing I'm not insecure, cause I can't affoard a Merc'"

Regards 'Stumping up the cash, Well If I could, I would have a new Volvo S80... I wonder what its statement would be?

Now at 71000 miles. Still as solid and sharp as it was at 29000. Funny thing, The engine sounds smoother now than it did when I got it. have had to replace all brake pads. Normal wear and tear. apart from the reverse light which failed soon after I got it, NOT ONE THING has gone wrong on this car. To date it has been incredible value for money.

Lacks serious acceleration though. but this is made up for by comfort and handling. And anyway, the 1.8 is good enough to overtake safely so long as you don't go for a stupidly short gap. (in other words, if you are over 30 years old).

Only bad point on this car, The cheap material used on the upholstery. Gets dirty easily, hard to clean.

Carry on saving for the Volvo - you won't regret it!

Since I had the brake pads replaced, I now regularly find that the right rear pads cieze to the disk (even when not breaking... result is that after 6/ 7 + miles at > 50 mph, dreadful squeal, and EXTREEM overheating of whole wheel super-assemply (hub - disk - pads - calliper - bearing - wheel - tyre) I worry that it gets so hot that I will have a rolling inferno, or a major componalt breakage (wheel detachment at speed - nasty) both potentially fatal.

Btw... my mechanic -... (the one who fitted the last set of pads) cannot figure out whats wrong (even though I gave him a big hint... The problem only started since he fitted those pads) I told him that they were not seatting snugly in their caliper, and that they should be replaced... but no He was adamant that the handbreak cables were at fault... E220 Euro later I still have the problem. Needless to say, He is now my EX mechanic. I will replace the pads soon, and hope for the best.

The binding pads sorted themselves out after about 8 or 9 THOUSAND miles. Meanwhile, the rear subframe bushings went and created a dreadful heavy knocking noise. I couldn't live with the sound of a car desperately trying to fall apart, so I got it fixed at a Ford dealership with a reputable service section. 400Euros.

The car is running like new again. It's a great car. Its comfort, ride quality, and size outweigh its negative quirks just enough to prevent me from wanting rid of it.

Clocked past 90000 miles on way to work yesterday. Touch wood, the brake pad problem which mysteriously fixed itself a few months ago has NOT come back yet. (I like a car that fixes itself)

Changed the oil for the first time myself last Sunday. Easy enough - but VERY messy (when you undo the filter, it dumps about a pint of black goo on you in one blob (it's not a self contained filter, but rather a replaceable element contained within a cylinder which opens from the bottom.) - fortunately I had anticipated this, and the only part of me anywhere near it was my hand. Had to buy a new socket spanner (15 mm) an unusual size in order to undo the sump plug. The engine 'feels' much freer now. Still sounds very rattly when not under load. I guess this is normal for 90000? I dread letting even the professionals take the top off the engine, because invariably they never manage to get it back on without a nasty top end oil leak, which ruins the whole engine bay eventually with a thick grit-laden black scum.

Anyway - I am stuck with it for another year anyway, or at least until I get a windfall of 10 - 15 thousand.

BTW For my next car, I plan to go into a dealership, spot something I like with a price tag of say 31000 euros, - offer 19000 Euros, and see if they let me leave the premises without the car I wanted, As my second bid I will say ".. OK I'll throw in a 7 year old Mondeo as well. " - (that will save me the disposal fees)

Ha... see what Mondeo ownership does to a guys mentality... It's great... It teaches you that 'truly - Cars are worth nothing.

Bought this Ford Mondeo on Sunday and the problems began...

I called the AA out to sort out the gear knob.. minor you'd say.. Next drove only 3 miles to work and on me way back the engine lights were on... I put some engine oil just in case but NAAAAA!!! The lights won't go off... I hate using the word hate.. but now am so scared to get in the car tomorrow morning for work... What should I do?

F ix

O r

R epair

D aily

I'm on my 3rd Mondeo now, only 19.

I've had the back brakes screaming noise. After a few miles it goes.

I've had the engine management light just come on, mainly on motorways, and go off 2 days later 3 times.

Window wiper jets stop working.

Now something with the crankshaft? Rattling.

The only way I solved all my problems was buying an 05 plater with 19k on the clock :P

Fanbelt tensioner rattling its head off?

103K miles. Time to replace. Rear brakes badly worn. Clutch has maybe an other 5 / 10 K in it. Front left suspension beginning to knock.

I have driven a couple of SAAB 9-5s to test. Lovely car, but absolutely NO road feedback through the steering wheel. Disconcerting if you can't tell if you have a soft tyre, you can't feel if the oas surface is greasy (till it's too late)... you just can't FEEL the road.

Mondeo V SAAB 95... is like... slow SPORTS car V fast BOAT.

I will be testing some slow sports cars next week. I don't fancy the idea of doing 100 miles a day in a BOAT no matter how fast it is.

Note: Even with 100000 miles of heavy wear (I am hard enough on cars) it still drives drives surefooted and tight. I am very strongly considering an other Mondeo. The SAAB is extremely good looking comfortable and fast, but the driving experience is somewhat 'soft' I complained to the saab sales-guy about the loose steering, and he looked at me like I had 3 heads. I told him - maybe I'm not old enough yet for the SAAB. (a lot more expensive too for the equivalent year / mileage.

GO FORD.

Just bought an 06 Mondeo 1.8 Platinum... Cruise control, climate control, alloys, fancy grill and front fogs. 25000 miles 7.5K Euro. (With a standard enough compliment of scratches and scuffs for a 3 year old car)... Also 40 MPG on open road, 34 around town. Not bad for a smooth quiet 1.8 petrol. (I like to drive in a relaxed frame of mind, so 125 HP is plenty for me.)

I am well happy with my choice. Will never look at an other Saab. Way too over-rated.

My old Mondeo sold for just over 2K Euro.