1999 Ford Mondeo ST24 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Where do I start? It has been a disaster from day one when I picked it up from the garage and the suspension collapsed at a set of traffic lights.

Since then I have gone through two engines, a gear-box, new engine management system, new discs all round, new clutch (complete), and steering rack. To top this off, it drinks more oil than petrol, and rust is starting to develop in several panels.

What a pile of crap! I wouldn't touch another one of these with a fifty foot barge pole. The handling is equivalent to an oil tanker, and the performance is nothing to get excited about.

I have contacted Ford many times and they just don't want to know, their customer services is a disgrace for a company of that size.

My Vectra was outstanding in comparison - much quicker, better handling, reliable, and to top it off, made a wonderful sound.

You've got to be joking mate. A Vectra better than an ST24 - I think not. Suspension doesn't just 'collapse' at the traffic lights - a slight exageration on your part eh? If it's as bad as you are making out, then it must be an accident damaged, abused old bucket. In which case, why did you buy it?

I couldn't agree more.

A Shed - I don't think so mate, I think someone's stuck the st24 badge back on your old Vectra for a laugh. I wouldn't mind a shed that handles like its on rails, with the performance that sees off most cars at the lights. You ex-Vectra drivers have always been a little confused.

Is this guy for real, anyone who has driven a Vectra for any length of time, then progressed onto an ST24 would be a very happy chap.

I guess all manufacturers have their lemons, but this sounds a bit hard to believe. As for the rust problem they have galvanized bodies - hmmm?? Vectra are a good car also, but cannot be compared with a ST24.

I think that all the people talking above have never driven a Ford. My Ford is just as bad as the original review suggested.

My dealer refuses to know about worn, chopped up tyres, brakes that melt resin and release with a bang in the morning. Ford says the dealer is their rep and all is OK. I think the Mondeo 4 cyl 2.0L underside bends according to the weight of occupants and they can't adjust the suspension to cater for differing loads. Ford have no interest at all in checking the problems out unless I can prove that there is a problem.

If this is all true, you've been seriously unlucky. I'd say in general that Ford as a manufacturer produce reliable, if a little plain vehicles. I guess that's what can happen when you buy mass produced/value cars. The ST24 is a great car, you just need to be a bit wary of what you buy, and who you buy from. My advice would be to do as much research before you take the plunge, and get someone knowledgeable to check the vehicle for you.

The collapse of the front springs is a known problem (though not officially acknowledged by Ford) that has afflicted a few V6's. It's not a common problem, however, and anyone who suffers it is simply unlucky.

As for the rest of the problems you suffered, I would have to say your car must have been in a serious accident at some point in its past life. Is it a rebuilt constructive write-off?...

Mondeo body panels are galvanised, so the rusting you report would imply the car has had non-genuine panels fitted during a repair operation.

Front suspension issues only affected a small batch of mondeo cars in year 1999- early 2000. They had a bad batch of springs which were mostly replaced under warranty. if your car really is that bad, it is blindingly obvious it has been neglected.

If the handling sucks try replacing the shocks. Cheap brake pads do melt on them (I agree) but only if you really use them hard. As for banging when pulling away; it sounds like brakes are binding. Common problem caused by usless mechanics not using copper grease when putting new pads/shoes in and assembling stuff dry. Dust builds up with other muck and siezes the brakes in place.

Front suspension does have the odd knock here and there, but this is a wear part (a bushing) and can't really be moaned about. You lot talk as if nothing at all should ever need replacing.

It doesn't matter if your car cost 50 quid or 500 grand; when a bush is gone its gone, and needs replacing. That's the idea of wear parts.

If you really wanted to look into it, the vectra many keep comparing to is about a third more expensive to maintain, and is nowhere near the drive that the mondeo is. I do know this as I have owned both, and the vectra is marginally better than the calibra. Both are shocking cars.

And one thing I don't understand is this: there are so many mondeo cars around, every forcourt nearly has one, so why oh why don't people look around? there are gonna be mis-treated ones out there, but good ones are easy enough to find. if half the people here tested them properly, they wouldn't have half the headaches.

I totally agree with your insightful review. The mondy is a far superior car to the vectra - I've heard nothing, but bad reports about them and their poor bargain-basement componentry. It's a simple rule really; Look out for a good one! Yet sooo many people trip up on this. Maybe they put faith in dodgy dealers. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes with holes in them so why not take the time to buy a decent example.

This model is getting long in the tooth now so it comes as no surprise that there'll be one or two tales of woe. Gotta love that dash though - its so bad its good.

A Vectra better handling?? Ha ha. I think that's the funniest thing I've ever read on this website.

The Vectra handled worse than the Cavalier - quite an achievement in its own way I suppose. The Mondeo, even as a slow base 1.6 model handles neatly and with good balance.

The Ford Mondeo ST24 is a work of art, the best car I have driven in along time.

I had a V6 vectra before the ST and it was a nightmare; drank fuel like no tomorrow, and the road noise in the cab was terrible. The ST is like driving a limo if you want to compare the two, and it handles like a dream.

Yes I have had some problems with it; broken springs, new wishbones, some welding, but these are forgiven as soon as I drive it. I love this car.