2003 Ford Mondeo Zetec S from UK and Ireland - Comments

The car has performed without fault since I have owned it.

I previously had a new shape petrol mondeo and that was sluggish and thirsty (1.8LX) the Zetec S is totally the opposite it is driven hard on a daily basis and still returns 46mpg and on a long motorway trip with cruise control and the sixth gear I did a 550 mile round trip on a single tank with a bit left over.

The car handles superbly on its slightly lower and stiffer suspension (Factory Standard) and the 18 inch wheels fitted with continental tyres were fantastic! I say were because the fronts wore through to the beading on the inside edge (at 10000 miles). when I rolled up at the tyre center the fitter was not suprised to see this and said it was common on the ST220 as well due to the way the front geometry is set up I went for pirellis on his reccomendation which are good, but not as good as the continentals.

I have a tow bar fitted (A bit of an eyesaw as ford don't list a removeable one for this model as it has bigger bumpers The same can be said for the ST220) This is mainly for a cycle carrier as I have little faith in the strap on types. I was persuaded to tow a trailer recently and was pleasantly suprised as it stopps as well as it pulls.

My car is panther black metallic and looks good when clean it has a black interior which also looks good, but showes every little mark.

I have removed the TDCi badge from the rear as people seemed offended that they couldnt keep up with a stinky old oil burner.

They are good cars the Mondeo I too have one, but in thr 113 bhp one and that too can shift I can best little boy racers in their 1.1i, 1.4i Saxos. and in their little Corsas. i, ve still got the TDCi badge on mine though.

I to have a zetec-s TDCI, had it for nearly a year and I can't fault it one bit, excellent car at a good price.

The kit and the wheels add a little extra to the mondeo with out being over the top, added a few touches of my own (leather interior and spoiler).

The quoted 128bhp is laughable tho I've got dyno graphs to prove, more like 150bhp and a mountain of torque, only one problem no tho and its called STtdci I want one and I bet they fly!

I also have one of these. Purchased in Sept 2004 and couldn't be more pleased with it. The power is just amazing!!! Although it does run out of puff at about 4000rpm, but hey, that's what gears are for.

I hear that they don't fully loosen up until about 30,000 miles...can't wait.

Took it for a run last week. Drove 15 miles round town as carefully as I could and averaged... wait for it...74 mpg!!! Normal driving around town will normally return about 40mpg though, but just goes to show what it can do if you try.

Agreed! Bought my ZetecS 130BHP 3 months ago and am delighted. Well finished, drives beautifully and seriously quick.

Only one thing - do you not find the ride a bit harsh on the 18'' wheels?

Well I have just checked in on my original comments and glad to see that other owners are just as impressed as I am. I have just hit the 40.000 mile mark and had my fifth pair of front tyres fitted,the fitter was not surprised to hear that I am only getting 10.000 max out of a pair. I have tested the st model and was disapointed, but the demonstrator from the local dealer only had 8k on the clock so it may have been tight. i am still upsetting owners of more prestigious cars by showing them my rear and not giving them a chance to see the front. so if your in the woking /guildford area of surrey and see the tail of my tdci don't even try to look at the front unless it is stationary.