2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 from UK and Ireland - Comments

The ST220 is indeed a great motor, better value per pound than most "sporty" models. I have recently driven the new Mondeo ST TDCI, 400NM of torque (a 330d BMW only has 410).At £22000 it is a seriously quick well balanced car and probably quicker in real terms than the ST220. On sight they are the same cars, petrol heads will note that the oil burner has only one exhaust. Mines due in 2 weeks, performance blue. I'll keep you up to date.

I've had my moon-dust silver ST220 three months now. A ten minute test drive and I was hooked. Two things I had to get use to: Doors don't lock automatically when you pull away, and its difficult to read the time off the clock in the car.

She goes easily to 220kph (I live in South Africa), with still a lot of power available.

Looking at the comments above, I am pleased that people generally think that the high end Fords are getting on for matching some of there German competitors.

I certainly think that this is the case, and, I am changing from an 04 plate Audi TDi Sport to a new Mondeo ST TDCI in November.

I have been waiting for the diesel, and, having driven both the ST TDCI and the ST 220, I am pleased with the choice.

The ST220 V6 sounds great and the Recaro leather seats are nice, but when all said and done, 46 mpg is a massive bonus. All that torque (295 lbs/ft) is a match for most executive saloons in real world driving conditions.

Also, residual values should hold up well for the first 18 months to 2 years.

Andy from Bolton.

The ST220 is very steady and solid at 260km p/h providing a solid road surface. I had the free flow exhaust and chip fitted through my local Ford Dealer which in turn had it done through Steve's Auto Clinic in South Africa. Check them out on www.SAC.co.za. Apparently there is a chip available in the UK that gives the ST220 the performance of the XJR. Could someone supply a phone number or web address. Cheers.

Morne (South Africa)

I've had an ST220 estate now for two years and 80K miles. Can't fault it. In that time I've had no problems to speak of, other than punctures, which can be quite costly.

Fuel consumption isn't too bad. Avg 28mpg over the 80K. About 80% mway / 20% A roads etc.

This is a great car. I would recommend it to anyone. Only one downside (which can be overcome), the car isn't approved for towing, all to do with the clutch!. However, If you notify your insurance and get their OK, there doesn't seem to be a problem. ANKER tow bars produce a tow bar for Mondeo estates with no ST220 restriction.

No, I don't tow a caravan!, but a 7m boat (a RIB). The ST220 tows this with almost no effort and suprisingly only drops a couple of mpg if driven steadly.

So, If you are considering one, go for it.

Amazed that anyone could regard a Peugeot 406 V6 as significantly better than the latest Mondeo.

As a design it is several years older than the current Mondeo and is now obsolete having been replaced by the 407.

No doubt a big V6 in a 406 sized car will be quick, but from what I have read it overwhelms the normally capable chassis. Worst thing about it though is its build quality and assembly which, how can I put this, is a bit French! and certainly light years away from the best German quality which Ford aspires to in the Mondeo.

Finally, whilst the Mondeo can hardly claim to have good residuals, a 406 V6 will be virtually worthless after a couple of years!

Hope this doesn't put the cat amongst the pigeons too much, but I'm thinking about buying either an Opel Vectra GTS sport, a Subaru WRX or a Mondeo ST. Can anyone comment on how the Mondeo ST compares to say an '03 model Subaru WRX as far as performance, build quality etc goes?

I am a father of three small children and was looking for a practical performance car. I am glad to say I found it in the ST220. I have owned mine for the last four months and look forward to driving it every day.

The performance is great, with all the comfort and toys you could want in a car in this price range or a car of a much higher value. The six speed gear box and cruise control is a dream for motorway driving.

The car looks a cut above other cars on the road, but at the same time is not in your face. I would describe it as an elegant powerful look. Every time I see it parked the front aspect takes my breath away.

The acceleration pins your head to the head rest and the engine sounds fantastic at 5000rpm when the car really takes off. I would like to see the difference the through exhaust and chip would make to the performance of an

already great car.

In short I love my car, it must be good because so does my wife. I would recommend the ST220 to any body who appreciates quality and performance in their driving.

MIKE PARRIS

If anyone knows were to get the upgrade chip and exhaust please let me know.

To improve performance you could always look at getting a Miltek exhaust and bluefin chip. should probably get you an extra 15-20bhp. if you want some serious power then check out www.engemann.de/ the site is in german, but they do provide some serious tuning options for the ST.

I was driving a ST220 4 months ago, really miss it. replaced it with a Focus 1.8TDCI while I do some house work. nice car the focus, but it doesn't have the all round ability of the ST220! when ever I read these comments on this website regarding the ST220 I feel really sad that my perf blue ST is in someone elses hands!

Excellent car, Would recommend to anyone.

Could do with a bit more low end power prior to 5000 revs.

You may not feel the acceleration as you would expect, but keep an eye on the speedo, the car hides the speed very well. Can easily hit 100mph in 3rd.

Investing in a GPS speed camera locator is advisable.

(Only buy if you intend to maximise the cars potential... and fill up with fuel on a regular basis.)

Servicing costs are also reasonable, considering the engine spec.

Overall 8/10.

Great car, had mine 6 months. Done 3000 miles & still hoping fuel economy will get better.

Well kitted out, just had sunroof, child booster seat, performance blue & tech. pack added.

My only main gripe are the brakes... they are terrible for a car of this capability.

Brakes on my ST24 are far sharper & everybody who takes my ST220 for a spin comments on them.

I have my st 220 machine silver for 14 months now. Still loving it as the first day I got it from the dealer. Managed to do 260km/h on the German autobahn, fantastic, what a great handling. Stopping power could be better so I changed the rotors and brake pads with turbo grooved and spotted rotors from ebc aswell as the brake pads, I changed them for the red ceramic pads from ebc. Fantastic improvement for little money. No more fading and a noticeable better bite. A real pity they don't make big brembo's for the st 220. Maybe in the future, guess there is not enough demand for them.After 18000 km fuel consumption dropped a little. I do 99% small roads. Most fun to drive too, a lot of little turns, car handles as it was driving on rails. I am awaiting a price offer from engemann in dusseldorf to tune the engine ...I'll keep you petrol heads informed... happy motoring. Patrick C.

There is another car that joins the ST 220 and ST TDCI from the ford range worth considering. I have recently purchased a 2.2 TDCI Titanium X 54 plate. It has the same engine as the ST TDCI the same body kit and sports suspension. They changed this model in 2005 (new rear light cluster) and replaced the bodykit, with standard GHIA , so this older example offers a good and possibly cheaper alternative if you buy used. Performance and handling having driven both St and Tit were the same.

After a lot of sitting-on-the-fence the ST220 won hands down as a replacement for my last car of 10 years. The Granada 24V Cosworth was always going to take some beating and in the 170K miles I've put on it I don't see why I should leave the Ford stable. As someone said earlier - Mercs and Beamers on every corner - not everyday you see true performance Fords. Pick mine up in 72hours...

Hey guys, my previous car was a 330ci convertible. now I have a st220, slightly used. Its fantastic! Power wise my old BMW is not anywhere close. This car is wow! I did 250 km/h and could do more while bmw struggles @ 220 and may need half a day to reach 250 ... It was foolish, but I overtook an m3 on a twisty road, but not a match on straights.

would have a race with a golf gti and a megane T very soon. will let you know. As for braking, sorry not super. I'm sometimes worried it will not stop on time, but car looks great.

always confused with audi s4 since there are only 10 or 20 car in all dubai. till now no probs while bmw I had to visit the garage every month 4 a checkup and pay my end of service indemnity to repair it "I'm 30".

Super car, recommend it to all all speed lovers like me.