Mondeo ST220??

Cyrus

im pretty much sold on a 3 series coupe but a mate told me to have a look at a modeo st220 from the uk. They are a nice car in performance blue and i could have a 02 here for about 17.5k i reckon, tax is gonna be high and id have to insure thro excess direct but it looks a nice car.

any opinions

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/msn/cars_search.asp?page=1&modelexact=1&partner=msn&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=FORD&model=MONDEO&variant=st220&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=10000&mileage=0&agerange=0&postcode=bt13+1gb&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=5&ukcarsearch_full=FIND+IT+NOW%21

Big Balls

Bit of a drivers car but I wouldn't all the same.

You'll sell on a 3 series coupe a lot easier - and you do seem to change cars a lot!

Cyrus

indeed, it actually looks pretty cool, but i dunno if i could get past the fact its a mondeo

and it could be a nightmare to sell over here, the 2.2 diesel st would be the better buy but more expensive

maidhc

BMw will definately be easier to sell, but really I think you should get a car you hope to hold onto if going for a large capacity engine. Selling it will be tough regardless.

Big Balls

Go for a nice spec and a 325ci should keep you happy for nearly 2 years!

wingnut

I will probably be labelled boring but I would also go for the ST TDCI (in fact I am planning to buy one soon enough). Fair enough its no where near as powerful as its petrol brother but its a damn site cheaper to run. The petrol ST V6 gets like less then 20 MPG and tax and insurance on it will be astronomical.

Fair enough if you are planning track days and such get the petrol for performance, but on Irish roads I'd take the diesel (nice bit of torque for pulling trailers too). Espceially with emissions based tax on the horizon. The only minus I've heard they can eat clutches if you don't take care with your gear changes.

The other downside is half leather instead of full leather but I'd get over it. I also like the fact that its a Mondeo and wouldn't be such a target for thieves.

Big Balls

Steady on there now Wing!

Insurance astronomical? It's a Mondeo ST you're talking about now, not a Spider!

If the engine capacity is nearly the same as the diesel (quoted as 2.2 by someone here?) then so will be the tax.

Without points, being over 25 and a full NCB you should be able to insure an ST Mondeo for less than €1,000.

Also, for a lot of people, performance cars and towing trailers don't really go hand in hand

unkel

Cyrus, the performance of the ST220 is pretty decent, a bit in the same fashion as your Golf. As long as you keep going in a straight line, you'll get the most from it

wingnut

big balls wrote:

being over 25 and a full NCB

. Not everyone has this luxury! Anyone here insured on the 3.0 liter V6? I suppose the insurance could clock in around the 1000 mark but keeping it in petrol certainly won't be cheap.

Wouldn't really class the ST TDCI as a 'performance' car, or most of the 3 series coupe (excluding the M3) for that matter. They are just good cars with decent performance.


Buy the way here is the ST TDCI discussion:

Vegeta

unkel wrote:

Cyrus, the performance of the ST220 is pretty decent, a bit in the same fashion as your Golf. As long as you keep going in a straight line, you'll get the most from it

are you trying to imply it handles badly or suffers from torque steer

Big Balls

The MKIV GTI (which Cyrus has although his is remapped I think) does not suffer from torque steer - there isn't enough power!!

It does however, handle quite badly.

Vegeta

so people are saying the st220 handles badly......I thought they were meant to handle quite well

Big Balls

I think whoever said it was talking more about bhp... Cyrus' car would be around the 200bhp mark - close to the ST.

maidhc

Vegeta wrote:

so people are saying the st220 handles badly......I thought they were meant to handle quite well

No, it handles very well. FWD isn't ideal with high powered cars, but I can't see it being an issue with the Mondeo.

My next car will also be a Mondeo ST TDCi. Very very happy with my Focus TDCi at the moment though!

You will get torque steer with almost any front wheel drive car, it should be very noticible on any Golf GTi.

Big Balls

maidhc wrote:

should be very noticible on any Golf GTi.

I owned a MKIV one for over a year...slow as f*ck.

Just so we can see what we're working with here! 325ci & Mondeo ST 220.

Vegeta

both nice cars but if it was just looks alone i'd take the mondeo (ducks to avoid thrown objects)

unkel

Vegeta wrote:

are you trying to imply it handles badly

No, the ST220 3.0 is by all means a great drivers car. It's no match for the 330i though, or the 330d for that matter. And steering with the wheels that are driven is a compromise by definition...

Interesting proposition though to pick up a slightly older ST220 ('02 or '03) or import one from the UK. It would only cost a fraction of a same age BMW and you would get a hell of a lot of car. Crucial is to let someone else suffer the huge depreciation first though

TCP/IP

I would have the ST any day of the week a real drivers car and some really good performance, if I saw a ST go past me I would take notice unlike a 3 Series BMW which they are just two a penny nowadays

HashSlinging

an '02 WRX STI would be a better option than a 325ci or an ST220.

HashSlinging

HashSlinging wrote:

an '02 WRX STI would be a better option than a 325ci or an ST220.

It would be a much better car all round but running costs would be much higher than the beemer or the mondeo.

Big Balls

Depends if you want comfort WITH performance..albeit raw performance with the STI.

The interior of the Scooby is not the best (I agree, who cares, that's not the point) but the coupe or the Mondeo will be far better cruisers.

What about an E36 M3?! Still quite a nice car if it was looked after.

Matt Simis

Cyrus wrote:

im pretty much sold on a 3 series coupe but a mate told me to have a look at a modeo st220 from the uk. They are a nice car in performance blue and i could have a 02 here for about 17.5k i reckon, tax is gonna be high and id have to insure thro excess direct but it looks a nice car.

any opinions

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/msn/cars_search.asp?page=1&modelexact=1&partner=msn&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=FORD&model=MONDEO&variant=st220&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=10000&mileage=0&agerange=0&postcode=bt13+1gb&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=5&ukcarsearch_full=FIND+IT+NOW%21

Audi S4 gone by the way side then?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&maxrows=100&MakeID=2&xMakeID=2&ModelID=755&xModelID=755&Year=&xYear=&submit=Find+cars+%3E%3E

Bad pic, but notice the Blue one has gone down heavily pricewise. Im getting 19MPG on mine with 5min trip to work.. engine hasnt even warmed up. On the motorway, 35MPG (on average) is fairly doable.


Matt

chicken_food

We have a st220 3.0l. Its an amazing car. Much more advanced and refined then the earlier st models. Its a dream to drive and is understated. Having worked for a car advertising company,then number of people who assume that because 'its a bmw' people will snap it up. this is never the case,unless you are willing to seriously take a hit on the price you thought you'd get. st220's are rare enough on irish roads,but a real enthusiasts car-which is pretty easy to sell.
My 2c would be the mondeo. I dont think you'd regret it in the long run (well maybe the tax issue would put you off!!)

Wishbone Ash

wingnut wrote:

Anyone here insured on the 3.0 liter V6?

Yup €600 (albeit diesel )

maidhc wrote:

BMw will definately be easier to sell,

I can never understand this Irish attitude of buying a car for the next owner. I buy what I like. I couldn't give a toss if it's worth nothing when I sell it.

TCP/IP wrote:

I would have the ST any day of the week a real drivers car and some really good performance, if I saw a ST go past me I would take notice unlike a 3 Series BMW which they are just two a penny nowadays

100% agree

an '02 WRX STI would be a better option than a 325ci or an ST220.

I think I'm going to vomit!

maidhc

Wishbone Ash wrote:

I can never understand this Irish attitude of buying a car for the next owner. I buy what I like. I couldn't give a toss if it's worth nothing when I sell it.

This is important for Cyrus, as he will probably be selling it... umm.. soon.

It isn't an Irish attitude either, most people have to live in the real world and consider the financial implications of their decisions. I'm not saying resalablity is the most important factor, but it is a factor which must be considered.

Incidentally my first car was a mondeo, which I got for the right money (the garage lost money on it... my parents had traded it in for substantially more...sat on forecourt for 9mths...long story) I bought it in the knowledge it would be worth nothing when I went to sell it on, but for me that was irrelevant. It is now worth nothing, but still going strong and my sister has it most of the time!

Wishbone Ash

maidhc wrote:

It isn't an Irish attitude either, most people have to live in the real world and consider the financial implications of their decisions. I'm not saying resalablity is the most important factor, but it is a factor which must be considered.

In my experience Irish people are more prone to worry about the resale value of their vehicles than any other country. Here, people buy a car that they don't particularly like because it has a good residual value.

e.g. Nissan Almera owners who always trade in after one year because they are told that their car will lose money if they hold on to it. WTF? show me any 'ordinary' car which does not lose money.

Or the seat cover brigade. They buy a new car having chosen the upholstery, then they hide it in horrible seat covers. If you ask them why, they say that they want to keep it's value for the trade-in. Sod that, I buy the car for me , not the next owner . I'm not going to go around in manky covers just for someone else to enjoy. Say no, to seat covers!

I never take into account the value of my existing car when buying a replacement. I consider what I get for it, if anything, to be a bonus.

maidhc

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Or the seat cover brigade. They buy a new car having chosen the upholstery, then they hide it in horrible seat covers. If you ask them why, they say that they want to keep it's value for the trade-in. Sod that, I buy the car for me , not the next owner . I'm not going to go around in manky covers just for someone else to enjoy. Say no, to seat covers!

I'm with you on that one!

Wishbone Ash wrote:

I never take into account the value of my existing car when buying a replacement. I consider what I get for it, if anything, to be a bonus.

A car is still an asset, albeit a depreciating one. I'd sooner drive a car into the ground or give it to a relative than offload it into the motor trade for half nothing (speaking of which, my father has my focus booked already...)

HungryJoey

ST220 for me, Its Engine & Stunning looks just turn me on. The BMW is a very nice car too, but the ST220 just gets my vote here, So rare on our roads.

About the STi, I'd agree with anybody vomiting at the sight of it.. After all it is a raw performance car but really is appauling to look at. There would be ALOT more cars on my list before a subaru anyday.

Hj

eljono

HungryJoey wrote:

About the STi, I'd agree with anybody vomiting at the sight of it.. After all it is a raw performance car but really is appauling to look at. There would be ALOT more cars on my list before a subaru anyday.

Hj

Have you driven one? They are an amazing car and so addictive. I agree the looks leave a lot to be desired but when you're inside the car it doesn't matter what it looks like. If I had the choice of getting a car that drove like that but looked like a pigs arse, I'd go for it no doubt about it.

And with regards to the OP, I'd go for the ST220 if you're thinking of a beemer below 2.5l. The traffic corps in North Tipp have one and I've heard some great stories about it. More unique than a standard 3-series and a lovely looking car too.

Wishbone Ash

eljono wrote:

The traffic corps in North Tipp have one .

There used to be a red (unmarked) one in the Louth/Meath division also. I was pulled over by a Garda in it at Monasterboice one night.

eljono

Ya, this one was a red unmarked too with 18" multispoked wheels. Sweet looking car. Perhaps it's the same one???

Kali

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=286477

What my SSIA will be purchasing

Cyrus

if i bought one would have to be blue

BRM

There were a couple of these on track last bank holiday weekend, seemed fairly tidy in the bends able to keep up with most of the scoobys/S2000s out.

Evo Vii on the other hand

Wishbone Ash

eljono wrote:

Ya, this one was a red unmarked too with 18" multispoked wheels. Sweet looking car. Perhaps it's the same one???

Yup - the one that pulled me had 18" multispoke wheels - beautiful car.

unkel

For anyone interested in importing an ST220 from the UK, VRT is about €5k on an '02, €6k on an '03, and €7.5k on an '04

@Kali, that's about €21k for a 3 year old car which cost about €50k new here in probably lower spec. Not bad going and indeed just about what a full SSIA is worth

cpoh1

If it was a choice between the mondeo and a 318ci or other such car then there is only one choice.. the ford.

However if you are looking at a performance saloon with comfort and running costs the mondeo is at the bottom of the pecking order. Especially for €22k. The only thing the mondeo has over its rivals is that it has better petrol consumption figures. The mondeo might be comfortable but its power figure for a 3L car is appalling if you ask me. 220bhp in a heavy car is poor for a supposed "drivers car" as someone said. If you can afford 22k for a car combined with 3L tax (1100 euro :eek: ) and insurance then the least you should worry about is 5mpg less in a much superior car. At the end of the day the mondeo isint the lap of luxury some would make out inside or out and its not an out and out performance machine either (there are faster 1.6L n/a cars out there).

As one of the lads mentioned earlier, id seriously consider an E36 M3, faster, better looking, more luxurious. The only downside is less mpg fuel wise and possibly more expensive insurance. But if youre worried about that then buy a 1.8L mondeo instead.

unkel

I agree with a lot of what you are saying, cpoh1, but some people prefer relatively new cars for obvious reasons and would be uncomfortable in buying an older performance car. I.e. 3 year old Mondeo ST220 vs 8 year old M3 for similar money

cpoh1

unkel wrote:

I agree with a lot of what you are saying, cpoh1, but some people prefer relatively new cars for obvious reasons and would be uncomfortable in buying an older performance car. I.e. 3 year old Mondeo ST220 vs 8 year old M3 for similar money

Thats a fair point unkel :cool:

Ive always wondered why people are so obsessed with when a car has been made. A lot of newer cars have given me no indication that they are any more reliable than the older more trustworthy models out there.Just because a car is new doesnt mean it'll be any more reliable or keep its value better than an older car. I reckon an e36 m3 would hold its current value better than a 3 year old st220 if it was looked after.

unkel

cpoh1 wrote:

people are so obsessed with when a car has been made

Isn't it just wonderful? Leaves us poor people with an excellent choice of great value for money cars. Mine's a 10 year old BMW with a V8 petrol engine BTW. Is has a telly too, but the car is nearly worthless

Gatster

Leaves us poor people with an excellent choice of great value for money cars

LOL Damn right it's wonderful. If everything is right next summer a Manual '99 Estoril Blue E36 M3 may be sitting on my drive. I had the opportunity this year but had to divert some of the new motor funds...

unkel

Gatster wrote:

next summer a Manual '99 Estoril Blue E36 may be sitting on my drive

I'm not an expert by any means, but isn't that colour reserved for Ms - you're getting an M3? :cool:

Gatster

Hopefully, original post edited to include M3. Very few '99 coupe manuals about, may have to be a '98. It was THE car I wanted during the 90's and my old 323i coupe was probably the best car I've ever had. Doubt I'll be able to afford a 911 quite yet but a mint E36 M3 will do nicely