Help me decide - Laguna v Mondeo

Kashkai

After months of researching, I've narrowed the field down to two cars, the Ford Mondeo and the Renault Laguna. I'm not buying new so its a 2009 model I'm after.

I think the Mondeo is a class looking car, drives great and appears to be well finished. Everyone tells me the 1.8 diesel engine is the one to go for over the 1.6 petrol. However, there is a price premium for the diesel of approx €3,000 - €4,000 between similar spec cars with the same mileage. I drive about 25,000 km a year so is it worth buying the diesel over the petrol?

The Laguna is my other option. I've had lots of Renaults and apart from my current Megane, they were all good reliable cars. The Laguna has a 1.5 diesel engine and 6 speed gearbox which would suit me as a lot of my commute is on motorways. It is a well specced car but the boot isn't as big as the Mondeo's. I have looked at a Luguna estate and the boot in that is huge.

Pricewise, the dealers are asking for approx €17,000 - €18,000 for the two cars and I'm being offered €5,000 for my 6 year old Megane. My wishlist is for a reliable and a comfortable car, a big boot and fuel economy so top speed/fast 0 to 60mph time isn't an issue for me.

What do you think of these cars? I'd like to hear from anyone who actually drives either of them.

Thanks

OldmanMondeo

The old Job had an 2005 Laguna and the gearbox was very soft on this, seemed to be an issue with them.
The 1.6 petrol will be to under powered for the size of the car, the 1.8 would be better.
I am sure, by my user name, what I would suggest.

Kashkai

Is there anything I should look out for on the 1.8 diesel mondeo?

Gophur

www.honestjohn.co.uk

Go for the car by car breakdown.

Mondeo 1.8 is a bit tedious, slow to get up and running, but should be Good.

As for the Renault? Some on the forum would have you believe it will be worth nothing in six months time.

Drive both, but the one you prefer, and happy motoring.

(You do know that whatever you decide will be "wrong" in some peoples' eyes?)

Zubeneschamali

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

Is there anything I should look out for on the 1.8 diesel mondeo?

Very narrow power band. Drive it and see if it annoys you. I bought a 2.0 S-Max instead of the 1.8 because of this even though the salesman told me not to.

Stevie Dakota

Which trim level of each are you looking at? Mondeo wins hands down if space is of importance, but Laguna is a refined, comfy choice. €17k does seem quite high for a 2009 Laguna, €15K would get you low mileage example from the UK.

cojomo2

OP, if boot space is importants to you, maybe consider the Octavia:)

BrianD3

The British motoring magazines would have one believe that this is no contest, that the Mondeo is superior in every area

However owners don't seem to agree. Renault Laguna III 5th best rated car in its class and 19th best overall and ahead of the Mondeo Mk4.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/driver_power/265633/best_family_car.html

The Laguna is also rated better for reliability - check the "category winners" section.

For reliability data I prefer the ADAC Pannenstatistik. Unfortunately the data for the Laguna stops at 2008 year cars for some reason, maybe the ones after that are so reliable that there is no data. But anyway, for 2008 cars Laguna is significantly more reliable than the Mondeo.

Laguna gets a top rating

The only problems listed are for pre 2007 cars i.e the Laguna II
Batterieprobleme sehr häufig (bis 2006)
Scheinwerfer defekt (bis 2006)
Wegfahrsperre defekt (bis 2005)
Anlasser defekt (bis 2005)
Motormanagement gestört (bis 2006)
Kurbelwellensensor defekt (bis 2006)

Mondeo gets an average rating

And the list of problems is:
Batterie entladen, defekt (sehr häufig, alle Baujahre)
Wegfahrsperre defekt (besonders häufig 2007 bis 2009)
Abgasrückführung defekt (2006 und extrem 2007)
Generator defekt (bis 2007)
Anlasser defekt (bis 2007)
Motormanagement gestört (Diesel alle Baujahre)
Turbolader defekt (bis 2005)
Turboschlauch abgerutscht (2009)
Kraftstoffpumpe defekt (Benziner 2008)

Kashkai

Thanks gents.

Like I said previously, I've had six good renaults and just one bad one. I've never owned a Ford but I like the look of the mondeo. I'm not interested in power. Space, relianility and economy would be more important.

pajo1981

What about the Laguna GT, with four wheel steer? I'd say they're rare enough.

Stevie Dakota

Well the Laguna has the Mondeo licked for reliability and economy. The 1.5dci is a seriously frugal engine, 10mpg better over the Mondeo is realistic.

But it is compact, in the hatch there is very little space for your feet under the front seats. Have you considered a new Grand Megane, more spacious than the Laguna inside.

Zubeneschamali

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I'm not interested in power.

The problem with the 1.8 Mondeo is not the total power, it's the power delivery.

There's nothing, nothing, nothing, Power, out of puff.

Hard to drive smoothly, and requires a lot of gear changing.

Damien360

The 5 speed 1.8TDCi 100bhp LX is a dog and geared wrong.

The 6 speed 1.8TDCi 125bhp Zetec is a good machine.

It is true all the power comes in one blast and then runs out of steam but that is true of many diesels. It is dead out of first. Second is a bit short but after that it has plenty of pull, even sixth can pull along nicely.

Interior size, the mondeo is huge compared to the laguna. Mine has 182,000km on an 07 and has been very good to me. New clutch and flywheel at 140,000km done in an indy and it is like new again.

Fuel ecomomy: 48mpg if driven nicely. 43mpg when driven hard. The laguna 1.5 will kick it's ass in fuel economy all day.

Mondeo wins for me every time compared to laguna.

R.O.R

Damien360 wrote: »

The 5 speed 1.8TDCi 100bhp LX is a dog and geared wrong.

The 6 speed 1.8TDCi 125bhp Zetec is a good machine.

:eek:

I've found it the other way around. The 5 Speed ecoNETIC 125ps was better than the 6 speed Zetec 125ps, but there isn't that massive hole in the power delivery in the 100ps (possibly as there is little power to deliver )

OP - if you are OK with Renault's then the Laguna might be the one to go for, but I wouldn't pay the same price as a Mondeo for it, unless it's much higher specification.

We don't have a single new shape Laguna on fleet as the reliability record of the old model killed it, but the last old shape Laguna we have on the fleet hasn't put a foot wrong in over 4 years, so perhaps things have turned a corner (the record of the 2010 Megane's and 2011 Clios we have isn't too promising though).

Big Nasty

That's a tough one!

Renaults have been plaqued with electrical issues for years, especially in the Luguna but seem to have improved a lot in the last number of years. They're certainly good looking and well equipped and have decent consumption figures.

The new Mondeo looked fantastic when it came out but has aged very, very quickly. I reckon I would prefer a nice high spec zetec previous model than the new model if I was forced to buy one the truth be known. In terms of reliability Ford have been in the top 3 sellers here for at least 30 years and Toyota for the last 20 so that has to stand for something.

If it was a company car and I wasn't worried about reliability it would be the Laguna. If it was a private purchase in that league it would be an Avensis.

kindalen

i test drove the avensis, and nearly died of plastic boredom. i'm not that sure its even that reliable???
drove a 1.8 zetec mondeo,2009, and was not a fan of the power delivery.
have not driven or been in a new laguna, so cant advise on those.

Henry Ford III

Laguna is considerably smaller, and not as good to drive or ride in. It'll be cheaper to run for much the same reasons.

Reliability of both seems ok. Reviews are subjective. HJ rates the Mondeo a 5 star car, with the Renault a 4 star.

p.s. I didn't like the 1.8TDCI's narrow power band either.

-Chris-

I never thought I'd say this, but given that choice I'd take the Laguna over the Mondeo.

I'd have to have the TomTom edition (was that out in 2009?) as I don't think I'd enjoy the car as much without the toys.

bazz26

OP, would you consider the Citroen C5 as an alternative?



http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201122202690398

Henry Ford III

Any good? Better 140bhp 2.0TDCI engine, and higher spec.

http://cars.rte.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201118202301110

grantk2

hey OP, I had a loan of my fathers 08 Laguna for a weeks holidays down in clare (from meath). Over the whole week i got 51mpg.. nice enough to drive (on good roads) nippy enough taking off and steering was nice a light.. felt good..

only complaint was the suspension... on the bumpy roads the car seemed to bounce around too much... my wife said she nearly felt sea sick!!

Zubeneschamali

A year older, but with even higher spec again.

That Sony stereo is useful, it'll hold 6 CDs of MP3s: 48 hours of music!

Henry Ford III

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

A year older, but with even higher spec again.

That Sony stereo is useful, it'll hold 6 CDs of MP3s: 48 hours of music!

USB sticks are the way forward I think.

p.s. Auto's have hefty annual road tax afaik.

EPM

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

A year older, but with even higher spec again.

That Sony stereo is useful, it'll hold 6 CDs of MP3s: 48 hours of music!

I had a look at that the other day. Looked very tired IMO.

Zubeneschamali

Henry Ford III wrote: »

USB sticks are the way forward I think.

Yes, a USB interface with full display and remote control functions would be better still, but I don't think you'll find it on a 2008 Ford.

Henry Ford III

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Yes, a USB interface with full display and remote control functions would be better still, but I don't think you'll find it on a 2008 Ford.

You'd find it on earlier ones.

Focus Zetec Connection had it. I owned one in 2007.

Kashkai

Thanks again for all the opinions and links to cars. Much appreciated.

I drove a 2009 Mondeo 1.8LX hatchback and a 2009 Laguna 1.5 Privilege Estate "back to back" last night to judge for myself how both cars felt to drive.

The Mondeo is a great car to look at but not as comfortable as I'd have liked (I have a dodgy back!). I now understand what people mean about the narrow power band. Pulling out of the garage in first, there was nothing there until I gave it more revs and she fairly took off but the power delivery soon levelled off again. She holds the road very well and there were no rattles or squeaks that I could hear. It has 77,000 km on the clock and the garage wanted €17,900 i.e. my car plus €13,900 for it. The salesman wouldn't budge an inch on the price and appeared to want to go home (it was after 5pm).

I went to the Renault garage then and test drove the Laguna estate which has 67,000km on the clock. It has an enormous boot which I like and the car feels much larger than the Laguna hatchback which had a smaller boot than I would have imagined. The car I drove was a privilege model with all the bells and whistles. I had my doubts about a 1.5 litre diesel engine in such a big car but it actually surprised me as it felt quite nippy and as its mated to a 6 speed gearbox with close ratios, it can get up to speed quite quickly. It didn't feel as tight as the Mondeo in corners but the brakes appeared to be better. The salesman wanted €17,950 for it, i.e. €12,950 plus my car which made it a €1,000 cheaper than the Mondeo. I said this was more than I had budgeted so he did the usual salesman tactic of sighing, saying his ass would be kicked but he could do the deal for €500 less, i.e. my car plus €12,450. He was also a much nicer guy to deal with and even though the salesroom was closed, he didn't appear to be in a hurry to get me out the door.

While I've never owned a Ford, I still think the Mondeo has more presence on the road, it has a large boot and good roadholding. Power delivery is constricted but speed isn't a priority for me. Resale might be better as well.

I've had lots of Renaults and only one gave me trouble, so I wouldn't have any prejudices against Renaults per se. The Laguna is a nice car to drive, perhaps nicer than the Mondeo but it doesn't look as well if they were side by side. Power delivery in the Laguna is better and the 6 speed box will get the most out of the 1.5 engine. My commute is mostly motorway so fuel economy should be good too.

So now I'm in a quandary. What to do? While I'm not fixed on buying either of these particular cars, as I've seen cheaper, lower mileage versions of both, I don't know whether to forget the diesel and take a punt on a 1.6 petrol Mondeo and save about three grand over the diesel equivalent (which would buy a lot of petrol!) or to go with the hatchback version of the Lauguna as my wife thinks the estate looks like a hearse!

I like both cars and if they were similarly priced, I might be more inclined towards the Mondeo but I don't think its worth the premium over the Laguna which drives better imo.

pmct

would u not consider going to northern ireland i have just bought a mondeo 2.0 tdci edge for £6300 changing to euros and paying the vrt(the MOST unfair tax in a country of unfair taxes) it will still only cost around €10000 i know is the base model but its still a good bit cheaper than down here

Zubeneschamali

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Focus Zetec Connection had it. I owned one in 2007.

Cool! I couldn't spec a similar system on a new S-Max in 2007, and I can't find a Mondeo with a Connect system before 2009 on Carzone.

Stevie Dakota

OP, tough decisions. I agree the Laguna Estate really is a hideous looking thing, I would much sooner go for a C5 Estate, much nicer but rare and more costly. But a Mondeo 1.6?? You'd regret it on every drive, slow and thirsty.

Zubeneschamali

pmct wrote: »

its still a good bit cheaper than down here

What year is it, 2008? £6300 is about €7200, VRT on an 08 Edge would be about €2700, so as you say, €10,000. Seems to be savings there alright, here's a lad in Louth importing them, €11K for a Zetec:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/2.OTDCI-/201124202841697/advert?channel=CARS

racso1975

I dont know if the laguna is chain or belt i do know that the mondeo needs the belt changed at 100k so you'll be payin for that next year.
I would not personally be bothered what the cars look like externally, unless they are pink, as you'll be inside it and it's how comfortable and mpg's that matters given they both match on reliability.
Dont get too caught up on the 1500 euro saving's i.e. If you are keeping the car for 5 years the saving is only 3 euros a week and you might possibly lose that on resale anyhow.
Your 3000 savings will get ya approx 30 odd fill's of petrol so after 3/4 of a year those savings are gone and again the resale value of the diesel will be better.

Kashkai

racso1975 wrote: »

I dont know if the laguna is chain or belt i do know that the mondeo needs the belt changed at 100k so you'll be payin for that next year.
I would not personally be bothered what the cars look like externally, unless they are pink, as you'll be inside it and it's how comfortable and mpg's that matters given they both match on reliability.
Dont get too caught up on the 1500 euro saving's i.e. If you are keeping the car for 5 years the saving is only 3 euros a week and you might possibly lose that on resale anyhow.
Your 3000 savings will get ya approx 30 odd fill's of petrol so after 3/4 of a year those savings are gone and again the resale value of the diesel will be better.

Thanks for the sensible advice.

I don't want to go down the importing route as I have a car to trade in and I'm not doing the private "time waster/tyre kicker" sale as I wouldn't have the patience for it. Plus I know that despite my Megane hatch being low mileage, fsh, one owner etc etc, its not a popular car so I could be waiting a while to sell it privately.

I'm off to Finglas Ford this evening to try a couple more Mondeo's and Gowans on the Navan Road as they have 3 low mileage (i.e. >30,000 miles) 2008 Lagunas in stock. I should be able to make up my mind by this evening.

Stevie Dakota

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I'm off to Finglas Ford this evening to try a couple more Mondeo's and Gowans on the Navan Road as they have 3 low mileage (i.e. >30,000 miles) 2008 Lagunas in stock. I should be able to make up my mind by this evening.

Best of luck, difficult decision as quite different cars. Follow your gut instinct and let us know how it goes!

Kashkai

Went to see a Mondeo at lunchtime in John Hayes Car, In Rathmines - this one:http://www.johnhayescars.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=665320

Turns out that it is a UK import, which wouldn't bother me, but it is poverty spec compared to Irish equivalents (an "Edge" specification). It has 41,000 miles on it but it is a 125bhp engine which alledgely gives it more poke over the other Mondeos I've test driven. It was retailing at €14,950 and the deal I was offered was my car + €12,500. This is close to the deal I was offered on the Laguna estate which is a far higher spec.

Off to Gowan motors later to view 3 Lagunas they have in stock.

bazz26

Another one perhaps worth looking at:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201118202301110

Henry Ford III

bazz26 wrote: »

Another one perhaps worth looking at:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201118202301110

I posted that exact car earlier in the thread Bazz

Stevie Dakota

So Dave, how did you get on with the Lagunas?

Kashkai

I went to view some cars last night and have made up my mind that I prefer the Laguna. For a long time, I've thought the Mondeo was the nicer car and that the Laguna was a little bland but after driving them both, the Laguna is definitely the nicer car to drive. Its more refined both inside and out, whereas the Mondeo's silver/chrome centre console would quickly grate on me, its narrow power band is annoying (thanks to all who gave me the heads up on this btw) and it doesn't feel as upmarket as the Renault. Granted I was driving the top of the range "Privilege" Laguna versus LX and Zetec Mondeos.

Now the next thing I have to decide is whether to go for a 2009 model with 60,000kms or a 2008 model with 25,000kms. Both are coming in at the same price, i.e. €12,450 + my car. I want a 2009 car but it'll need major servicing sooner whereas the 2008 model is mint, low mileage but is a year older.

Btw, the garage had two 2008 Lagunas, both with 25k on the clock but one was €500 dearer, and the reason, the dearer one had a Dublin reg whereas the other cheaper one had a Tipperary reg. My head says get the Tipperary reg but my Dublin born and bred heart says I want the Dublin reg. Funny how my mind works:D

pajo1981

Yo made the right choice, son.

The great state of Texas is proud of you.

Big Nasty

pajo1981 wrote: »

Yo made the right choice, son.

The great state of Texas is proud of you.

What the.....? :eek:

Stevie Dakota

Good choice, I think the Laguna is a fine car, much under rated, Privilege spec is a also nice place to be.

Despite the higher mileage the 2009 would appeal due to having more of the manufacturers warranty left, is it early or late 2009? I assume both have full Renault SH?

Zubeneschamali

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

My head says get the Tipperary reg but my Dublin born and bred heart says I want the Dublin reg.

500 smackers for a D reg! That's insane.

Kashkai

I'll get the balance of the manufacturers warranty on the 2009 but the 2008 comes with a 12 month garage warranty as well. While I'd prefer the 'D' reg, I'm not paying €500 for it!

My wife doesn't like the 2009 as it's an estate and she thinks it looks like a hearse. She's advised that I look outside Dublin/Kildare as I might get it cheaper.

reilig

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I'll get the balance of the manufacturers warranty on the 2009 but the 2008 comes with a 12 month garage warranty as well. While I'd prefer the 'D' reg, I'm not paying €500 for it!

My wife doesn't like the 2009 as it's an estate and she thinks it looks like a hearse. She's advised that I look outside Dublin/Kildare as I might get it cheaper.

We just traded our 09 laguna for a 2011 Fluence. You should look at the diesel fluence as a new one would not cost you much more than that Laguna that you are buying. Its a far nicer car to drive - steadier on the road, Lots of power (same engine as the laguna that we traded), loads of extras (Tomtom, speed limiter, cruise control, climate control), it has a massive boot and loads of space inside.

It might be worth your while getting a price on one of them before you do the deal on the laguna!!

pajo1981

I would have a laguna over a fluence any day.

unkel

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I said this was more than I had budgeted so he did the usual salesman tactic of sighing, saying his ass would be kicked but he could do the deal for €500 less, i.e. my car plus €12,450.

Here's a tip: never enter serious negotiations until you are ready to do the deal there and then. Any salesperson worth their salt will sense that you're not fully committed and won't go all the way with his discount.

The aim is to make the salesperson know you are ready to buy but also that you are ready to walk away if you're not satisfied

bazz26

They are mental cost to change prices being quoted for 08 Lagunas irrespective of the mileage. And I won't even start about the price difference for the reg.

Also I would not choose a base model brand new Fluence over an older higher spec Laguna either.

end a eknny

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Well the Laguna has the Mondeo licked for reliability and economy. The 1.5dci is a seriously frugal engine, 10mpg better over the Mondeo is realistic.

But it is compact, in the hatch there is very little space for your feet under the front seats. Have you considered a new Grand Megane, more spacious than the Laguna inside.

really what renault dealership do you own. nobody would put renault and reliability in the same sentence

Kashkai

unkel wrote: »

Here's a tip: never enter serious negotiations until you are ready to do the deal there and then. Any salesperson worth their salt will sense that you're not fully committed and won't go all the way with his discount.

The aim is to make the salesperson know you are ready to buy but also that you are ready to walk away if you're not satisfied

I've been getting nowhere in my search for a 09 Laguna in Dublin/Kildare that doesn't have high mileage/high cost to exchange so I went on a tour of Leinster today. I found one 2009 Laguna in a dealership (will remain nameless for now) that had very low mileage and was in showroom condition.

I was prepared to do a deal there and then as I have the cash lined up. Now for the very strange part......the salesman had a local guy who might be interested in the same car. He test drove it a week ago and said he might buy it but as he's had trouble with his current Renault, he was dubious about buying Renault again. He also had to see if he could get a loan to buy the car. I told the salesman I was very interested and was prepared to do a deal there and then. However I got the spiel that the other guy was "a local" and the dealership likes to look after their "local customers". For a minute I thought he was taking the urine. There I was, sitting there, following a long drive from my place in Kildare (and therefore not a time waster who was bored and just popped down to the local garage to try a new car), I was very interested in the car, ready to do a deal there and then, and I was being turned away because some local might buy the car he test drove over a week ago but hasn't come back since:eek:. The salesman also took three phonecalls while I was sitting there and he looked disappointed that I was still there when he hung up.

Ok so if some other guy had drove the car first and said he'd take it, then fair enough. However to have some local guy have first dibs on a motor he drove over a week ago, when he "might be interested", if he could get the finance is a bit much imo.

To be honest, I felt like I should be complaining to the Equality Tribunal like our Traveller friends do when they are refused service in pubs/bookings in hotels. Is my money not good enough for this garage????

tweedledee

First ask for his boss,Garages always have a bigcheese and ask why you cant buy it then take it as a blessing and go buy a Skoda Octavia.
Octavia is a much better car than either of those tin rattlers.Some lovely 2009/10 Skodas out there.