INSIGNIA OR MONDEO

kincaid

Hi all.
Thinking of changing the car and looking to buy an 09 Insignia cdti or an 09 ford Mondeo tdci.
For some reason im more drawn to the look of the Insignia but how do these compare to the old Vectra 1.9cdti, I have an 06 Vectra 150bhp and had to replace the turbo twice and it was not that easy on fuel either.
I am told the the Insignia's are giving plenty of trouble and are a bit harder on the diesel but what is the real story on them

Thanks

bazz26

The early 2009/2010 Insignias gave problems but most of these problems were ironed out over time. The 2.0 CDTi engine is a heavily reworked version of the older 1.9 CDTI Fiat engine found in the Vectra. The early non Ecoflex versions had better gearing and were nicer to drive. Just make sure you are happy with the rear headroom as the Insignia is a very low sloping roofline making it uncomfortable for tall rear passengers.

The best engine in the Mondeo is the 2.0 TDCi but they are a lot less common than the 1.8 TDCi which likes going through flywheels. Interior of the Mondeo even the top Titanium spec, is a bit low rent though especially compared to an Insignia Elite.

kincaid

what problems did the 09/10 insignia's give? was thinking of getting a 160bhp sri model but would have to go for a late 2010/11 as problems you say would be ironed out on these

Ded_Zebra

We have a 2010 Insignia (from new) It averages between 5.4l/100km on a very good tank and 6.8/100km on a bad tank. Rear head room isn't fantastic but is ok for me and I'm 6'1". Ours is an ecoflex and the ratio between first and second is ridiculous, other than that it drives fine, not the most inspiring drive ever but it's fine. It turns in and changes direction very quickly which is nice.
The boot is a bit crappy as it doesn't have a flat floor, that probably doesn't matter very much to most people but we carry a lot of heavy square boxes and it is inconvenient and difficult to load them.
It has been back to be repaired 2 or 3 times over the years, once for the steering rack to be replaced when it was a few months old (done under warranty). It was also in for the dmf to be replaced last Christmas. I think it went in one other time but I can't remember what for... Possibly only bodywork but for the life of me I can't remember

Overall it's a grand car, just don't get one with a black interior as it makes it just about the most depressing place in the world.

Max Power1

The mondeos are not called the ford mundane for nothing, whereas I actually like the look of the insignia. As repmobiles go, it's quite well styled.

As mentioned, avoid the 1.8 TDCi mundane if you do go down the ford route. I dont really like the plasticy feel of the interior in the mondeos but I suppose each to their own.

kincaid

yes the mondeo looks bland but was told the 1.8 tdci was the most reliable engine and the 1.6 being the worst.

Max Power1 wrote: »

The mondeos are not called the ford mundane for nothing, whereas I actually like the look of the insignia. As repmobiles go, it's quite well styled.

As mentioned, avoid the 1.8 TDCi mundane if you do go down the ford route. I dont really like the plasticy feel of the interior in the mondeos but I suppose each to their own.

MuppetCheck

Mondeo is a much nicer car to drive, I was surprised just how much better it is to be honest. The Insignia feels very wooden if you're on a back road. The rear cabin is also a little tight and the boot was a lot smaller compared to the Mondeo (although I am comparing a saloon Insignia to a hatch Mondeo).

As a motorway tool though I'd prefer the Insignia. It feels as well planted at high speed as the Mondeo but the cabin does feel a step up from the Mondeo. Parts of the Mondeo are very good, but there are lots of cheap bits dotted around. In saying that both seemed well screwed together.

Over 3k in an Insignia 130 ecoflex I had on loan I averaged 5.6l/100km but it actually worked out at about 6l/100km on the fuel log app which is decent for a car of that size. The gearing however is a little odd. 6th isn't of any real use unless you are close on the motorway limit and even then it doesn't feel like it's on its power band.

If I was doing all motorway miles I'd have the Insignia, if there was a good mix of roads I'd have the Mondeo.

Ded_Zebra

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Over 3k in an Insignia 130 ecoflex I had on loan I averaged 5.6l/100km but it actually worked out at about 6l/100km on the fuel log app which is decent for a car of that size. The gearing however is a little odd. 6th isn't of any real use unless you are close on the motorway limit and even then it doesn't feel like it's on its power band.

If I was doing all motorway miles I'd have the Insignia, if there was a good mix of roads I'd have the Mondeo.

In the 160 ecooflex 6th gear is fine for anything over 90km/h I find.

MuppetCheck

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

In the 160 ecooflex 6th gear is fine for anything over 90km/h I find.

I found the 130 I was in would take 6th but grumble about it, there was no real pick up though meaning in you wanted to progress leaving it in 5th. Just felt the gearing was too long in it, but I'd imagine the 160 would be better. It certainly is in the Astra anyway.

Ded_Zebra

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I found the 130 I was in would take 6th but grumble about it, there was no real pick up though meaning in you wanted to progress leaving it in 5th. Just felt the gearing was too long in it, but I'd imagine the 160 would be better. It certainly is in the Astra anyway.

Well it certainly doesn't accelerate hard in 6th at 90km/h but it does. You definitely couldn't drive it at 80 in 6th though:P

kincaid

how does insignia compare to the older vectra 1.9 150bhp, is there much difference in power ie the 160bhp its only 10bhp difference and insignia seems a bigger car too

is the 2litre engine in the mondeo basically the same as that in the insignia

bazz26

kincaid wrote: »

how does insignia compare to the older vectra 1.9 150bhp, is there much difference in power ie the 160bhp its only 10bhp difference and insignia seems a bigger car too

is the 2litre engine in the mondeo basically the same as that in the insignia

2.0 litre in the Mondeo is a Peugeot/Citroen designed engine and has nothing to do with the engine in the Insignia.

kincaid

Any issues with the insignia engines as mondeo 2.0 not that great

George Dalton

The main issues with both cars is that they have a major appetite for tyres, brakes and dual mass flywheels. I wouldn't say there is much to choose between them in terms of reliability from our experience of them.

I think the Insignia looks better and has a nicer interior. The Mondeo drives better and in 2.0 form is a lot more refined than the Opel, the 2.0 engine in the Insignia is pretty agricultural in comparison to the competition. I don't particularly like either car I have to say, I would buy a Passat personally if I was in the market for a car in that class.

bazz26

kincaid wrote: »

Any issues with the insignia engines as mondeo 2.0 not that great

How did you come to that conclusion? 2.0 TDCi Mondeo engine is a solid engine

166man

I can't stand the Mondeo tbh, never understood all the rave about them especially from the UK..:rolleyes:

I think they have aged really badly, look cheap inside and just generally don't like them. I'd have an Insignia tbh...:)

George Dalton

166man wrote: »

I can't stand the Mondeo tbh, never understood all the rave about them especially from the UK..:rolleyes:

I don't often agree with your posts but I'm with you on this one. I think they are the most over-rated car in the class. It is a pity as the Mk3 Mondeo was a genuinely good car.

If you read the Honestjohn review of the Mondeo it says:

Honestjohn wrote:

Quality apparent wherever you look.

Nonsense. If anyone is in any doubt then do me a favour and next time you are in a Mk4 Mondeo open the glovebox and examine the quality of the lid. It is like something out of a mid 80's Escort!

166man

George Dalton wrote: »

I don't often agree with your posts but I'm with you on this one. I think they are the most over-rated car in the class. It is a pity as the Mk3 Mondeo was a genuinely good car.

If you read the Honestjohn review of the Mondeo it says:

Nonsense. If anyone is in any doubt then do me a favour and next time you are in a Mk4 Mondeo open the glovebox and examine the quality of the lid. It is like something out of a mid 80's Escort!

:D

I think the UK reviews are frankly laughable tbh.

Here's autocar (a magazine I used to buy weekly, then got sick of the crap they splurged out week in week out about how Jaguar and Ford were the best thing out there.)

''The Ford instantly offers value by providing more metal than your BMW 3-series as well as a level of finish, kit and sophistication that gets closer to what a BMW offers, for thousands less.''

Total and utter tripe IMO.

MugMugs

There's a degree of irony over you criticising favouritism...