Mazda 6 v Mondeo v Superb

Armaghmagic

Which of the above trio would you suggest? Have €10k to play with so looking for something that's very reliable, well equipped, spacious and economical around the 09/10 age!

CharlieCroker

I like the superb, plenty of space and a nice place to sit but would have to be a 2.0.

Mazda 6 in diesel is known to give timing chain issues.

I've a 2009 Mondeo Eco (zetec) 1.8 125bhp 5dr with 320k km on it. I've had to do the timing belt twice (€700 each at a good Indy, €1200 from ford) and I did the DMF at 240k ((€1200). The turbo has started to whistle a small bit but not surprising at that mileage.

Apart from that it's been routine servicing every 20k. Spec is good. Cruise, dual zone climate control, full electrics, good seats, decent stereo and masses of space. Getting about 5.4-5.6l/100km, 1100km to a tank of diesel.

The car has been an ideal motorway hack and family car and tbh, I'm struggling to work out what to replace it with.

Armaghmagic

Thanks Charlie,

Is the 1.8 the best diesel in the mondeo or would the 1.6 be worth a look. Is there much of a difference between the 09 model and the facelifted one that came out in late 2010?

CharlieCroker

Armaghmagic wrote: »

Thanks Charlie,

Is the 1.8 the best diesel in the mondeo or would the 1.6 be worth a look. Is there much of a difference between the 09 model and the facelifted one that came out in late 2010?

I haven't driven the 1.6 in the Mondeo, but it's adequate in the focus. Think it's 110bhp. Personally, I'd prefer the 1.8 or ideally, the 2.0 6 speed.

I actually prefer the silver dash of the of the pre-facelift. The post facelift seems to be darker in black plastic and loses the very handy storage space in front of the gearstick. Looks better on the outside though with 17's and DRLs and I think the facelift came with Bluetooth as standard.

bazz26

The 1.8 is Ford's own made diesel engine. It has a wet timing belt which has a reputation for snapping prematurely. It's an expensive job to change too at between €800 and €1k depending who does it. The 1.8 also has a liking for flywheels.

The 1.6 is a PSA engine and replaced the 1.8 when the facelift came out. It's smoother and more refined but down a little on poke over the 1.8 litre. On your budget you would probably be looking at a fairly high mileage example.

2.0 litre is probably the best all rounder, it's a PSA unit also but is more refined than the 1.8, just as fuel efficient and has more poke than both the 1.6 and 1.8 litre. They are less common though.

Armaghmagic

Thanks Bazz,

Apart from exterior are there any other differences with the facelifted Mondeo?

bazz26

The interior got a small makeover. Plastics and buttons looked a bit less cheap. Main thing were the engine upgrades that had lower emissions and better fuel economy. 1.8 TDCi was killed off, initially replaced with a detuned version of the 2.0 TDCi, 1.6 TDCi replaced that later on. 2.0 TDCi was revised too and available in a few different power versions - 140bhp and 163bhp.

Armaghmagic

I've just seen the pre-facelift model with a 2.2 175bhp model in sport guise.

Would one of these be worth a premium over a new shape 2.0 with 163hp in Zetec form?

Armaghmagic

I have heard that the Mazda 6 diesel gives a lot of trouble in 2.0 guise but is the 2.2 version any more reliable?

bazz26

Wouldn't take a chance on one.

Armaghmagic

Thanks Bazz, a shame as it would tick all the boxes!

What about the Seat Exeo or Subaru Legacy? Would be another couple of "off the wall" choices for the money.