[Closed] Mondeo models

TBH there's not much in it... They both drive very similarly. Seats in the MK4 are a smidgen better and there's a little bit more space. Main pluses are things like Bluetooth in the Mk4 that's not in the Mk3.

Expect a mk3 hatchback to eat subframe bushes and have issues with the handbrake cables. Both of these issues are gone if you get the estate though, which you should, coz it’s massive

Current car is a MK4 13 plate Mondeo estate 2ltr 163ps

Previous was MK3 54 plate Mondeo estate 2ltr 130ps

Both absolutely great workhorses but current one is noticeably more refined in handling and comfort. I would certainly buy another MK4.

It's a nice upgrade tbh, especially the engine- the 2.0 basically has the performance of the ST. There's a few things I didn't really like about the mk4 interior, like with a lot of Fords it's moved a little bit from practical to nice. The mk3 interior is miles and miles of fake elephant but it all works- niches where you want them, proper sized door cards, basically they used space cleverly and it all feels like it was placed there by someone who'd drive the car. I remember thinking "I wish this had a coin box thing" and just put my hand to where I'd want it to be if it had one, and it turned out there was one there 🙂

But the mk4 is better, basically. I went for a mk3 2.2 because at my end of the budget you just got a lot more car and tbh I kind of love it for all its clapped out shitness, but that's probably shifted now with them both being officially "old".

I went from a MK 2 Focus to a Mk 4 Mondeo. The mondeo is a nicer smoother car in many ways but despite being way bigger inside it is not as easy to get a bike in and I think that might be the same between the mk3 and 4 mondeo. Its due to the height of the opening of the boot. The mk 4 opening is not as tall. Still possible to get one in wheels on just not as easy.

<p>Also have the Mk4 2.0 and have driven the facelifted version and Mk.3.</p><p></p><p>As far as things go it's a good car but not quite as good as the Mk.3 - my old man had an ST and it was better than my Titanium in terms of bog standard features (gas struts on the bonnet for example). Mk4 is also a minefield for radio features, I have the Sony 6 disk changer which is completely tied to the ford Bluetooth modules, the 6000 found in lower trims is actually more flexible and can take significantly cheaper Connects2 modules. Ford modules vary in feature set from Bluetooth only to BT+USB to BT+USB+BT Aux, obviously the newer the car the more likely you are to find all these features. Facelifts also have DLR's and auto lighting dash which can lead to being a pillock if you don't notice.</p><p></p><p>Mine is a late 2008 model and comes with bog standard Bluetooth, non-auto folding mirrors (these are standard on facelift models), stupid boot lid that catches water and showers the contents when you open it (until you buy the necessary modified channels, that was the first purchase) and integrated booster seats in the back (child pack) which aren't the most comfortable to sit on. Plus points are built in blinds and all the usual toys. The only difference between Titanium and Titanium X seems to be the push button start, there is a Titanium Sport model which seems to be a 2.2 ST by another name. Oh, and mine is due for it's rear bushes, about £80 for the tool and £40 a side IIRC.</p><p></p><p>As far as the engine goes I'd recommend the 2.2 - it's more economical than my 140hp 2.0 by a country mile and has a bit more grunt. 1.8 is best avoided IIRC though that may have been because I'm towing. Auto box is VERY thirsty and best avoided.</p><p></p><p>Bolded because of stupid HTML script.</p>

<p> Oh I should also add that apart from the exhaust heat shield rotting through (mandatory) it does not look or feel like a nearly ten year old 110k mile car. The interior is still spot on and apart from the bushes it feels great. Don't be tempted to buy a shitbox because it's in your price range, it's just been neglected, I saw plenty. And always check MOT history, it's a good indicator as to whether the bushings have been kept on top of. DMF is another thing to look for, if it sounds rumbly as you lift the clutch it's on its way out and someone is looking to shift an expensive problem (only in terms of labour).</p>

Aye, in the mk3 the 2.2 engine is really the one to hunt down if you can, it didn't cost me any more to get one- everyone wants the 2.0- and it doesn't have any foibles at all compared to the 2.0, it's just the same but better, apart from a slightly shitty stock map in 1st and 2nd because they realised a lot of their customers would struggle with all the torks. Better economy if you drive it to its strengths, nicely fat so you can just sort of surf it along, and it costs me IIRC a few quid in tax and nothing worth mentioning in insurance. I can shift and drive the revs if I want to but on typical borders roads and the like it's just quite regal wafting along at the bottom of the turbo, you can go for days without touching the gearstick.

For all mine is a shed now at 140000 slightly abused miles, mysteriously all the ghia x toys still work- heated seats mother****er, which considering it takes about 10 minutes to heat the block enough for the heating to come on, is useful. Wish I had parking sensors, it's not hard to drive but it's a big sod, physically bigger than a lot of parking spaces which is a pain.

The boot is a slight mystery... I had a Focus mk1.5 estate before and anyone who's had one of those knows the cargo bay defies euclidian geometry, there's enough room to park another Focus in it. And it has the perfect tailgate too. So it's kind of weird that the bigger mondeo isn't as easy to load bikes into. But it's all relative, it's still big-enduro-29er-with-both-wheels-on big, or my fatbike + ChrisL's collossal Mega 29 XL and ridiculous kit bag, with just the front wheels off

I had a mk3 mondeo, 2.0 113bhp.

everyone who’s been in it has commented on how well it went, so I’m thinking it was a fit one.

never needed the subframe bushes doing on mine, had a couple of handbrake cables, but the last one that went on had copperslip pumped up it first, i never needed to touch it again after that. It ran to 162k miles, before the fuse for the immobiliser corroded through.

it cut out, someone at work made an offer for it, which I accepted.

but all in all, it was a great, and ultimately quite cheap, big, comfy motor.

i would buy another quite happily.

Thanks everyone some informative posts there. Thinking of going for the mk4 2.0 now but will get a remap like my current mk3 (50% more torque is very handy!)

Ah sorry I thought you were choosing between the two, not that you already had a mk3!

Did the same, Mk3 2.0 tdci - bought for £2K at 140K.  It died 4 years and 40K miles later, got £800 for it from those people that buy any car, bought a mk 4 with 45K on the clock, needed a fair bit more spending on it, less efficient, more metal, smaller windows, more blindspots. more electrical gremlins too - occasional central locking hissy fits - drivers door only - side mirrors not opening out on unlocking.

I expect someone will be along  shortly to jump down your throat for murder by remap!