RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Hi all,

Looking at mk3 mondeos at the mo, need a bigger more economical car due to work shite, had a 2.0 petrol mondeo before my focus and thought it was a good car so may as well get another.

Will probably go for the 130 tdci, I wanted a Zetec S model, but have found one locally that is very well priced and is fully loaded with leather, xenons etc but isn't the zetec s. Just wondering if there is any other differences between a zetec s and a normal spec model apart from the 18" wheels and the bumpers?

Also, have read a bit about injectors buggering up and it costing a fortune to fix. Is this a common problem? Anything else I should be looking out for?

Thanks in advance
Rich

The Youth.

iTrader: (1)

not much different between the apart fromwhat you have said, the injector issue generally a recode (which isn't expensive) fixes them
my wife has has a 130 tdci for 2 years now and it has been a fantastic car, yesterday with 4 up and loads of suitcases in we saw 55mpg on the run to manchester airport.

steve

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Cheers steve, how many miles do you get from a tank roughly in one? Seem to remember my petrol doing about 350 to a tank.

Rich

The Youth.

iTrader: (1)

around town she see's about 560 and on a run over 600!!

steveu

DanW@FastFord

iTrader: (1)

I've just bought a TDCI Zetec S, and yeah, it is a wheels and bumpers thing, but they do look a lot nicer than the regular models (IMO). Bit gutted it didn't come with a trip computer though!

Csm

Nice cars for not a lot of money

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Cheers guys, 600 miles to a tank seems rather tempting

RS500/364

I found things to look for
Rear bushes
Leaking rear rail common around Ł1k fix
Heater fan off or on one speed failed resistor free from the right breakers
Driver seat wont go up or down MOTOR RAIL
Ł100

Need to sell me 04 i just got to pay for the saff engine

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

PM sent

ronin_hungary

What does "injector recoding" mean?
I myself do not want to run into a 800 GBP service from clogged injectors.
Car is MY06-07 130 BHP TDCi

Otherwise I live this car. Had Passat before, liked that as well, but generally the parts prices are much better on the Ford. I usually have 500 miles / gallon combined, but I have never had the EGR cleaned (due today )

Powerflex provides a solution.

Could you take a picture?

I had to replace the entire fan (because warranty and lack of knowledge), could you post a DIY topic link, please?

A guy here does this for 50 GBP (incl. fitting), changes the plastic sprocket to a metal sprocket, which never fails anymore.

Cheers,

R.

ps.: Appreciate in advance to point me in the right direction.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

if you can stretch to it, a facelift one is th eone to go for as it comes with more bits as standard
sounds like you've found a ghia x which is pretty much top of the tree when it comes to standard stuff but yes, bumpers and wheels are what seperates the zetec-s
the hierachy goes
lx
zetec
zetec-s
ghia
ghia x
the titanitum and titty x models are more "sporty" derivitives of the ghia and ghia x cars with stuff aimed at the younger driver rather than the more mature driver

the issues:

well, the injector problems have been noted but are a bit hit and miss in when they appear if they appear at all
much bigger scare comes in the shape of the clutch and dual mass flywheel
subframe bushes are easy enough to change for better ones, you just need to get the removal tool for them
then you have some gimpy electrics that plauge some cars and not any others
make sure whatever car you get comes with 2 plip keys because they are pricey to replace, cheapest i can find cost Ł130 as you can't program other keys if you've only just got one, althogh ford will do the job for Ł190
the one thing you need to consider is the cost of replacement tyres if you get 18's, there isn't really that much of a ride difference compared to 17's, but the cost of them goes up a lot
and you may want to sort the brakes out if you are a "spiritted" driver
and rear handbrake cables rust up, if you don't catch them ni time, you'll need new calipers so get a car which has had a fresh mot
estates are huge load luggers but some of the facelift cars DON'T have a key operated boot lock so look for the hole if it's there or not to find out

alan12112

think you seem to be forgetting about the ST aswell Dojj?

Surely that's "top of the tree"

What kind of a deal you looking for Rich?

Ryan_3

ure selling the focus then mate? gl with the new purchase

dojj

iTrader: (3)

that's just ghia spec with some tweakery mate
some of the later ghia and titty cars came with the same body kit so other than the seats and steering wheel and white dash and exhaust pipes and a bit more power from the engine (on the V6, the dieseasel ones came as normal cars too) it's not REALLY that much of a top line thing
even a sierra cosworth has less incommon than the mondeo's do in st guise

and it's not "top of the tree" it's the "flagship model"

Fiddy

Duel mass flywheels, injectors, and rear subframe bushes are the three main things to go wrong with them Richie rich. Had V6 zetec-s myself for two years, nice cars, drive very well.

PeterRST

iTrader: (1)

How can you tell that the DMF is on it's way out? Stalling immediately after you've fired it up? Vibration?

dojj

iTrader: (3)

it starts to make noises
or the starter needs replacing more often than you would think
or it makes a bid for freedom through the bellhousing

if the clutch needs doing, you might as well do the dmf at the same time to save doing it later on

taz1787

iTrader: (8)

yep injectors really main and costly one as when they start to go then they all will start a mate had his go recently but it only seems to affect the tddci 130bhp model

its around 1300 to replace all 4 injectors and have them recoded to the ecu @ ford

and there isn't many places that can recode them

but if you do get someone to recode them cheap

then shop around as you can pick up injectors cheaper too

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Cripes, this thread is 3 months old

Got rid of the shonky ST170, saw sense, chose the new ST focus over a mondeo!

It's Czech Mate

Ive got an 03 130 TDCI Ghia X Estate 2003 in silver with FFSH, its done 73k and has been uber relaible, no probs with anything.

Am looking for a Skoda Octavia now tho so will be moving it on.....great car tho