New job requires new car to crunch some miles

Nowt wrong with Focus, I have a 1.6 sport, Bluetooth, sat nav, auto wipers and headlamps, very comfortable, cruises very happily at 70mph and does a reasonable job of getting you there should you need to get there quicker. 50mph no problem and sensibly driven can even return 60mpg. It's comfy, plenty of legroom and not noisy.
 
specialman said:
Seeing cars in the flesh and actually driving them is a must, if only to avoid boxing your head in by looking at advert after advert. There was another thread about buying a car from a member in Bristol but he was getting himself into a bit of a lather because he was reading too much info about cars instead of actually driving them - that's the only way you can discount them from the list. What suits someone else might be different to what you want. :)
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Agreed. Test drives will yield the answers no doubt. Only so many figures and specs you can ready about cars.

Comfortably Numb said:
It's good fun too!
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Indeed I agree! :)

matty said:
Nowt wrong with Focus, I have a 1.6 sport, Bluetooth, sat nav, auto wipers and headlamps, very comfortable, cruises very happily at 70mph and does a reasonable job of getting you there should you need to get there quicker. 50mph no problem and sensibly driven can even return 60mpg. It's comfy, plenty of legroom and not noisy.
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Good shout. I hadnt looked at anything smaller than a standard saloon, tourer thinking they would be more comfy and luxurious. I shall have a look into and a test drive of one of the focus models and see what I think. I used to own the first gen version in 1.8 petrol form and thought it was nice and comfy.
 
Latest focus is great.... was just too new for my budget when I looked. A mate had an 09 1.6 TDCi estate and it is brilliant. Possibly nearly as big as his old mondeo estate, more kit inside and gives 55mpg. His is a titanium.
 
Evening all,

Following on a little further from my last update in here I have been to my local ford garage and I had a test drive in the 08 plate mondeo titanium x 2 litre diesel.

Have to say it was a nice ride, pretty quiet, very comfy seats (half leather half alcantara) had all the toys apart from bluetooth phone and parking sensors.

Sound system was very good, appears they have 8 speakers and a discreet hidden subwoofer somewhere running off a sony 6cd changer with mp3 connection.

What are peoples view on the mondeo from 08/09/10 plate era.

This particular one had 23.5k miles on the clock, had a towing hook fitted and was up for £11,999.
 
same shape as I have, biggest bugbear of all is that after an hour in the seat you will find that the handle on the drivers side doorcard is digging into your knee, right on the seam line of your trousers. If its jeans your wearing its just downright uncomfortable.

Didn't show up on the initial test drive, doesn't show up if I nip to the shops, but an hour in to my four hour regular drive to Manchester and it gets annoying and really uncomfortable.

Sony stereo is the same as in mine, and yes its pretty good for factory fitted stuff (add an R2 fade for best effect!)
 
cw318is said:
same shape as I have, biggest bugbear of all is that after an hour in the seat you will find that the handle on the drivers side doorcard is digging into your knee, right on the seam line of your trousers. If its jeans your wearing its just downright uncomfortable.

Didn't show up on the initial test drive, doesn't show up if I nip to the shops, but an hour in to my four hour regular drive to Manchester and it gets annoying and really uncomfortable.

Sony stereo is the same as in mine, and yes its pretty good for factory fitted stuff (add an R2 fade for best effect!)
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Thanks! And definitely something you wouldn't notice in the test drive!

Whats an r2 fade?

Also been back out test driving again today. I have found a car I am very happy with. Its a 2007 ST TDCI in silver. Has all the toys on it, drives well, is in superb condition for its age, has just had its alloys refurbed. 43k miles and they want 8.5k for it. Subject to getting my mechanic to check it over I think I may well go for it. It feels somewhat more responsive both in power and steering to the mondeo tit-x that I drove yesterday. It also feels a bit smaller, yesterdays tit-x felt like a massive car.

So, what are peoples thoughts on the ST TDCI? Anything i should know? If anyone owns one what are your experiences?
 
antc said:
Thanks! And definitely something you wouldn't notice in the test drive!

Whats an r2 fade?

Also been back out test driving again today. I have found a car I am very happy with. Its a 2007 ST TDCI in silver. Has all the toys on it, drives well, is in superb condition for its age, has just had its alloys refurbed. 43k miles and they want 8.5k for it. Subject to getting my mechanic to check it over I think I may well go for it. It feels somewhat more responsive both in power and steering to the mondeo tit-x that I drove yesterday. It also feels a bit smaller, yesterdays tit-x felt like a massive car.

So, what are peoples thoughts on the ST TDCI? Anything i should know? If anyone owns one what are your experiences?
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You say the alloys have just been refurbed. If the outer face of the spokes are still diamond cut machined as original, as opposed to painted, keep an eye on them for stone chips. Water gets under the laquer and oxidises the alloy surface and you will likely need another refurb, so be ready to touch up any marks in the laquer.
Use a good quality fuel, not cheap supermarket stuff which are short on lubricants, this should look after your injectors and fuel pump. Egr's valves are known for failure, cheaper to buy from Jaguar dealers (£120) than Ford dealers (£240), alot of cruising can cause a build up of carbon, so it's worth giving the car a good blast once in a while to dislodge any build up. Add a can of BG244 http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/product.php/3/bg-244-diesel-fuel-cleaner to a tank of fuel every 5-6k, this will help clean out the fuel and egr systems. Only ever fit Ford or Bosch fuel filters, other makes cause problems and don't work properly. Be kind to your clutch on pulling away, this will help your dual mass flywheel last longer without failure.

I think that just about sums up everything, if you want more power, feel free to ask.:thumbs:
 
Think I saw you mention BMW 3 series.

I currently have a 2004 e46 m sport 320d. First diesel car and I'm really happy with it. All these figure will be better on the newer shape. Short trips (town etc) and driving to work ( 8 miles) I getting 45 mpg.

Things to watch out for which also follow for the newer shape are rear front lower control arm bushes ( £120 from BMW, £30 from gsf). Swirl flaps in the inlet manifold break of and get eaten by the engine meaning big bucks. Easy fix is to remove and block with blanking plates ( £50 for blanks).

Nice extras are cruise control. Plenty of room inside, big enough boot, have Bluetooth in mine also which is handy for phone, parking sensors, all elec windows.

If you can get a m sport 320d go for it, they have sport suspension, seats, bumper and skirts plus other bits.

Services are around every 18000 miles using the BMW longlife oils (castrol).
 
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nilagin said:
You say the alloys have just been refurbed. If the outer face of the spokes are still diamond cut machined as original, as opposed to painted, keep an eye on them for stone chips. Water gets under the laquer and oxidises the alloy surface and you will likely need another refurb, so be ready to touch up any marks in the laquer.
Use a good quality fuel, not cheap supermarket stuff which are short on lubricants, this should look after your injectors and fuel pump. Egr's valves are known for failure, cheaper to buy from Jaguar dealers (£120) than Ford dealers (£240), alot of cruising can cause a build up of carbon, so it's worth giving the car a good blast once in a while to dislodge any build up. Add a can of BG244 http://www.powerenhancer.co.uk/product.php/3/bg-244-diesel-fuel-cleaner to a tank of fuel every 5-6k, this will help clean out the fuel and egr systems. Only ever fit Ford or Bosch fuel filters, other makes cause problems and don't work properly. Be kind to your clutch on pulling away, this will help your dual mass flywheel last longer without failure.

I think that just about sums up everything, if you want more power, feel free to ask.:thumbs:
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Thanks very much! Almost everything I need to know there! I guess a lot of the above mentioned precautions are the same with any diesel, not just a mondeo. Interesting to note the jag part is cheaper than ford!! :)

I shall no doubt have some more questions for you though if you dont mind?

I take it you have one yourself? How long have you had yours, how do you find it and how have you found the running costs?

Thanks
 
chiffs said:
Think I saw you mention BMW 3 series.

I currently have a 2004 e46 m sport 320d. First diesel car and I'm really happy with it. All these figure will be better on the newer shape. Short trips (town etc) and driving to work ( 8 miles) I getting 45 mpg.

Things to watch out for which also follow for the newer shape are rear front lower control arm bushes ( £120 from BMW, £30 from gsf). Swirl flaps in the inlet manifold break of and get eaten by the engine meaning big bucks. Easy fix is to remove and block with blanking plates ( £50 for blanks).

Nice extras are cruise control. Plenty of room inside, big enough boot, have Bluetooth in mine also which is handy for phone, parking sensors, all elec windows.

If you can get a m sport 320d go for it, they have sport suspension, seats, bumper and skirts plus other bits.

Services are around every 18000 miles using the BMW longlife oils (castrol).
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Thanks Sean, all good information to know! Sounds like you are enjoying the car!
 
ever get that feeling of deja vu? :)

some of the posts remind me of the time my old vectra blew its starter motor. the usual numptys told me how i should have bought a german car.. well the starter motor was a bosch, so not sure how that helps.

got a passat cc now.. 3 months old and already been in for a repair. hmm, maybe that bit wasnt german :)

anyway, cars are much of a muchness. Most of the parts are outsourced, so half the cars share parts made by the same companies anyway.
keep your short list, view some of them and pick whichever has the best example with the best deal.

or... if you are self employed and vat registered I would consider leasing something brand new. there are some real bargains out there! although with your personal use it might not work out tax-feasible.. check with your accountant :)
saw a deal on an AMG C class coupe today for £230 a month and £900 deposit!
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I've always felt the same about the much-lauded JD Power surveys. To my mind there are only two types of people who take part in these things. Those, as highlighted above, who have an axe to grind and Skoda owners.
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LOL i said the same thing to someone the other day.
Although BMW owners often tell you about how reliable their german car is and how its only been back to the dealer 5 times this year, so i'm surprised they dont go telling JD how brilliantly reliable their cars are :)
 
antc said:
Thanks very much! Almost everything I need to know there! I guess a lot of the above mentioned precautions are the same with any diesel, not just a mondeo. Interesting to note the jag part is cheaper than ford!! :)

I shall no doubt have some more questions for you though if you dont mind?

I take it you have one yourself? How long have you had yours, how do you find it and how have you found the running costs?

Thanks
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I've had mine 14 months and love it. Even before my engine mods, I was getting around 55mpg average over a full tank and I'm still getting the same now after a few mods. (190bhp and 326lb/ft torque).
Tyres vary in price from around £60 for budget upwards. Mine is shod with Continental Contact Sport 3 tyres which along with Michelin Pilots were the brands Ford developed the car on and supplied them with from the factory. I paid £130 each for my Conti's, the fronts went on around 15k ago and still have plenty of tread left. Grip is fantastic, even in snow (except when the snow comes upto the side skirts and the front bumper is in danger of becoming a snowplough), slush and ice. Some brands of tyres give a harder ride, the Conti's are great, plus they have quite a good, strong, prominent anti kerb rib around the tyre wall. My car (56 plate registered in 07) had 59k on it when I bought it last year, I normally cover 12-13k a year but it currently has 78k on the clock, I just can't help finding excuses to drive it.
I know you are buying this for business use but swapping the standard intercooler for an larger Airtec intercooler (£280) does make the world of difference to how the engine delivers it's power, alot more relaxed and refined, increase in torque too, you would need to inform your insurance company though. :thumbsdown:.
Forgot one other problem you may come across, sometimes boost hoses split, (usually the one that runs from the intercooler to the egr valve) this is invariably noted by loss of power, more black smoke from the exhaust and a drop in mpg, you may also hear the split making a noise under acceleration.
 
When you've made your decision, ask the dealer this question. Where are the headlight/sidelight bulbs and how do you change them?

When you hear of cars that require half the front end being dismantled [wheel/wing/front bumper/valance] just to change a bulb, or paying a garage over £300 to do it, you may think twice. There's a thread somewhere here recently about it, with a video on a Renault Megane. This is by no means the worst. There are other cars that are even harder to do.
 
MisterE said:
When you've made your decision, ask the dealer this question. Where are the headlight/sidelight bulbs and how do you change them?

When you hear of cars that require half the front end being dismantled [wheel/wing/front bumper/valance] just to change a bulb, or paying a garage over £300 to do it, you may think twice. There's a thread somewhere here recently about it, with a video on a Renault Megane. This is by no means the worst. There are other cars that are even harder to do.
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Well, apparently we all want super-duper safety, especially because it can save hundreds of pounds on low insurance premiums, and apparently we all want low emissions, especially because it can save hundreds of pounds on low road tax.

Anyway, all that stuff has to be hidden away somewhere ... behind the front bumper! :)
 
nilagin said:
I've had mine 14 months and love it. Even before my engine mods, I was getting around 55mpg average over a full tank and I'm still getting the same now after a few mods. (190bhp and 326lb/ft torque).
Tyres vary in price from around £60 for budget upwards. Mine is shod with Continental Contact Sport 3 tyres which along with Michelin Pilots were the brands Ford developed the car on and supplied them with from the factory. I paid £130 each for my Conti's, the fronts went on around 15k ago and still have plenty of tread left. Grip is fantastic, even in snow (except when the snow comes upto the side skirts and the front bumper is in danger of becoming a snowplough), slush and ice. Some brands of tyres give a harder ride, the Conti's are great, plus they have quite a good, strong, prominent anti kerb rib around the tyre wall. My car (56 plate registered in 07) had 59k on it when I bought it last year, I normally cover 12-13k a year but it currently has 78k on the clock, I just can't help finding excuses to drive it.
I know you are buying this for business use but swapping the standard intercooler for an larger Airtec intercooler (£280) does make the world of difference to how the engine delivers it's power, alot more relaxed and refined, increase in torque too, you would need to inform your insurance company though. :thumbsdown:.
Forgot one other problem you may come across, sometimes boost hoses split, (usually the one that runs from the intercooler to the egr valve) this is invariably noted by loss of power, more black smoke from the exhaust and a drop in mpg, you may also hear the split making a noise under acceleration.
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With all due respect driving 10/12k per year is a world away from driving 30k per year. If you want relaibility and comfort the last thing you want to be doing is messing with intercoolers and remapping and suspension tweaks. What seems fun on a 20 minute drive to work will annoy the hell out of you on a 3 hour stretch on the motorway. Im sure your Mondeo goes well and handles well but it is definitely not what a high mileage driver wants! Why do you think repmobiles stick to a fairly well tested formula.
 
Overexposed said:
With all due respect driving 10/12k per year is a world away from driving 30k per year. If you want relaibility and comfort the last thing you want to be doing is messing with intercoolers and remapping and suspension tweaks. What seems fun on a 20 minute drive to work will annoy the hell out of you on a 3 hour stretch on the motorway. Im sure your Mondeo goes well and handles well but it is definitely not what a high mileage driver wants! Why do you think repmobiles stick to a fairly well tested formula.
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I've done plenty of 2-3 hr motorway journeys in the car and it eats miles with ease, nice and relaxed effortless drive. The car is very much at home on lengthy motorway runs as it is around town and on country lanes. In fact I'd say it was even more so with the tweaks, none of which make the car unreliable or uncomfortable. I'd say the engine now doesn't have to work so hard, so less of a strain on any components.
 
I'm running a Skoda Octavia vRS CR Tdi DSG estate at the moment covering a similar amount of mile as you. I've had it almost 1.5 years and it's just been in for a 40,000 miles service. I had an initial problem with uneven tyre wear (a common Octavia problem) and wore out the first set of front tyres in about 8,000 miles. However, having had a 4 whell alignment check and adjustment done, I managed 27,000 miles out of the next set of front tyres.

Other than that, so far it's been uber reliable, very comfortable, has masses of space and it's fun to play with the 170bhp and huge amounts of torque when required.

However, it is harsh on the suspension, and when it comes time to change, I will be looking at the Superb.

Oh, one advantage of the Octavia vRS, at least in the NE of England, is that Plod regularly use them as unmarked cars. It's like the parting of the Red Sea at times as you cruise up behind someone and they jump out of your way :). Makes of good progress though!

Simon.
 
daugirdas said:
Do you mean this one http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/passat-2005/ ?

They say "avoid!" and I sort of trust them. Superb is the better Passat it would seem
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I've got a 56 plate Passat.
Aparently they are known for hand break button failure and fuel injector failure.

I've had it two years now and do 20k miles minimum per year.

The hand break button has been replaced earlier this year and two injectors have failed, at 85mph on the motorway on both times!

£30 for the hand break button, nice garage sorted it at the same time as a service!
First injector failure was covered under manufactures warantee and happend at about 50k miles.
The 2nd injector failed at about 85k miles and was covered by VW after a very short and easy phone call to VW, they now accept the injector fault and will replace all four injetors at their cost (needs to be at a VW dealer if you want labour covered too). Aparently the 08 plate Passats don't have this problem!

Other than that she drives fine, has plenty of umf on the motorway (its the 170 sport) and will do about 46mph with my heavy foot doing 80 and getting there quickly! If I take it easy she'll do nearly 60mph on the motorway.

I had an 05 plate VW Golf TDi 4 Motion before that for 4 years.
Same milage up and down a motorway all day and I never had a problem. I had to get rid as company policy on company cars. Great commuting car, plenty of space for a family with two young children (push chair etc) and cheaper than a bigger Passat (and similar cars) probably!

I'd have a golf again, but I now have three children and the chld seats don't all fit in properly. I go Golf again when children don't need booster seats.
 
nilagin said:
I've done plenty of 2-3 hr motorway journeys in the car and it eats miles with ease, nice and relaxed effortless drive. The car is very much at home on lengthy motorway runs as it is around town and on country lanes. In fact I'd say it was even more so with the tweaks, none of which make the car unreliable or uncomfortable. I'd say the engine now doesn't have to work so hard, so less of a strain on any components.
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You have no concept of what Im talking about - im talking daily 2-3 hr journeys and return - Having done this previously for 20 years I'm telling you from experience that you do not want a car with firm suspension, low profile tyres or tweaked engines - you want comfort quiet and reliability and not a battle with the insurance company about what you are actually driving - cars like these are work tools not playthings
 
Yves Geza said:
Well, apparently we all want super-duper safety, especially because it can save hundreds of pounds on low insurance premiums, and apparently we all want low emissions, especially because it can save hundreds of pounds on low road tax.
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I'd rather they left all of that stuff out and saved 500kg on the weight of the vehicle and thousands on the cost.

Bring back the 700kg saloon car I say.
 
No thanks, I've seen a mk 2 escort stripped to a bare shell, no way do I want to be in that in a crash, it's like a tin coffin
 
havnt read the full thread however look at LPG Petrol conversion,approx 1K to have done or if already done usually carries that sort of premium over the same spec standard car,ive had a long wheel base transit running on LPG,you will reap the savings on your quoted mileage
 
Overexposed said:
You have no concept of what Im talking about - im talking daily 2-3 hr journeys and return - Having done this previously for 20 years I'm telling you from experience that you do not want a car with firm suspension, low profile tyres or tweaked engines - you want comfort quiet and reliability and not a battle with the insurance company about what you are actually driving - cars like these are work tools not playthings
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And you have no concept of how comfortable my car is. Even before I fitted lowered springs, which I never suggested the OP should do, the ride quality was no harder than my Mk2 Mondeo which had standard suspension and 60 series tyres as opposed to the sports suspension and and 40 series tyres which an ST TDCi has as standard. The Eibach Prokit springs, I have now fitted are a progressive rate spring which means they keep the same ride quality except on really bad surfaces, but even then the ride quality is not uncomfortable. My father-in-law is disabled and suffers alot of pain in his hips and it doesn't take alot to cause him further pain, yet he always remarks on how smooth the ride is in the car and he can get out of the car after an hour an a half journey, fresh as a daisy, where as sitting in an armchair for 1/2 an hour can cause him great discomfort and pain and he has trouble standing. My car is no more unreliable than before I tuned it, infact it is probably more reliable and now works more efficiently. Also no battle with the insurance company, my renewal quote on my Mk2 Mondeo went upto £700 for some reason from £300. Insurance on my ST (which was already one group higher)with modifications as follows, uprated brakes, performance exhaust, decat, silicone boost pipes, larger intercooler, lowered springs and remap was £441. Oh and the OP also said he wanted the car for 10k personal use a year so buying something other than a basic lower spec model may just have been on his mind when he said he wanted an ST TDCi over say a Zetec or a Titanium X.
 
onomatopoeia said:
I'd rather they left all of that stuff out and saved 500kg on the weight of the vehicle and thousands on the cost.

Bring back the 700kg saloon car I say.
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:plusone: Which is why you own Imps and a Clan and I smoke an Issigonis Mini ... but probably not for long journeys though!

I'm sure nilagin's Mondeo is the most perfect car ever, but as a rule of thumb fitting a sports exhaust, taking off the cat and chipping the module have never made a car smoother and, more importantly, quieter in my experience.

Equally, lowering the suspension has to reduce travel and increase roll stiffness and hence lateral vibration.

For what it's worth in a past life, when I covered huge mileages across Europe in a Porsche 911, the one to go for was the cheapest basic car with the most compliant suspension, and the smallest, softest [least hard] dampers ... and we discovered that a Renault 25 was an even better tool for serious long distances!
 
Yves Geza said:
:plusone: Which is why you own Imps and a Clan and I smoke an Issigonis Mini ... but probably not for long journeys though!

I'm sure nilagin's Mondeo is the most perfect car ever, but as a rule of thumb fitting a sports exhaust, taking off the cat and chipping the module have never made a car smoother and, more importantly, quieter in my experience.

Equally, lowering the suspension has to reduce travel and increase roll stiffness and hence lateral vibration.

For what it's worth in a past life, when I covered huge mileages across Europe in a Porsche 911, the one to go for was the cheapest basic car with the most compliant suspension, and the smallest, softest [least hard] dampers ... and we discovered that a Renault 25 was an even better tool for serious long distances!
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I never said my car was the most perfect ever, ( I couldn't find one with an electric sunroof :razz:) but if you read my original suggestion to the OP, you'll see I only mentioned a larger intercooler to get more out of the engine. On a diesel engine, other than the exhaust, a decat and intercoooler "as a rule of thumb" does make an engine smoother. They enable the engine to produce even more torque, meaning less effort (and fuel) needed to accelerate. Also my module is not "chipped" it has been custom remapped to make all the engine modifications work properly together.
Normal lowering springs would probably cause the effects you mention, progressive rate springs do not. Advantages of the progressive springs are less body roll, car doesn't drop at rear so much under hard acceleration, nor nose dive so much under heavy braking, reduced nose dive means a shorter more controlled braking distance as less of the cars weight is thrown forward. It also dials out an amount of oversteer which also reduces tyre wear. Disadvantages, ..............zilch other than having to be cautious neer low kerbs as an ST bumber is lower than a standard Mondeo bumper anyway.
The exhaust which I definitely never suggested to the OP, was my own personal choice. Whilst it produces a lovely growl/roar on hard acceleration, when cruising it just produces a low key unobtrusive hum.:thumbs:
 
Guys,

You have all provided me with some excellent information and things to take on board and think about.

Modifications and replacing various parts is very much down to personal choice, what one persons considers not an issue, another person may find it drives them mad!

We are all very different at the end of the day.

I shall be picking the car up in a few hours so looking forward to that. It shall be staying completely standard for the foreseeable future. Its already got plenty of power for what I need and it very comfortable with lots of nice toys to get used to and play with!

Just want to say a huge thanks for all or your help! Its what I love about this forum! Always get good advice :)
 
antc said:
Guys,

You have all provided me with some excellent information and things to take on board and think about.

Modifications and replacing various parts is very much down to personal choice, what one persons considers not an issue, another person may find it drives them mad!

We are all very different at the end of the day.

I shall be picking the car up in a few hours so looking forward to that. It shall be staying completely standard for the foreseeable future. Its already got plenty of power for what I need and it very comfortable with lots of nice toys to get used to and play with!

Just want to say a huge thanks for all or your help! Its what I love about this forum! Always get good advice :)
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Hope you enjoy your new car, any problems, head over to STdriveRS, lots of useful help over there.
A few tips for you.
On your first frosty morning, you'll find the heated front and rear screens switch on automatically as soon as the engine is started (I thought I was going mad 1st time this happened as I didn't remember switching them on :lol: ). Also headlamp washers only work when the lights are on and on every 3rd or 5th spray of the windscreen washers. If the auto dimming rear view mirror doesn't work (turns following car lights green) the small sensor lens just below the mirror glass probably needs a clean. Auto wiper function (intermittent wipe position of stalk on other cars) has a sensitivity setting of 1-6 via the toggle wheel of the stalk, 3 is usually the better setting.
 
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