suspension on mk3 mondeo

[jsp56]

Hi,

I just test drove a Mk3 Mondeo with 17" wheels, and it was great but the suspension was a bit hard for me, similar to the current Ford Focus Titanium on 17" wheels.

It didn't seem to be a sport model or anything.

Would you say that would be usual or should I be trying to test drive other examples of the same car to see if they are softer? I thought it would be softer as my Mk2 Mondeo is, and because it is a wider car.

Thanks!

[SebringMan]

MkII will be softer as it is on balloon tyres in comparison.

Many things will affect the ride. Even the type of tyres fitted will affect it ; some brands have harder sidewalls than others.

FWIW Titanium is a little like a sporty Ghia .

That said, my MkIII drove best on the 16s. Not great for looks but tyres were cheaper and it was a joy on country roads.

[jsp56]

Thanks! Does that mean that the Titanium will have harder suspension than the Ghia if it is the sportier version?

Also did you have to change the wheels on your car to get the 16" ones and to have a comfier ride? Is that easy to do?

Thanks!

[jsp56]

I see what you mean. This page says the titanium has sportier suspension.

http://www.talkford.com/community/topic/143679-ghi...

[SebringMan]

jsp56 said:

Thanks! Does that mean that the Titanium will have harder suspension than the Ghia if it is the sportier version?

Also did you have to change the wheels on your car to get the 16" ones and to have a comfier ride? Is that easy to do?

Thanks!

Yep, but it seems you found that out .

As for the second question. Yes. We've had a few Mk3s. The particular examples were:

-An '04 2.5 V6 Auto Ghia X Estate. This was fully loaded, down to the 18" wheels.

The ride in this thing was dreadful in town on the 18s. As we were doing tons and tons of miles we went to 16" wheels. They were cheaper in many ways over the 18s and 17s. Nothing would prepare me for the transformation in handling. From being rattled to death I could really push this car hard down country lanes with ease

-An '05 3.0 V6 Manual Ghia X Estate. This was on 17s.

IMHO 17s are a lovely compromise. But the tyres are expensive.

This went onto 16s as the 17s started leaking very badly ; they wanted refurbishing ideally. On 16s the ride improved but not to the extent that it did on the 2.5.

[jsp56]

Gosh that's interesting to know. Have I got my Mk3s and Mk4s mixed up? I'm talking about the 2007-2014 edition of the Mondeo. I currently drive a 2006 one, but I'm test driving 2013-ish models and that's what I'm interested to know about. Thanks!

[Rat_Fink_67]

Yes you're talking about the mk4 rather than mk3...

[jsp56]

Thanks. :-) It will help to be getting the terminology right. :-)

[SebringMan]

jsp56 said:

Gosh that's interesting to know. Have I got my Mk3s and Mk4s mixed up? I'm talking about the 2007-2014 edition of the Mondeo. I currently drive a 2006 one, but I'm test driving 2013-ish models and that's what I'm interested to know about. Thanks!

You're not the first to do it and you won't be the last . The issue comes IMO in that the 1997-2000 Mondeo was called the MkII by many, a few consider it to merely be a facelift of the MkI.

As for the MkIV, I've driven the following

'11 Econetic 2.0 TDCI Estate on 16s:

For me it was too soft in this format ; I actually couldn't wait for the 3.0 to come back (it got hit and the Mondeo was a hire car).

'08 2.5T Ghia Saloon & an '08 2.5T Titanium Estate

For me these are the best of the bunch but the engine choice is not for everyone!

The Titanium is firmer but I prefer the drive of the Ghia. These two cars we have in our household .