Mondeo ST24 buying...
Discussion
What should I know before embarking on this mission?
Any hints and tips (I know about water pump issues)?
Any good websites/literature I should read up first?
Planning to spend about £3k, so probably an 'S' plate, or thereabouts. Saloon or hatch - don't mind. Preferably in original spec/unmolested, etc.
Oh, and what does (RSAP) mean when stated on some adds I've seen? Probably obvious, but I can't work it out!
Any hints and tips (I know about water pump issues)?
Any good websites/literature I should read up first?
Planning to spend about £3k, so probably an 'S' plate, or thereabouts. Saloon or hatch - don't mind. Preferably in original spec/unmolested, etc.
Oh, and what does (RSAP) mean when stated on some adds I've seen? Probably obvious, but I can't work it out!
Edited by pstruck on Friday 8th September 08:28
RSAP - Rallye Sport Appearance Pack
Watch out for a flat spot around 4000rpm when the secondaries come in...
Usual stuff - makes sure it's smooth accelerating and braking and doesn't jump out of third under full bore acceleration.
Check the service history... rev it right the way to the red line - if the battery light comes on, then an alternator is due shortly.
Check it has been serviced on the button... they're quite hardy but need the regular maintainance.
No cambelt (it's a chain) which is handy.
Can be heavy on the tyres and check for usual boy racer abuse.
I'll dig out some links... if you can afford it, get the ST200 (like I did) vastly better car...
Watch out for a flat spot around 4000rpm when the secondaries come in...
Usual stuff - makes sure it's smooth accelerating and braking and doesn't jump out of third under full bore acceleration.
Check the service history... rev it right the way to the red line - if the battery light comes on, then an alternator is due shortly.
Check it has been serviced on the button... they're quite hardy but need the regular maintainance.
No cambelt (it's a chain) which is handy.
Can be heavy on the tyres and check for usual boy racer abuse.
I'll dig out some links... if you can afford it, get the ST200 (like I did) vastly better car...
Edited by Podie on Friday 8th September 08:46
pstruck said:
Planning to spend about £3k,
Find another grand and have a look at this... www.pistonheads.com/sales/97987.htm
(usual caveat applies - don't know the car / owner etc etc)
pstruck said:
Hmmm, yes I'd seen that one. Usual thing though isn't it - set your budget and always see something you'd like which is just a bit more! 
Not sure I can do £4k at the moment. I'm sure an ST24 won't dissappoint though (tries to convince self).
Not sure I can do £4k at the moment. I'm sure an ST24 won't dissappoint though (tries to convince self).
budget issue sounds familiar... ST24 is a very good cruiser.
Currently getting around 28-30mpg out of the ST200 which is better than I expected by some margin.
Mondeo V6s are vastly underrated, but then we know that, and it is to our advantage! It means we get a car with a damn good engine in a well sorted chassis. The ST200 in that ad looks absolutely storming value for money.
Check the front tyres are wearing evenly. Mk1/2 Mondeos were notorious for front suspension geometry problems, especially if the engine had been out to fit a new clutch and the garage didn't do a proper job. Having said that, it isn't a massively expensive job to sort. Be aware also that the water pump impeller is made of plastic and can fracture, potentially causing lots of overheating damage. So if there is a bill for a water pump replacement, query them as to whether it failed or was replaced pre-emptively.
As has been said, make sure the secondary throttles open at 3750rpm, they do gunge up and give "disappointing" performance. If 170bhp isn't enough, the usual mods are a better flowing (not necessarily louder) exhaust, pre-cat removal (leaving the secondary cat in there to pass the emissions, pre-cats are there to reduce emissions mainly in the first mile or so of driving and are unlikely to affect the MoT). It is possible to fit ST200 inlet manifolds and throttle to liberate a few more bhp (that's £500-600 quid though), but removing the existing ones and giving them a good clean will probably benefit performance and mpg too. Oh yes, and make sure the aircon blows cold!
Don't be surprised if it makes a MOOOOOO noise just above idle, thats called Moosing and is the air resonating in the inlet. It is a known fault but isn't harmful and most owners can't be bothered to install the replacement inlet duct which cures it.
Tons more info and help in the forums at www.fordmondeo.org
Check the front tyres are wearing evenly. Mk1/2 Mondeos were notorious for front suspension geometry problems, especially if the engine had been out to fit a new clutch and the garage didn't do a proper job. Having said that, it isn't a massively expensive job to sort. Be aware also that the water pump impeller is made of plastic and can fracture, potentially causing lots of overheating damage. So if there is a bill for a water pump replacement, query them as to whether it failed or was replaced pre-emptively.
As has been said, make sure the secondary throttles open at 3750rpm, they do gunge up and give "disappointing" performance. If 170bhp isn't enough, the usual mods are a better flowing (not necessarily louder) exhaust, pre-cat removal (leaving the secondary cat in there to pass the emissions, pre-cats are there to reduce emissions mainly in the first mile or so of driving and are unlikely to affect the MoT). It is possible to fit ST200 inlet manifolds and throttle to liberate a few more bhp (that's £500-600 quid though), but removing the existing ones and giving them a good clean will probably benefit performance and mpg too. Oh yes, and make sure the aircon blows cold!
Don't be surprised if it makes a MOOOOOO noise just above idle, thats called Moosing and is the air resonating in the inlet. It is a known fault but isn't harmful and most owners can't be bothered to install the replacement inlet duct which cures it.
Tons more info and help in the forums at www.fordmondeo.org
Just been fo a test drive in an ST24 - first I've really looked at - a 99 S plate with 72k, 2 owners, £3k.
Very tidy car, full Ford stamped service book, big pile of paperwork, all old MOT's, looked rather nice in the metallic red.
The car drove very smoothly and pulled pretty well throughout the revs. Not sure I really felt an extra 'shove' at the 3-4k mark, where I've been advised the secondaries open. No irregular tyre wear, but steering wheel not quite central - guess this should be easily rectified.
Does £3k sound reaonable? - would have new MOT, 6 months tax and sort steering plus non-functional elec seat height.
Hope to look at another this week. It will at least give me something to compare it to.
Very tidy car, full Ford stamped service book, big pile of paperwork, all old MOT's, looked rather nice in the metallic red.
The car drove very smoothly and pulled pretty well throughout the revs. Not sure I really felt an extra 'shove' at the 3-4k mark, where I've been advised the secondaries open. No irregular tyre wear, but steering wheel not quite central - guess this should be easily rectified.
Does £3k sound reaonable? - would have new MOT, 6 months tax and sort steering plus non-functional elec seat height.
Hope to look at another this week. It will at least give me something to compare it to.
Comment on the price but a search on auto trader should give you some clues. The non-functioning seat thing could be just a connector as the ones under the seat can be a bit dodgy... the most common thing to go is the seat belt pretensioner circuit which will make the air bag light flash. Generally speaking just cleaning the contacts under the seat sorts most things out but you need to remove the seat to do that. The biggest future bill for normal things that go will be the clutch which will set you back at least £500 so if it hasn't had one done at that mileage you need to factor it in.
Regards,
Mark
Regards,
Mark
davie3door has just posted 'ST24 For Sale'
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=118&t=309897
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=118&t=309897
Edited by glassman on Saturday 23 September 16:43
Its not an ST24 but I have a Ghia X V6, which is the same engine. It has done 126000 miles,(100000 when i bought it) It seemed a bit disapointing on the power front, which turned out to be a snapped cable on the inlet manifold runner control module (the bit that actuates at 3000 rpm) new module was easy to fit and cost about £100 I think. Water pump went (platic impellor snapped off) this is very easy to fit as it is on the gearbox end of the block, and has its own belt run off one of the cams. Needed a new rear Lambda sensor (there are two) for the MOT, but other than that its been reliable! Not a bad buy.
xrv said:
I just bought an ST200. The guy i bought it from had no idea what it was. He only bought it because his wife thought it was a nice blue colour. In his eyes it was just a six year old mondeo so i managed to get it for £2400. Bargin
Why didn't I find that man when I bought mine Well done on picking up a great deal! Enjoy it!
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