Replacement for a Mk5 Mondeo estate?

[MC Bodge]

I have had my 2017 Mk5 Mondeo estate since just before the Covid pandemic began. It still has only ~40k miles on it

It has been (mostly) very good:

The ride and handling are superb, loaded and unloaded.
It is spacious and comfortable.
The brakes are good.
The boot is big enough for our needs. Add a bike rack and a roof box and it is very practical, whilst remaining great to drive.


The 4 cylinder 1.5 petrol engine is the weakest point. It lacks low rpm grunt, particularly in the first two gears, but is actually fine from third gear onwards, where it offers quite decent performance (The later 3 cylinder 1.5 Ford Ecoboost engines appear to be an improvement)

Although there is no need to change it, I am thinking about replacing it.

I am tempted by a non-VW kombi type van, but I do like the Mondeo handling.

I do not want a diesel if possible.

I do not want a newer car that has irritating "safety aids" that cannot be switched off and remain off forever.

Any ideas would be welcome, thanks.

Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 28th October 08:38

[stevemcs]

If you want a Komi type van but decent handling then how about a Transit ? They drive so much better than the Transporter.

Or how about a Focus, all the pluses of the Mondeo, the boot space is pretty good too.

[omniflow]

I had a Mk5 Mondeo Estate, but the 2.0 Petrol Turbo, I loved it. It got written off and when looking to replace it there were only 7 cars with the right engine for sale on AT UK wide. None of these had the right spec. Rather than buy another Mondeo that wasn't as good as the one I used to have, I ended up with a Jaguar XF Sportbrake. I'm very happy with it.

[SlowV6]

I was going to suggest another Mk5 Mondeo estate, with the 2.0T engine. Vignale spec for max poshness?

How about a Superb estate in 2.0T (280BHP) L&K, or an Octavia VRS.

You haven't stated budget. Enough for a 540i - looks like you need £25k+?

[MC Bodge]

SlowV6 said:

I was going to suggest another Mk5 Mondeo estate, with the 2.0T engine. Vignale spec for max poshness?

How about a Superb estate in 2.0T (280BHP) L&K, or an Octavia VRS

The Titanium Mondeo has more than enough poshness for me. I would just keep the current one, rather than change it for a thirstier one with even more bells and whistles.

The Octavia I had was quite a step down in terms of handling and refinement from a Mondeo.

We have a Focus hatchback. It is a really good car, although the boot is quite small.

A Superb 2.0T estate might be ok, although would the combination of ride, handling and steering be as good as I am accustomed to?

I had £15-20K in mind, but I realise that used car prices have increased.

A kombi type van appeals, and I may end up with one.

Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 28th October 09:24

[Discendo Discimus]

I know you said you don't want diesel, but my 2018 Mondeo 2.0Tdi estate is superb. All the plus points you've mentioned plus a nice kick of low down grunt. It does over 60mpg on a long run too.

I'll be going for a Skoda Superb L&K Estate next but only because the Mondeo is a company car and is getting on a bit. I really do rate them.

[ZX10R NIN]

Why not get the Mondeo remapped as they'tr mapped so you don'r get full power in the first 2/3 gears, I think that would sort your lack of grunt in pull away.

The Superb etc don't drive as well as the Mondeo & I don't think they're a better place to be.

The 508 in GT Line/GT spec is a very good car I'd recommend test driving one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407101...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410044...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410225...

[MC Bodge]

ZX10R NIN said:

Why not get the Mondeo remapped as they'tr mapped so you don'r get full power in the first 2/3 gears, I think that would sort your lack of grunt in pull away.

The Superb etc don't drive as well as the Mondeo & I don't think they're a better place to be.

The 508 in GT Line/GT spec is a very good car I'd recommend test driving one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407101...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410044...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410225...

The Peugeot might be interesting.

The lack of grunt pulling away and in second gear is where it is noticeable (I had assumed that it was to protect an under-specced clutch, otherwise it seems an odd thing for Ford to have done). Re-mapping could be good, but, living in the Manchester area, declaring a remap can make insurance costly.

There appears to be a fairly common issue with the engine blocks too that a remap may not help with.

Edit: I have read a few reviews. The Peugeot sounds a bit compromised, but I would consider one.

Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 28th October 17:17

[SlowV6]

My mk4.5 TitX Mondeo 2.0TDCi has this limited power in 1st and 2nd gears setup. I believe it is to protect the clutch/DMF?

Golf R Mk 7.5 estate? £20K gets you easily into a nice one.

[MC Bodge]

SlowV6 said:

Golf R Mk 7.5 estate? £20K gets you easily into a nice one.

I really don't need a family car that fast.

I'd also prefer a Mondeo-sized one. More useful to me, even if the luggage space doesn't appear that great on paper.

I would have a Superb over a Golf.

[Gas1883]

No idea on mondeo vignale but daughter has fiesta with all option and is a nice place to be

[Gas1883]

I had the 1.5 ecoboost I believe in a kuga , seemed fine for power but I found it heavy on fuel compared to 1.0 focus , though it was a 23 plate kuga & did look big compared to focus , though didn’t feel any bigger to drive , wife said the same .

[MC Bodge]

Gas1883 said:

I had the 1.5 ecoboost I believe in a kuga , seemed fine for power but I found it heavy on fuel compared to 1.0 focus , though it was a 23 plate kuga & did look big compared to focus , though didn’t feel any bigger to drive , wife said the same .

Your Kuga was a 3 cylinder 1.5. Quite different to the 4 cylinder, more low rpm torque, and more similar to the 1.0. Our 125ps 1.0 3 cylinder Focus has good low rpm grunt and drives very well (even with its very long gearing).

Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 29th October 08:07

[stevemcs]

MC Bodge said:

The Titanium Mondeo has more than enough poshness for me. I would just keep the current one, rather than change it for a thirstier one with even more bells and whistles.

The Octavia I had was quite a step down in terms of handling and refinement from a Mondeo.

We have a Focus hatchback. It is a really good car, although the boot is quite small.

A Superb 2.0T estate might be ok, although would the combination of ride, handling and steering be as good as I am accustomed to?

I had £15-20K in mind, but I realise that used car prices have increased.

A kombi type van appeals, and I may end up with one.

Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 28th October 09:24

I went from a mk 4.5 2.2 Mondeo to the 280 superb, and to answer your question, no the ride, steering and handling are not as good. I was looking at the 2.0 vignale when this Skoda came up and was swayed by boot size more tuning potential and awd. If a decent 3 or 5 series petrol had come up I would have gone with one of those.

[MC Bodge]

stevemcs said:

I went from a mk 4.5 2.2 Mondeo to the 280 superb, and to answer your question, no the ride, steering and handling are not as good. I was looking at the 2.0 vignale when this Skoda came up and was swayed by boot size more tuning potential and awd. If a decent 3 or 5 series petrol had come up I would have gone with one of those.

Thanks. A 5 Series would be the right size.