Lost Ford: The Mondeo ST220 Review
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- Опубліковано 10 кві 2019
- Prices of fast classic Fords have been going crazy lately, with people lusting after things like the Mk2 Focus ST and RS, as well as the much older Cosworths that came before them.
One Ford however has refused to depreciate - that's this, the Mondeo ST220. But why? I drive it and find out what it's all about.
#Ford #Mondeo #ST220
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29 and the years have been kind to you.
The weekends did some damage though.
@Kris Nicholson Feel free. I stole it from Paul O'Grady.
Hahahaha 😂
Bahahahahaha! Savage burn, I’m definitely using that... 😂
Absolutely love my 220 estate. Great to drive, seats and steering definitely the highlight I agree. The engine is also under rated, get it up above 5k RPM it comes alive, and the car can handle the power it’s given. Extremely under rated car, I’ll be keeping mine forever
Hiya mate, I don't suppose you'll reply 2 years later but what's it like to drive size wise? I've got a vw polo as my first car and it's a tiny little cheese block.
How much of a step up we talking lol?
@@Remzino66 you’ll be fine, will take a bit of getting used to but nothing overly intimidating.
I thought Mike Brewer had been on a weekend sesh for a minute 😂
That made me chuckle. Cheeky git. 😂
You seen the state of mike brewer lately?? Id say hes bigger.
Who is Mike Brewer? Naïvely, I merely came here for reasonably cerebral car reviews.
Hold out your haaaaaaaaand
Broo don't do Jay like that. Mikes a snake oil salesmem. Jay is a honest car reviewer
I wish Ford still did an ST version of the Mondeo. Or even an RS version...
They have those st lines but they're nowhere near as class as these.
@@DillonCatterson If ford decided to make an RS version of this i believe this car would be largely more popular.
They did in the US, it is the Fusion Sport with 325hp and all wheel drive.
Bro an rs would be insane!! 😂
That's a very tasty Mondeo indeed, James! Thanks for doing this review, it is certainly an overlooked gem.
Thanks again for the review James, was a pleasure.
Great review. Ive had my ST220 for 4 months now after owning many BMW’s, i think i prefer the ST. Mine is remapped and has an uprated exhaust which gives off an amazing sound from that V6 engine. You’d be welcome to take a look 👍
Is it RWD or FWD?
@@futbolists7 FWD of course.
Video please!!! ;-)
What does it make having been mapped both in bhp and mpg? I’ve just bought an ST220 of my own and looking for a touch more noise
Great to see an up to date and independent review of the ST220. I bought a pristine 95k mile estate 4 years ago and its lived up to my expectations - quick, reliable and great fun to drive. I agree with most of your comments, the seats are very comfortable for many hours at the wheel but they are designed for a surprisingly wide body. The fuel consumption can be in the mid 30s but I have also had 17mpg caning it on B roads. The stock exhaust makes for a quiet and relaxed car when its not being thrashed but a sports exhaust system really brings out the wonderful V6 noise. Taking the air filter out for a quick run does nothing for the performance (in fact the ECU hates it and refuses to let the car idle) but it does make a great induction noise. At the time of purchase I also tried a BMW530i which was probably a bit faster but it didn't carry the same sense of excitement as the ST , it felt more like a big car with a big engine but lacked the sense of driver involvement. Definitely not what I was looking for. I also tried the ST diesel which had more torque than the 220 but lacked the flexibility of the V6 which can drive from 30 to 150 in 6th. Also the diesels were more expensive and you can expect some big bills around 100k which would mo1re than pay for the extra fuel in the 220.
This is my second V6 ST, previously I had a ST24 estate and drove that from 13,000 miles to 160,000. That also had a totally reliable engine, I just regularly changed the oil. Both v6s have hydraulic tappets and chain driven cams so there is very little inside this bullet proof engine to bring you nasty bills. In your test, you liked the 6 speed box. Personally I preferred the 5 speed on the ST24 because when you are out on the B roads enjoying yourself you are using 3rd and 4th which is much faster change than the equivalent 4th to 5th on the 6 speed box.
I was surprised you found the handling sluggish but there again I haven't tried a modern hot hatch with a shorter wheelbase. Overall I love driving the car and love its combination of fun on windy roads, comfortable long distance cruising and great practical load carrying capacity. They are an absolute bargain if you find a nice one!
Thanks for the review.
I have read that the Estate is the best handling Mondeo.
I have had two ST220s and loved them both, really versatile all-round family car that is also a lot of fun to drive on your own. Recently did a 3000 mile roadtrip in it including long stretches of German Autobahn and it was quite happy at 130mph for extended blasts with much newer less individual vehicles. Thanks for the review. Definitely a forgotten future classic!
Described by Clarkson as the only car you really need when it came out I believe
This car is the basis for soo many other cars. So under appreciated. Fortunately manufacturers know and that's why they go to Ford for engines like this
The thing is that its not a ford engine... its a Porsche engine sold to Ford
29!?! Come off it! I'm 36 and you could be my dad 😂
Lol
Hahahahaha 😂😅
Now that is bloody funny :-)
WANT. I've always loved the mk3 mondeo in any spec and any engine but Christ alive that Duratec V6 has an amazing sound and I'm not a big V6 fan.
I'd avoid the diesel St had one.. Terrible
Clarkson said this car was better than a 3 series back then.
If Clarkson jumped off a cliff, I'd climb up a mountain.
he said it was better than the base model e46 3 series, not the 3 series in general.
He said specifically, " Every time I drive one of these things I always get out thinking, Why do we buy anything else ? "
@NutriFIT nutritie si fitnes Actually he said it was more exclusive than DB9
Gran tour s3 e14, called on respectful history and making money, i just bought a ST24 for 3k AUD with 70k KM on the clock. It wasn't option after that episode, as a VW guy i am a happy man!
I recently purchased a 2004 Mk3 Mondeo in standard Zetec guise. I used to have one of these cars years ago and missed the practicality of it. It still strikes me how comfortable this car is and just how effortless it is to drive on a daily basis, as just about all modern cars now have large rims and stiff suspension.
The Mk3 Mondeo was one of the best cars ever. 😁
agaaaain =OOOOOO
@@prudiceflc everywhere :D
@@LawrenceTimme is insane! x) got one mondeo 107kw now thinking bout st220 but is long shot)
@@prudiceflc the st220 is a great car. i had the ST TDCI rempped as the diesel was cheaper to insure at the time.
Its still a great looking car, loads of space and the ST has good sound and performance.
@@LawrenceTimme as a former owner of a st220. Please tell me whats so good about it? Expensive to run, extremely unreliable and boring to drive?
Great cars,I have an 03 2.5 V6 Zetec S...had it since 06,its had a couple of springs and wheel bearings but it's been mechanically bulletproof and no rust.
This generation of mondeo, ether it is the general mondeo or the st220, was awarded with the best chassis at that time available, At least in the Netherlands
I live in the area you're test driving this 220, my 220 loves the bends around here! It's so much fun to drive on the Sudbury road in it. Great review and a lovely example of the ST220!
They don't if they're standard. When they're lowered they corner like an eel. I love throwing mine around bends lol.
@@Codzilla71 haha! She's a cutie bless her.
What suspension did you put on?
What a great reviewer. Good Job Man!
I contemplated one of these for my first (quicker) car. Ended up with the Mazda 6 MPS which might even fly under the radar more than the ST220. 4 years later It still makes me smile.
MP6 is very underrated and rare
The Mazda 6 MPS is a very rare and brisk car, good choice. Recently bought an ST220 myself.
Had one of these for 2 years - one of the best cars I ever had. It never missed a beat even though I abused it badly!
That’s my old st220 loved it,one of my most favourite cars.
Nice to see it’s still going,and being well looked after
I love mine. It's the same silver but I have more applications and the red recaros. Good to see new videos about this beautiful car.
I still see Mk3 Mondeos and think they look sharp, despite my less than stellar experience I actually wouldn't mind another
Ha..... I know who you are! 😅
The Duratec V6 is a fun little motor and the Mondeo is a well sorted chassis. There's more grip than you expect and it doesn't plow with mountains of understeer.
I had 6-speed manual gearbox (MMT6) in my 2007 mk3 2-liter TDCi, and gear changes were remarkably pleasant.
The gear shifting mechanism on top of the gearbox has a pendulum which helps to move the levers into gear.
One thing that utterly transforms the handling and grip on these mk3 ST Mondoes is good tyres, Eibach Pro springs, and the Focus ST 320mm brakes. I run the Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 5 tyres and all of the above, and recently replaced the stock dampers with new O.E items and the thing is a bloody dream on the twisties! (always worth getting the full 4 wheel alignment checked, it can really make or break the handling characteristics when it's out on rear). The turn-in and mid-corner adjustability, aswell as the outright grip on the Eibachs and the Goodyear is night and day over stock setup. And the 320mm brakes give the car the braking ability to match the grip from the sticky rubber. This setup makes the Mk3 ST feel like a much smaller and more nimble car, especially when compared to today's relatively heavy modern equivalents :)
I should ad - the Eibach springs don't ruin the ride quality to much, nor do they sit the car on its arse. The Eibach Pro kit feels like it was seriously well developed to give the car the sporty look and feel it should have left the factory with. Mine doesn't feel anymore firm or harsh than some of today's sporty saloons and hatchbacks.
Got one. Mine isn't as perfect as this anymore but after almost 10 years of ownership, stil a great allrouner!
Got a 220, love it. Panel filter, Milltek catback and remap really livens them up. 246 bhp on the last dyno session, not rocket ship quick but more than enough to have some fun. Has most of the toys you want, a great all rounder.
I love mine, and when you get to the power band in 6th gear, she starts pulling again when a lot of cars are running out of steam...
I had a 'performance blue' one of these and from memory this review seems pretty much spot on 👍
A great review, I totally agree with your stance on modern micro suv shit boxes
Have owned a 2003 ST220 since 04. Don't think I will ever part with it. Their rare in Ireland as road tax is steep (€1500). Only big expense with mine was a steering rack. Bullet proof reliability.
I love your presentation style Jay. Pete. 🇬🇧
The car that Jeremy, Richard, and James all like.
Car spotter trivia fact: Jag S-Type R is 4.2 V8 400 horses.
Something special about these cars they just look so good!
I love a fast ford, I own a focus I am currently doing and they are great fun. Nice to see the video filmed around castle and Sible Hedingham also as I am a local! Lol the backroads here are brilliant fun!
Good video. I loved my ST220, best all-rounder car I've had. I've got a Mk4 2.5T now, which is quicker off the mark but not as great on country roads as the ST.
Filmed in an area where I used to live when I had an ST24, followed by an ST TDCi that was the same colour as the car in the film. Some great driving roads round there, and I’d pick the earlier ST every time. With the right tyres it was glued to the road, even in the wet.
I have the non-ST version of this car (ghia X) and man I love it (when it works). I would love a ST220, the torque and space is addictive
It’s a shame the old ST220 doesn’t get Much recognition it’s a Solid car. Comfortable & Fast handles surprisingly good for its size , it’s 0-60mph time may not be the quickest but it goes well once on the move. The 3litre can hold a good speed on the motorway for quite some miles.
It’s a good motorway mile muncher .
Nice review .
My Juke 1.6petrol , 5 speed manual is getting between 35-42 mpg , and if you push it and you re using air conditioning is sticking with 36.....mpg .
So that ST 220 for the performance and the option and the 6 speed manual is pretty decent in terms of consumption .
All the best .
I always liked the look of this generation of Mondeo. Australia missed out on it unfortunately. I do remember coming across the ST220 back in the day though.
Great video, and some well made points I’ve noticed over the last year of owning one. But great cars nonetheless, look amazing, sound great (much better with a performance exhaust), reasonably rare, have a great community surrounding them and great handling when you consider the size and weight. You go to Ford car shows and it’s: Focus, fiesta, Focus, Fiesta, Focus, Fiesta, Focus, (and what’s coming up next, yes another:) Fiesta. Be different! The Aforementioned cars mainly all have the same mods and require so much to be done to them (mod wise) to get noticed, I was watching a leaving video (some 30 mins long) from a Ford based car show the other day and there was one Mondeo, one, in the back of the shot, they’re widely overlooked motors in this world of crossover s**t and got hatches so please give them the attention they deserve!
I like the st220 my brother had the previous generation st200 2.5 v6 over 10 years ago. Had a exhaust on it made it sound amazing
I definitely need to get one of these within the next couple years before they get rarer or expensive
I had one of them I loved it so much I kept it eight years. Mine was blue it handled well for a big car and in it’s day it weren’t no slouch .
Thoroughly enjoyed the narrative!
These looking stunning in performance blue with the red leather interior
Great review James. I had the earlier mk2 st24 years ago but lost interest in new fords when the st220 came out as they weren’t quick enough. I bought a tuned up 200sx instead which was my favourite car I’ve owned instead.
Enjoyed the video. Handsome car in either hatch or saloon. I would pick this over a 330 of the same time. Probably less rust and more bang for your buck to boot.
E90 330i is in a different league to this old Sierra!
notmanynamesleft talking E46 🤦♂️
@@notmanynamesleft, maybe on the acceleration and top speed front, but handling wise..... No chance.
A well looked after ST220 would leave an E90 330 on a twisty road, in its wake..... No danger.
The only thing lacking in the Mondeo mk3 range, was a real performance version.
In the very late 90's early 2000's, Jaguar/Ford developed a Supercharged 3.0 V6 that developed 350 bhp and its intended use was in a Mondeo with 4 wheel drive..... However, Ford decided, wrongly in my eyes, to abandon this direction for fear of treading on its luxury brands toes! A development of this engine found its way into the Supercharged XF 3.0 V6 4x4 with 380bhp.
I was working at Jaguar Engineering, Whitley, Coventry at the time and there was a number of modified Mondeo mk2's used for development purposes,with this engine on board, in varying drive configurations.
Plus the Supercharged V8 in similar development Mondeos.
A 4x4 Supercharged V6 Mondeo would have run rings clean around an E90 M3 and I most certainly would've bought one.
Niceee, my dad used to have one of these, but before I could appreciate it unfortunately
Can you give a 156 GTA / 147 GTA a good look? Similar era and similar kind of drivetrain and engine but it cost twice as much as a Subaru WRX saloon (the Hawkeye one at that). A video on those would be good.
Definitely will be doing a 156 when I can
I had a nosey at a mint 147 GTA that was in my alfa specialist's shop while my car was being worked on and it's glorious!
The engine had been polished up and had a few more bits painted than stock, that busso V6 was one of the sexiest looking and sounding things ever. Shame they're FWD
Christopher O'Grady engine is work of art. Kinda reminds me of an orchestra ☺
@@JayEmmOnCars I very much recommend to go for a 2.5 rather than the overly bodykitted GTA with its fantastic looking but underwhelmingly performing seats, though. In real life conditions, the 2.5 is probably just as fast but a lot more refined and usable. With an aftermarket exhaust you could even get it to sound just as gorgeous as the GTA's 3.2. A V6 156 in Sportswagon shape, painted in that pearlescant blue is a thing that'd keep me awake at nights. One of my fav cars ever, I must say. That gorgeous V6 mated to a first class FWD chassis and topped with what was arguably one of the 1990s prettiest cars (outside and inside) was just an automotive dream. Hell, even the rather modest 2.0 Twin Spark was all fun.
And please do us all a favour: Forget about the 147 GTA. It was, well, how do I put this politely? A very pretty and sweet sounding undriveable piece of junk (just my 5 cents ... so here we go: Alfisti shitstorm in 3...2...1...) ;-)
@@ralfhenke677 1 year later no storm? Wrong place to comment. But share the love for the rare 156 2.5 my favourite compact exec of the late late 90s.
What year was the facelift? My 04 ST220 doesn't have the chrome trim that that one has, but has the 6 speed gearbox
Love this car, I pass it every day on my way to work
James have you ever driven an MG6? If you ever fancy driving and reviewing one give us a shout. Great video as always mate
What a wonderful review st220
My mum owns a Ford mondeo ST 155 diesel 2.2 lieter engine and 18 inch alloys, got it in 2009 and she's still running beautifully!
I had a 04 plate st220 in machine silver and had a massive smile on my face every time I drove it considering I only paid £1450 with 71k bargain!
And driven properly will still make new cars think!
5:02 is it a very different engine to _presumably_ the AJ30 (the V6 that Rocketeer use for their MX-5 conversion kit)?
I think it's similar, but related. The Jag unit puts out a bit more power, 240 from memory in the s Type
My 2 Litre handled brilliantly. Hardly driven a nicer balanced car before, or since. The only thing that hurts Ford is snobbery. And that's a genuine shame.
@kellypaws it's not a shame at all, keeps them under the radar!
shame they dropped all the decent engines from the Mondeo. buying new its pretty much diesel or hybrid, and even the diesels are just crappy little 1.5s
I drove one of these for 7 years. Silky smooth V6. Best mpg I ever saw was 26, usually 22. They have a DMF which will go eventually and it ate a pair of front tyres for breakfast every morning, and typical ford the doors were rusting. But I still miss it.
those seats look like MK3 Focus ST seats :) Freaking nice car!!!!
My brother had an early '07 ST TDCi for a few years and whilst they're more common, not as fast as the 220 and not as good sounding, it was certainly capable, much cheaper to run and I liked it in blue. When he got rid, I was a bit disappointed.
Great looking ST220 especially in that color, the S-Type R actually has 390 or 400 hp and has a ZF 6 speed auto which fits it great. Love mine. Hopefully you test drive one soon. Thanks
In your MX-5/Miata video, you mentioned Rocketeer's V6 swap - that swap uses the AJ30 - the Jag version of the ST220's engine with VVT.
Jay, how does it compare to Legacy 3.0r Spec B?
Also as for seat options they shipped with:black,red and white full leather recaros and a series of black, red and white half leather and alcantara recaros. The alcantara stayed black across all of them.
I always had a soft spot for the previous ST24 - probably not as good as the ST220 but it went well, handled great and had a great V6 warble.
Lovely car indeed, I own an ST200 Limited Edition saloon, a proper head turner & only 89k on the clock.
Love the ST220 , very nice car and value for your mouney its a lot of car , here in South africa are still a couple of ST mondeos , i want one !!
I've noticed you're from the south east, maybe Essex, can you recommend any good well sighted roads if I am indeed correct on where you drive.
Always surprised at your surprise at the slickness of a Ford gearbox - your dad's Capri must have been something of an exception because every Ford I have driven (even going back to 4-speed Cortinas and the like) has had a rapid, slick and very positive change...and that has generally been the reputation and the finding of the motoring press through the years.
I had one these for 6 yrs my friend has it know very underrated car loved it engine the sound , handling the interior still the most comfortable car seats I sat in I never owned a car longer and I wish I not sold it performance blue best colour and put focus st front brakes on makes a lot difference I bought a focus rs mk3 I wish I kept this and it still going strong put j p exhaust on sounds lovely 👍
And breathe out!!
Is there a link to the Pistonheads forum/article on you looking 'middle aged'? I remember TGE TV didn't get a good reputation on there so he mocks those members haha
I had one of these and it was GREAT! ...I don't agree that it should sound better. That's exactly what I've liked on that car. The engine sounds quite decent, when you are driving normally and when you hit the gas you are getting chilling response from under the bonnet and not from the exhaust. I had ST220 preFaceLift and it didn't had so much sound isolation between engine space and passengers cabin, which made the experience of that V6 sound even better.
I had the diesel version from age 18-21. Was great second car and the diesel does great mpg if you are doing more miles.
only problem with these back in the day! was the old bill used to drive them!
Had one stonking engine the 3.0l and damn fine drive
One of the true sleeper cars. Have always lusted after one, but I fear that the insurance (per annum) would be more costly than the car.
35 mpg? in that? did he drive both ways downhill with a tail hurracane?
I've been a fan of the Mondeo since it first hit the forecourts and in 1999 I bought a 2.3 litre GXL I kept that car till 2017 and now regret selling it because it was the very definition of reliability, never failing an MOT and never letting me down. NO matter what the weather it started every time on the first turn of the starter. The only things that needed renewing were bake pads, timing belt, exhaust and dampers and, of course during servicing, plugs and filers. It had been round the clock twice and when I got rid of it, it still drove as good as the day I bought it. In my opinion the Mondeo was one of the finest saloon cars ever built by Ford. Oh, and the person who bought it was one of the mechanics who gave it it 's annual service each year and he's still driving it.
At the new year meet of brook lands museum, I was following one of those and the driver wanted to go in the exotic super car parking, they turned him away. Really don’t understand why... I always wonder if the mondeo désigner brief, can you make this the blendiest looking car eve?
you can adjust the height of the seat by a little button in the right side of the seat
I've always liked the shape. New one is too bulky. ST220 would be great to own.
Very timely. I've reached an age where getting in and out of an Elise is going to become more and more embarrassing, and thoughts are turning towards sporty land barges like the Mondeo/Superb/A5/5 series etc. Thanks for the review, a lot to ponder here.
Would an x358 Jaguar tickle your fancy?
My first fast saloon.
Also had a Seat Toledo 20VT (180hp) and now drive a Passat 2.0TSI 220PS (not the asthmatic 190PS).
Love warm saloons.
Always been a favourite one
Any info on the few mondeos built with a bit more power??
Had an identical car in 2006, it was good car for its time , however it was the most thirsty car I can remember owning , I was doing a few miles back then, constantly at the fuel station, had to sell due to the very poor mpg, no point buying 3.0 V6 and doing 50mph everywhere, however good value for money into days market.
I have the american version but in the SVT model. Pretty rare to see and the car is very peppy and has an amazing sound.
This is the first time I've seen Jay driving a Fast Ford and actually complaining that it wasn't noisy enough!
I've only ever been a passenger but I was convinced that it handled like a dream when I was taken out in it
3.0 is the sweet spot for a car that size, i drive an e39 530i and the engine is perfect, just something about early 00s cars.
I've got a manual E60 530i. That M54B30 engine is a peach. Also very reliable and easy to service.
I had a manual E39 528i before and changed it for the E60. However, I missed the E39 as I thought it was an excellent design, so I bought an E39 M5 as well a year later.
Would like a Mk3 Mondeo as well, as being a hatch or estate, it's so much more practical than the E39 & E60 saloons.
I used to have an m reg mondeo 2 litre Si in the 90s and it was fantastic and you could throw it round corners. I'm surprised Jay doesn't think you can with this but there again I've not driven supercars.
good vid mate
Any update on getting your hands on a Noble?!
Basically what was sold in the US as the Mazda6 hatchback, but you couldn’t get the V6 with a manual on some models. Great cars. I would buy one now.
As a teenager in the mid/late 80s I lusted after the Sierra Cosworth but wasn't old enough to drive, now that I am old enough I can't actually afford one.
A few months back I was looking through some ads for cossies and there was an RS500 that was selling for £95,000😲😲
Today I want either an e46 or e92 m3 but it would be nice to own a slice of Ford hot history.