Sadly, it’s goodbye CRV day tomorrow. We’ll both be very sorry to see it go and certainly hope to have another one in the future.
Road tax at £265 per year, fuel consumption at low 30’s on short journeys and down to 20MPG with the caravan on, low tow ball nose weight and the high price of replacing it with a later CRV meant common sense had to prevail in the end.
The decision was made late on Saturday afternoon and a quick look at our usual supplier of cars had nothing to do the job.
Sunday saw us at the local Ford dealer and we made the decision to go back to the Mondeo which we both liked when we’ve owned them before.
So, it’s a 03 Mondeo 2.0 130 GhiaX TDCi hatchback. It was already fitted with a tow bar and has full service history with a local owner for the past 8 years. The other owner was a leasing company for its first 9 months. It has 64,000 on the clock and is in good condition.
I’m a bit reluctant because I don’t like diesel cars but despite trawling the internet for any major problems I can’t come up with a good argument not to go ahead.
I know there are some issues with DPF but because of the huge amount of models of Mondeo’s it’s hard to sort out which has them and which are a problem.
Any advice before I go and collect it tomorrow?
Pat
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I like Fords, but this sounds like a good used buy from most perspectives.
Locally owned, believable service history, and sold by a franchised dealer, so you are as certain as you can be it's straight.
One thing worth checking on collection is the alloy wheel locking nut key.
It should be in a little recess under the boot floor - I would whip it out and offer it up to one of the wheels to make sure it's the right one.
At this age, I'd expect a spacesaver spare, but it may have a little compressor and a can of goo - either will be under the boot floor.
If it's goo, there's no jack or wheelbrace.
There should be two keys, one remote, one not.
I'm not sure if it has a dual mass flywheel or diesel particulate filter, but since I've done more than 100,000 miles in diesel Fords with both, it wouldn't worry me one way or the other.
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>> I'm not sure if it has a dual mass flywheel
Might still be a good shout to check when it was changed, and if not recently barter for the replacement.
On these i think the front subframe has to be dropped, plus parts, i doubt there'd be much change out of £1200.
Shouldn't fail. There's not many other options out there anyway so i don't think you can loose the risk going elsewhere, the mondy is going to be as good a choice as any i suspect.
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Pat, an 03 Mondeo TDCi won't have a DPF :-) I had a Euro IV Mondeo (one of the first) in late 2003 ('53 plate) and that didn't have/need a DPF either. So yours definitely does not.
This engine is the Ford DuraTorq which had nothing to do with PSA. It is the ones designed/built in conjunction with PSA that have a DPF.
Enjoy it. I had the Mondeo Ghia for 4 years and the main problem it had in that time was the EGR valve but easily fixed. But do check the bottom of the doors for signs of rust too. Mine had signs of rust and was due to the door frame not hang the right sealer at the bottom from the day of manufacture.
To replace the clutch the front sub-frame does need dropping and then re-aligning. I know because I had one replaced.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Mon 25 Jul 11 at 10:49
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>> This engine is the Ford DuraTorq which had nothing to do with PSA. It is
>> the ones designed/built in conjunction with PSA that have a DPF.
>>
My PSA engined 2.0 TDCI 05 Focus did not have a DPF.
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"EGR valve but easily fixed" - I have a fault code / engine warning light on due to "EGR flow malfunction", how easy is it to sort this? And does it seriously affect performance / emissions?
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>>There should be two keys, one remote, one not.
>>
May I suggest you get another key cut immediately as an insurance against a big bill if you loose one of the two supplied ?
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My insurance company offers key cover for 20.00 a year.
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I would have thought a Ghia X estate would have been better, does that not come with self levelling suspension? or is that standard on the hatchback?
Last edited by: Zero on Mon 25 Jul 11 at 11:41
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Self levelling was not standard on the hatchback. I think it was on the estate. A long time ago from when I was looking at Mondeo specs - about 8 years!
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...I would have thought a Ghia X estate would have been better...
Opinions vary, some reckon the hatch is the better tow car because it has a shorter rear overhang.
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Thanks all and specially rtj for putting my mind at rest about the DPF
We'll check the doors and have another key cut too.
The estate does have self levelling suspension but it is known among caravanners as having a softer suspension than the hatchback wins in that respect.
Finances were limited having just bought a new caravan so the thinking behind this is that we can try it for a year or so and if it turns out to be as good as reported, then we can go for a later model.
Hopefully we'll have more time to look for one then.
Now, who can tell me if it has a DMF? :)
Pat
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If you google Ford TDCi 130 DMF you will:
a) find out it's got one
b) scare yourself
TBH it appears that there was a quality issue with the early ones as they were failing all over the place, but that has gone quiet now, so I assume it has been improved! It would be worth getting your friendly garage to whip the starter out and check for any signs of swarf in the nose - if it has then get it back to the supplying dealer pronto and get them to foot the bill for fitting a new one....!
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Yes it has a DMF. Had the same engine on my CMAX. DMF failed at somewhere around 50,000 miles. Approx £1,000 repair cost. Lots of cars of course have no problems and engine otherwise is superb. Bit thirsty though if used hard.
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Yes definitely a DMF equipped car. But not DPF... even when I got mine it was optional because it was (a) more expensive and (b) had slightly higher CO2 emissions - but saved me money because it was not subject to the extra 3% diesel BIK charge at the time.
I guess it's a question of finding out how to check the DMF is still okay or has been replaced.
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Nice choice of car Pat! I know you've had Mondeos before but after the CRV the Ford's low running costs will amaze you. The TDCi 130 engine is chain cam, so no belt change to worry about. DPFs were an option only on 2005-on EuroIV Mondeos - although mine is EuroIV compliant without one.
>> Any advice before I go and collect it tomorrow?
It's worth checking the tyres thoroughly for tread depth or damage. ISTR the Ghia X has 17" or possibly even 18" wheels, the tyres for which are not cheap.
Test everything electrical works - all the door locks, all the windows, all the speakers, all the lights. Easy to miss a duff switch on a test drive and it will bug you beyond belief during your ownership, not to mention be a nuisance to fix.
I think it's a bit of a lottery as to when the flywheel will give up, I've read of some lasting 30,000 miles and others not wearing out in ten times that distance. FWIW mine had the clutch changed at 98k, and the flywheel was pronounced fit and was left in place. 20k miles later and (touch wood) nothing so far. I reckon it has a lot to do with the drivers' mechanical sympathy, so you should be fine ;)
The only other issue widely covered on the internet is faulty injectors, but I stick to branded fuels (no supermarket diesel) and add Millers Ecomax and I haven't had any problems with mine yet.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Mon 25 Jul 11 at 13:39
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"I reckon it has a lot to do with the drivers' mechanical sympathy, so you should be fine ;)"
Yep I'm, an unsympathetic kind of guy. Good point about the tyres which certainly aren't cheap. The 2 litre TDCI engine delivers a lot torque and can eat tyres if driven hard.
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>>The estate does have self levelling suspension but it is known among caravanners as having a softer suspension than the hatchback wins in that respect.
Yes - one of the advantages of self levelling suspension is that it doesn't need to be stiffened up to allow large loads to be carried.
Without self levelling suspension, the rear suspension needs to be designed to still have sufficient reserve travel when it is fully laden. This means the suspension is actually too stiff in normal use.
Self levelling suspension avoids this design compromise.
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How do you know if your Ford TDCI has a DPF fitted, especially if you are not the 1st owner. What are the signs?
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For Pat, she will know and be reassured it has not got a DPF because none of the Ford Duratorq diesels of that design ever had DPF. And besides they were all Euro III on an 03 plate. Later in the year came the Euro IV diesels but still of Ford design and no DPF.
It was only later when they were using Ford/PSA designs did DPF come along. And then not all cars using Ford/PSA diesels had DPF.
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>> How do you know if your Ford TDCI has a DPF fitted, especially if you are not the 1st owner.
>> What are the signs?
Click on the grey "Vehicle" tab on here: www.etis.ford.com/
Then type in the registration number or VIN. That'll tell you, and a whole lot more besides.
Or... Get down on hands and knees and look for the DPF (it's a bit bigger than a catalytic converter and is located between the exhaust manifold and the cat).
:)
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Keep a grand tucked away for the DMF.
Otherwise good machine.
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OK here we go again. I've had 3 of them and run them to huge mileages and they didn't need DMFs or anthing else expensive either. Listen up at the back ! They don't all need DMFs !!! Undoubtedly some do but not all by any stretch. My brother in law has one as his station car. 142,000 Never failed. My pal sold one with 228, 000 of his miles on it. It never failed either. In fact I've never actually met anyone who has had one go and in my game the estates especially are a very common workhorse choice. Sheesh.
Good choice Pat. Enjoy.
:-)
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>> OK here we go again. I've had 3 of them and run them to huge
>
And how did you repay this devotion to the Marque?
You dumped them, heartlessly, cruelly
Look what happened to poor Betsy
s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt148/know_wun/poor%20Betsy/
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I shall have another large Ford estate one day. Not much of an automotive ambition I know but there it is. I'd actually like it even better if I'd won the lottery. I'd definitely have a Mondeo estate then just for the sheer foxtrot oscar effect of it.
:-)
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Pat, I mentioned having a clutch. Don't let that concern you. The start of the slipping clutch could be traced back to when I had to do a hill start on Red Bank with a fully loaded car. Clutch slipped and stank. I posted at the time. It lasted longer than I thought.
DMF did not need replacing at the time as far as I know.
Apart from a problem with the EGR valve, the other problem I had was with a failed latch on the hatch booth. Cheap part needed but inconvenient when it wouldn't lock.
Not the most comfortable car I've had but four years passed without major problems. I'd say I'd have another but not one so old and the current one is not totally to me liking. Then again what do I know about cars. I'm getting one a Passat.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Mon 25 Jul 11 at 22:15
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It's very well shod with four matching tyres on each corner and the heated seats won me over in the end!
I have really missed those since I stopped driving lorries.
Had a phone call yesterday to make an appointment to collect it at 3pm this afternoon and get the tow ball swapped over from the CRV at the same time.
They have also made us a new number plate up for the caravan.
I could get used to the service from a main dealer:)
Pat
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Pat, as mentioned up the thread, its probably worth slipping your favoured indie 50 quid, and ask him to check the starter motor for swarf Peace of mind and all that.
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Thanks Dave. Looked it up. No mention of a DPF. I'm in the clear. ;-)
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>> Thanks Dave. Looked it up. No mention of a DPF. I'm in the clear. ;-)
Unlike those following you. ;>)
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When I last posted on this thread it was with a lot of regret at seeing the CRV go.
I loved it and really wasn't interested in what was replacing it.
One whole month later and the Mondeo has totally won me over (reluctantly, I might add).
Driving has become fun again with six gears to play with and a need to listen to the engine to find the way to use them at their best, much like I was always used to in a lorry.
We've managed to do a long solo run and a long weekend in North Yorkshire with the caravan on the back as well as the day to day running about.
The best fuel figures have been 51mpg and the worst, when towing, was 38.1mpg. That in itself justifies the Mondeo is here to stay after our 15.1MPG on the Cornwall run with the CRV.
The performance has turned me into the demon granny of the Fens:)
No more mimsing for me, I overtake everything now and just love the way it sits me back in my seat and responds instantly when I tell it to. Very akin to driving a V8 Scania!
Things I love and would now never do without:
Heated passenger seat (as well as drivers seat)
Driving seat that tips forward as well as moves forward.
Electrically operated seat controls.
6 CD player has room for three each and mine are Bon Jovi, AC/DC and Bob Seger so don't bother ringing me when I'm driving anymore, music to drive to is the order of the day.
Leather seats
Acceleration and Ooomph which lets me know I'm in total control again. I've not felt that since driving lorries.
We had one small problem....neither of us noticed it didn't have mud flaps fitted and arrived in a soggy Yorkshire with a brand new caravan all splattered in mud.
That's been rectified this week by having a full set of 4 fitted at the dealers (cost £117). I did lose the argument to man maths though when I suggested mrpda fit them.
Pat
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Hi Pat,
I'm delighted that you're delighted, and even more delighted that you're able to prove that there's no need whatsoever for a 4x4 in the real world. Even for towing. And that 4x4s are inferior to proper cars when used on the road by every possible measure.
;-)
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I shall take that in the nature it's intended Alanovic:)
Pat
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I still think mine's brilliant Pat, even though it doesn't have leather or any of your other "must-have"s fitted! It'll have been here for 6 months next week, done 7,000 miles in it (on 119k now) and so far the only expense has been a brake light bulb. The shove in the back when accelerating makes it feel so long-legged and capable in traffic.
>> The best fuel figures have been 51mpg
Most of my driving is on quiet motorways, so I sit at just over 60mph with cruise control on. It regularly returns 59mpg on the 200-mile round trip to my dad's, with a journey best of 64mpg when picking my son up one Saturday (54 miles there and back). If I hide / forget about the mpg display it never shows less than 49mpg when I come back to it after a week of short local runs. Pretty amazing for such a big car.
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I still reckon you have to go some to beat a Mondeo for sheer all round ability.
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>>It has 64,000 on the clock<<
Pull the other one ;}
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...It has 64,000 on the clock...
It wears its miles well.
You would, too, if you ate proper food. :)
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>>You would, too, if you ate proper food. :)<<
Yeah, guess I'll just have to get some of those rib eye steaks, freeze them, and then defrost them in a microwave.
:-(
Last edited by: Dog on Thu 25 Aug 11 at 11:05
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Goodbye CRV - Iffy
