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MONDEO ST220

BUYER’S GUIDE

Words: Dan Williamson

VITAL STATSMADE 2002 and 2007PRICE WHEN NEW £21,745PRICE NOW £750 to £5000TOP SPEED 151mph (five-speed), 155mph (six-speed)POWER 223bhp @ 6,250rpmTORQUE 203lb.ft @ 4,900rpm0-62 6.8 seconds (five-speed), 7.6 seconds (six-speed)

BUYER’S GUIDE MONDEO ST220

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It’s not just any old Mondeo. The ST220 is a prime example of what Ford does best: turning an accomplished family car

into a truly great sports saloon. Packed with poise, performance and luxurious equipment, the ST220 drives more like a German grand tourer than a humdrum repmobile.

Today, 15 years after it was launched, the fastest-ever Mondeo is still regarded as one of Ford’s fi nest-ever all-rounders. It packs an almighty punch for a purchase price of pennies.

Available from May 2002, the ST220 was named to match its Sports Technology styling and

223bhp Duratec ST engine – an American-sourced three-litre V6 with reworked induction system and dual-intake airbox. The result was 150mph-plus performance and 0-to-60mph in 6.8 seconds.

Three bodystyles were offered – saloon, hatchback and estate – boasting wider front wheelarches, deep bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and twin exhausts. Lowered suspension and diamond-cut 18in alloys completed the look.

There was a choice of six exterior colours, and three shades of leather heated Recaro seats within an executive-spec cabin.

The slick MTX75 fi ve-speed

gearbox was ditched during the ST220’s fi rst facelift of June 2003, when the meaty MMT6 six-speed was accompanied by a single-feed airbox and improved ECU, resulting in improved fuel economy and top speed. A revised dashboard came too, along with more kit included as standard.

June 2005 brought a further facelift, adding distinctly un-sporty chrome exterior trim, plus red interior stitching and optional alcantara seat centres.

Mondeo ST220 production ended in 2007, since when the last-ever sporty Mondeo has become a sought-after high-performance bargain.

HOW MUCH TO PAY£750 TO £1500Scrappers with blown engines sell for less, although any running-but-ropey ST220 will be in this price bracket. It might give years of terrifi c service, or it could be a massive money pit.

£1500 TO £3000Most ST220s are found here, generally priced according to mileage and condition, with great early cars or well-used late models in any bodystyle or colour.

£3000 TO £5000Minters and low-mileage ST220s command at least £3k, with the upper end home to the very best. If you’re paying this kind of cash, be sure to source your perfect spec and colour combo.

WHERE TO BUY ONEDespite gaining widespread recognition as an effortlessly enjoyable executive express, ST220 sales were disappointing. Added to the fact that the earliest cars are now 15 years old, there are rapidly-decreasing examples available second-hand.

At the lowest end of the market you’ll fi nd tatty ST220s on eBay, social media and such like. Some are with private sellers, while traders often offer troublesome Mondeos as ‘spares or repairs’ to avoid warranty comebacks.

All ST220s are too old to be found at dealerships but decent backstreet dealers are generally home to the better examples. Some specialist traders are beginning to show an interest in mint, low-mileage machines.

Don’t forget to check out ST forums, too, for enthusiast owners thinking of selling up.

INSURANCE COSTSIt’s just a Mondeo, right? Well, just about. Most mainstream insurers see the ST220 as a family car with an oversized engine, so the lowest premiums are usually found via high-street brokers and online comparison sites. Even younger drivers can generally fi nd ST220 insurance available for a reasonable sum.

That said, we’ve experienced mainstream insurers refusing to cover ST220s due to their relatively high group 33, and also witnessed high-performance specialists offering competitive quotes on limited-mileage deals and track day cover. These policies are ideal if your car’s modifi ed, highly-specced or worth more than book value.

“The ST220 drives more like a German grand tourer than a

humdrum repmobile”

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SUSPENSIONUndoubtedly the ST220’s crowning glory, its factory suspension setup provides wonderfully poised handling, hot-hatch agility and a remarkably comfortable ride quality. If the car you’re testing doesn’t feel sharp and precise, something’s not right.The ST220’s standard front end was far removed from the run-of-the-mill Mondeo, combining a few Mk3 parts with Jaguar X-Type 3.0 components, specially-tuned dampers, 15mm-lowered springs and shorter anti-roll bar links.

Front anti-roll bar bushes are weak, leading to vague handling – although this could also be due to a dry steering column bush or poor wheel alignment. Mondeos are particularly sensitive to steering geometry, which also results in excessive wear to those 225/40R18 tyres.

Rear suspension parts are shared with regular Mk3s, meaning saloons and hatchbacks consume rear subframe bushes, resulting in a sloppy, clonking rear end and recurrent MoT failures; polyurethane replacements are the fi t-and-forget solution. The ST220 estate has an entirely different rear suspension layout (shared with the Jaguar X-Type) and doesn’t suffer such bush problems; you should, though, check the rear arms for distortion caused by jacking in the wrong place.

All ST220s wear out their wheel bearings regularly, which rumble when rolling along. The front bearings are stock Jaguar X-Type parts, so they’re not diffi cult or expensive to source. The same can be said for front wishbones, ball joints and suspension links, while rear bearings are regular Mondeo kit.

On the subject of wheels, don’t be surprised to see an ST220 with tatty alloys. The factory 7.5x18in 16-spokes originally featured a funky diamond-cut fi nish, which looked fantastic for a few years before the lacquer peeled away and corrosion took hold from underneath. Refurbishment is an expert task but powder-coating, respraying or replacing is an easier solution. That said, an ST220 on non-standard alloys never looks quite right.

BRAKESAlthough there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the ST220’s brakes, they’re probably the weakest point of the entire car. Ford made bold claims about the Mondeo’s stopping ability but they lacked feel even when new – possibly because the ST was saddled with the same 300mm vented front discs and 280mm solid rears as a base-model Mk3 – okay for a 113bhp diesel but somewhat lacking on a sports saloon with twice the power.

Fortunately, faults (when they occur) are generally cheap and straightforward to fi x. Most likely, you’ll experience seized rear brake calipers, notably on pre-2004 models. The handbrake mechanism is often to blame, although worn cables are common or the piston may also be sticking. Owners of early cars, in particular, become accustomed to renewing at least one rear caliper every year-or-so; fortunately, reconditioned replacements aren’t expensive.

ABS sensors also fail from time to time, making the warning light glow on the dashboard. Generally they’re easy to replace.

At the front, it’s advisable to swap the whole lot for Focus ST225 320mm discs, calipers and carriers, which are readily-available second-hand and bolt straight on. Every ST220 should have them!

The 18in alloys were diamond-cut from the factory but suffer badly from corrosion, so don’t be surprised to see refurbished wheels without the diamond-cut fi nish

The Focus ST’s 320mm discs and beefy calipers are a bolt-on upgrade

“It’s advisable to swap the whole lot for a Focus ST setup”

BUYER’S GUIDE MONDEO ST220

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ENGINEIt’s all about the engine. The source of the ST220’s grunt comes from its American-made Duratec-ST, an oversized lump of alloy that can mean death to a Mondeo if all goes wrong.

But that’s not to say it will, because 150,000 miles is usually nothing to worry about. Usually…

Crucially, listen for nasty knocking, beware of blue smoke or steam from the exhausts and steer well clear of any ST220 engine that doesn’t sound smooth. It’s possible that ticking noises could result from camshaft bearing caps or belt tensioners (which are relatively minor fixes) but crippling issues could be lurking beneath. An owner selling a stuttering ST220 or a car with poor idle may claim it just needs a coil pack or spark plugs (admittedly tricky to change the rear bank), but such symptoms also point to head gasket failure and an appointment with the scrap man.

Misfires, poor performance, rough idling and excessive fuel consumption could also be caused by the throttle position sensor, airflow meter, vacuum hoses (perished pipes lead to induction issues) or ECU but you’ll need a thorough diagnosis to work out

TECH SPECENGINE2967cc 24-valve V6 DOHC Duratec-ST (MEBA) with alloy cylinder block and heads, 10:1 compression ratio, chain drive, multi-point fuel injection system, Black-Oak ECU (revised in June 2003), twin stainless exhausts

TRANSMISSIONFront-wheel drive with MTX75 five-speed manual gearbox or (from June 2003) Getrag MMT6 Durashift six-speed manual gearbox, 240mm clutch and dual-mass flywheel

BRAKES300mm ventilated discs (front), 280mm solid discs (rear), ABS with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Stability Programme. (ESP)

SUSPENSION MacPherson struts, uprated dampers, 15mm lowered coil springs, anti-roll bar (front), Quadralink independent rear with anti-roll bar and 15mm lowered coil springs (saloon/hatchback) or independent short-long arm with anti-roll bar and lowered coil springs (rear)

WHEELS AND TYRES7.5x18in 16-spoke alloys and 225/40R18 tyres

INTERIORRecaro heated front seats in Ebony Black, Infra Red, Graphite or Light Flint leather trim with matching rear seat (leather with alcantara inserts available from mid-August 2005), leather-rimmed steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake handle (with red stitching from 2005), climate control, six-disc in-dash CD autochanger. Facelift in June 2003 including revised dashboard and standard cruise control. Optional heated rear seat, stereo upgrades including DVD, sat nav, Bluetooth and rear-seat audio, Family Pack (dog guard and rear-seat audio system).

EXTERIORMondeo four-door saloon, five-door hatchback or five-door estate with bodywork extensions including honeycomb grilles, flared front wheelarches, sports front and rear bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler, body-coloured door handles and tailgate/boot lid handle. Facelift in June 2003 including rear lights (saloon and hatch), rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and puddle lights, plus (from June 2005) chrome grille surround, revised side skirts, rear lights and chrome door handles.

COLOURSMetallic paint in Ink Blue, State Blue, Infra Red, Machine Silver, Magnum Grey, Panther Black, Stardust Silver, Sea Grey, Performance Blue (at extra cost) or non-metallic Diamond White (police). Optional rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, xenon headlamps, electric sunroof, Technology Pack (xenon headlights and privacy glass).

what’s wrong.Oil leaks are pretty common,

if not easy to solve. You’ll almost certainly see gunge around the front exhaust manifold, but chances are it’s dripped from the filler neck when being topped up.

Nothing is easy to access under the bonnet, thanks to the V6 engine originally being designed for rear-wheel-drive applications and squeezed into place beneath the Mondeo’s bonnet. This means a tendency for pipes, hoses and wires to chafe; the loom around the battery, bulkhead and alternator is especially prone.

Coolant leaks are potentially catastrophic, and it takes only a pinhole in one worn hose to result in total engine meltdown (the car in these photographs suffered that exact fate while still relatively new).

Fuel pump failure is also fairly common (often at around 100,000 miles), resulting in non-starting. The fix involves dropping the tank, but many bodgers cut holes beneath the back seat to gain access.

Servicing is due every 12,500 miles but the timing chain should last the life of the engine. A rattling chain often signals the end of its life…

TRANSMISSIONUntil June 2003, the ST220 was equipped with Ford’s MTX75 five-speed gearbox, after which it was replaced by the Getrag MMT6 Durashift six-speed manual.

Most folk will tell you to go for the later model but the MTX75 (complete with revised ratios for optimum performance) offers a slightly slicker shift and also leaves room under the bonnet for dual airbox intakes (deleted when the MMT6 was fitted). The six-speed meant a slight power deficit and slower acceleration but better fuel economy and higher top speed, probably related to this model’s much-improved engine ECU (which can be retrofitted to earlier cars). Six-

speed ST220s also benefitted from a facelifted dashboard.

Both gearboxes are tough and should cause no trouble. The clutch isn’t so strong, generally requiring replacement before 100,000 miles are up. Take a test drive and check for clutch slip, and make sure all the gears engage without baulking.

Fortunately, the petrol-powered Mondeo isn’t as keen on eating flywheels as its diesel counterpart, although the ST220’s DMF (dual mass flywheel) will wear out eventually, meaning an expensive repair. Beware of vibrations felt through the clutch pedal, which are warning signs of DMF failure.

The ST220’s 3.0-litre V6 is a very reliable unit if well maintained

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BODYRust is a big concern. Indeed, many ST220s were repaired and repainted under warranty due to bodywork corrosion.

Pre-2005 Mondeos are especially susceptible, especially around the door bottoms, which are poorly fl anged and trap moisture, leading to severe rot. The rear wheelarches may also suffer, so check them carefully, along with the bonnet edges, inner wings, tailgate, beneath the fuel cap, around the windscreen and back lights.

Saloons and hatchbacks have trouble with their rear bumpers sagging after a while, which can be cheaply rectifi ed with new foam supports to replace those that are either missing or broken.

The choice of bodystyle is down to preference, and these days makes little difference to the purchase price. The hatchback is practical and

ELECTRICSElectrical problems are no more prevalent on the ST220 than most other modern cars, but when they arise they’re usually a pain – and expensive to fi x.

Most troublesome of all is the alternator, which is a unique component for the ST220 and lives perilously close to the rear exhaust manifold/cat. Once it fails (which it will), the charging light on the dashboard will glow, the instruments will do a dance and other electrical goodies will gradually shut down. An ST220 will run for a few minutes without a functioning alternator, after which you’ll need breakdown recovery and a trip to the bank.

A chafed wiring loom can also cause havoc; the loom across the bulkhead contains a fuse that’s

plentiful, the saloon offers little more than a mildly stiffer shell, while the estate is enormous – if a little slower and featuring a slightly inferior rear suspension setup.

Colour can have a strong effect on desirability, while some folk prefer the fairground chrome trim and back lights fi tted to 2005 models. Xenon headlamps are a worthwhile optional extra to look out for, as is the rare electric sunroof.

Beware of white ST220s, which were generally purchased for police use, although other colours were available (especially silver). Such cars had hard lives, so look out for damaged and scratched bodywork, potentially having fi ller in the roof.

Most importantly, buy your Mondeo based on condition rather than looking for the lowest price. It will probably save you a packet in the long run.

not even listed on Ford’s parts diagrams, and if it blows the ST220’s smart-charging system will fail.

Under the bonnet, it’s also vital to check the wiring and operation of both cooling fans, which are known to seize solid; check them by ensuring they run when the air conditioning is switched on.

Other electrical goodies may play up, without such catastrophic results. Reversing sensors (where fi tted) often fail (or simply need cleaning), as do headlamp washer jets. Heated seat pads commonly stop working (fi ddly to fi x), and heated windscreens can have dodgy elements (costly to replace). Six-disc head units are occasionally problematic, and central locking motors are fragile – exactly the same as other Mk3 Mondeos.

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“The leather is durable, and even high-mileage machines show little wear”

The door bottoms are notorious areas for rust, so be sure to check any potential purchase

BUYER’S GUIDE MONDEO ST220

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INTERIORGenerally a good-quality cabin, the ST220’s age means you’ll be lucky to find a car without the odd bit of rattly trim or squeaky plastic. From new they were also prone to wind noise from the rear window seals, which proved tricky to resolve.

The standard leather upholstery is durable, and even high-mileage machines show little wear other than to the driver’s seat bolster. The leather can by repaired very easily, and can even be done as a DIY job.

Talking of which, when choosing an ST220 remember some cockpit colours are less desirable than others. Black leather is generally preferred to grey, while Infra Red leather is very much a matter of taste.

Early models had a piano-black fascia, which was replaced in June 2003 by a more modern dashboard and updated audio equipment. These facelifted cars (accompanied by a six-speed gearbox) generally included more kit as standard – including cruise control, auto wipers and lights, multi-position electric seat adjustment and variable-position seat heaters – and better optional extras, including sat nav and Bluetooth. It’s rare to find these features (even cruise control) on a 2002 model.

The most desirable interiors were fitted from 2005, when the leather trim gained red stitching, and alcantara seat inserts became available.

If you see a particularly scuffed cabin, look to see if there’s also an IRS logo on the speedometer – a telltale sign of the ST220 being an ex-cop car.

Early cars came with less goodies as standard, a five-speed gearbox rather than six-speed, and a Piano Black fascia

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CONTACTSFord Mondeo Owners’ Clubwww.fordmondeoownersclub.co.uk

Mondeo ST Owners’ Clubwww.mondeostoc.com

ST220 Enthusiastswww.facebook.com/groups/837518456336516/

ST Driverswww.stdrivers.co.uk

ST Owners’ Clubwww.stownersclub.com

Ford ST (spares & trading)www.facebook.com/groups/707601865940347/

3L Duratec Performancewww.3lduratec.com

Superchips www.superchips.co.uk

Burton Powerwww.burtonpower.com

NEXT MONTH MK2 FOCUS RS

IDENTITY Never a number one for joyriders or ringers (it would take far too much effort to fake an ST220 to be worthwhile), the sporty Mondeo nevertheless needs a history check if only to ensure there’s no outstanding finance. Similarly, it’s wise to make sure you’re not buying a repaired accident write-off that’s on the register, with appropriately lower value.You’ll also want to ensure the car you’re buying is the spec you’re looking for. Original ST220s (until June 2003) were fitted with a five-cog MTX75 gearbox, whereas the facelifted version gained a six-speed MMT6. Six-speed cars also feature the updated fascia layout rather than piano-black trim, and generally boasted more kit (cruise control, auto wipers and lights, multi-position electric seat adjustment etc) and a better ECU.

Remember that although all ST220s are pricey to run (keen drivers average mpg figures in the low 20s), cars registered after March 2006 are in a higher road tax bracket, emptying your pockets substantially more each year.

Finally, if you see a car with a noisy engine, unrefined ride/handling, cloth trim and single exhaust pipe, it’s not an ST220 – it’s an ST TDCi. There’s no such thing as an ST220 diesel!

BUYER’S GUIDE FIESTA ST150

KEY POINTS ENGINE Beware of nasty noises, smoke, coolant leaks, or engine misfires – a hefty bill could be coming your way.

TRANSMISSIONClutch slip can be costly. Vibrations – from a dodgy DMF - may be more costly still.

SUSPENSIONIf it’s not taut, it’s not right. Saloons and hatches suffer from rear suspension bush failure.

BRAKESRear calipers stick and seize, expect to replace them (and wheel bearings) frequently.

BODYRust can be a big worry. Check the door bottoms, rear wheelarches and tailgate for corrosion.

ELECTRICSBeware of dashboard warning lights. A knackered alternator is very bad news.

The estate version of offers a simply enormous boot space!