Second hand: Mondeo or Passat?

GunJack

Tarambor wrote: »

I used to get over 50MPG out of my MK3 Mondeo TDCi 130 and got 70MPG going to France with car full of family and luggage. Bought mine at 3 years old with 90k on it, sold with 168k on it and in the 6 years I owned it it only cost maybe £500 in repairs. It only ever failed one MOT in its life on a sticking rear caliper. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ EG04DVP for the reg.

Funny enough we had a sticking rear caliper on ours too....

Richard53

GunJack wrote: »

Funny enough we had a sticking rear caliper on ours too....

And me ...


didn't let me down, though, as it failed in a gradual way.

alan_d

Based on my experiences and regular problems with a friend's 1.9 TDI Passat, i'd suggest the Mondeo.
The Passat had problems with injectors, fuel pump, vacuum pump, brake servo, blower motor, rust etc etc.
Better still, buy a Volvo V70 - much better cars than both.

Begsey

Father in law still running my 55 plate Mondeo 130 I sold him years ago. I'd hoped to get it back recently, bit it didn't come to pass.
It's been in the family for 10 years now, needed the obvious consumables, and it likes a spring now and again, but not any major issues.
It's on 95k now.

Clive_Woody

There are plenty of older Octavias available, many are former taxis so may have high mileage but the cost will reflect this but they will most likely have been well maintained/serviced. They will have pretty much the same range of engines as VWs, but many come with more bells and whistles as standard compared to their equivalent VW version.

System

GunJack wrote: »

Funny enough we had a sticking rear caliper on ours too....

Sum total of everything I did to my MK3 Mondeo other than service items between 90k and 168k....

Change gearbox oil (sealed for life but has drain and fill plugs) at 100k, also cleaned EGR valve at same time. I checked it 50,000 miles later and the EGR valve was still clean.

Alternator bearing failed so had a new alternator supplied and fitted by local Ford dealer for £200 which was the same price as a recon supply only.

Rear subframe bushes

Turbo intercooler to turbo plastic pipe which had split (common fault which exhibits itself by clouds of black smoke being thrown out the back).

OSR brake caliper.

Don't think that's too shabby. My current MK4 which I've done almost 100,000 miles in and is now on 133k about to go over 134k has only had to have trailing arm bushes at 70k and a track rod end around 125k and I recently replaced the rear shocks. I've also changed the drivers seat for one from a low miler in a scrappies not because there was anything wrong with mine but because my lardy fat bum had been sat in it a lot and I thought it was tired and going on how much better the replacement is I guess it was

SomethingAboutMoney

I would pick a 1.9tdi over a 2.0tdi any day of the week.
The 1.9tdi engine is bullet proof and will out last the 2 litre twice over if looked after.
The 1.9tdi is a taxi driver's favourite.

JustAnotherSaver

Thanks very much for the replies.



Out of interest would you opt for the 130 Mondeo over the 155 Mondeo then and why? Is it more reliable?
I remember when i was looking at the MK4 Golf GT TDIs some time ago that while the 150bhp version had more power out of the box, the 130 was widely regarded as the better car all round - more reliable, and wondered if there was similar with the 130-v-155 in the Mondeo.


I got to drive a 2.0 130 TDCI today actually. I'd happily own one.

forgotmyname

130 = 2L
155 = 2.2L Higher tax and possibly insurance

Mondeo won for me, far more car for the money. But you need to be picky when buying. Huge choice out there. No full service history then walk away.

On my 4th Mondeo, my next car will be ...... another Mondeo.

scaredofdebt

The Mondeo is likely to be more reliable, I had one a few years back and was very happy with it, would buy another. Better value for money too.

I was averaging mid 50s MPG and it was the 2.0 TDCi, had to scrap it after 215k miles although I don't think the previous owners looked after it very well, I was the 8th owner!

The 2.0 TDCi (150 ) is certainly not underpowered, but it's no M3 either.