Ford Mondeo 2.0i 16V TDCi SIII

.../> I visited my local Ford dealership for Ford Mondeo fabric mats and a storage box (none in stock, and arrived 4 days later)
The first trip was to Reading, and I noticed the back-illumination for the CD player was flickering

The TDCi has 12,500 mile service intervals and 6 weeks after purchase I was there...
During April the rear number plate fell off during washing, due to its shape and being applied using fixing tape
...result I didn't use this Ford branch again for servicing

In June, the n/s/r tyre encountered a nail and ran flat at high-speed on the Motorway, resulting in catastrophic failure
On inspection the damage was minimal, but the tyre could not be salvaged
I discussed this event and the CD player fault with the salesman, and was directed to their Ford dealership
The tyre was a lost cause! The car was booked in for the ... more

I was looking to replace my 1998 Vauxhall Vectra SRi140, as my high mileage was beginning to bite, and the 4 year unlimited mileage warranty had expired in late 2003
Sadly the Vauxhall price for a 4 year warranty was nearly 3 times what it was in 1999 (£710), taking the equivalent model to £15,500
Without a warranty most cars are covered up to 60,000 miles, which I would do in just over 12 months

A colleague at work had just received a new Mondeo 1.8 LX, and so I took that for a short test between Scotland and the East Midlands in early 2004, and was well impressed

The search was then on for a low-mileage Mondeo diesel for £13,500 (allowing £1500 for my Vectra)
Eventually I found two, a black LX (£12,500) and blue/black Ghia (£13,500), both at non-franchised dealerships
I was offered £1600 for my Vectra (which was exactly what I was after) and so signed right there and then to buy the Ghia, subject to finance
I decided to obtain a bank loan quote and the total to pay was less than the dealerships offer so returned a week later with my bankers draft
The dealership was unable to obtain the 12 month RFL and so returned the car with its "old" RFL, which in effect gave me a month free! They called three weeks later asking me to bring the V5 in for them to swap the tax discs

The first three weeks were almost uneventful
I visited my local Ford dealership for Ford Mondeo fabric mats and a storage box (none in stock, and arrived 4 days later)
The first trip was to Reading, and I noticed the back-illumination for the CD player was flickering

The TDCi has 12,500 mile service intervals and 6 weeks after purchase I was there...
During April the rear number plate fell off during washing, due to its shape and being applied using fixing tape
Again, the CD player was reported as faulty, and again it could not be found
Service cost was reasonable at £118, although I did argue about the costs for fitting the number plate (supplying dealership fault)
As a result I didn't use this Ford branch again for servicing

In June, the n/s/r tyre encountered a nail and ran flat at high-speed on the Motorway, resulting in catastrophic failure
On inspection the damage was minimal, but the tyre could not be salvaged
I discussed this event and the CD player fault with the salesman, and was directed to their Ford dealership
The tyre was a lost cause! The car was booked in for the CD player fault, but they could not find it

July saw 2 new tyres (the fronts estimated at 20,000 miles)

August was the 25,000 mile service, £184 which included new front brake pads (which was worrying)
Again, the CD player was reported as faulty, and again "no fault found"
However, the dealership would arrange for a new unit, only to find out none were currently available
They could remove the unit and arrange an exchange, which would take up to 12 weeks!
Having driven a car without a CD/radio before I declined their offer, until an exchange was available
The nearside door trim has failed, and will be replaced under warranty
Sadly, the car has to go to a different dealership for fitting!
A free courtesy car is available, but due to an admin error when I arrive they cannot release it, as a result I leave the car and get a taxi (and give them the receipt)

A few weeks later and I suffered another puncture, this time on the o/s/r, and in 10 years of driving I've only suffered 4 in total (not bad for more than 500,000 miles!)
However, I managed to salvage this tyre and swapped it on to the front

September, and the final original tyre is replaced, having lasted 26,000 miles (rear to front)
The original tyres were Continental Sport Contact 205/55VR16, and I have been replacing these with Michelin HX MXM 205/55ZR16, which should last 40,000 miles (rear to front)
The Michelins are about £20 more expensive, but their cost per mile is far less

November was the 37,500 mile
At £238 this was the most expensive yet, but also included rear brake pads (quite normal)

February 2005, and the 50,000 mile service appears...
The price should be the same as the 12,500 mile service, but at £116 was not!
I noticed the earlier service had the wrong oil price (meaning I had paid just £13)
Again, the CD player was reported as faulty, but this time the dealership took no action, due to previous reporting
I was advised a new unit was on order and would arrive any week

March 2005, car is booked in for its new CD player
Oh dear, all they wanted was the serial number, ironically I could have given them that over the phone as it is in the service book!
Two weeks later and finally, a NEW CD player does indeed arrive, and works perfectly
It's only taken 12 months, for such a simple "cosmetic" fault

April 2005, and the oil warning light makes a few random apperances...
At first I stop, but the oil level is just below the max
A few days later and the oil light is on all the time, but the oil pressure appears to be OK
I book the car in (courtesy car offered again, but I decide to take the day off), and the fault is diagnosed and rectified within 90 minutes (strange that an oil pressure switch is held in stock!)

May 2005
The car is at 60,000 miles and the warranty will expire next week
There have been less faults compared to my petrol Vectra, although it has taken Ford longer to deal with these (especially the CD player)
I am now taking out a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty with warrantywise.co.uk at £790, which will cover me up to May 2008
I have also added AutoNational Rescue "Nearly New" at £38 (£52 normal rate)

I've thoroughly enjoyed this car up to now, although I miss the extending thigh-supports from my Vectra, although I chose the Ghia over the LX as the front seats do have some additional thigh support
I've also gained a 6-disc CD player, cruise control, electric front seats, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror
The literature for the Ghia states it has lowered suspension, although I do question this, as it appears to sit higher than the lower-spec models on 15" wheels...

Added 04 June 2005 :
Standard equipment for a Ghia, no options added
See ford.co.uk for current equipment levels

Added 04 June 2005 :
Only main dealers (Arnold Clark) used
The car was booked in once to Reg Vardy, but their warranty procedure requires the customer makes the appointments, follows up the claim, etc. (too much hassle)
In general, parts availability is very poor
Car has to be taken for fault diagnosis, then rebooked in when parts arrive (which is typically 3 weeks, although in the case of the CD player that was 12 months!)
Parts for servicing are always carried in stock
Most servicing can be carried out within 5 days notice to dealerships and is normally completed within 4 hours 

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