Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: theolodian on 14 December 2008, 19:32:02

Title: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: theolodian on 14 December 2008, 19:32:02
Any comments on the ST220?  Seems a reasonable price now for a 2004/2005.

There just don't seem to be any 'newer' replacements for the miggy.  At least not around £5K.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: STMO123 on 14 December 2008, 19:46:28
Quote
Any comments on the ST220?  Seems a reasonable price now for a 2004/2005.

There just don't seem to be any 'newer' replacements for the miggy.  At least not around £5K.

Nice looking car. Cant comment on the drive.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: Lazydocker on 14 December 2008, 19:51:19
Just the drive and the badge! :-X :-X

Not for me but each to their own :y :y
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: DC on 14 December 2008, 20:39:00
Quote
There just don't seem to be any 'newer' replacements for the miggy

I often think about that - there is just no proper choice what to replace Omega with. Saab 9-5? Also FWD and can't match Omega's V6 for smoothness. I think to sacrifice some space and go for Subaru Legacy next.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: DC on 14 December 2008, 20:39:59
forgot to mention above: ST220 is close to top of my list
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: theowletman on 14 December 2008, 20:56:33
Quote
Any comments on the ST220?  Seems a reasonable price now for a 2004/2005.

There just don't seem to be any 'newer' replacements for the miggy.  At least not around £5K.
A lot of my mates use the Mondeo as taxis, alright not the ST220, usually diesels. They mention a couple of problems, not at particularly high miles either.
1) Rear suspension mounting bushes, a new subframe used to be the only cure but the bushes are now available separately after market.

2) Clutch, a monster of a job, not for the faint hearted, if it is a dual mass type not cheap either.

3) Bottom edges of the 2 front doors, prone to rust.

I think the ST220 has a different type of engine but the 2.0 Duratec is a bit of a soft engine, timing chain can self destruct apparently. I have been out of the trade since September so those still involved may care to add or disagree with my comments. Nice car to drive.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: DC on 14 December 2008, 21:21:40
actually, that is interesting - to see how these (or any other) cars behave once they've got 60-100k on the clock. We all know Mondeos are praised for how they drive when new, but that's not the same as owning the thing
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: matt-sboro on 14 December 2008, 21:27:53
bloke i work with has one - went to york go-karting from scarborough in it - great drive and it keeps pulling from low down in the rev range in 5th gear. comfortable too

but..... you sit inside it and you know you are in a FORD again.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: theolodian on 14 December 2008, 21:49:50
Thanks guys, I'll keep those issues in mind.  Haven't heard of cambelt issues, so maybe it is a chain.

I know that it's a Ford, but IMHO there's worse.  There isn't anything better for the money, not that I can find anyway.  The criteria is a new design released after 2000, smaller than the miggy, with good back seat space, and hopefully interesting.  ;)
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 December 2008, 22:02:23
Quote
Thanks guys, I'll keep those issues in mind.  Haven't heard of cambelt issues, so maybe it is a chain.

I know that it's a Ford, but IMHO there's worse.  There isn't anything better for the money, not that I can find anyway.  The criteria is a new design released after 2000, smaller than the miggy, with good back seat space, and hopefully interesting.  ;)

Yep, it's the Duratec 30, IIRC, so chain driven.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Duratec_engine#Duratec_30

Kevin

Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: hoody on 14 December 2008, 22:17:49
i would buy myself an s-type or an xj if looking for a relacement and can be had very cheaply too,although the mondeos are very good cars
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: vauxnut on 15 December 2008, 06:52:49
 a friend has just got a xj diesel s/h .i think its a 2005,paid just under 4k.stunning car,good on fuel,nice drive.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: theolodian on 15 December 2008, 12:24:43
Thanks guys, I'll take a look at the XJ.  :y
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: theolodian on 15 December 2008, 12:45:50
Oh, well.  XJ costs too much and looks a bit big. (Id' rather have an Audi S8 for that money.) S-type is the right price but doesn't look like it has much rear seat room.

It looks like it is either the Mondeo, or get a Golf/Focus and rent a larger car for trips.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: hoody on 15 December 2008, 12:53:54
the mondeos are good cars,i know of a couple with well over 300,000 miles on them now
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: DC on 16 December 2008, 22:43:15
They don't make XJ estates do they :-?
I thought so
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: damon80 on 16 December 2008, 22:56:23
Quote
They don't make XJ estates do they :-?
I thought so

Just a couple of rare "Shooting Brakes" - I think you'll find em in the Sultan of Brunei's garage...  ;)

Having driven a fair few of 'em, I can safely say I'm not a great fan of the Mondeo... They just don't feel "solid" to me.

As has already been mentioned, the S-Type Jag could be worth thinking about.  I was looking at getting one before I landed on this Miggy I've got now.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 16 December 2008, 22:56:56
Quote
They don't make XJ estates do they :-?
I thought so

Well, they do make one type... ;)

(http://www.limousines.co.uk/photos/xj1200h.jpg)

Kevin
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: hoody on 16 December 2008, 23:50:07
2 types


(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/sterling800/avonxj6_03.jpg)
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: BigAl on 16 December 2008, 23:53:59
Ooh!- very Adams family!
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: theolodian on 17 December 2008, 15:58:57
It doesn't have to be an estate.  I caught a quick glance of an S-type today.  Looks at least as big as the miggy. :-/

Less interesting options are the Toyota Avensis and the Hyundai Sonata.  I am 99% certain that I won't like how they drive though.  :-[
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: theolodian on 18 December 2008, 18:47:03
OK, I've done a lot more looking.  The S-type, well really the 2002 facelift, looks really nice and a direct replacement for the miggy.  The problem is that my first priority is not a direct replacement for the miggy.  Maybe I can get one later.  ;)

OTOH, I seem to have found a really interesting car.  The Renault Avantime!  Small enough for SWMBO to drive, big enough to take on holiday, and hilariously funky.  :y ;D
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: STMO123 on 18 December 2008, 19:24:04
Quote
OK, I've done a lot more looking.  The S-type, well really the 2002 facelift, looks really nice and a direct replacement for the miggy.  The problem is that my first priority is not a direct replacement for the miggy.  Maybe I can get one later.  ;)

OTOH, I seem to have found a really interesting car.  The Renault Avantime!  Small enough for SWMBO to drive, big enough to take on holiday, and hilariously funky.  :y ;D

Thet's one word for it I suppose.
Title: Re: Wrong wheel drive aside, ST220?
Post by: tunnie on 18 December 2008, 20:18:09
i do like the ST220, and i do like the newer Mondeos, well built cars generally, and i bet the 3.0 would be fun.

However at that 4-5k price range, i think i would be more tempted with a BMW 530d or 330i petrol