2.0 TDCi (163ps) Titanium X 5dr Estate

A reliable, superbly well-equipped and comfortable load-lugger, best car ever owned

Having had two of the previous Mondeo Mk3s (the second one of which had a serious problem with cutting-out at speed) I bought this Ford Direct car with some trepidation. However, this one has turned out to be faultless since the day I got it. It has been serviced and MOT'd by the supplying dealer (who is prepared to price-match) without any hiccups along the way. Its performance and quality is very much better than any of my previous 20+ cars (office and private) I have owned/used and even better than two Skoda Octavia estates along the way. The car has been used for frequent towing trips (caravan, 1.35 tonnes) and has proved to be very stable and with power to spare. Mileage is now 35k, low for its age but my working days are over.

Fuel consumption averages 54mpg (solo, computer) and 48-51 (solo, brim to brim). Towing reduces this to 28-30mpg (computer) and 27-28 (brim to brim). Never used for short trips, however. There had been no discernable consumption of oil between services. Nothing has broken/fallen off/stopped working. Tyres (original Goodyears), swapped around twice, lasted 24,000 for one pair and 26,000 the other (replaced with Michelin Primacy - not cheap but with improved handling and much quieter). Still on original pads and discs.

My only criticism of the car is the fact that it is a bit of a monster to park in a tight multi-storey car park. Not the fault of the car, of course! Would I have another? Certainly, although the new Mk5 is, I believe, even larger, so perhaps a Kuga or similar next time which will still have the weight for towing but a bit shorter.

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