12 replies to this topic

[Cliffy]

Hey guys!

Okay, a lot has happened since I last updated you all on my cars, lol. I believe I had an Alfa 145 last time? Or was it the SportKa? Oh well, I don't know, lol. Think it was a Pajero actually hehe.

Okay, for the past 6-months or so I've had a 1994 Ford Fiesta. Now as some of you know I tend to have cars for a few months and then get bored with them, and as such tend to spend around £500 a time and no more. Now I love my little Fiesta as it's a no frills motor and gets me to work without skipping a beat.It has a 1.3-litre OHV engine that obviously has no timing belt to worry about (a pet hate of mine!) and is relatively ecconomical (42-mpg ish). It's also an equippe model and has Power Assisted Steering, Driver & front Passenger Airbags and a quick-clear heated fron windscreen that actually works! (bit of a ford trait in that old Fords often had them fitted as standard!). One of the reasons I like this car so much is that it's the only car in 9-years that's actually mine, and not registered or insured in the ex's name, result!

I'm probably going to sell her in the new year, as I was going to sell it recently but the friend who said he wanted it found a newer car. I will service it (I don't do that on my cars typically, as I sell them instead, lol) to get it through the winter and then aim to get another car. I fancy either a Mercedes C180 or C200 or a BMW 316, 318 or 320, but have been unable to fullfil this due to the soon to be ex Mrs W as it wasn't what SHE wanted! Just after any experience you guys might like to share? I'm savvy enough to know what to look for etc, but you can't beat personal experiences! Needs to be relatively ecconomical (around 30mpg will do), hence my possible choices. I have a feeling the likes of the 320 will be as ecconomical as that of the 316 because of the smoother engine at high revs due to it being a 6-cylinder lump.

I'm open to suggestions though, and anything is a possibility, lol! Oh, and I'm prepared to spend around £750 this time round, which should cater for a mid-nineties model.

Thanks guys!

[Elite_Deforce]

Mmmmmmmmmmmm... mid-nineties BMW..............

[2007DBR9]

I would strongly advise against a 90s Merc unless it is a W124 as it will just rust to pieces. If you can find a rust free one (much harder than it sounds) then it is a different story, but the equivalent BMW is much better anyway. It is also thought that the old 190E was better than the later W202.

I assume you are looking at the E36 model? You could get a nice 323i for that money, just make sure it has the Nikasil issue sorted out (Google will tell you all about that, but general consensus is that it was sorted from 1998 onwards). The 2.5 straight 6 in that will easily get over 30 mpg, and if you fancy some more power you can fit the M50 manifold (from the 325i) which will take you to around 190 bhp. The 323i drinks the same as the 320i so might as well!

I would also look at the Mondeo ST24 - they are brilliant. You should at least try one, they are seriously under rated cars. Be careful with the more powerful ST200 model as it is very difficult to find a straight one for that kind of money. Watch for rust on the rear arches, check the water pump has been changed from the one with the plastic impeller to the one with the metal impeller. The IMRC occasionally throws up issues, but it is not too difficult to sort.

If you are feeling very brave, you could get an E39 for that money too...

[Cliffy]

2007DBR9, on 05 December 2011 - 08:49 AM, said:

I would strongly advise against a 90s Merc unless it is a W124 as it will just rust to pieces. If you can find a rust free one (much harder than it sounds) then it is a different story, but the equivalent BMW is much better anyway. It is also thought that the old 190E was better than the later W202.

I assume you are looking at the E36 model? You could get a nice 323i for that money, just make sure it has the Nikasil issue sorted out (Google will tell you all about that, but general consensus is that it was sorted from 1998 onwards). The 2.5 straight 6 in that will easily get over 30 mpg, and if you fancy some more power you can fit the M50 manifold (from the 325i) which will take you to around 190 bhp. The 323i drinks the same as the 320i so might as well!

I would also look at the Mondeo ST24 - they are brilliant. You should at least try one, they are seriously under rated cars. Be careful with the more powerful ST200 model as it is very difficult to find a straight one for that kind of money. Watch for rust on the rear arches, check the water pump has been changed from the one with the plastic impeller to the one with the metal impeller. The IMRC occasionally throws up issues, but it is not too difficult to sort.

If you are feeling very brave, you could get an E39 for that money too...

Thanks for the advice!

I love Mercs of the nineties, but they really couldn't make a decent manual gearbox until the early naughties models, so would probably get an auto if I was to get a Merc. Having said that, I can live with a clonky manual box given my budget, lol. BMW on the other hand have always made decent manuals, the best in fact. I don't know, I just think Mercedes have a certain prestige about them that BMWs don't. I really like them both to be honest! The only downside on the bigger BMWs you mentioned would be insurance costs to be honest.

I have always liked the ST24, although when I've driven them before I felt they had a nice engine note, but not a lot of performance to match (I guess that was what the ST200 was for!). The engine in the Ford is good, I agree, I believe the 2.5-litre engine was a Mazda lump? One of the reasons for wanting either a Merc or a Beemer though, was because of their chain driven engines (Did I mention I hate timing belts?). I was also thinking about a wildcard.....A Ford Scorpio 2.3 Ultima!

[2007DBR9]

Cliffy, on 06 December 2011 - 10:28 AM, said:

Thanks for the advice!

I love Mercs of the nineties, but they really couldn't make a decent manual gearbox until the early naughties models, so would probably get an auto if I was to get a Merc. Having said that, I can live with a clonky manual box given my budget, lol. BMW on the other hand have always made decent manuals, the best in fact. I don't know, I just think Mercedes have a certain prestige about them that BMWs don't. I really like them both to be honest! The only downside on the bigger BMWs you mentioned would be insurance costs to be honest.

I have always liked the ST24, although when I've driven them before I felt they had a nice engine note, but not a lot of performance to match (I guess that was what the ST200 was for!). The engine in the Ford is good, I agree, I believe the 2.5-litre engine was a Mazda lump? One of the reasons for wanting either a Merc or a Beemer though, was because of their chain driven engines (Did I mention I hate timing belts?). I was also thinking about a wildcard.....A Ford Scorpio 2.3 Ultima!

This is also true, the manual gearboxes in Mercs are not great but they are really not as bad as they are made out to be.

You should look into insurance prices of the BMWs, you might be surprised. The older ones are usually quite cheap - I was quoted the same price for an E39 M5 as I am currently paying for the Audi!

That might be the IMRC troubles - when that is playing up they are fairly gutless at high revs which is a shame. I *think* the Probe was the last Ford car to use the Mazda engine, and the later cars (Mondeo, Cougar etc) used Fords own Duratec engine which I also think has a timing chain rather than a belt.

A 2.3 Scorpio would be nice, although I have never driven one. Vauxhall Omega might be worth considering too?

[Cliffy]

2007DBR9, on 06 December 2011 - 12:13 PM, said:

This is also true, the manual gearboxes in Mercs are not great but they are really not as bad as they are made out to be.

You should look into insurance prices of the BMWs, you might be surprised. The older ones are usually quite cheap - I was quoted the same price for an E39 M5 as I am currently paying for the Audi!

That might be the IMRC troubles - when that is playing up they are fairly gutless at high revs which is a shame. I *think* the Probe was the last Ford car to use the Mazda engine, and the later cars (Mondeo, Cougar etc) used Fords own Duratec engine which I also think has a timing chain rather than a belt.

A 2.3 Scorpio would be nice, although I have never driven one. Vauxhall Omega might be worth considering too?

I think you're prbably right about the Mazda engine, I knew one of the 2.5's was a Mazda one, and recall it being the Probe. I think early V6 Mondeos might also have used it though? (not STs, just 2.5-litre Ghia X models in Pre-facelift Mk 1 guise - I always called the bubbly ones Mk 2s, but apparently they're not, lol).

I've driven a 2.9 Scorpio with a so called 'Cosworth' tuned engine, but it's Cosworth in name only, trust me! The 2.3 is chain driven but I dont think the 2.9 is. I like Omegas, but prefered the 2.5-liter BMW diesel ones to the petrols. A;so, timing chains were prone to premature failure and slack in high milers.

[2007DBR9]

Cliffy, on 06 December 2011 - 05:54 PM, said:

I think you're prbably right about the Mazda engine, I knew one of the 2.5's was a Mazda one, and recall it being the Probe. I think early V6 Mondeos might also have used it though? (not STs, just 2.5-litre Ghia X models in Pre-facelift Mk 1 guise - I always called the bubbly ones Mk 2s, but apparently they're not, lol).

I've driven a 2.9 Scorpio with a so called 'Cosworth' tuned engine, but it's Cosworth in name only, trust me! The 2.3 is chain driven but I dont think the 2.9 is. I like Omegas, but prefered the 2.5-liter BMW diesel ones to the petrols. A;so, timing chains were prone to premature failure and slack in high milers.

I have no idea if they used the Mazda engine in the early Mondeos, they may well have done. If you do decide on a Mondeo, good luck finding one without the optional duct tape on the bumpers

Is the 2.9 really not that great? I have never actually driven a Scorpio but I do like the look of them (I know, lots of people don't!). They seem to be quite rare now, only 4 on AutoTrader?

I am aware of the timing chan issue on the 2.2 petrol Omegas, but I haven't heard anything about the other engines.

[Cliffy]

2007DBR9, on 06 December 2011 - 06:41 PM, said:

I have no idea if they used the Mazda engine in the early Mondeos, they may well have done. If you do decide on a Mondeo, good luck finding one without the optional duct tape on the bumpers

Is the 2.9 really not that great? I have never actually driven a Scorpio but I do like the look of them (I know, lots of people don't!). They seem to be quite rare now, only 4 on AutoTrader?

I am aware of the timing chan issue on the 2.2 petrol Omegas, but I haven't heard anything about the other engines.

Yeah, the duct tape seems to be the norm, lol.

There were quite a few on Ebay. I prefer the look of the older variants before the 'bug-eyed' one, but would probably go for a bug-eye due to the spec list! (twin airbags, leather heated seats, climate control, cruise control etc etc). The 2.9 was okay, but was only as powerful as you'd expect such an engine to be, and I just don't get why they used the Cosworth badge on it to be honest...

[Chris V.]

The 2.5 Mondeo (the Contour here in the US) was Ford's own Duratech engine. A good engine, and the basis for a number of others (like Jag's 3.0 in the X Type and S Type). I had the 200 hp 2.5 in my SVT Contour (your ST200 Mondeo). Loved that car...

[2007DBR9]

Nice to see some appreciation for the Mondeo from across the pond

They are really great cars, they are all the car most people would ever need.

[Cliffy]

2007DBR9, on 08 December 2011 - 11:46 AM, said:

Nice to see some appreciation for the Mondeo from across the pond

They are really great cars, they are all the car most people would ever need.

Absolutely!

Great cars, just a tad mundane for some, even in ST24/200 guise. I personally loved them and have always said I'd have any Mondeo over a Vectra (probably their closest contender) on any given day! Fords just seem better built and Vauxhall seemed to recycle many parts from the Cavalier, whereas the Mondeo was a fresh car!

Edited by Cliffy, 08 December 2011 - 12:17 PM.

[2007DBR9]

Cliffy, on 08 December 2011 - 12:15 PM, said:

Absolutely!

Great cars, just a tad mundane for some, even in ST24/200 guise. I personally loved them and have always said I'd have any Mondeo over a Vectra (probably their closest contender) on any given day! Fords just seem better built and Vauxhall seemed to recycle many parts from the Cavalier, whereas the Mondeo was a fresh car!

I have to say, I am with you on that one. The Vectra B was not that great, but the Vectra C that replaced it was very good. Would still take a Mondeo though

[cathyclark]

When you get your new car It's also cool to get your car with a personalized plate too.

Edited by Chris V., 06 January 2012 - 08:44 AM.