Last month, say goodbye to my beautiful A6 hit totallos so look for new luxury train station

Last month, say goodbye to my beautiful A6 hit totallos so look for new luxury train station, but switch to petrol because of less-km drive because I have some more of the engine will go to work. Looked for A6, but petrol versions in my price range (max E 2500, -.) Were only in old versions with a V6 2.4 petrol or larger engines. The type Passat from 2001 was also considered, but then you have a very stripped version with lots of kilometers on the clock. Therefore, my eyes widened some, put pride aside and go look for Mondeo. Boring enough, some civil Ford family car, but the first small event and the fact that I want to stay windsurfing, surely wanted a station for security. E 2300, - found a Mondeo Ghia 2001 in deluxe version. Automatic, 145 hp, leather upholstery, xenon, electric seat adjustment, heated windscreen, navigation, etc. hitch km on the counter, I do not mind. My A6 Diesel was underdone and had tapped 300K, but who also had no problems. Many km with a gasoline car with automatic transmission do I find so exciting, but thanks to good reviews and a price that you do not bump into you fall anyway done. Most luxury, safety, and space for little money.

Just 200 km driven, and everything has to get used a bit, think of seat adjustment, temperature inside the car, the radio navigate and time again since a petrol car and machine. Shame I can not adjust the armrest. Chair I like to sit very high, but I can only tilt the seat, not decrease. He's so big I do not care, that was my A6 well and this Mondeo parking sensors and towbar.

First impression of the handling is good. The car is very stable in turns and sends sharp. It seems a little pull to the right on the straight highway, leaving me holding the wheel still a little crooked, I'm watching. No strange noises and even at 120 km / h you hear little ambient noise. Compared to the 1.9 diesel in the A6, this car really is an oasis of silence. Brakes grab sharply. Today immediately tanked, but that's no fun with these gasoline prices. I'm looking forward to the long term usage. Will particularly km highway are around Amsterdam so km of between 80 and 120, but also a lot of traffic jams in the afternoon at the Coen tunnel. All the more reason more often on Tuesdays and Thursdays to address the engine.

I will try again on a regular basis to keep up with a review. In May, he must MOT at my trusted car repair, I'll check him completely. About that than later.

See my other review of the A6 Avant 1.9 TDI 140 hp.
Update (232,000 km)

Again write an update. The car consumes generally 1L 10 km to commute around Amsterdam including some traffic jams. At longer motorway journeys to the Netherlands where I keep myself reasonably to the max. Speed, the car 1L rescues 11 km.

Problems
I have had a problem in the spring with the heater, this heated no more after day he just only more could warm a lot. Finally resolved in my car fixed. They were still more than two hours doing.
In a rainy period in the winter there was always water on the floor of the vehicle in the passenger seat. If it was freezing at night, then froze it to the inside of the windshield. It seeped from under the front passenger door, so I guess that goes in through the window rubbers, because it contains large gaps. Designed to look at it, but after another rainy period this spring, the problem has not occurred. Anyone have an idea how that can arise?

Positive experiences
Last winter I fully enjoy the heated seats and heated windscreen. Truly a luxurious feeling when you early in the morning need not scratch the windshield, but as you get in.
Car always starts.
What a space!
Super handling, sends sharp through the turns.
Xenon lighting works well and gives good visibility.

I go more km's away and expect to have about 15K - to make 20K per year. Because it is a reliable and well-buy car, I consider to hold them just a few years

It works with not to change the star rating. Now I would still give an extra star for comfort and reliability to 'good'. Running late so I stand, this has to do with consumption that can easily get under 1:10 if you just kicks him on his tail.
Update 240.000 (240.000 km)

At 234,000 km rear shock absorbers had to be replaced. From one day to another squeaked and creaked car from behind at every turn and every threshold. Shortcoming found quickly, because the dampers always be replaced by two, I was totally right away € 700, - further. One week later, a new battery a € 180, - and you're going to leave you wondering if the car it was still worth it, but yes, you sometimes still have a quick solution.

Now already 3 months and 6,000 km and driving ease. Because we have another car taken away, this is now the only one we use. Really, he drives delicious but by the consumption of 1:10 gasoline if you drive calmly, I'm around me watching for diesel station wagons. A few nice BMW 320d models seen in 2003-2004. Many km's I find no problem, but I can this Mondeo to any interested password?
Still runs fine by (255.000 km)

The car still runs fine after 254,000 km. Automatic gearbox seems to be more flexible again. He scoured if everything is cold and you had to wait at a traffic light. After a few kilometers, that was not the case. Now I have the habit of having a cold car just the first red light just to put the gearbox in neutral. Now I see nothing that sheds.
Cover made from the baggage hold shoots occasionally back. As if the buttons have become some lamb so the cover is no longer good clip. Strange after 13 years as a family car serves to have? Is not too bad I guess.
Original xenon still doing fine. Electric windows do it all. Co-drivers seat heating is stopped with no knowledge of electronics, so I let it so.
Heating of the car is a bit difficult to adjust. Sometimes I have to put him in the cold December mornings at 26C and it is barely warm. Other times it suddenly becomes very hot and I must quickly put everything on 22C to step out not sweaty. 2 years ago the heating ever been part and renewed, now this. Remains strange.

Remember to buy a newer version. Eg same 2.0 petrol station in 2006. Because it has often lots of options, it is still the old model, so relatively reasonably priced. Runs like my car with quiet DRIVING 1: 10.5, so do not skimp. Someone experience with LPG G3 system in a Mondeo? Want ie go some efficient driving, but Dieseling I drive short km per year.
Still going strong (271,000 km)

Done an apk for summer and major maintenance. Oil for engine and gearbox, new front tires, wheel bearing left and welded something at the outlet. Overall, still cost more than the current value of the car. I did not expect, but just before the holidays I wanted to like the car was well serviced. I would, after all, with family and 2 small kids with a caravan traveling to Italy.

Car has done well throughout the holiday. However, he had a lot of trouble taming the hills in Germany on the highway. The machine turns itself back on the cruise, but after two gears back you drive 50 kmh on the mountain with many tourwn and a whirlpool in the tank. That's no fun, but you come up naturally and then it turns out you're not the only Dutchman slowly creeping up the mountain. Incidentally, the car remains very stable mey a caravan.
Sold (281,000 km)

Last week bought a newer model Mondeo 2007. 2.0 again with gasoline, but now with the manual transmission for a consumption. The reason was that a MOT's coming and still always something needs to be done, though there was now only a small turn in the planning. Because we are this summer with the kids go on holiday to Italy, I wanted a vehicle that is younger with less km and more comfort. Moreover, after 4 years you'd like something different and newer. Sold for € 450, - an individual. For someone who finds it interesting: at wijkopenautos.nl they offered half.