Mondeo Klub for Bois - MK3 Help

[Andy]

Quoting: Roadkill

I was never a fan but I must admit - it's a fantastic car.

Another satisfied mondy owner!

Have you found one yet CP/Chris? C'mon lads, these ain't rare you know!

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: Andy

Have you found one yet CP/Chris? C'mon lads, these ain't rare you know!

Actually, trying to find one that has been well looked after, that's an estate and 2003 onwards, locally (within 100 square miles) is pretty hard.  

[Incursus]

Quoting: Andy

Have you found one yet CP/Chris? C'mon lads, these ain't rare you know!

Don't need one till the new year might go look at one next Saturday.

Besides the Mustang isn't even getting a sniff

[Andy]

Quoting: Incursus

Besides the Mustang isn't even getting a sniff

Have you tried eBay?

Quoting: Cunning Plan

Actually, trying to find one that has been well looked after, that's an estate and 2003 onwards, locally (within 100 square miles) is pretty hard.

Aye, I think further a field might be an option if you need it sooner (ROADTRIP!)

How badly is the old gal at the minute knackered? What are you gonna do with her?

[Incursus]

Quoting: Andy

Quoting: Incursus
Besides the Mustang isn't even getting a sniff


Have you tried eBay?

No, that's the next step.

[Cunning Plan]

OK random change of direction for me..

Called a local ad for a Jeep Cherokee 1999, 2.5 Diesel. Seems like a genuine old farmer guy (yeah, yeah, you can never totally tell - but this guy doesn't even use banks he is that much of an old farmer - he said he buries money in his land - said it with a straight face).

I know immediately a few of you (PO) will say go for the 100000 litre petrol version instead, but I can't justify the running cost. Now, the only reason I am looking at this one is the running cost seems to be the same if not a little worse than my 1.8 petrol Mondeo, so I'm not loosing too much MPG. I also have wanted a 4x4, just to 'tick off the list' kind of thing. It also has a tow bar, which would enable me to collect the bus. It is also cheaper than anything else of that age and spec (about 1k cheaper compared to other Cherokees!).

The farmer guy doesn't need the money, he has loads of classic cars that he plays with and didn't even know his ad was still running in the local papers. Took it for a drive, gave it a good look over and it is in very good condition with 120k on the clock.

It's got two leaky injectors from what I can tell, but I THINK it's just the over-flow pipes that need replacing. I've found some other injectors for the VM diesel engine for 60 quid from a local scrappy just incase. Started cold, no smoke, quick start up. Water is under maximum, but he said no matter how many times he tops it up to maximum, it will go down to half way, then not move. I took it for a drive, left it idling for a while, looked at the water and it hadn't moved.

Need to check a few bits out tomorrow, but there is a good chance I'll get it

I'm thinking:

*This helps get the bus back
*Gets me back on the road
*I can use it as trade-in part-ex when I do see a Mondeo that I like (as Mondeo is still top of the list due to size/MPG ratio). Even if they give me under market value (about 2.2-2.5k for that Cherokee), I'll still be up as I'm getting it for a deal - tell you more later.
*If it's any good, I might keep it

[F Body]

Quoting: Andy

these ain't rare you know!

The latest generation are very rare, looking at the sales figures if you want exclusivity, buy a Mondeo

[F Body]

Quoting: Cunning Plan

OK random change of direction for me..

Traitor

[Cunning Plan]

I've still got my Mondeo tattoo, don't you worry

[HardRockCamaro]

Don't buy a TD Jeep Cherokee XJ (late 90s) unless it's bloody cheap.  

The cylinder heads on them crack.  Not a question of if, but when.

The 4.0L petrol is the way to go with a Cherokee.
Get one with a PRINS or BRC kit already installed.

A really nice 4.0L Limited is about £800 - £1,200 depending on year and mileage (not that mileage matters on the 4.0 as long as it has had its fluids changed regularly).
Obviously with a good LPG kit on it I'd expect to pay more, Maybe more like £2,000.

Running cost on lpg on one of those would be equiv to a 38mpg petrol car (on a run) or a 28mpg petrol car around town.

Check carefully for rust, especially at the back, and check for no nasty noises from the diffs.  Also check front ball joints, they can eat them.

Other than that nothing else really goes wrong with them.  


Bear in mind a Grand Cherokee, is different again and I wouldn't advise an LPG V8 one of those, better the diesels.  (as long as not the 2.5TD).

[HardRockCamaro]

Quoting: philoldsmobile

the audi, merc or BM is undoubtedly going to be able to cover more miles than the mondeo though, hence the higher mileage for the same age / money. you get what you pay for and the German and Swedish contenders are higher quality, better engineered cars.

Sorry, don't agree with that.

Swedish:
If it's a SAAB it's just a vauxhall and will last no longer than a Vectra.  However a guy at work has a Vectra V6 on LPG (factory) that has covered over 300,000 miles...
If it's a Volvo then it's typically got the same running gear as the Ford equivalent.

German:
The most over-rated crap on earth.
If it's a BMW it will go wrong.  A lot.
VAG group diesel engines which are fine unless you drive in heavy traffic when you have particulate filter problems.
Mercedes used to be hot and electrics aside still are, but bear in mind that many Mercedes diesels are now VM diesels as fitted to Jeep...

Why do you see so many high mileage German cars?  They tend to be owned by people high up in companies who cover a lot of miles for business.  Easy miles on the motorway and servicing is taken care of by the company.
Vauxhalls and Fords tend to be used and abused more and do shorter trips as hire cars which is bad for the engines, clutch etc etc.


Personally I think Ford make the most reliable averagely priced cars.

Could go Japanese and get an Avensis (if you have died inside)
50,000 minicab drivers can't be wrong...

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

The cylinder heads on them crack. Not a question of if, but when.

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

(as long as not the 2.5TD).

I'm not doubting your knowledge, but after reading up on the 2.5TD VM engine, it seems they were also installed into LX1 taxis - in mass - so do they have the same issue?

EDIT- Sorry that should read LT1 Taxis:

Quoting: Wikipedia

The latest vehicle to benefit from a 2.5 L VM Motori diesel engine is the purpose-built LTI (London Taxis International) London style taxicab - the TX4 is the first of the TX range of taxis to include a VM Motori engine.

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

Running cost on lpg on one of those would be equiv to a 38mpg petrol car (on a run) or a 28mpg petrol car around town.

Can't afford the LPG conversion, plus LPG around here is quite expensive (84 something). Are you sure you would get 28mpg out of a 4.0 petrol Cherokee around town?

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

Check carefully for rust, especially at the back, and check for no nasty noises from the diffs. Also check front ball joints, they can eat them.

Roger that, will check balljoints tomorrow

[F Body]

Quoting: Cunning Plan

I'm not doubting your knowledge, but after reading up on the 2.5TD VM engine,

Vauxhall fitted it to the Frontera for two years, it was quiet, gutless and unreliable

[Cunning Plan]

The Chrysler Voyager 2.5TD is also a VM engine:

Quoting: Wikipedia

and Voyager (2.5-litre) models.

[HardRockCamaro]

The 28mpg around town was petrol cost equivalent but running on lpg...

No idea about taxi's, but ask on any Jeep forum about the 2.5 VM diesel in a Cherokee and you will be told the same thing...

They are advertised for less money than a 4.0L for good reason...

You may be lucky in the time you have it, but your mention of the dropping water level on that farmers one is not inspiring me with confidence...

http://polvadis.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/turbodiesel-fail/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://polvadis.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/turbodiesel-fail/

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: F Body

Vauxhall fitted it to the Frontera for two years, it was quiet, gutless and unreliable

See this one I just drove was quiet, but I thought it had plenty of power for the car of that size - sure you won't win any races though.. Unreliable?

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

You may be lucky in the time you have it, but your mention of the dropping water level on that farmers one is not inspiring me with confidence...

Appreciate the information fella.

I'm just going to go by what I could see - there was no smoke, no evidence of water in the oil and it didn't seem to use any after a 10 mile run and idling for a while, it was also running smoothy. Normally I would be hesitant of a car with any fluid from MAX - but this guy just seems too good and geninune to lie. Perhaps I will regret it, but I am actually going to trust someone for a change

The old boy 71 years old, just wants a pick up to go collect firewood instead of the Cherokee. He doesn't need to sell it though as he uses a trailer on the Cherokee for now, but finds it hassle hitching it up. He hasn't got a bank account and didn't know you could check vehicle history online..

[HardRockCamaro]

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/what-about-2-5l-turbo-diesel-810349/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/what-about-2-5l-turbo-diesel-810349/

[F Body]

Quoting: Cunning Plan

Unreliable?

Well compared to the previous Isuzu 2.8 and the following GM 2.2

http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=ac7818cfe32217f352cc1d93f9d948d9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=ac7818cfe32217f352cc1d93f9d948d9

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/what-about-2-5l-turbo-diesel-810349/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/what-about-2-5l-turbo-diesel-810349/

Cheers.

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

Also check front ball joints, they can eat them.

Just found on the Advisories for the last MOT it has slight play in OSF top ball joint. Any idea how expensive these are to replace?

If it's anything like my bus, most of the suspension has to come apart?

[Andy]

Quoting: F Body

The latest generation are very rare, looking at the sales figures if you want exclusivity, buy a Mondeo

Aye, but that isn't a real Mondeo... is it!

[HardRockCamaro]

About £200 a shot I *think* if done by the Jeep specialist I use near Enfield, N London...  

Don't let my concerns on the engine put you off if you recon you've found a good one.  The key thing is that is has been maintained (not normally a farmers strong suit in my experience), especially if it has never over heated.  I love the XJ Cherokee, that and the TJ Wrangler were the last ones made by Jeep before the accountants took over (although they had some influence on the TJ).  This is because the XJ was designed by AMC before Chrysler took over.  They designed and built them properly.

Other bits aside, the engine to have is the 4.0L It's highly regarded by all as being practically bomb proof and has the right characteristics for moving an SUV around (good low - mid range torque)

The diesel is just something Chrysler bought in and shoved in export models.

I've seen some very tidy looking diesels for £350 - £500 so as long as you're not paying more than that it's worth a punt I guess.
One guy in Jeep Club bought one for £150 with nothing wrong with it other than it needing 2 new tyres and a bulb which had caused it to fail the MOT...  Some people are just lucky...

Be extra carful checking for rust.  XJ's seem to be either excellent or absolutely awful, nothing in between...

[HardRockCamaro]

I know I've posted it before, but it says more than I ever could:



As an aside someone in Jeep Club bought an lpg converted 4.0 that was done on fifth gar, and belonged to Quentin Wilson.  So he put his money where his mouth is.  

[art b]

good to have you back andy....

[Cunning Plan]

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

About £200 a shot I *think* if done by the Jeep specialist I use near Enfield, N London...  

OOooffhhhh...

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

Don't let my concerns on the engine put you off if you recon you've found a good one

Not at all buddy, I fully appreciate your opinion and knowledge on these. The more the better

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

The key thing is that is has been maintained (not normally a farmers strong suit in my experience)

It has service history up to 90k, then he has had it serviced by the local garage to 120k, it's due another service, but as it has just had a new water pump and aux belt, I am hoping the water has been drained and replaced with fresh antifreeze etc - (one thing I know that can damage head gaskets is old antifreeze). The engine bay is extremely clean with new parts all over - new pads, discs, brake lines, fuel filter looks clean etc. I am just hoping he came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth spending good money on water pump ect if the car wasn't worth it.

Seeing it again tomorrow at 10. Going to let it idle for a long time to get the temperature up again and mark out the water whilst I check out the history again. I'll take it for a drive and if the water doesn't move, I think I'll go for it. I need to be in Cambridge for 12 so it will be a rush to get my insurance changed over and drive down there. Then Thursday I need to pick the bus up and trailer it back - so it will get a big test under fire!

I'm hoping if the head was cracked it would be loosing compression, but it ran real well, to the point where you could assume it was a petrol!

Hmmm.. I'm trying to put everything I have learnt about cars to the test here to ensure I get a reasonable one.

Watch this thread to see if CP makes a big mistake