Ok Another rant ...

Originally Posted by Bedhead

The old 1.8 TD mondeo engine is practically the same engine as the Sierra one

I don't know why, but transverse mounted and front wheel drive, they don't seem to last as long. Gearbox, etc certainly not as robust as the Sierra. Maybe the drivers have have just got bigger boots over the years. No Mk1 left in service anymore, but both my Aunt and Uncle still drive retired MK1's with over 200k as personal transport.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I don't know why, but transverse mounted and front wheel drive, they don't seem to last as long. Gearbox, etc certainly not as robust as the Sierra. Maybe the drivers have have just got bigger boots over the years. No Mk1 left in service anymore, but both my Aunt and Uncle still drive retired MK1's with over 200k as personal transport.

Thing about the Mondeo, is that it's far quieter and better built than the Sierra, it's much easier to put the boot down. I'd have a 1.8TD tomorrow if I could find one that wasn't rotten, and the MK1, to me at least, will be sought after in a few years. It looks better too than the Mk2.

Originally Posted by Bedhead

Thing about the Mondeo, is that it's far quieter and better built than the Sierra

It's quieter, but I wouldn't agree that it's better built. The Sierra was a solid car, and the interior doesn't stand up to taxi life like the Sierra did, they look tatty quickly and bits of trim brake easily. They don't stand up to accidents the same either. Obviously 7 years as a taxi puts a car properly through it's paces.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

It's quieter, but I wouldn't agree that it's better built. The Sierra was a solid car, and the interior doesn't stand up to taxi life like the Sierra did, they look tatty quickly and bits of trim brake easily. They don't stand up to accidents the same either. Obviously 7 years as a taxi puts a car properly through it's paces.

The only problem I ever had build wise was the bloody door handles coming off the inside of the doors, I ended up carrying a screwdriver in the door pocket so I didn't have to drive anywhere holding the door shut.

I think the Mondeo was designed to favour safety in a shunt before longevity, the things are designed to crumple and keep you alive. Over here our Taxis go through a very harsh version of an MOT, they will literally fail a car for having a tiny dent the size of a 50p that is in no way unsafe, so once a car is even in a minor prang, it's taxi career is most likely over.

There's still one old Sierra taxi knocking about, next time I see it, I'll grab a pic, it's the oldest taxi in the country!