1993 Old Top Gear - Ford Mondeo

Jeremy Clarkson drives the very important new Ford Mondeo to see if it can pick up from where the legendary Sierra left off.
ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE BBC.

[@skyrat1991]

My family had a Mondeo mk1 Si 4x4 a few years ago. 3 cars later we still consider it to be the best car we've ever had

[@Slayer-zl6ql]

its really is the best car ever, people just get mixed up with contour and they think mondeo has the same build quality but in reality its 10 times. the american market decreased the quality to make contour cheaper then mondeo but really they ruined what could have been one of america's best and most reliable cars ever like mondeo in europe... oh well.

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

​@@Slayer-zl6qlIt was too small for the US.

[@janetfishwick8887]

I had an "M" registered Mark 2 Mondeo from 1997 till 2017. Loved this car and would always manage to pass its MOT with a fair amount of money spent. After 110000 miles and plenty of TLC along the way,I exchanged it for a Mark 4 two litre beast of a vehicle.. Abseloutely gorgeous car with a boot like a skip and in chill Silver. Enhanced by a cherished plate.

[@dipro001]

Love how airbags were so new back then!

[@D8RADER]

Bought my 1995 HA GLX Mondeo new and still have it today. Have driven it hard and has never missed a beat. Although regarded as mundane, it has clean symmetrical lines and being lowered with 19's gets plenty of stares with a constant reminder of the good old BTCC years. Also have a Focus ST with 28000 on the clock. Haven't driven it as hard as the Mondeo and have been through 4 wheel bearings and hubs, three right, one left. Mondeo still my favourite.

[@g.j.schreuder7152]

Hello, I am a Dutch guy , bought a Mondeo 1995 almost four years ago. It is a 1.8 td . I have hot almost 450.000 km on the clock. No real problems ,only some old parts like the clinch and the distribution chain. I am happy with the simplicity of this car.

[@liammcdonald5656]

My Dad had a MK1 for 10 years. Until he replaced with a MK3 a few years ago. I miss the old MK1.

[@kippen64]

I have a Mondeo Mk2 that I bought earlier this year. Was a bit worried about it being a front wheel drive, but not any more. Nice little car that handles well enough to satisfy me.

[@tonyb1223]

Had a 1995 N reg 1.8 LX petrol (8-9 years old, 60k miles on the clock), used it as a commuting car, apart from water in the footwell (pollen filter seal, common issue if never replaced), 2 wheel bearings and a set of front discs and pads, just cost me the usual service/tyres. Ran like a dream, did great on the motorway runs, the beige interior took a bit of getting use to and it needed a bottle of redex for the injectors (think it had only ever seen 30mph zones), but was a good workhorse. Sold her at 100k miles.

[@I7275-p2d]

I bought a W reg Mondeo in around 2006. Never had it serviced or changed the oil. Did over 100,000 miles with absolutely no issues whatsoever. Had it for nine years.

[@WhiteSlift]

All of the old Top Gear scenes have grey, dark depressing weather.

[@vmyszojelen]

+WhiteSlift It's not Top Gear, it's England.

[@stephenbianchi7141]

+Adrian Świst I wonder if it's like Alaska where the weather and lack of sunshine causes the depression and suicide rates to be sky high.

[@TheKenjoje]

no, but in finland is

[@ewaf88]

But at least the Mondeo came with a biro holder which would have been enough for anyone to think again.

[@MrROTD]

It was captured on film then transfered to video, 16mm film just looks that way very dull colors not the best detail

[@leitros]

The car has aged better than has Jeremy.

[@matthewking5612]

You can blame one million cigarettes for that.

[@andreasu.3546]

@@matthewking5612 I suppose a '93 Mondeo that had a million cigarrettes smoked in it will today represent the state of Jeremy Clarkson quite accurately.

[@Luton-Mick]

I can vouch for the airbag, I tried it out on the back of a stationary Saab on the M25...they were the days.

[@kieranwhite6647]

we had a Mk1 for 9 years, a great car!

[@TheeDrunkunMunky]

Well I never knew you could get a 4X4 Mondeo

[@cozmium]

They are one of the rarest cars there are - 8 left on the road and I have two :p

[@TheeDrunkunMunky]

cozmium Oh haha, you should do a very on them.

[@Rapscallion2009]

4x4 was a bit of a trend in the early 90s. All sorts of saloons came with it for several years.

[@andreasu.3546]

@@Rapscallion2009 Cars that looked like saloon cars but had off-road capabilities. Today we have cars that look like off-road vehicles but have no such capabilities.

[@RSBritain]

Biro holder and a compact disc player - revolutionary!

[@JD-eq4dp]

Had a couple of V6s. I must say that they were 2 of the most reliable motors I've owned in 30+ years drivibg.

[@dkt1976dt]

The ford Mondeo was sold here in the U.S as the Ford Contour and it was produced from 1995-2002. The car only came in one body style a 4 door sedan and it was sold in many different trims from the base, the GL, the LX, the SE, the Sport and the top of the line SVT offered from 1998-2000, after that the SE and the Sport were the top of the line models. The 1995 models were short on rear leg room, so the front seats were designed to accomodate rear seat room, on the mid 96 models. The Ford Contour was very slow with the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder, but the 2.5 liter V6 made it a nice car, it just never really sold here in the U.S, the models with the 2.5 liter V6 was the biggest selling model as well as the contour SVT. In 2002 the Ford Contour was discontinued.

[@KretinoSantino]

+Donald Thompson Love how Homer'icans brag about speed when most of them never went faster than 55 MPH and need a diaper change at 40 MPH.

[@GruszkuEntertainment]

+El Shuwix For americans it's all about acceleration, not top speed.

[@KretinoSantino]

GruszkuEntertainment No dummy, it's about brain ... to be precise, lack of brain. Sure you need 6,2L V8 to accelerate to 30 or 40 MPH :D Average speed on German highways is about twice as what retarded Homericans call "high speed chase"

[@vikingfortiesfaeroes]

+El Shuwix "Sure you need 6,2L V8 to accelerate to 30 or 40 MPH :D" They may be extravagant and wasteful, but they're far more interesting and less toxic than the NOX-spewing TDIs of German cars.

[@KretinoSantino]

vikingfortiesfaeroes Take my advise, go to elementary school. You will learn what is context. We're talking about Mondeo and "if 2.0 is slow". Also, you might learn crude oil refining process. Then, you will know, hand in hand with petrol, diesel is produced. So if more petrol is consumed, there would be more diesel on market, and to use it all, there would be market for "NOX spewing TDI's of German cars". Also DUMMY, you might learn there's no "NOX". It's NOx DUMMY.

[@theberengersniper]

The Ford plant in Genk (belgium) where all Mondeos were made started production of non-UK models first. He was reviewing the car prior to its general release date of March '93, so the most numerous versions around were LHD. Better that than be last to review it.

[@neiltaylor5332]

I owned 1.8 GLX back in 95 what an utter dog, i don't drive my cars hard but this ate it's front tyres despite the geometry being spot on, the footwells filled with water after every rain shower,eventually traced to the pollen filter housing, the suspension droplinks failed regularly and the engine used to hesitate and kangaroo, never fully resolved despite a new complete cylinder head being fitted under warranty, all in less than 20k miles. My earlier 83 Sierra 1.6 L was a gem.

[@TAVIII]

Neil Taylor meanwhile a 2011 superb in 2015 has nothing that has changed since new after 40k x) how times have changed

[@neiltaylor5332]

m80pls I know mate i have just replaced my Seat Leon after 50k without a single fault just the normal service items needed, the tyres lasted 30k swapping front to rear at 15k and the disc pads were still like new as were the discs themselves.

[@theberengersniper]

No, it was built in Genk. They all were. The number plate has no bearing on where the car was built, only where it was registered.

[@forresg500]

I watched this episode when it first come out in 1993 hard to believe

[@Rapscallion2009]

Me, too. I remember thinking how modern and exciting the Mondeo was compared to the Sierra. With it's Traction control, CD player and ABS. Bare in mind I was 19 at the time.

[@buffuniballer]

It didn't go over so well here in North America as the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique. I had a 1998 SVT, and it was fun. Comparable to the ST200 you got in 1999.

[@crististefanescu8169]

I still have a European Version of a Ford Mondeo MK 1 2.0 from 1993.

[@LairdDeimos]

I have a 99 Contour, the NA version. It's a pretty decent car.

[@sundelight8230]

My dad had a mk1 1995 great motor

[@andrey961]

2016 - My Mondeo still works :)

[@markusp9569]

same here, which one do you got?

[@benday1218]

2020, mine still works, most of the time

[@themegagames]

Still strong here with 412k km

[@lamadeusgang5342]

2021, still working and never failed ! 1.8 16v mk1

[@AlejjSi]

Aha :) I know it only means where it is registered, but taking account Fors's factory in germany, I thought it was also bouilt there, so thanks for clearing that up

[@ernstmayer3868]

I drove my petrol mondeo to 340,000 km without any big issues.

[@scottneilson2450]

my first company car was this one, oh how i used to rag it about

[@williamwebb6178]

Production of the Ford Mondeo has now ended in Europe in March 2022

[@corrinecummings3538]

Always starts, good brakes, best gearboxes this side of Turin, easy MOT pass, good on all roads, great to be in, cracking boot space, suits all wallets, lasts forever. How boring.

[@macky4074]

1993, The security on this car will keep the most determined thief at bay for 4 minutes. 2021, Someone will just walk up to your car with an electronic device that will make your car unlock and start up no problem.

[@chitpaul]

Before the days of "POWER"......

[@LFOVCF]

When it was about cars, and not egos!

[@thepoopenator7341]

Anybody else see that weird head flick at 1:45?

[@shephardmapungwana3718]

ThePoopenator huh?

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Yeah

[@ericgeorge5483]

Fortunately the Mondeo got better.....MUCH better.

[@carlmaster9690]

Tell me about it

[@G2097]

It's quite staggering to think now that, at that time, a car with airbags was considered noteworthy. Nowadays, a standard run-of-the-mill model without them would be unthinkable.

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

I thought the MK1 Mondeo in saloon format was one of the most handsome cars in its class. MK3 Cavalier whilst also a handsome shape in saloon form was starting to show it's age. The Mk2 Mondeo was absolutely dreadful, a hideous revision. My pick - MK1 Mondeo Saloon Si or Ghia with the optional RS bodykit although the standard body looks just as handsome.

[@Boosted1981]

had a mk1 mondeo just 1 year ago. not a bad car (one of the first, build march 93). got about 9l/100 km which is about 26 mpg. only 1.6 engine tho...but ran like mad :D papers say vmax: 182 my car actually did: 210 nothing done to it. no idea how and why, but gps doesnt lie :)

[@DB103Freak]

The Mondeo got until the end of the 90's one of the worst crash results. A 30 mph Crash into the Car in front of you was actually like Crashing a Fiat Cinquecento into a Wall with 60 mph.

[@GuitarnScythes]

Still Got The Blues, by Gary Moore

[@MrDOWNARD]

they made the sierra cosworth in belgium aswell

[@Максим-е5е1н]

Так я так и не понял , форд мондео2 хорошая машина?

[@tomforrest7814]

surprised this mondeo doesnt have tape all over the bumpers and rust all over the place

[@kristjano123]

Mine does have tape on the front bumper, but no rust at all. Chassis and engine is in mint condition. Mondeos are not crap if you know how to take care of a car and service it regularly.

[@tomforrest7814]

are you sure you own a mondeo haha what age is it because the later models 2010 ish on were good with no rust (like all the cars on the market) the 1 and 2nd gen mondeos were so netorious for tape and rust that its hard to find a 1999 shape mondeo with out tape smothered on the bumpers lol

[@kristjano123]

Its actually 1997, same as in the video but the facelift model.

[@FirstOnRaceDayCapri2904]

Let's not talk about the Calibra lol

[@tomforrest7814]

Calibra? Awesome car

[@isaywhatilikeandilikewhati1117]

Just like the Sierra did, now the Mondeo is to cease production...all sport versions of any age will increase in "used" value...go and get one now!

[@gordonminchin6299]

My dad has a mk2 estate mondeo turbo diesel for the last 14:-years its a 98 and has never ever went wrong it has over 400000 on the clock starts first time every and over 50 miles to the gallon best cars ever made are ford's

[@MrFumomaus]

Why is that Mondeo a LHD?

[@AlejjSi]

Interestingly enough it has german numberplate...so wasn't it bulit in germany?

[@Rsspecial1]

The Mundaneo - great family everyday car... but nothing special. Nothing replaces a ford sierra, nothing can or will. This didnt.

[@ArabianKnight7771]

The New Mondeo Is The New Sierra With Different name

[@davidfos84]

Jeremy disagreed with the vast majority of the opinions at the time, which the was that the Mondeo was a really very good driver's car.

[@HFLanciaStratos]

why is it LHD

[@vikingfortiesfaeroes]

Randal Graves "why is it LHD" Must be a pre-release model, before any RHDs had been manufactured.

[@GruszkuEntertainment]

+Randal Graves Don't you see old german plates?

[@AristotelisMitsiou]

What's the song at 1:46?

[@gentle285]

+Aristotelis Mitsiou (tkk7406) Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues

[@AristotelisMitsiou]

gentle285 Cheers mate, thanks.

[@captainhindsight8604]

you might think i'm mad, but is it hello by lionel richie?

[@AristotelisMitsiou]

Nope, don't think so.

[@hikari2aku]

watching this in the september 2012 !

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

In 2022

[@PPhase]

Biro holder envy!

[@PS3CRAZY96]

They should bring back the Sierra like a cheap four door Ford, hmm maybe replace the Mondeo? I think so.

[@ewaf88]

30 mpg on my God,

[@dchawk81]

I had a 1999 Contour Sport with the V6 here in the USA. It was a great little car to drive but the interior was dated looking and cheap.

[@yavuzturan6830]

those were the days that top gear actually do car reviews.

[@shroomyesc]

Well that top gear was essentially what's now fifth gear

[@bajazitlabud6675]

Imam Ovakvog Mondea. Sponzoruse, Javljajte se :) :)

[@vistesveisti5881]

Nisam imao pare golfa da kupim a ni polovnog stojadina ali sam na kraju upijo da skupim kupio sam forda starog dvaest godina

[@nicksmpsn6546]

'An' airbag 😂

[@bong4538]

This car looks like an old Corolla

[@thetinysideoftiny7625]

In the US it was sold as the Ford Contour. It was a dreadful car. Unattractive by American standards and significantly more expensive than the Ford Tempo it replaced. The rental car interior and mediocre driving dynamics didn’t help matters. Long term reliability must have been poor because I haven’t seen one on the road in many years.

[@Xuanpa]

Conventional, not revolutionary... still I kind of like it: looks better that mkII and it actually was more of a change from the previous model that the mkIII. MkIV and V are so much larger that they dont even look on the same car class. Still a Mondeo, nothing too amazing.

[@SA-zoom1]

Absolute rubbish. The mk1 mondeo drove better than average, handled beautifully and was well made. The looks were bland but thats about the only negative thing I can say.

[@nigeemac999]

he talking about bad hair lol

[@indepthcarreviews4796]

Not at first... but then the MK4 and MK5 came along. watch?v=edciXbyH3z0

[@jonny8860]

Why it isnt very spaces? He is 6 feet tall.

[@Gary85Paul]

He was quite camp when he mentioned corduroy trousers and got in in the car!

[@NordikFilm]

In 2004 I had a 1994 Mondeo 2.0GL. I remember rusty fenders , faulty locks and poor handling.

[@robertmarsh3588]

What car we're you driving? The fenders (bumpers) were all plastic. Mine handled pretty well too.

[@NordikFilm]

@@robertmarsh3588 I mean the part of the body covering the wheels. I dont know what that is called in english.

[@tonyb1223]

@@NordikFilm wheel arches, yes they use to rot there unfortunately :(

[@homersturok]

I once had the 2.5 V6... Great motor. Rubbish car

[@PoloABD]

Mundaneo

[@jaggass]

The styling is very American.

[@dravenguinn395]

uh bro you driving on left side of the road with a American car in the uk

[@mattinwinkymg]

Jezza sounded real posh back in da day

[@davidmichaels8934]

Clarkson looks like a Teddy boy!

[@АЛЕКСЕЙКУЧЕРЕНКО-и8и]

В УКРАИНЕ МОНДЕО 1994 -2000ГОДА ДОСИХПОР ЛУТШЕ ЧЕМ НАЧИНАЯ ОТ ВАЗ 21099 И ЗАКАНЧИВАЯ ПРООРОЙ А ТАК ЖЕ СЕНС И ЛАНОСА.

[@aspiringaspie3280]

I'd rather drive a Vectra from the same era

[@easydrive3662]

Even back in 1993 the ford mondeo looked dull and boring! Just nothing nice about it!

[@RhinoXpress]

we americans had the shitty version called the contour which was a big pile of shit with the exception of the svt model that came out in 98-2000

[@joshuajohnson8478]

ford mondeo and contour, junk!

[@palebeachbum]

The American market version was much more attractive, but a completely terrible car.

[@emilsponga2081]

nope . thay were pretty good still a good few on the road more than any gm or dodge equivalent corsica or stratus for example

[@palebeachbum]

emil sponga The engines were good. Everything around them was crap. The dashboards peel up. The windows fall off track. The check engine lights come on. The stereos die. Tons of electrical problems. I could go on and on. All of the above happened to my 1996 Mystique and my friends 2001 Contour. The GM equivalent would be the late 90's Chevy Malibu. Both it and the Stratus were also POS cars.

[@franzchong5889]

For Australia who had this forced on them due to the dollar/yen issues in the 90s it was a step backwards from the Mazda sourced Telstar and TX5 range it replaced.there was NO V6 on offer and just like when The Telstar first came out in 1983 we were back to the one engine option of a 2.0l four take it or leave it.the only good thing about Mondeo was the offering of a Wagon in the class for the first time since Cortina days.

[@laylabaxter4897]

Ford Contour...numerous recalls.....a crap can . Ugh

[@103703878]

What were ford thinking getting rid of the sierra for this heap of shite....

[@SpasticSpud]

Because it was better. A lot better. The Sierra was a rust bucket and unless you had the Cosworth it didn't drive that well. Plus it was incredibly thirsty, regardless of the motor in it, except the horrendously underpowered, agricultural diesel versions.

[@MrDOWNARD]

YOU LOOK LIKE A RAVIN BRIGHTON HOMOSEXUAL