Katiegan's Garage | Winter Plans

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If the bolt pattern is the same, I don't think they'd look bad, ST's look good in black, just be sure to get some lowering springs or something as well to really pull that 'look' together.

Have you looked into Eibach's catalogue to see if anything is available ?, if not for a Mondeo, I'm sure Focus-parts could work or be adapted to work.
 
Zyla
I'm only on my phone right now so I have to keep this post fairly simple. So I'll start by saying your avatar is amazing. :D
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Thank you. :D

Zyla
As for the wheels, it's difficult for me to picture those wheels on a Mondeo like yours, so I need to find a visual of some sort.
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I couldn't find a Mondeo with black ST wheels, but here's one with silver ST wheels, if that helps to put things in perspective.

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Zyla
Until I can get on my computer to browse for alternatives, have you considered Focus RS wheels? Perhaps SVT Focus wheels would look rather dashing. I'm usually a fan of either BBS-style wheels or nice five-spokes. I dunno, just some suggestions.
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By Focus RS wheels do you mean the MK1 RS or the MK2? The MK1 RS wheels are fairly similar to the ones already on Bruiser, and the MK2 RS wheels are almost exactly the same as the Mondeo ST wheels, which obviously are common on Mondeos - especially STs :p. Don't get me wrong, I like the MK2 RS/MK3 ST wheels, but there's already a few black Mondeos out there with black ST wheels, such as this one (called The Goththing :sly:):

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This was actually pretty close to how I wanted Bruiser to look, but, without sounding like a hipster, I don't want to be driving a car that looks the same as somebody else's. :p

Kurei
If the bolt pattern is the same, I don't think they'd look bad, ST's look good in black, just be sure to get some lowering springs or something as well to really pull that 'look' together.

Have you looked into Eibach's catalogue to see if anything is available ?, if not for a Mondeo, I'm sure Focus-parts could work or be adapted to work.
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I've just had a look at Eibach's website and they do have lowering springs for the Mondeo, at £195, which is about $320. Is that cheap for springs? :lol: They're 40mm for the front and 30mm for the back, so pretty much the same as what we have now, but I'm hoping Eibach springs won't be so much of a rough ride as the current ones. I don't even know what brand ours are. :lol:
 
Katiegan
I don't want to be driving a car that looks the same as somebody else's.
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That right there just earned you ultimate respect. 👍

Also, you really oughta consider these bad boys:
Focus_SVT_008.JPG
 
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Katiegan
1233420240-ST_on_Focus_wheels.jpg



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I think those ST wheels would look fantastic in black on Bruiser. 'The Goththing' has to be the most awesome looking Mondeo I've ever seen :drool:... Until you're finished with bruiser that is 👍

I'd advise you to be careful buying those springs. If they're the same height as those on your car than I wouldn't expect much of a difference in ride quality.
 
Zyla
That right there just earned you ultimate respect. 👍
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So I'm not a hipster? :lol:

Zyla
Also, you really oughta consider these bad boys:
Focus_SVT_008.JPG
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The SVT wheels look pretty sweet, but because the SVT was never sold in the UK, I can imagine those wheels will be hard to get hold of, and shipping wouldn't be too friendly either.

Hayden
I think those ST wheels would look fantastic in black on Bruiser. 'The Goththing' has to be the most awesome looking Mondeo I've ever seen :drool:... Until you're finished with bruiser that is 👍
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The owner's wife has a Mondeo too that's similarly styled, only it's a MK4. :p I'm not too keen on the red grille myself, but the rest of the car is pretty cool.

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Hayden
I'd advise you to be careful buying those springs. If they're the same height as those on your car than I wouldn't expect much of a difference in ride quality.
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Ah, thanks for that 👍. What would be the best bet for a better ride? Coilovers?
 
They're twins, thats awesome :dopey:

I honestly don't have any day to day experience with coil-overs so I'm not really the right guy to answer that question for you. I'm sure someone here can give you a good answer though 👍
 
Coilovers are getting real cheap. Most have a good ride while high up.. Many ride badly all the way down. A quality set will have good ride all the way down. The good news ia that many coils lower more than at near top settings. But you'll wanna go further down after a while. My advice is, buy the best available you can afford.. :) You won't regret it.
 
I don't think that black ST wheels would go good with a black car. I think that wheels with a brighter color would look better.
 
eiriksmil
Coilovers are getting real cheap. Most have a good ride while high up.. Many ride badly all the way down. A quality set will have good ride all the way down. The good news ia that many coils lower more than at near top settings. But you'll wanna go further down after a while. My advice is, buy the best available you can afford.. :) You won't regret it.
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Is there any brands you would recommend? I'm not sure if my dad wants to buy new springs but I know I certainly do! :lol:

Doog
I'm all for ST wheels as long as you keep them silver. I think it'll give your car a classier, athletic look. 👍
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Stormtrooper217
I don't think that black ST wheels would go good with a black car. I think that wheels with a brighter color would look better.
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See, now I'm not too sure... the 'murdered out' or black on black look has kind of become Bruiser's thing now. I'm not sure if I'd like to go back to silver wheels, but I know my dad misses the silver wheels, so he might be all for them.

hawkeye122
^Like the lime green on Ken Block's car? Surely that's be up your alley...
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Lime green wheels? That's so 2012. It's cyan blue now. :sly:
 
Ford used that same stupid bolt pattern on more than just the Focus? 5x108 has to be the least common bolt pattern out there so good luck with wheels, it took me forever to find a set for my car.
 
Katiegan
Is there any brands you would recommend? I'm not sure if my dad wants to buy new springs but I know I certainly do! :lol:
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I don't know Mondeos, after a quick inquiry with my parts guy apparently Supersport makes coilovers (Black evo) for the Mk3, those are of adequate quality I know. Stay away from FKs, if they make anything for these, unless you like your dampers leaking oil. A quick Google search shows KW also makes the Variant 1s for these cars, a little more driver oriented coils.. If you want lowering springs that lower more than 30-40mm, you should also change dampers (shorter/stiffer) to avoid a bumpy ride/leaking dampers, that's why I'm saying go coilovers while you're at it.. :)
 
eiriksmil
I don't know Mondeos, after a quick inquiry with my parts guy apparently Supersport makes coilovers (Black evo) for the Mk3, those are of adequate quality I know. Stay away from FKs, if they make anything for these, unless you like your dampers leaking oil. A quick Google search shows KW also makes the Variant 1s for these cars, a little more driver oriented coils.. If you want lowering springs that lower more than 30-40mm, you should also change dampers (shorter/stiffer) to avoid a bumpy ride/leaking dampers, that's why I'm saying go coilovers while you're at it.. :)
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Thanks a lot, I'll look into it. 👍 If I already have lowering springs, would just changing the dampers help the quality of the ride? I don't know a lot about suspension. :lol:
 
Celicaas
anymore updates on Bruiser ?


problems?
bad news/good news ?
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Nothing new to report on, really. Suspension still knocks, we're going to buy the new jack next week probably to look at it. Although, we do have a problem with his boot lid which is leaking water into the boot and causing the carpet to become damp, making Bruiser's interior smell funny. :crazy:
 
All these issues you've been having with Bruiser would have made most people trade him in ages ago. The fact that you remain devoted to your car and its well-being is something I honestly really respect, as I can truly relate to it. 👍
 
Zyla
All these issues you've been having with Bruiser would have made most people trade him in ages ago. The fact that you remain devoted to your car and its well-being is something I honestly really respect, as I can truly relate to it. 👍
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Bruiser's sentimental value is worth way, way more than anything he'd fetch on the market. In my opinion, it just wouldn't be worth it. In my dad's opinion, however... :lol:
 
Celicaas
So it has minor faults here and there

but what are your impressions on the new engine ?
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Definitely a huge improvement from the old one. I didn't realise how bad the old one was until we got the new one. Bruiser gained a lot more horses with the transplant - and the oil hasn't moved since, which is brilliant. :D

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Nice to see it's still rolling 👍

Though to be honest, entering the thread on this page and seeing the first pic, I though: Damn I was gone too long, Bruiser looks too damn fine.... Turns out it was an exemple picture :lol:
 
Ibonibo
Nice to see it's still rolling 👍

Though to be honest, entering the thread on this page and seeing the first pic, I though: Damn I was gone too long, Bruiser looks too damn fine.... Turns out it was an exemple picture :lol:
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:lol: Hopefully Bruiser will look too damn fine soon.

So Bruiser's 'lazy caliper' decided to rear its ugly head last week. Calipers are a common fault on Mondeos anyway, but once upon a time we took Bruiser to a dodgy garage and they pretty much made his caliper worse, and now it always either never works on one side (the left I think) or, like last Saturday, gets stuck on, which means poor Bruiser was leaving behind some pretty nasty smells from the handbrake just clinging on to one side. So yesterday, my mum took him to the garage I did my work experience at, which is just at the end of the street where she works, to get them to sort out the handbrake and check out what was knocking at the front end. The owner of the garage said he was pretty busy that day and had a few guys off, so he wasn't sure if he could look at it, but he'd try anyway.

Mum finishes work, comes to collect Bruiser, and the garage owner comes out. It turns out the handbrake wasn't completely stuck on and the caliper just needed freeing off and adjusting slightly, so that was only about £20 or so, and the guy decided that the knocking suspension was their fault from when they replaced the engine, so, taking the blame, they fixed it free of charge. Good guy garage owner! He also said to wait until the end of the week to see how the handbrake turns out before paying the £20, so for now, we haven't payed anything for it.

Seriously, any Huddersfield members here, you should take your car down to Greenwoods Victoria Garage. Quite possibly the nicest and friendliest mechanics I know! :p
 
They charged you $20 to unfreeze a caliper that screwed up? What nerve! However, like you said, see if it's fine first. BUT:


You can't fix a messed up caliper. You have to replace the entire thing. There is no inbetween. If it's really frozen then I would not hesitate to rip it off and replace it on the spot. I've had too many headaches with faulty calipers in that regard, especially after being stranded on the side of the road for 45 minutes trying to fix one that seized up. Had to borrow a random guys tools just to get it off and then had to drive 2 hours with no front right brake. No thanks.
 
Nothing much to update on Bruiser, so I updated the OP with the current mods, future plans and a cute backstory. I felt it needed refreshing after almost 2 years. :p
 
Bit of advice. It's a Ford, sell it before it dies out on you unexpectedly. Been there, done that. Not fun, much expensive.
 

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