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Do you need Self levelling suspension on a Mondeo?

Back ground information:-

I presently drive a 2001 MK3 Ford Mondeo 2.0ltr diesel TDDI 115ps Ghia estate and tow a 5 berth 1450kg (when loaded) single axle caravan. It is the only car I have towed a caravan with and so have no experience of using other towing cars.

When you first attach the caravan to the back of the car it looks slightly down and a tiny bit unlevel. The Mondeo Ghia estate is supposed to have self levelling suspension and although I couldn’t tell you whether it has or hasn’t, it does seem improve once driven for a short distance and the car and caravan become perfectly level.

I would like to say what a wonderful car it’s been for towing our caravan but its now time to change to a newer one. I am looking to change to a 1 or 2 year old mondeo 2.0ltr diesel TDCI 130 with 6 speed gearbox but maybe a hatchback this time instead of the estate as my two girls are not babies (5yrs) any more I am carrying less stuff about.

So the question I would like answering from people who have towed with the different versions of the mondeo is does hatchback tow with the back end slightly down or does it do a similar thing to my estate as above. I believe you can only get self levelling suspension on the ghia estate and not on the hatchback.

Which version should I buy, Mondeo hatchback or estate?

I would also like to know people’s opinion on the 6 speed manual gearbox and whether it’s good to tow with as my present car is only a 5 speed.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Roy

Roy

My personal opinion is i would not buy a car without it.

hi and welcome to ukcs !!

pretty sure it was only the ghia x models (estate) that had self levelling.we tow with the hatch version (ghia tddi 115) and it does sit lower at the back but doesnt cause any bottoming of the suspension or instability.the caravan sits virtually level with the car like this. i would prefer self levelling but seen far far worse examples of sitting low at the back than ours.

if i was to go with another mondeo it would be the ghia x estate with self levelling .

as for the 6 speed option, id guess its a waste of time while towing , reckon you will spend most of the time in 5th,although ideal solo.

hope this helps

I've never had SL suspension and have never had anything but a level tow.

I suppose you pays your money and think it's well spent!

The general opinion is a bit split down the middle at the moment and probably need a few more replies yet before I can make my mind up.

Also does anyone use spring assisters on a 2001-2006 mondeo?

Thanks for the replies everyone and I am reading them with great interest.

Roy