Superoo

Aside from going into limp mode, any other symptoms? Slipping? Banging into gear? My BA (210,000 kms also) started going into limp mode but showed no other signs of problems and it ended up being a faulty solenoid. It only threw codes when it was scanned whilst in limp mode - if I shut it off and restarted and then scanned, codes weren't being logged. Try and keep notice on when it does it - if it seems to happen during a shift, it could be a solenoid.

At 22km/h average speed, I'd say your consumption is about right unfortunately. I've seen mine at about 16l/100km when my average is around 28km/h. Might be worth resetting the trip computer and going for a bit of a highway stretch just to confirm what you achieve in those conditions.

Have read the same thing re the 170K mark (my BA will hit the mark in the next week) so I'm also interested to hear about this supposed expected life span. I've got an external cooler fitted and have serviced the tranny 3 times in its lifetime. Had the car since new and it's always been stock so I'll be annoyed if it gives up the ghost. Would be interesting to know how many of these 170k ish failures are attributed to coolant in the tranny.

I have had the PS3's on a Mondeo diesel for around 15K and I can confirm they are wearing fast. Will be lucky to get another 10K out of them. I have Michelin Pilot Preceda PP2's on the XR6T and they are wearing much better. The performance of the PS3's is quite impressive and they are brilliant in the wet but the wear is disappointing. Unfortunately, I don't think the wear rating manufacturers supply is standardised so you can't really read much into them.

Had my BA XR6T auto transmission do all sorts of weird things including jump out of gear/slipping, rough changes and manual/performance modes were not working. Turned out that the wiring loom into the gearbox was failing (had some corrosion on it) which was screwing up the electronic control of the box.

Glad to hear it's all OK now, even if has cost a bit. Just out of interest, what's the service history like on the car?

If it's still there after tightening the wheel nuts, take it back to a tyre and wheel specialist and ask them to check for a slight kink or buckle in one of the rims. Had a couple of places miss this on one of my rims during a balance.

Have you tried it again since you last drove it? How many times has this happened? Not uncommon for the car to go into limp mode and be perfectly OK after restarting it.

Have had Michelin Pilot Preceda PP2's on for about 4K now - best tyre I've had. Wet weather grip and noise level is much better than the dunlop OEM's (which after they were half worn were scary in the wet and very noisy). Not the cheapest tyre around but sometimes, you do actually get what you pay for. Wet weather performance was most important to me and I have no complaints at all. Can't really see any wear on them at this stage so they're not super soft which is an added bonus. Our mondeo runs Bridgestone RE050A's at the same size and they're great too but expensive and we'll be lucky to get 30K out of them so I'll probably switch over to the Michelins when time comes as well.

My 03 BA just clicked over 138K today - daily driver.

Pretty sure the BA/BF was rated 4 star.

Just out of interest, what is the rough replacement cost of the ZF should it break?

Exactly - $600 a corner's a bit rich for me so was surprised that the PP2 pricing was in line with the RE001's. Anyone know the treadwear & traction rating on the Michelins?

Due for a set shortly and have narrowed it down to either the Michelin PP2's or Bridgestone RE001's. Interested in hearing any comments comparing these two or any experiences otherwise.

I've had slotted DBA4000 all round with bendix pads for about 25K now. No more shudder and much better pedal feel (changed to braided lines as well). Pads will be due to change in another 5K or so. Still get a bit of brake squeal but had that with the Ford setup anyway. Less brake dust also. Good value upgrade.

We have a TDCi Mondeo hatch along with the T. They are slightly narrower on the inside than the T but I think leg room is very much comparable if not a win to the Mondeo. Two points were obvious from the start. Firstly, Ford Aus could learn a thing or two about interior fit and finish from their euro (Belgium) counterparts. Secondly, and much to my surprise, the Mondeo handles better than my T. Less body roll and feels more planted. Both are totally stock and also run on the same size rubber. The XR6 would obviously leave it for dead in a straight line but get into the twisty stuff and their would be little in it. The diesel has plenty of mid range for in gear acceleration (craps all over N/A petrol fours) and as an added bonus, the Melb-Syd trip could be had on 1 tank. I doubt I could do that with the T. Throw in the heated seats, bluetooth, voice activation, auto wipers and headlights, 6 stacker CD which is better than the T premium sound, 6 speed auto and 5 star crash rating including a knee airbag and they are a very nice package. Biggest problem they have is lack of market recognition. It is up against the accord euro, jetta and mazda6 so competition is tough. We're pretty happy with ours after nearly a year and the hatch has a ton of room (perfect for our prams for the little ones).

If you can get a new FG F6 with those options for 60K on the road, I wouldn't waste time trying for a better deal. That's about 15K off RRP on the road.

Another Hightek recommendation. Had my DBA4000 rotors plus bendix pads and braided lines supplied and fitted by Hightek. Speak to Cam.

Yeah doing what you want rather than what is legal is fine as long as you're careful. Interesting take on things. I carefully speed.... The law in this regard is simple but you choose to break it. I'd feel edgy too. I really couldn't be bothered driving around with false details and concerned about the possibility of being fined every time a cop car appears.

I upgraded from the standard BA brakes to DBA 4000 slotted all round. DBA have direct replacements in the 4000 series. Had them for over 20K and no shudder and pads just over half worn (Bendix ultimates). No more brake dust or squeal than the ford pads but guess what - no shudder and better performance. Make some enquiries before considering the drilled XS range. There was the odd story going around regarding cracking across the cross drilling.

Saint Nick received some very easy feeds last night due to a total lack of pressure. Also the reason they had so many shots from in front which helped the accuracy. They were better on the night but I can't see them being handed the ball back so many times by the hawks. With the 22 we had out there last night, the result was hardly a surprise (don't listen to media experts) and I couldn't have seen up progressing much further even if we'd won. We're 2 class midfielders short of challenging the better teams and unfortunately, players of that ilk don't grow on trees.

God bless Collingwood and all of us that support them. How boring would this competition be without a team that polarises like we do. You guys don't know how lucky you are to have us. How could you gloat without the good old Collingwood? 1 premiership in 50 years and still the butt of all jokes when we lose? The AFL wouldn't survive without Collingwood but no need to worry, we'll keep propping up other clubs by dragging the crowds in. Hell, we even do the newspapers a favour from time to time! Win, lose or draw, the AFL still love us. "sucked in you eddy maguire loving pie eaters" I think it is us that suck everyone else in. In 2 weeks 15 teams will have their thumbs in their backsides yet I'll still look forward to the barrage of joke emails about how pathetic we are. I'll be comfortable in the knowledge that all the time spent denigrading us is the purest form of flattery around. You want to be us, we get it. Good luck to the remaining 4 but hard to think outside the top 2.

Funny how things change.... 5 years ago when I bought the T, it was: 1) Performance 2) Performance 3) Perfomance 4) Looks 5) Leather/Stereo Now with the kids it's: 1) Safety (wouldn't look at anything without the full airbag complement & DSC) 2) Performance (still high on the list) 3) Practicality (can my wife get that bloody pram in OK!) 4) Looks 5) Servicing/Insurance costs 6) Comfortable but stylish interior OK, the FG XR6T it is then!