My (Q)ship came in!

[batchman]

Howdy, all. Long post warning!

It's taken what, 4 years? But last night my '17 MKZ showed up, shipped from Oregon to Massachusetts.

It has been ridiculously difficult to find a worthwhile example, mostly because I became (characteristically, and increasingly) ridiculously picky.

My wife wanted me in "something modern". My most recent cars have been a couple gen 9 Continentals, with which I enjoyed the features, dirt cheap parts, excellent dynamics and reliability, decent enough power and lack of the chrome of old, followed by her 90k mile cast-off Focus ST, replaced by her for the next "it" car in stock class autocross racing, a Civic SI. She can pick 'em, took two National titles in those cars. She decries "ladies' class', but I watched her and she did all the right things, and had real competition.

When she bought the FoST, I was thinking - "Hmmm, what could go wrong?" I'm pretty old school, but the concerning 'fancy stuff' in my gen9's had held up well (adaptive suspension, like my 89 xr7, steering wheel controls, like that car and her (later my, I do pretty well with her cast-offs) 93 SHO, auto climate (again like SHO). Turbo? Electric power steering? Keyless/proximity? Capless filler? Touch-screen Nav???. Wow. After 10 years and 200k miles, it all still worked, with the slight exception that sometimes the nav would place the car 100yds off. If living outdoors in New England hadn't made it a 2 seat car with 4 doors, I would still be driving that, another 50k anyway.

What to buy? Got interested in the Fusion Sport. Excellent in many ways, but interior was meh. I will say though, Ford takes a lot of guff on materials but the SHO and FoST interiors ("after") both look almost 100% with minimal fuss. Big contrast to the "nicer" stuff in her SI that had "the shabby" when traded out at 40k miles. The thing that killed the FusPo idea though, was the tach - and I see swapping in the MKZ dash is a popular mod, but I was trying to not buy a project.

Being a Ford guy, I liked the idea of the new Conti, and the 3.0TT seemed up my alley. Drove a local miled-up 3.7l, dynamics viable, roominess excellent, but chrome everywhere! Also didn't really want something that big. MKZ for the win.

That meant I wanted a 3.0 AWD, and because I have seen the Focus RS in action autocrossing (they'd essentially aged out of availability, and traffic makes an automatic daily-driver/road-trip car more sensible), the drivers' package (or 19/20) became a must. Looked at/drove a couple, and started realizing the range of options. Climate pkg is a must in the NorthEast, and most comply - but there were a couple that didn't. Also came to see they are taking a toll up here, one 19 driven 25k miles by 2021 looked 5 years or more older underneath. My guess is Ford degraded the stainless used in exhaust systems, after all nobody dings Toyota for needing $3k worth of exhaust work every 5-8 years, while my above-mentioned Cougar and SHO factory pipes are still fine (still on site, containing parts, to my bride's chagrin.) Hummm.

Anyway, shopping during Covid meant unsupervised test drive, and that 19 was brilliant. Brought it back showing a 10mpg average. But the underside of a 2-3 year old Rhode Island car looking like that would not pry my wallet open. I have come to wonder if it had a tune....

Several more close calls and ones that got away later, I realized I hadn't tried one of these at night, so I did. The FoST had the optional headlights, which were fantastic (Focus 4, Deer 0 - although two of them got headaches). Found the base headlights uninspiring in a dusk test drive. Then I read up on and then listened to the Ultima setup (in a 4cyl car) and as an audiophile of sorts was blown away, a more natural sound stage than my 3+ HP home system. Lux package became a must, but really wanted a regular moonroof, which I have used in all my recent cars. Turns out that became the hardest part.

Then a bud rear ended someone when they false-started on a short on-ramp in unfamiliar territory. If it can happen to him.... OK maybe there is something to the adaptive cruise/front sensing stuff. Might as well make my unicorn pink after all, especially since I wanted <30k so I could limit my cheap gas worries and hit that milestone for PTU/RDU fluid changes.

Many false starts later, an unassuming 49k mile 17 shows up, with no pictures. The next ad had a Carfax link, sticker was right enough and history was clean, except the first oil change wasn't done until 18k. Boo. Then my favorite Ford service advisor popped up at my nearest dealer, and offered to check VINs for me. Awesome, this one came back showing an oil change at 9k. Off to make actual contact...

Of course there's a catch - there's always a catch. I'm in Massachusetts, and the car was in Oregon. And there are still no pictures on their ad, after a week. Called, and got a young guy who usually works the walk-ins as the usual internet types were busy. Took a lot of explaining just why I wanted to start first with things like seats, door bottoms and rocker panels, but eventually found the car to look sound.

So I made a side trip while seeing my daughter graduate in SoCal, and it was better than I could have hoped. I would say the money nearly caught fire coming out of my pocket, but because they don't take deposits on used cars I had to buy it to be sure it'd be there on my arrival. Wasn't doing that until I got a right of refusal in writing, but we eventually figured it out.

All of my litmus tests passed, some with flying colors:
- Rockauto magnet on rear quarter fronts OK
- sniff test a cold start showed no coolant or clatter
- battery looks new
- trunk lid works in both direction
- gas filler door was solid
- Ultima system sounded mostly proper
- suspension tightening up in sport mode was tough. Their roads had no bumps!
- no odd shifting behavior
- no real vibrations slowly accelerating on the highway
- no oil pan leaks

It was that last test that tipped me completely over - the car has an aluminum oil pan! Somebody cared!

While I only got a commute and a half on it before I thought the temp tags expired, I did get to my RMV yesterday so now my usage, and questions, can start in earnest. First report, in my local travels, no squeaks or rattles! And the suspension does tighten up.

While I would certainly have enjoyed something M-, -AMG, RSx, this looks like enough performance (and potential) to keep me interested, and pretty sure I can afford to live with this into the sunset. Going through all of the above, I would have bought one of these new - if only I could!

I expect my first question should be, "Master reset, yes or no?"

Happy 4th to you all,
- Jeff

 

[batchman]

Well I have slowly found and tweaked basic settings and have run a couple of tanks through. Still have not put a scanner on it to see number of starts since last reset, better do that soon as it needs an inspection sticker.

Car has been good on our back roads, and is still tight. Have found that like my Gen9's the shocks and struts at 50k have given up some damping on Comfort, so that setting is out.

I've been trying not to hammer it, but can confirm it's not tired! I was on a highway, left lane of 3 at 75 (in a 65) when a CTS V started sniffing my bumper. 2nd lane cleared, I moved over and he 'hit it' - and so did I. Kept right with him for the 1/8 mile or so to the next clump of traffic. Not here posting kill stories, as I save that for an autocross course, just confirming it can surprise others who seem to think they own the road. Thinking of de-badging but not yet.

Speaking of the autocross course, our SCCA region did a test-n-tune Sunday, and I brought the car out for a half-day of flogging. This will never be my race car, but I wanted to know how the package fares when pressed (maybe it could be a rain event car), and there's no other (safe) way to do that. It's also the best way to learn the size of a new-to-you car, with the only real stakes being a cone mark that 99% of the time will rub out, maybe with a little compound. Final answer, not a n M/RS/AMG - there's no autobahn here for the engineers to benchmark or need to consider. I never did this with my Gen9's as they did not have enough tire, but always felt those had less body roll than my 99 Cobra. Can now tell you it has more urge to go than to turn; it behaves and is predictable but wants to murder its' front tires in the most graphic of ways. I could not pick out the contribution of the magic diff, tried running with the graphic on but was far too busy to look.

The course elements were not timed, but with a couple runs each on three styles I was able to dial in and pretty much go where I meant, with no electronic intervention. Running with 'traction control' off, no separate control for stability had me unsure how 'off' it really was; never quite spun but could have a couple times and it stayed okay with that. Probably should have tried an intentional one, but ran out of runs while puzzling other things. And I got progressively closer to the cones, without hitting any.

So a fun day, a novice school was running concurrently and I guess I put on quite a show. Got a lot of comments, "Man! You really Sent it!" My racing buddies will be giving me guff for a long time I'm sure - like my blues band buds harassing me over my few years helping a pop (Disco!) band.

Now I am pretty sure that 19 had a tune, as I seem to recall it would hold 2nd gear near redline - and my car won't. So a transmission tune at least is on my horizon. Also having evil thoughts of bumping tires to 255 and refreshing the noted as degraded shocks and struts. Maybe a nice progressive rate spring set while doing those, and next years' test-n-tune can be a little less "visually dramatic"....

Cheers,
- Jeff

 

[JCB]

This is one of the most fun cars I have owned and a true sleeper - I push mine and it takes every bit I give it - I also have an 05 e55 amg and 19 m5 comp pkg

This car is amazing in foul weather and snow, has creature comforts my other cars don’t and the torque is great. It’s my daily driver

 

[batchman]

You have an interesting stable!

Best,
- Jeff

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[JCB]

Haha - I’ve moved in and out of various cars for years, but my Lincoln will stay with me always

 

[batchman]

Well, I have now been using the car enough to identify some annoyances. If anyone has ideas for these niggles, I am all ears:

- Nav won't "STFU". Voice prompt or chime, no 'silent', and really have to fight to keep the voice prompt off. It is annoying to be enjoying discovering the stereo, with nav on to monitor eta, and get the chimes interrupting the stereo. Will also confess I've come to like (and now miss) a feature found on my wife's former daily BMW 228ix and also her new Maverick - a subset of the nav in the center display.

- Lane Keeping has no on/off! My back roads suck enough that it's a requirement to slalom the obstacles, which of course means threatening center and shoulder alike. Hate to again compare to the lil' bimmer but at least they have a 2-3 click enable/defeat, allowing easy enough change between rural and highway. FWIW I've spent a lot more wind griping about missing features in that car that have been 'assumed' on Fords.

- And another modern affliction, being festooned by lights. Toyed with taking the car to a drive-in, but the number of settings to quell that are still unexplored.

All pointing to me being a bit of a luddite. But deep down, I knew that...

I'll add I am finding some things to really like. One that was puzzling at first, the little piece of fixed glass where a "vent window" would be. Opens up a sight line that was totally absent on my prior FoST, and with the thick A-pillars on modern cars, it matters. And I can't recall the last time I saw a car's rear window that went all the way down.

Still toying with ideas to change the handling, but there's very little tech on what the actual spring rates are, especially vs what the shocks can handle. I might start with a sway bar, easier to play with.

Later,
- Jeff

 

[batchman]

- Lane Keeping has no on/off! My back roads suck enough that it's a requirement to slalom the obstacles, which of course means threatening center and shoulder alike. Hate to again compare to the lil' bimmer but at least they have a 2-3 click enable/defeat, allowing easy enough change between rural and highway.

Well, Duh!

What's that little button on the end of the blinker stalk? On/Off for the Lane Keeping! Nice job, sure tops the "BMW way". LOL.

I have a lot to learn in this car!

Best,
- Jeff

 

[Action]

Isn't the Owners Manual a source for those kinds of things?


Action

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[batchman]

Indeed, but when it arrives at the same time as the car, I have generally preferred the journey of discovery to researching first.

Finding the things I need to look up is a bit dynamic; one day we'll have voice commanded AI search but I won't be looking forward to that. I am hoping this is my last car buy.

The other thing with a near-inch-thick manual is, ah, the "forgetting curve". I will say the Lincoln manual is more accessible than BMW's, slightly fewer disclaimers, but in both cases those start out amusing enough to overshadow the content. Neither is at hand, or I'd quote some advisories on things you should not do.

And, kept in the cars (to serve immediate puzzles), neither is as accessible as a forum when ruminating at the end of a day. I've watched that here for a while, and have now participated!

Best,
- Jeff

 

[Action]

Disclaimers and disclosures are based on legal action or threats of legal action. These are written to decrease risk,
The rest of the thickness is because cars are so complicated. There is an index in the back that is rather helpful. It takes some of the frustration out of ownership.

Action

 

[TT-MKZ]

- And another modern affliction, being festooned by lights. Toyed with taking the car to a drive-in, but the number of settings to quell that are still unexplored.

You may know this after exploring by now, but you can turn off the center screen and climate controls. You can also dim the dash with the wheel to the left of the steering column where the auto headlight settings are.

I just got my '17 last month and it took me a little while to grasp all the tech, but it's really well thought-out once you get used to it

 

[batchman]

You may know this after exploring by now, but you can turn off the center screen and climate controls. You can also dim the dash with the wheel to the left of the steering column where the auto headlight settings are.

Hey TT! I hope you're liking your new ride! I'm still in like, might get to love -

Indeed, it looks like if I turn off the interior lights (at the sunroof panel), turn off Welcome lighting in the left-button settings, dim the dash as you say, and set the screen to Off in the panel settings - Bob just may be my Uncle. Of course, by the8 time I figured all that out, the new Jurassic Park movie got pushed to the 2nd feature at our last remaining Drive-in, and I don't want to see it that badly LOL. Will confess to a mild case of nerves about the screen waking up after being commanded off, but I tend to have "faith deficit disorder" with electronics and software given my years in the fields. I will get over it, some day!

I was looking forward to seeing what the (wonderful) Ultima setup would do with a movie, if their FM broadcast is HD. Won't be impressive with regular FM, but I do find HD stations approach CD quality.

Meanwhile I have found the nav nanny and the chimes will shut off if you hit the mute button in the screen just after destination start, twice I think, but often have to get it to come back if you don't do the 2nd hit in time - like if you wait to see if you get the result you meant as by the time you get to the next prompt that button has gone to sleep.

Haven't tried the auto high-beams as I prefer to find the oncoming folks in the wires or trees and drop mine before they see me. As I told my daughter as she was learning to drive, "Never let them see your brights". My bride uses the feature in her baby-bimmer (it's a Mini Clubman under the skin) and her new Maverick, I cringe a little but then realize neither of those have particularly good high beams. On that score the MKZ LEDs are excellent, where the FoST (ST3) was outstanding.

New niggles have been found.

It's my first use of auto wipers and if you move past lowest sensitivity it can get too excitable and run the wipers on high with limited provocation. This leaves me fiddling the sensitivity approaching as much as I would traditional interval wipers. Did I mention I annoy easily? Curmudgeon here.

While I like the rear doors responding to unlock (FoST didn't have those sensors), I am finding the lock touch point to be very hit/miss on the rear. Not a biggie, just OCD.

Meanwhile I may have had my first automatic braking intervention. I was crawling from a stop sign in a line of cars to a left turn, waiting for each of us to get a window to turn. An erratic pedestrian had my more full attention, and as I went to brake (basically moving on the torque converter) it did its beepy flashy thing and it may just have gotten the brake pedal ahead of me - not by much - I have not been looking forward to proving that feature but will take it that I did. I have had it get uppity with the warnings if I'm approaching a car that is turning out of my way, but not to the point of intervention. So far I am accepting of the array of sensors and what they'll do, now that I have found the easy button for rural vs highway use.

Last feature for today, I am slowly and cautiously avoiding manually closing the trunk. This is a hard adjustment for me, but so far, so good.

Still thinking of a tune, particularly for the transmission, but will change the fluid first.

I am also thinking about a roll bar, to do while changing the struts and shocks, torn about front or rear for the characteristics I'm after - more aggressive turn-in and less body roll - sounding like front to me but there's really only one choice that I have found. Similarly "while we're in there", I'd like a little more spring rate, probably progressive to try not ruining the car, but do not want to lower it much if at all. May wind up driving my buddy nuts, leaving it on his lift while I go measure what's on it now - this car is too heavy for my scissor lift.

Thanks/later,
- Jeff

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[JCB]

Do not tune this car - it’s a performer as is - you start playing with aftermarket, you’re asking for trouble

If you want more performance, get a different car

 

[batchman]

Do not tune this car - it’s a performer as is - you start playing with aftermarket, you’re asking for trouble

If you want more performance, get a different car

Appreciate the advice, any direct experience? If so, which tuner brought issues?

I know of several Fusion Sport owners with long-term tunes, but certainly have my ears and mind open.

For me, the big thing is the transmission behavior - too mushy in light throttle driving, and decides for you in Sport mode. Both of these things are nearly deal breakers in my world. I've probably been driving a stick too long LOL.

I have a feeling the "learning" aspect may be my enemy. A tune can drive a stake through that.

Edit to add, I think I have said it here before, but while I am certain I would like an M*, S/RS*, *AMG, *GTS etc, I am not willing to live with that sort of upkeep. I do not want to buy the boat the part came on, so to speak. Pretty sure I can get where I need with a Ford, and surprise some of that crew along the way, and not feel like I am risking a $20k bill if I hammer on it too hard.

Thanks for any input,
- Jeff

 

[JCB]

I looked at ecu tunes in the past - the negatives outweighed the positives - the tranny you can get reset which will re-engage with your behavior -a tune will at best, give you nominal hp, not shifting assistance

I’m just advising you it is a performer and not to muck with it - if you want more than a 4.8 car, consider something different

Its a classic sleeper

 

[bbf2530]

Hi gang. In the final generation MKZ’s, it is easy to enable the audio system with the ignition and accessory delay off. For example, at a drive-in movie theater.

Here is one way:
- Park the vehicle.
- Open the drivers door to shut down the Accessory Delay feature.
- Press the audio power button.
- The audio system will power up again.
Be patient, it can sometimes power up quickly, while other times it can take up to 10 or so to power back up. And if you get impatient and press a second time, it will turn off.
Now, all other power will be off, including the windows, climate control system etc. etc.

Then you can go to dark mode if you wish to dim the display screen. Or…just drape a towel over it.

This may not solve everyone’s particular situation, but it is a way to do things which may help some.

Good luck.

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[JCB]

Agree with bbf - I just wouldn’t mod the mechanics - leave it be

 

[TT-MKZ]

TBH the real benefit of the tune is drivability for me. Mid-range torque is improved, and torque management is minimized, meaning it doesn't seem to pull nearly as much boost and power on shift changes. Mine acted like it was running out of steam in the higher RPMs, it feels much better after the tune. The transmission seems to be in the right gear more often as well

 

[batchman]

Thanks for the tip, bbf! Once I figured out how to get dark, my wife pointed out "and just how many other people at the Drive-in are going to go through all that?". I suspect she's right, those days may be done. A shame, as I suspect the Ultima may be a better system than one of our local movie theaters, and you have control of the volume...

And hey, TT, nice you've got a tune! One of my first MKZ test drives was a car I've come to believe was tuned. Do you know which tuner, as in did you do it, or was it already on the car?

To JCB, I get your position, but there are very few cars in my history (beyond my first few, which tended to blow up before I had a chance) that stayed stock, I guess I'm a meddler . And yeah, I guess I have "ruined" a couple that way - but goingthatfar is not going to happen (honest!).

Cheers all,
- Jeff

 

[TT-MKZ]

And hey, TT, nice you've got a tune! One of my first MKZ test drives was a car I've come to believe was tuned. Do you know which tuner, as in did you do it, or was it already on the car?



Cheers all,
- Jeff

Hi Jeff, the car was stock when I got it. I ordered the Power Pack from Unleashed, which comes with the programmer, tune and a set of colder NGK spark plugs. They were really great to work with