Hey Triga and everyone else.
I BEAT FORD!!!!!
It's all done, shocks and springs, and it all works great. No more spongy floaty feeling at the back!
Here's what I used;
Bilstein shocks 19-250335
Lesjofors springs 4227644
Shock Top Mount 5278397 (UK) or DG9C-18A116-AXF (international)
I also bought a dustcover/bump stop kit, but it didn't fit so I won't list it here. My mechanic managed sort that out with parts he had to hand though.
All up I've spent $1200. More than most people have to pay to replace their rear shocks, but still just under half what Ford Au wanted!!! The shocks and springs were $594 ordered from Autodoc UK (they charge 145GBP for delivery! But that appears to be the same for all the European sites). The top mounts cost another $200. I found them on ebay in Lithuania. I could have bought the top mount with the other parts and saved a bit there, but didn't know I needed them at the time.
I made a mistake with the fitting though. The guy who was supposed to do the whole job couldn't fit the springs. He charged $120 for the shocks and wheel alignment. Turns out to do the springs you need to remove the rear cradle. I'm not sure what this is, but apparently it's a big job. He said he needed a transmission hoist for it, but didn't have one. He also assured me the original springs would be fine.... they weren't!
After some Googling I found Precision Suspension in Wollongong. I can't recommend these guys enough. They knew exactly what the issues were the moment I told them I had a Mondeo. I wish I had found them earlier. They fitted the springs and did another wheel alignment for $300. To put that in perspective, another Wollongong suspension specialist, who are well known and been there for years, wanted $330 for fitting the springs, and another $140 for the wheel alignment! Also, they didn't have a clue what self leveling suspension was!! So, if you're in, or near the Illawarra, go to Precision Suspension. They really do know their stuff.
Triga, to answer your query about the springs, yes, they need to be changed. The sag is about 3cm unladen. However it is obvious when you look at the car and increases little by little with each person who gets in. If you're towing, you definitely need the proper springs. I'm no expert in this, but I believe with standard suspension the full weight is taken on the springs and the shocks just control the springs rebound. I don't think standard shocks provide any uplift. So you will probably still get some sag with standard shocks, but not as much as you're getting now with blown self levelers.
Lastly, I think the kit I found from GeParts in Sweden is still worth consideration (
https://geparts.se/en/rebuildingkit-...mondeo-iv.html). It would be the most cost effective way to buy all the parts. But you MUST organise your own courier who understands how to ship gas filled shocks into Australia. GeParts appear to make their own stuff in house, which is what Hawke was suggesting. Looks like they have some good reviews online.
I can't think of anything else right now, if I do, I'll post again. Any questions, please drop me a line. And for all us Mondeo owners who feel ripped off by Ford Au, you can beat them!!!