Discussion
I've been looking about at Transporter vans but due to Covid, values are inflated at the minute, coupled with the need for a vehicle to tow, and to comfortably do a 100 mile commute. Whilst the Transporter would be great for days out, it's not great on fuel for work.
Which has got me looking at large family vehicles and therefore the S Max. I had been looking at Estates - Superb Sportline, Passat R Line, Audi A6 and 5 estates but then I was a passenger in a mates S Max and I was surprised at the amount of space.
Anyone else be able to comment on what to look out for, ownership etc? Part of me says I'm dead inside for considering an MPV but the high load area means it would be great for loading it up with 4 of us in and either the 180 or 210hp models would be great for towing a caravan.
There's about a £10k difference between van and S Max which would probably go towards something a little more interesting for a 2nd car..
Which has got me looking at large family vehicles and therefore the S Max. I had been looking at Estates - Superb Sportline, Passat R Line, Audi A6 and 5 estates but then I was a passenger in a mates S Max and I was surprised at the amount of space.
Anyone else be able to comment on what to look out for, ownership etc? Part of me says I'm dead inside for considering an MPV but the high load area means it would be great for loading it up with 4 of us in and either the 180 or 210hp models would be great for towing a caravan.
There's about a £10k difference between van and S Max which would probably go towards something a little more interesting for a 2nd car..
We have had three as a family car and I have to say they have been brilliant. The first one was a 2.0 Deisel followed by a 2.2 Deisel and currently we have an eco boost 2.0. The best was the 2.2 Titanium X for luxury but the best drive is the current petrol. Watch out though they are all thirsty.
Mine's just had its ten year service. Taken it camping to France, Spain and all round the UK, with four bikes on a towbar mounted bike carrier and a roofbox. Handled everything we threw at it. Comfortable on long journeys, lots of space, but not so ridiculously big that its difficult to manoeuvre in small medieval streets. Even managed to park it up in St Malo old town, which is ridiculously tight.
Ours is the 140TDi, and I get around 40mpg from it long term average. Obviously it's old now, though, so I can't comment on the newer ones.
In terms of infotainment, the new ones all have Ford Sync 3 which I have in my Focus, and which I really like. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay both work without and issue, and the interface is clear and easy to use.
Overall, I'd highly recommend.
Ours is the 140TDi, and I get around 40mpg from it long term average. Obviously it's old now, though, so I can't comment on the newer ones.
In terms of infotainment, the new ones all have Ford Sync 3 which I have in my Focus, and which I really like. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay both work without and issue, and the interface is clear and easy to use.
Overall, I'd highly recommend.
Ours is coming up for 8 years old, we have owned it for 6 years. Never had a problem with it, it’s the higher output (170hp?) 2.0 diesel. We average 40mpg.
If we were buying another I would go for an auto - I had one on hire once and it was much nicer to drive.
Thy are heavy on front tyres - we get about 12k out of ours. Rear tyres last ages.
If we were buying another I would go for an auto - I had one on hire once and it was much nicer to drive.
Thy are heavy on front tyres - we get about 12k out of ours. Rear tyres last ages.
We've had ours 10 years (130hp 2.0d) it's a 55 plate, bought for £7k in 2010, it's just under 160k. It's had new discs twice and new calipers all round, new exhaust (rear part), new starter motor and it snapped a front spring... It goes through front tires quite quickly. It still drives well still.
It's basically an automotive cockroach, I don't particularly enjoy it but it won't die. Its now only used for going to the tip and the odd occasion all 5 of us go out together or on holiday (obviously not in these covid times) and saw all 3 of my kids through their car seat years. Whilst I have no particular love for the thing I can't imagine a car that would have served us as a family so well.
It's basically an automotive cockroach, I don't particularly enjoy it but it won't die. Its now only used for going to the tip and the odd occasion all 5 of us go out together or on holiday (obviously not in these covid times) and saw all 3 of my kids through their car seat years. Whilst I have no particular love for the thing I can't imagine a car that would have served us as a family so well.
We had a 64 plate 2.0TD (160bhp) DSG of the gen 1 variety and liked it so much as a family car we got another 69 plate 2.0TD (240bhp) auto.
Although nothing went wrong i would not go for the DSG as a second hand buy - i wouldnt want the risk so would opt for either the manual or the slush box auto (the newer one has a traditional auto and it works just as well, perhaps smoother?).
MPG worked out around the 40mpg over 4 years and 50k miles
Although the DSG worked perfectly well, i almost never used the flappy paddles to override it, plus it was not a true manual override in that it would still kickdown with a buried foot even if you wanted to maintain a higher gear and ride the torque (Luke...)
Gen 1 more fun to drive, good as a motorway cruiser but also entertaining when you find some narrower roads
Look out for a panoramic roof too, brightens the interior massively, esp in the back.
For a 7 seater that can take a family on holiday / do the school run, with space for friends / fit bikes in the back / do the tip run AND not lose your will to live i think they cant be beaten.
Although nothing went wrong i would not go for the DSG as a second hand buy - i wouldnt want the risk so would opt for either the manual or the slush box auto (the newer one has a traditional auto and it works just as well, perhaps smoother?).
MPG worked out around the 40mpg over 4 years and 50k miles
Although the DSG worked perfectly well, i almost never used the flappy paddles to override it, plus it was not a true manual override in that it would still kickdown with a buried foot even if you wanted to maintain a higher gear and ride the torque (Luke...)
Gen 1 more fun to drive, good as a motorway cruiser but also entertaining when you find some narrower roads
Look out for a panoramic roof too, brightens the interior massively, esp in the back.
For a 7 seater that can take a family on holiday / do the school run, with space for friends / fit bikes in the back / do the tip run AND not lose your will to live i think they cant be beaten.
as noted above, they're really quite decent.
We had a 62 plate titanium with the 2.0 Diesel - about 160bhp I think - ours was auto, whatever ford call it.
Sold it to the MiL about 5 years ago and it's still going strong - they've never reported any issues.
The space inside is great - a friend has a 2.2 one on a 12 plate that has had issues, but I think that's mainly down to it being only used around town and not serviced regularly.
We replaced it with a BMW 2-series (Grand Tourer MPV), which used to be the ugliest BMW on sale - that has a much better engine/gearbox/interior, but is not as big by quite some margin.
We had a 62 plate titanium with the 2.0 Diesel - about 160bhp I think - ours was auto, whatever ford call it.
Sold it to the MiL about 5 years ago and it's still going strong - they've never reported any issues.
The space inside is great - a friend has a 2.2 one on a 12 plate that has had issues, but I think that's mainly down to it being only used around town and not serviced regularly.
We replaced it with a BMW 2-series (Grand Tourer MPV), which used to be the ugliest BMW on sale - that has a much better engine/gearbox/interior, but is not as big by quite some margin.
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