New Ford S-Max

[ddentrec]

I test drove one last weekend for nearly 3 hours (Mercedes and VW would not let me have their MPVs for more than 30 minutes).

My first thoughts:

1. Has visible bare screw threads in the cabin: just like my 2003 C-Class.
2. No rattles; surprisingly little wind noise (C-Class: rattles, wind noise around drivers door).
3. Tyre noise noticeable (C-Class very quiet here).
4. Cabin bit plasticky though finish very good overall (C-Class bit better overall, but by not very much).
5. Not really in the same handling league as a C-Class (but still very good for a 'bus').

Overall:

1. Ford interior quality seems to be on the up.
2. Styling is very nice (in my view).
3. Fantastic value compared to a 'B' class (but then you cannot compare a 'B' class to an S-Max as the S-Max is huge).

Would I buy one? Yes, if it was 8 months old with 4k on the clock.

 

[BTB 500]

the S-Max is huge).

But there's a new Galaxy on the way too, that must be larger!

And a new Sharan from VW (completely different to the the Ford this time).

 

[ddentrec]

But there's a new Galaxy on the way too, that must be larger! ).

...True. But may be bit too much like a real bus. My wife is looking for something different from the usual MPV fare...and the S-Max seems to hit the mark. Ford have been very clever in my view.

And a new Sharan from VW (completely different to the the Ford this time).

I know. But the cambelt is a £450 job, and the DSG clutch pack cannot be replaced..you need a whole new transmission @ £1500 when the clutch wears out. And VW were very shy about telling me what the 'average' DSG clutch life should be..and no comment on the potentially heavy oil consumption of their PD engines. So VW are off the list. S-Max tiptronic + 170 bhp diesel is due early 2007 so I am told...though it will have a PSA (peugeot) engine..!!

 

[BTB 500]

no comment on the potentially heavy oil consumption of their PD engines.

?? Their whole Transporter van range uses PD engines!

 

[ddentrec]

?? Their whole Transporter van range uses PD engines!

Hello Bill,

Not sure about that myself...but my neighbour's 2003 A4 1.9Tdi drinks 1 litre of fully synth every 1000 miles. Audi say that this is 'normal' and is a 'characteristic of the vehicle'. It is a well-known issue apparently. My wife's C180K doesn't use a drop of oil between services...and the 4 Mondeo Tdci's we run at my company do not either....

 

[BTB 500]

OK thanks. Weird because the 1.9 TDI PD engine (in 85 and 104 PS spec.) is also used in the VW Caddy and Transporter vans ... I can't imagine van operators accepting a litre of oil every 1000 miles as normal ?!

All current (T5) Transporters have TDI PD engines, I'm looking at getting one with the 2.5 5-cyl 174 PS (heavily specced-up, to replace my Sharan) ... hence the interest!