|
Well done, accurate and right to the point. I love my C-Max 2.0 TDCi Ghia and rank it as one of the best cars I have ever owned. Maybe I'm getting older (heading for 50) but there's nothing out there I want to change it for.
|
Thanks for that, dodo. Let's now hear what other Backroomers feel (about their C-Maxes, I mean).
HJ
|
Thanks for the review HJ ... but One of the things I would have liked to see was more on the C-Max's ride comfort. I find a lot of modern cars surpisingly (and uncomfortably) harsh-riding, and was rather unimpressed with the new Focus hatch. How does the C-Max compare to the new Focus hatch?
Also, I was puzzled by the comments on road-holding. The long-term test says that the Peugeot 307 has "far better handling and roadholding", but your earlier test of the 1.8 Zetec C-Max is very complimentary about its handling: "You expect roll understeer from this kind of vehicle, but you get none of it. The thing digs in, bites and goes round corners like the rabbit at a greyhound track". (www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=112 )
Have you revised your view of the C-Max, or is just that the 307 really is stunningly good? (I know that's what you concluded in yoir review at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=157 )
An while I'm picking nits, HJ's list of prices includes the CVT diesel ... but that rather tempting variant is not on Ford's latest price list at tinyurl.com/9p5o4 -- are they keeping it secret?
|
Fair cross-examination, No Wheels.
No problem with the ride comfort. Mine's on 205/55 x 16 tyres. Rides speed cushions, pot holes and the usual rubbish suburban roads very well indeed.
Yes, the earlier test was complimentary about the handling and roadholding of the 1.8 Zetec. But again, that was on Southern suburban roads and local motorways.
As I explained in the road test, the A68 is a tough test of the handling and roadholding of any car. And on that road the shortcomings showed up. But to get to that you would need to drive the car hard, in winter, on the A68 associated minor 'white' roads. It's still good for the type of car it is. But obviously cannot be better than a Focus, a C4 or a 307SW in the same way that a double decker bus cannot be better than a Ferrari (to stretch the comparison slightly).
Yes, the 307SW (NOT the 307) is stunningly good (and rides well too).
The CVT diesel was on the Ford price list I took it from. But you are right, it is not in the latest Glass's Guide price list.
HJ
|
My mother replaced her Mk4 Golf with a C-Max Zetec 1.8 petrol and has been more than happy with it. Only negative comments are about it's width and initial electrical glitches, but otherwise a fine car.
I am impressed by it and would have one too but they're still too much money 2nd hand for P E.
|
|
|
It's still good forthe type of car it is. But obviously cannot be better than a Focus, a C4 or a 307SW in the same way that a double decker bus cannot be better than a Ferrari (to stretch the comparison slightly).
I presume that is basically saying, that the C-Max is a taller vehicle, and the laws of physics being what they are, is simply not going to go round corners and stick to the road like a vehicle with a lower centre of gravity?
|
I have gone from High (Scenic) to Low (laguna) to High (Touran).
I can honestly say that in every day use you can hustle the tall around at the same pace as the low. There is a real trick and skill tho in moving a tall one with pace and grace. You need to be much smoother, set the car up early, anticipate and plan your moves. It is in some ways a much more satisfying achievement to hustle one of these quickly.
Of course when you get to loonie levels the tall babies cock a wheel or two and the body lean starts to make you nervous and you will chicken out long before the grip gives out.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
|
|
|
|
Fair cross-examination, No Wheels.
Sorry! That did read as a bit of a cross-examination. But thanks for the answers.
|
|
|
|
|
My wife is besotted with her new 1.8 petrol C-Max. It is indeed remarkably comfortable to ride in. I find the handling far better than I would have expected given the car's size/height. The steering is nicely weighted and precise, the gearchange slick. The driving position is excellent and gives a commanding view without that "driving-a-bus" feeling of several other MPVs.
Gripes? Three:
This version is too low geared (around 21 mph/1000 rpm in 5th), although the engine is smooth - and brisk once 3000 rpm is exceeded.
The dashboard design is not as attractive as its newer Focus close relative.
The interior plastics, although well assembled, are a bit hard and unattractive in places.
|
|
|
Hi
A question for HJ if I may. In your article on the C-Max you mentioned that the 2.0 TDCI engine has a torque curve that comes in violently at about 1600 RPM and runs out at around 3000 RPM. You compare this with the similar engine in the Peugeot 307SW which is set up to be much more linear. How did you find this engine in your extended drive in the Focus? Does it have the same 'slug' of torque from 1600 - 3000 RPM or is it set up to me more linear as in the Peugeot?
Andy
|
Response to Rhubarb, I don't remember. But driving the 307 and the C-Max side by side the difference is very apparent.
HJ
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, I've got a 1.6 TDCi Ghia, which has done over 16K since February. Had a couple of early electrical problems, but easily sorted. Comfortable, lots of space and currently an average of 47 MPG! Was a bit worried about the smaller engine, but it cruises easily at motorway speeds, and have driven 500 miles in a day with no problems
|
|
I was under the impression Ford removed the CVT from the options list becuase of a number of problems with them and trouble sourcing replacements? I could be wrong, though.
|
I have been waiting for HJs report about the C-Max for a while and it makes good reading. I have a soft spot for cars which go about their job in an unassuming way, but punch well above their weight in driving dynamics and ride comfort.
I'm not sure I agree with HJ about the poor fuel consumption. The car has only done just over 5,000miles and is obviously driven in a fairly lively manner which would negate the main advantage of diesels anyway. I would expect the average for the next 5,000 miles to rise above 44mpg which I think would be acceptable for a car which clearly offers much more resistance to the wind than lower longer cars.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
|
|
|
|
hi ive got a cmax 2.0l diesel. runs really well. earlier last year i came on this site saying that this car was rubbish i had three months of problems engine managemant system went down and it took a entire ford garage and two teams from dagenham to get it fixed. now it runs really well. im a disabled passenger and its the correct height for me.handles really well.although the bleeps i get really annoy me. but ive now develpoed a problem the boot keeps opening on its own.so its back to the garage next week. weve now done 16000 miles in it and it will keep going.will i get one again? yes i would.its a great car has it glitches but then dont all cars?
|
|
|
|
|
dodo,
How about telling us why you prefer driving the C-Max to your old BMW 330D tourer?
|
|
|
Yes I love my C-Max 2.0 TDCi Zetec too. It's really comfortable to drive and I'm always relaxed after a long run. I bought it after running a Fiesta which was too small for dragging daughters stuff backwards and forwards from University every few months. I'm also a big guy and feel as though I have loads of room.
On the negative side there are a few electrical problems, the Engine Management System went wrong necessitating a tow in to a Dealer, fixed quite quickly after I demanded the Sales or Service Manager hand over their car so I could get back home (I was working away at the time). The RAC man said that it was "common". Very worrying.
Last week I was on the M6 at the M42 junction and I got a "System Fault", "Reduced Acceleration Mode" message, limped on to my destination, switched off, crossed fingers and restarted. Everything fired up okay, rang the dealer and they couldn't offer any support because the messages were gone!
The problem is one of reduced confidence.
I also keep getting a low fuel warning, usually about 3 days after I've filled up and the car is sitting on a level surface. Just a bit annoying that one
|
The C-Max has no pretense or show and for some reason people let you out at junctions - something that would never happen in the BMW. The performance of the C-Max is more 'user friendly' - I can row along at 70-90 mph far more easily in the C Max than the 330D (which was the 200+ bhp 6 speed version) very like a French car of old. I like the way it can pull out and pass something in 4th 5th with no effort and the height helps see over other cars which makes it very safe. Simple wee things like the heated front screen and the puddle lights in the front door mirrors are very classy- and useful.
I know the high centre of gravity does affect handling but generally its fine with no vices. I am a realist and the BMW (my 6th) was a super car. But it cost over £30,000 and thats a lot of money. The C-Max was bought cheaply and I would have no hesitation in buying another one. Try one (preferably a 2.0 TDci) and prepared to be surprised!
|
Thanks for that.
I'd really like to try one - but a bit outside my price range at the moment.
for some reason people let you out at junctions - something that would never happen in the BMW.
Hmmm. I hadn't that when rating the "driving experience" of a car, one should include the treatment one gets from other road users, but it's a good point :-)
|
|
Well some time when you have a bit of time to spare call into your friendly Ford dealer be 'interested' in a year old 2.0TDci with about 12000 miles on the clock and ask for a test run. Thats how I ended up with one!
|
We always used to travel to Loughborough for Ford training in a Cmax Ghia, and I always made use of the sliding rear seat thingy, it made it wasier to watch the DVD screen that we had mounted on the roof, and gave a bit extra room to kick my legs about in.
I never did understand why other's didn't choose to sit in the back, I generally found it far more relaxing than sitting in the front. There's nothing better than been spread out across the huge back seats with a film on and a big bag of sweets on a long journey. :-)
Blue
|
|
What is the best petrol engine for the Cmax?
|
|
The 1.6 is underpowered. My wife's 1.8 is quite nippy but the car is undergeared (3000 rpm in top gives you only around 65 mph). I'd imagine the 2.0 would be the ideal petrol engine, but my choice would be to go diesel.
|
|
|
|
