A neighbour nearby has a new S Max and walking past it in the street it does look very neat, reasonably interesting and tidy. It is amazing how Ford has caught up with some of the Germans on external build quality - complicated joins and angles that all look pin sharp with deep expensive looking paint. Inside it looks again neat and up to date.
Effectively it is a 5 door/5 seat estate that works for the family. I was impressed in terms of its "walk by" image.
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always wondered who this referred to: www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=43...5
Yeah that's me. But I have a cheaper excess than him so he can be pink fluffy dice off on 2 counts. ;)
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I've sat in the new S-MAX and liked it a lot. Not sure of the handbrake, but at least it was not an electronic one.
It is once in a blue moon I need more than 5 seats but I'm tempted in getting the S-MAX when the Mondeo's due to be replaced. I'd have normally opted for a diesel (like the torque for one) but then again there's the 2.5 turbo petrol from the Focus ST to consider for the S-MAX.
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I test drove the 1.8 TDCi and was well impressed with power and handling. It looks nice in the metal too. Build quality and materials used appear to match prestige levels (who cares about lower down/out of sight plastics?). When I come to change my 525d touring, maybe it will be the replacement.
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Don't expect Ford to continue making X-Type Jags much longer. It has not been their 3-Series. The S-Max out handles the X-Type and has much more space. Ford quality is now easily up there with Audi/BMW/Mercedes. I think the S-Max will do well. The clever thig is that it and the Galaxy and the Mondeo III are all built on the same production lines so production can be switched between them to match demand. The S-Max can't be compared to the Signum because the Signum was/is a pointless, poor handling car. The S Max is a versatile 5/7 seater estate/MPV which handles very well and delights anyone who drives it.
HJ
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HJ wrote: >>The clever thing is that it and the Galaxy and the Mondeo III are all built on the same production lines so production can be switched between them to match demand.
Do the Galaxy, Alhambra and Sharan no longer all come from the same factory then? I think at one time that was the case, and which I was told by a Ford dealer accounted for the "VW" control stalk on my Galaxy falling off!
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There is a new Galaxy, which is based on the same chassis as the S-MAX. They look very similar but S-MAX lower and a little shorter. See
www.ford.co.uk/ie/galaxy
Even if VW still build the Alhambra and Sharan, the new Galaxy is totally different. And better.
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Don't expect Ford to continue making X-Type Jags much longer.
There will surely be a Jag and / or Volvo based on the new S-Max / Galaxy / Mondeo platform, chances are a Mazda as well.
has not been their 3-Series. The S-Max out handles the X-Type
The current Mondeo out handles the X-Type, while the 4WD offers security in some conditions the rear suspension (based on the Mondeo estate) is a compromise to allow the rear diff etc to fit. The Mondeo hatch and saloon have a more sophisticated multilink set up.
Ford quality is now easily up there with Audi/BMW/Mercedes.>>
Another reason for a Jag and / or Volvo variant so they can achieve premium prices.
I think the S-Max will do well. Theclever thig is that it and the Galaxy and the Mondeo III are all built on the same production lines >>
Strictly speaking it will be Mondeo III however the 96 facelift Mondeo became known as Mondeo MkII so the current one is known as MkIII and the new one will therefore be known as MkIV.
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The Portugese factory where they used to build old Galaxys, Sharans and Alhambras is now used to build the VW Eos.
HJ
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Portugal, that was the one. I'm obliged for the information. My Galaxy almost self-destructed at about 40,000 miles with electrical problems. The engine wouldn't stop, the doors locked and unlocked themselves, and the lights were going on and off. I was expecting to be abducted by aliens.
It turned out the box of electronics under the passenger seat was under 3" of water, through there was no sign of a leak anywhere else in the car. It was a company car - they took it away and I never saw it again.
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