Helen,
I have had two 2L TDI ghia C-Max's one 54reg & one 55reg that we pulled our 2004 Bailey Pageant Moselle with a max laden weight of 1280kg, it towed the van with ease and great stability & power they were a pleasure to tow with, mine both had the electronic handbrake which took some getting used too, and with van in tow were a little light on the front end most notcable when pulling away uphill especially if damp causing wheel spin. As the comments you have read suggest & are correct the only downfall, like it seems of so many six speed manuals of other makes & models, is that they dont like reversing with weight on the back i.e a caravan, even reversing up the slightest gradient without slipping the clutch too much, sent plumes of smoke emerging from the gearbox area with a really foul smell that lingered on for a time, but once cooled down no damage seemes to have been done,I was told that it was down to the clutch friction materials they use today instead of asbestos,& gearing, you have to pay for having a sixth gear somewhere! I hope this does not put you off as they are a great towcar and I would have another tommorow!! P.S. I swapped mine for a Zafira because Vauxhall were the only manufacturer that done a simular vehicle i.e Diesel MPV with a six speed Auto box in my price range, this car reverses no problem with our loaded van on the back even on grass & uphill, just put in gear let footbrake off and away you go, even on tickover (on the flat of course). I now believe Ford do the Auto box in the diesel C-max range.
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