Ford S Max

[David_374238008]

As a result of the report in the current mag I am considering replacing my Mondeo TDCI 130 with the S max 2 litre TDCI as the weight ratio is better for my Bailey Burgundy MTPL 1400kg. Does any body have experiences which would help me in my decision process? Also the Titanium comes with Cruise control as standard which I consider essential but not self-levelling (£250 if required). How beneficial is the self levelling. many thanks

 

[Garfield]

Hi, we bought a 2.0tdci titanium S-max in November to replace a VW Sharan tdi 110hp, we have'nt yet towed our lunar gemini 615 20' twin axle MIRO 1100kg MTPLM 1400kg but the Shaz pulled it fine, though a little under powered stability was excellent. MPV's are designed to be able to carry a heavy payload and travelling back from France with a family of four, all our ski gear and over 200 bottles of wine, the tail was a little lower than usual but not scraping the floor as many saloons and estates would. considering this we decided against the self levelling suspension on the S-Max.

The Shaz was quite chuckable through the corners for an MPV, The S-Max makes it look like a pig on ice!!! it's the first car I've had that put a smile on my face when driving since my BMW 530i, the first 7 seat gti. Some revievs suggest the rearmost seats are only suitable for kids but at 6'1 I found there was more headroom than the shaz but my knees were by my chin.

If you read the reviews on what car website the recurrent theme is nice car, shame about the dealers and this is true in our case, Ford Dealers are c**p

 

[Garfield]

Forgot to mention, the trip from france was in the Shaz not the s-max, we're heading out that way in the s-max this weekend

 

[KeithJ]

Hi David. I was interested in your question as I have a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 estate and have just taken delivery of a Bailey Pageant Burgundy Series 6. My calculations show this to be a good match (there are only two of us and we always travel light anyway)and looking through relevant topics in this forum, most contributors seem to think that the car is well capable. I wondered if you had any reservations about this match, from your experience - or are you just ready for a change? By the way I am planning a 3000 mile trip to Europe this year.

 

[David_374238008]

Hi David. I was interested in your question as I have a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 estate and have just taken delivery of a Bailey Pageant Burgundy Series 6. My calculations show this to be a good match (there are only two of us and we always travel light anyway)and looking through relevant topics in this forum, most contributors seem to think that the car is well capable. I wondered if you had any reservations about this match, from your experience - or are you just ready for a change? By the way I am planning a 3000 mile trip to Europe this year.

Hi Keith

I have found that the Mondeo has towed well as long as you keep well under the 1400kgs MTPL which means loading the estate up with most equiment and clothes etc. 2006 was my first at towing anything other than a trailer tent so I have been ultra cautious.

Stability only effected if there is much wind. The larger vehicle will enable us to load upto the 1400kgs and take 'children' with us and avoid second cars. We also tour on the continent and consider that the heavier vehicle would be beneficial. Hope you enjoy the Burgundy as much as we are.

david

 

[clivea]

Hi David. I was interested in your question as I have a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 estate and have just taken delivery of a Bailey Pageant Burgundy Series 6. My calculations show this to be a good match (there are only two of us and we always travel light anyway)and looking through relevant topics in this forum, most contributors seem to think that the car is well capable. I wondered if you had any reservations about this match, from your experience - or are you just ready for a change? By the way I am planning a 3000 mile trip to Europe this year.

Hi,

we have had a string of Mondeos from the first model onwards and they have all been fine cars. Our son hasa TDCI hatchback and we still use a 2001 TDDI hatchback as the second car. As you can gather we llike Fords. Our tow car is a Kia Sorento which has been fantastic and tows a 1400kg Bailey series 5 Bordeaux with no problem at all. Howver with two grandchildren and dog, and the 4x4 pushchairs the Sorento is to small for long haul trips,so I have been to see the S-max and was mightily impressed. It has a higher kerbweight than many full size MPVs yet still gives good MPG and handles like a Mondeo. Howver I plan to wait until the new Mondeo estate is released to see what its KW is. I have no qualms that in all other respects it will continue the good reputation of its forerunners.

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