The SMAX or GALAXY

[Nick21]

I will be changing my car soon and I will have the option of a new SMAX or GALAXY. I have a Bailey Pageant at the moment but would like to change it for the Sterling Eccles Solitaire which I believe is a little heavier than the Bailey .What do you guys think?

Thanks
Nick "G"

 

[ChrisUK]

I had a company S Max last week, my Xtrail has sports car handling in comparison. I was only impressed with the large seating capacity - if you accept this give almost no boot.

 

[ronmoggy]

we have had a 2.0 tdci auto s max from new.june 08.great towcar.most modern diesels have problems with the dual mass flywheels breaking up when towing.thats why i have an auto,which dont get this problem.most mpg ive got towing is 34,and the least is 22.depends on how fast you tow and what the wind is like.i find i get best mpg towing at 55.it has also managed to get over 50 mpg solo.we tow a swift conqueror 540, 1600kg loaded.to this day it has had no faults.the mk 3 galaxy is almost the same car.all the oily bits are the same,just slightly diffrent body at the back.they share the same floor pan with the volvo s80 and mk 4 mondeo.

 

[Nick21]

Thanks guys for the info. Ron It will be the auto box and I think it will be the SMAX

 

[ronmoggy]

good choice Nick,you wont regret it.i still enjoy driving mine.we are going to cornwall monday for two weeks,thats about 620 miles round trip towing for the s max.that will be the 6th trip to cornwall the s max has done

 

[Garfield]

Some tests have found the S-max to be the better of the two as it has more "sports" suspension, we tow a lexon 640 with ours and it is very stable, solo it handles like no mpv should, I've had GTIs in the past and the s-max handles like a 7 seat GTI, just stuff it into the corners and it goes round like it's on rails, I've never driven an X-Trail but a 4x4 handling better than an S-max???? I can only assume that the S-max had 4 flat tyres!!!

 

[Forbes1]

S Max handles worse than a X Trail? No way. The 2.5T S Max will outperform most hot hatches both in a straight line and on a bendy road. The look on Sports Cars drivers faces when you go past them is incredible. Overtaken by an MPV they think? No I must be dreaming as the S Max disappears into the distance.

 

[ChrisUK]

I only drove the S Max hire car in an urban area for a week, but I found little steering feel and seemed to act like a mini bus. It made me look at the speedo to check the miles and it had only done about 18k. I drove it solo and with 7 blokes on board.
It was quite nippy however for I believe a 1.8 diesel.

 

[ChrisE]

....most modern diesels have problems with the dual mass flywheels breaking up when towing.thats why i have an auto,which dont get this problem.

As I understand it both SMax & Galaxy (& many other modern autos) are twin clutch autos. These are likely??? to be every bit as problematic as dual mass flywheels & a great deal more expensive to sort out.

I would be very interested to hear a well informed opinion about the durability of twin clutch systems in general.

 

[hollypop1]

I can only give my views on the Galaxy as I have no real experience of Smax. We have a 2 year old Galaxy 2.2 diesel manual, my Brother has a 2 year old 2.0 diesel auto. I tow a single axle Bailey my Brother tows a twin axle Lunar. Both Cars tow these very well. When I replace it next year it will be with the new Galaxy 2.0 ltr Diesel 160hp Auto.
The one thing I would recommend if it is still an option, which I have ,is the factory fitted retractable tow bar, was about £600- brilliant.
The Galaxy is bigger and if you need the space then maybe Galaxy is better option.
hollypop.

 

[ronmoggy]

....most modern diesels have problems with the dual mass flywheels breaking up when towing.thats why i have an auto,which dont get this problem.

As I understand it both SMax & Galaxy (& many other modern autos) are twin clutch autos. These are likely??? to be every bit as problematic as dual mass flywheels & a great deal more expensive to sort out.

I would be very interested to hear a well informed opinion about the durability of twin clutch systems in general.

i have a 2008 s max 6 speed auto.it is not the twin clutch system.they started using them in 2010.i am keeping an eye on them to see how they cope with tugging a caravan