Mkiii Good Or Bad?

[johnb80]

I've got a MKII Gal 1.9 TDi, I looked at the MKIII and in fact had one on trial for a while, I didn't like it, how are you guys getting on with your MKIII's. My main dislikes are the lower roof at the back, seemingly thin seats and no spare tyre. I did like the engine though.

 

Regards - J

[clueless]

Are they good? My opinion is no.

 

My 2.0TDI Zetec faults to date.

Upon delivery:-

Seatbelt not working requiring to be changed, paint chips on door, fascia panel damaged, carpet trim different colours side to side.

Within first week:-

window not working properly (only took 4 garage visits to sort out), lights randomly flicker (only been in garage 4 times for this one, with no joy), engine stutters whilst driving along (4 garage visits again no joy). Seat cover wrinkled requiring to be changed.

Tyres lose air pressure, requires to be ijnflated every week (no fault with tyres according to garage)

Within first six months:-

Front windscreen electrics not fully working.

 

Apart from that trim is incredibly cheap and already becoming scruffy, mpg has never been 42 combined quoted (closest value 40.7). Lack of toneau cover (apparently its an optional extra, and god knows what they were thinking about to think I would appreciate not having a spare wheel or jack. Rear window tint to dark for night time reversing.

 

If my car is an example of Ford quality, then I do not think much of it.

Would not touch one with a barge pole again. Would get rid of this one, except still have loan to pay off and I doubt its worth what is left on my loan.

[jkspoff]

Well, thats a shame, I look at these new Galaxy's and admire them, and feel somewhat inferior ! But now I am beginning to wonder if I actually want one any more. I have read quite a few poor reviews of them, on here and other web sites. I know someone who owns a car hire rental company in Portugal who had 8 of them, 6 of which have had many many faults, they have been off the road more than on, costing his business dearly.

Maybe they are teething issues, or maybe they will be just as bad as the mkII for reliability and overall costs.

At least I don't feel quite as inferior now ! :rolleyes:

[seatkid]

Personally I prefer the Mk IV :rolleyes:

[launcelot]

Are they good? My opinion is no.

 

My 2.0TDI Zetec faults to date.

Upon delivery:-

Seatbelt not working requiring to be changed, paint chips on door, fascia panel damaged, carpet trim different colours side to side.

Within first week:-

window not working properly (only took 4 garage visits to sort out), lights randomly flicker (only been in garage 4 times for this one, with no joy), engine stutters whilst driving along (4 garage visits again no joy). Seat cover wrinkled requiring to be changed.

Tyres lose air pressure, requires to be ijnflated every week (no fault with tyres according to garage)

Within first six months:-

Front windscreen electrics not fully working.

 

Apart from that trim is incredibly cheap and already becoming scruffy, mpg has never been 42 combined quoted (closest value 40.7). Lack of toneau cover (apparently its an optional extra, and god knows what they were thinking about to think I would appreciate not having a spare wheel or jack. Rear window tint to dark for night time reversing.

 

If my car is an example of Ford quality, then I do not think much of it.

Would not touch one with a barge pole again. Would get rid of this one, except still have loan to pay off and I doubt its worth what is left on my loan.

 

 

Personally I prefer the Mk IV :unsure:

[launcelot]

Good or Bad?

 

I've got a MkIII 2.0TDCi Zetec.

 

I had the window faults (would open again straight away when you tried to shut them) and got that fixed.

 

I had the engine stuttering and showing up an "engine malfunction" error on the dashboard computer display. Ford (Dagenham Motors Epsom did not have any idea what the problem was) I wrote to Honest John who said that the engine was prone to such problems when driven a lot in urban stop / start conditions. I am very confident now that I have worked out what the problem was.......

 

If you look in the handbook it talks about an EPF - Emission Particulate Filter - that is the bit that stops you sending out a black clouad begind you when you put your foot down on the diesel. It states that if you drive in urban stop / start conditions you have to 'Recharge' the filter about every 300-400 miles by driving for several miles in a much lower gear than you would normally, this gets the filter very hot anhd that burns off the crap in the filter and cleans it. You can get around this by avoiding the use of 6th gear completely and 5th gear frequently when driving around town.

 

I have just come back from camping in Croatia. I did about 2,500 miles (much of it at sustained high motorway speed) and I didn't have any problems from the engine, in fact the whole car performed very well, and I think that this kept the filter clean. Since getting back a couple of weeks ago I changed our driving style in line with the above para and the problem has gone away.

 

On balance I think the car is good but that Ford are really bad when it comes to after service.

 

Fingers, arms, legs (all three of them) and anything else crossed.

[tim-spam]

The fact that you have to 'alter your driving style' to keep the DPF clean, or that "you have to 'Recharge' the filter about every 300-400 miles by driving for several miles in a much lower gear than you would normally'" is yet another example of poor and incomplete development before launch. Edited September 12, 2007 by tim-spam

[mumof4]

The only thing i like about the new Galaxy..(yes there is one thing!)..driving home from Donington on Saturday...the kids spotted a MKIII and i must admit..i liked the lights on the back when they were lit!..The brake lights are slanted..looked pretty cool..(think it was the brake lights)...

[insider]

From the brochure:

[mumof4]

Yep..thems the ones.., also there were a couple of strip lights??..right at the bottom of the tailgate...i think the rear lights are the only thing that look good on the MKIII..the rest..well....me no like.LOL.

[insider]

also there were a couple of strip lights????..right at the bottom of the tailgate...

No, they're just reflectors:

[mumof4]

Ahh..thanks for that insider.....mucho appreciated...right..time to install my new wang fangled all singing all danceing keyboard!

[pms121]

Good or Bad?

 

I've got a MkIII 2.0TDCi Zetec.

 

I had the window faults (would open again straight away when you tried to shut them) and got that fixed.

 

I had the engine stuttering and showing up an "engine malfunction" error on the dashboard computer display. Ford (Dagenham Motors Epsom did not have any idea what the problem was) I wrote to Honest John who said that the engine was prone to such problems when driven a lot in urban stop / start conditions. I am very confident now that I have worked out what the problem was.......

 

If you look in the handbook it talks about an EPF - Emission Particulate Filter - that is the bit that stops you sending out a black clouad begind you when you put your foot down on the diesel. It states that if you drive in urban stop / start conditions you have to 'Recharge' the filter about every 300-400 miles by driving for several miles in a much lower gear than you would normally, this gets the filter very hot anhd that burns off the crap in the filter and cleans it. You can get around this by avoiding the use of 6th gear completely and 5th gear frequently when driving around town.

 

I have just come back from camping in Croatia. I did about 2,500 miles (much of it at sustained high motorway speed) and I didn't have any problems from the engine, in fact the whole car performed very well, and I think that this kept the filter clean. Since getting back a couple of weeks ago I changed our driving style in line with the above para and the problem has gone away.

 

On balance I think the car is good but that Ford are really bad when it comes to after service.

 

Fingers, arms, legs (all three of them) and anything else crossed.

[Davetheref]

Er???

 

Why the quote??

[mumof4]

probably still trying to get to grips with the forum :unsure:

[AndeeeH]

The only thing i like about the new Galaxy..(yes there is one thing!)..driving home from Donington on Saturday...the kids spotted a MKIII and i must admit..i liked the lights on the back when they were lit!..The brake lights are slanted..looked pretty cool..(think it was the brake lights)...

 

 

So you dont like my new alloys after all.......... :unsure: :P Andy.

[mumof4]

yes...i do like your alloys... :unsure:

[gregers]

aaaaahhhhhhaaaaaa thats 2 things you like about the mk3 then :lol:

[insider]

aaaaahhhhhhaaaaaa thats 2 things you like about the mk3 then :31:

... and cosmetic too! :31:

[mumof4]

Ok ok..2 things.....but i still dont like the shape of it..or the interior..or the seats..or the handbrake....... :31:

[NikpV]

Ok ok..2 things.....but i still dont like the shape of it..or the interior..or the seats..or the handbrake....... :31:

 

lucky you dont own one then

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder if yu would accept as a gift a new mk3 tdci 2.0 ghia or whether you would stick to the veccy :31: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[mumof4]

Id stick with the veccy!!!!..now if it was a MKII Ghia with all the toys... :31:

[NikpV]

Id stick with the veccy!!!!..now if it was a MKII Ghia with all the toys... ^_^

 

 

funnily enough I dont believe you :31: :31: :lol: :lol:

 

even my mrs who doesnt like the mk3 says a new car with 3 years waranty would be better than our 6 year old galaxy :lol: :lol: I'd stick with the mk2 but swapping it for oour old secort now there a thought

[mumof4]

oh believe me i would stick with the veccy...if i was given a MKIII and bought some flowers...it would look like a hearse!

 

mind..i could flog it and buy a MKII!! :31:

[muppetdodger]

I dont know how anyone can criticise the look of the new galaxy when comparing it to a MkII. The old one is exactly that - old and completely unstylish!

 

I've had my galaxy for six months now and although I've had a few minor problems I am pretty pleased with it. Faults I've had include the front carpets coming adrift, a piece of trim below the rear passenger window starting to fall off and some concerns about the paintwork (in terms of chipping). I think the car looks great (and at least looks modern compared to the frumpy MkII), the 2.0 Tdci is a superb engine and it goes brilliantly. I find the car very comfortable and have recently done two non stop return trips to Cumbria from Somerset without the slightest discomfrot. This niggle with the quality of the seats is pure nonsense.

 

One or two issues I do have, and lets face it, it is very rare to own a car that you dont have some niggles with, are as follows:

 

1. I find the aircon totally impossible to set - it is either blowing cold all day or blowing warm all day - the fan always seems to be blasting air out!

2. I have a windscreen of the non solar variety and it frankly heats the car up like a green house!

3. The boot floor needs redesigning - when you have stuff in the boot it not only slides around far too much, but when you open the tailgate something always falls out of the back and onto the floor. This is the same whether you have shopping in the back or suitcases!

 

Other than these points (and the fact that Ford service is utter carp - as are all car companies!) I love this car! - and I certainly wouldnt take a Veccy 1.6 in it's place - I'd rathe rride a bike than be seen in a Veccy!!!!!!