Ivor_E_Tower

Movement of metal panels when pushed is normal. Doubt that this is any "creaking" sound you hear from inside, which is more likely to be 2 plastic trim panels moving against each other. Give all the dashboard panels a bit of a push and make sure they are securely fixed.

Get a full geometry check done. If you have only got 10,000 miles out of more than one set of tyres and the tracking is OK, I would suggest that something is seriously wrong somewhere - damaged strut?

Called in at the local Ford dealership this morning and got the "advanced preview" mini-brochures of the new Galaxy and S-Max. There is not much in them, no dimensions, colour/trim info or technical details, just photos. The "proper" brochures should be available at the beginning of May, with demo vehicles being available in early June (S-Max) and early July (Galaxy). Delivery of "non-stock" vehicles was quoted to me as taking 6 to 8 weeks depending on optional equipment specified. No details of prices yet, either. Now, just need my deceased relatives inheritance to be sorted out, and I'll be in a position to take a worthwhile test drive ! Trouble is, both these new vehicles are somewhat longer than the existing Galaxy which means they won't fit in my garage, and won't stay fully under cover under the car port (plus I really don't need to change the existing Galaxy anyway)

Forecast was for a fine day, but it poured with rain here this morning (and the forecast page on BBC still said it would be dry!). Washed the tailgate, rear bumper and sills this afternoon. Called in at the local Ford dealership this morning in the rain and got the "advanced preview" mini-brochures of the new Galaxy and S-Max. There is not much in them, no dimensions or technical details, just photos. Brochures should be available at the beginning of May. Their demo vehicles should be available in early June (S-Max) and early July (Galaxy), with delivery of "non-stock" vehicles taking 6 to 8 weeks depending on optional equipment specified. No details of prices yet, either.

del - I'm still around but I changed jobs in January and don't get to go on the internet during working hours. Thanks for asking

...and I don't post too much these days as I have a "new" job (well, since January) that keeps me occupied during the day, plus we can't use the internet except for work, during work hours

Very weird ... how do you know the engine was red hot? Was it glowing? The oil doesn't provide much cooling to the head and block. If the oil pump had started to fail, then I could understand the oil temperature increasing but it would be hard to detect .... until the low oil pressure light came on (which I take it, didn't happen).

What happened to the engine temperature gauge?

I think you will find that blatter's photo is a "photochop" based on the current Sharan. I have seen another spyshot of the new Sharan somewhere else but cannot rememebr where :-(

Well, certainly on the "mark 2", both fans run when the A/C or C/C is on.

Duratech diesel is available as a 2.0 and 2.2 litre - so far, all the info I have seen on the new Gal and S-max indicates that the 2.0 will be the only diesel offered, in c138bhp format. Bearing in mind that the Ford Group's Volvo 2.5 petrol 5-cylinder T5 will be offered in the S-max, it's a bit of a disappointment that they will not also offer the Volvo D5 engine in the Gal or S-max; 5 cylinder 2.4, 185bhp. mmmmm (The Volvo D5 and the T5 engines are dimensionally the same - basicallt the same block etc )

LOL !!! - and this from the "site owner" - remember that this thread is supposed to be about moderators !

"Existing" Galaxy is 4.64m long. I would love to have the new Galaxy, given sufficient money, but it won't fit in my garage or under the car port. Even the S-Max is doubtful because of its size, and TBH I don't like its looks as much as those of the new Galaxy. Just as well I don't have the money then!

That's because th Galaxy is just about to be replaced by the all-new 2006 model. This will depress the secondhand values of existing models There are photos and a first drive report in this week's Auto Express (05-04-2006) and next week's Autocar promises a twin test of the new Gal against the S-Max. Bad news is that the new Gal is apparently about 5 metres long, far too big for me and my garage/car port, plus I cannot afford it (yet) ;) At least I have something to dream about buying now !

You'll need "inside information" regarding the roof area - althought the basic bodyshell is the same, extra strengthening was added for the Mark 2 - try measuring the sunroofs on a Mark 1 and Mark 2 and see if they are the same, and in the same position on the car (measure from top of windscreen to front edge of the sunroof). Even then there is no guarantee that all the internal parts of the mechanism are the same.

I have a small toolbox in the back of the car with a set of torx drivers plus screwdrivers and a disposable camera too - having a phone with a camera is also a help in case of emergency ! ..and the new job is great, thanks. Leaves me with no time to visit this forum during the day, though. ..and birds aren't allowed to poo in the car, only outside ! :D

left-hand rear cubby by rear lights: top-up bottle of the special oil, spare bulbs right-hand rear cubby: first aid kit, warning triangle, extendable wheel nut wrench and spider, reflective jacket, gloves for changing spare wheel, old rag. driver's door pocket is full of miscellanea including tub of baby wipes in case birds poo on the car, synthetic chamois, notepad and pen (seen too many people writing details on the back of their cheque book after an accident ...). The baby wipes are to clean the paint with, not to wipe the bird's b#*, by the way :D

Nationwide Autocentre? I use the one in Camberley and my parents have used the one in Guildford. Does tend to depend on the staff at each branch though.

Nothing (well actually I have one of those kiddy-view extreme convex mirrors below the normal rear-view mirror)

It took me 4 years to change jobs - it also depends on your age, skill and experience, plus market needs. In my case, there are very few senior manufacturing QA jobs in the south-east of England. You need to find a good agency and build up a rapport with one of their staff - maybe a self-employed one-man-band recruitment person. I wish you a lot of luck, because a job can make or break you as a person, as well as a source of income. I know that the Doctors would welcome the NHS being able to get you the job you want - it would seriously reduce the number of people receiving mental health treatment if we could all get a job we liked and enjoyed.

Hah! Drop links. Mine were changed just after I bought the car at 26 months old and under 20,000 miles. Last week they have started to knock again, less than 20,000 miles later

If the garage found one of the hoses bone dry, that is why you have no heating. There is either a massive airlock or a blockage. Get a pressure test done first of all, and ask them to hold the pressure for a few minutes

If I had the money, I'd already have paid a deposit at my local dealer for the 2006 MY Galaxy - just hope it has front and rear parking sensors as standard. Ford is still not releasing much technical info on the Gal and S-Max; dimensions and weights do not yet seem to have been made available to the public or motoring press. In my dream garage, it could end up being a toss-up between the new Gal and an Espace V-6 diesel - so far, Ford has stated that the top diesel will be the 138bhp TDCI unit as fitted to the current Mondeo. So, no D5 from Volvo or V6 twin turbodiesel from Jaguar, yet the Volvo petrol 5-cylinder unit will be fitted to the S-Max.

I think she mis-read "wire" as "wife" :huh:

Action shot? Best I can manage at present - didn't take any photos when I had 200 bricks plus sand and cement in the back, or 700+ Yellow Pages (don't ask ..)