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How do find the ride quality now ? I reckon the 195/65 give a more comfortable ride. Did you have 215/55 before ? The other thing to check is that the overall tyre circumference is the same. Otherwise I beleive it can affect speedo/milage readings. It's probably the same - wheel size smaller, but tyre is not such a low profile.

Maybe there is less 'stiffening' in the door panel then ??

Interesting, then I believe the 'flick-indicators' (as I call them) are a feature of the late (2005/2006) Galaxy's. The dealer told me that his Mondeo also had this feature.

Two things I've noticed about my Galaxy recently. I'm not sure if this a feature of all Mk2's, but mine has the 'flick-indicators', which means that when you 'flick' the indicator stalk the indicators flash for four flashes then stop - useful I find when changing lanes at motorway speeds or exiting a roundabout. Anyway, recently I've noticed that when I've had the indicators on normally, when they self cancel after turning the wheel, the opposite side flashes for four flashes. It would appear that when the stalk cancels it flicks back operating the opposite side indicators. Has anybody else noticed this, or got Ford to fix it ? ;) Also on a completely different subject, I've noticed that the outer door panels (front and rear) wobble when you shut the doors. My previous SEAT (Mk1) never did this - did they reduced the thickness of the metal in the doors ??? :wacko:

Sorted - There is a bunch of cables in a hard plastic black sleeving running along the inner wing by the battery - they disappear under the bonnet alarm switch. Inside you will find a black wire with blue tracer - this can be used as an ignition feed for the relay. :16:

Going to get Cambelt changed on 1.8 petrol Focus LX 2000. How much should I expect to pay? Thought I would get aux belts changed at the same time - do they recommend changing the tensioner too like on some other cars

funny our mk2 has 2 power points in the boot !!! I wonder when and why they reduced it to one ????

Thought I would give you an update, now I've had the mk2 a couple of months. More of interest to those thinking of changing up from mk1 to mk2. Mk2 over Mk1 :- Better:- like the 'lots of chrome' look on front, more powerful lights, black rubbing strip in bumpers, better wipers, more power, 6-speed box, more comfy seats, dash lights brighter, like dark window tint, self propping bonnet, holes in headrests to c through, more interior lighting, dash storage useful, better quality Worse:- Ride seems harder (lower profile mitchelin tyres), less torque below 1500 rpm then old diesel, steering seems to tramline more, only 1 power point in boot + still no power point in middle for kid's gameboy charging, no underseat (wet) storage areas now, single opening rear window is a waste of time me thinks, easily scratched door grab handles, no ashtrays in back for kids sweet wrappers, Also love the Ghia goodies (cruise, climate, auto mirror, trip computer, heated screen, etc...)

Is it me ? Try as I might, I cannot fit the Rear Mudflaps (mk2) without them looking as if they are sticking out sideways when viewed from the rear. There is a 'notch' on the flap which is suppossed to line up with the indent on the bumper but it just doesn't look right. If you've got them fitted - have a look at the back of the car - do they look like they are sticking out sideways ? .......and before you ask - yes they are the proper FORD ones. SEATKID - no need to reply - I know you don't like mudflaps ! :(

I agree about your age/milage comment. It's rather clouded the new car 'feel good' factor. I normally service/maintain my cars myself, but didn't want to mess with this one too much as it is still under warranty. But I think I will have a check over it myself - from what I've read on hear I'm a little reluctant to let the dealer get their hands on it to totally screw it up !!

That sounds like exactly the problem I'm having too. It started as a kind of 'flat-spot' at about 1800 rpm, but is now like that above. I too have only had the car a couple of months and thought it was perhaps a 'feature' of the PD engine. My old Alhambra mk1 tdi (90) never had this problem. It's been back to the dealer for them to check for codes logged, but they could not find a problem. (does the MAF not register any fault codes ?) They checked the Turbo power and all was fine. I'll try disconnecting the MAF and see what happens. What a great site this is !!

Recently purchased Mk2 Galaxy and have been wondering about the 'Roof mounted unit' thingy (I know very sad). Mine has a rather snazzy drop down section to put your sunglasses in (but I have found that they rattle in there). But moving back towards the back of the car (past the courtesy light) there is a section with 6 slots in it. I thought at first that this was for holding coins, but having tried a coin in one of the slots it pushed something out-of-the-way behind it. Is this where the clock is on the Sharan & Alhambra ? Anybody found a use for it on the Galaxy ? I have thought about sticking a temperature gauge there to check the inside cabin temperature against what the climate control says it should be - any other groovy ideas anyone (anybody tried removing this section ?) Actually I wonder whether it was for the posioning of electric sunroof switches ? On the subject of switches. Even though I have the Ghia, I'm a little surprised at the number of switch blanks on the centre dash. I know the heated seats switches would go here, but what else ? Any ideas what we could replace the blanks with - I've heard some people have used them to attach mobile phone brackets. I have thought about adding a switch to enable you to switch ALL the interior lights on without opening the door. :lol:

I've gone for the black insulating tape method. Works fine for me. Found that I needed 3 or 4 layers of though.

I thought the reasoning behind the positioning of the cup holders was so that in the summer you direct COLD air-con air from the centre vents at them to keep your drink cold. Presumably you could direct HOT air at them to keep your coffee warm in the winter !!??

I had car booked in at Ford dealer today and asked about the rear sensors - and they said there was no adjustment possible to ignore towbar. So, as the noise has now come back, I'll probably use the sticky tape method. I'll also keep an eye on here in case somebody finds a better solution.

Don't be fooled by the 'badge on the tailgate'. It is not a reliable way to identify it. I recently bought a tdi Galaxy. The dealer (Ford Main) advertised and sold it to me as a 130bhp. After I got it home I noticed that the engine cover didn't match the 130bhp one shown in the handbook. I returned to the dealer and they too quoted the 'red' badge, but after checking it on Ford's central computer it was found to be a 115bhp. I still wanted to keep the car so we 'came to an arrangement'. I'll probably get it chipped once it is out of warranty.

Thanks for the tips. I thought that most circuits were temporarily 'disabled' when the starter motor is turning - certainly the headlights are turned off when the starter turns I believe. I did think about the wipers or headlights, but thought they would only be live when they were switched on ?? The ignition feed would go to the relay/fuse box inside the car - wouldn't it ?? I'll have another look when I get a chance - busy decorating at the moment.

I've started wiring up my 12S socket. I also bought the kit from Towsure. I've routed the relay through the car to the engine bay near the battery. There is an easy to find round rubber gromet to route the cables through located below the glove box. My only problem is that along with the +ve lead and -ve leads, I also require an ignition controlled positive feed for the relay. Can anybody think of a suitable ignition controlled cable under the bonnet that I could attach this to ?

Just thought I would mention that I fitted my towbar two weeks ago, and the sensors have finally stopped continually bleeeeeeeeping when reversing. - but maybe it's the cold weather - I'll see what happens when it warms up again ! :rolleyes:

Well that's it, I've gone and done it now !! Part ex'ed the Alhambra for '05 Galaxy Ghia 1.9Tdi 130. Will pick it up Friday - can't wait. :lol:

mind you think the rearlights and panel look great on the mk1 :angry2: I must admit I too prefer the curver style of the Mk1, when the Mk2 first come out I thought the squarer style made it look more van like - we've all had the 'transit-with-windows' dig I'm sure !! I'll still be buying the Mk2 though. I normally keep my cars about 10 years,and would probably have kept the Alhambra longer if it had been a SE or Gal Ghia. I do as much of the servicing that I can myself, oil changes, brakes, electrics, suspension, etc... Another reason for changing now is that rust has started to appear on one of the rear wheel arches - nothing serious - this seems to be the only place that it is going to rust - a warning perhaps for you others who indend to keep their 'Galarombras' a long time - I'll be giving the arches some special protection on the new one !! While on this subject has anybody else experienced rust problems with the earliest of cars out there ? It would give us all an indication of how best to protect our cars in future. All cars have weak areas. I suspect the floors/sills will also be a future weak point - Any comments anyone ??

I tow a Swift Charisma 6 berth (single axle) with the Alhambra without any problem - holiday Calais-Brittany and back this year. I was actually hoping to transfer the current Witter bar to the new car. It's a fixed one. I guess it's possible to disconnect the rear sensors - never had a problem parking it - specially with tow-bar on the back ! How can I tell whether it is a 115bhp or 130bhp ? - rather not trust the salesman. :D

Oh sorry I stand corrected, I thought they fitted the Ford diesel in the 'late' models - that most be from the Mk3 onwards.

Thanks for the replies. Nikpv - how do like the Auto - I really miss my Scorpio Auto, but when towing the auto used to get really hot, even after I had fitted a gearbox cooler - so I thought I had better stick with the manual. Obviously I'll be switching from the VW diesel to the Ford diesel engine. I've heard the Ford one is pretty good and I could do with the extra bhp. Is it chain or belt , and do you know what the belt/chain life is stated at ?

I've had my Seat Alhambra 1.9tdi ('97) for over 6 years now, and am now looking to change it for something newer. I tow a caravan so have obviously looked at 4x4's, but have come to the conclusion that I really don't need all that extra complication. For 99% of the time I'm not towing, the boots are no where near as larage as mine and quite frankly the MPV does me fine. So I'm looking for a newer Galaxy Mk2. The Alhambra has served me mostly well, I've had the usual run of problems though. Air con leaks, skuttle drain blockages & wet front footwell, wiper linkage failure, reversing lights not working, broken wires in doors hinge connections, broken speaker grills & ashtray lids, bonnet cable breakage, front suspension linkages, new cat due to rusted pipe, and gear stick selection cable breakage. Didn't realise it was such a long list ! Anyway, can you Mk2 owners out there give me an idea of whether things have improved, or should I brace myself for the same problems. I'm currently looking at a Feb'05 1.9Tdi Ghia. It's less than 2 years old, has low milage (13k) and has lost