iainkirk

CasaPaulo, You're Alhambra might have a lower list price, but you get a smaller discount, so yours probably cost the same as, if not more than, equivalently-specced Galaxies, which, incidentally look better in any case (IMHO). My "

I'm sure the survey IS flawed. They said on Top Gear tonight that 90% of people claiming to own a Ferrari in the survey were fibbing - the survey company checked details of all submissions with DVLA !!

OK, this year's TG survey puts the Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra in the following positions (out of 137): Alhambra: 99th Galaxy: 129th Sharan: 137th !! In my opinion, it just goes to show that it's all down to EXPECTATION. VW owners expect their car to be 100% reliable FOR EVER and for it to be bulletproof. Something about their Sharan fails to meet their critieria of perfection, so it gets a very low score. Ford owners expect their Galaxy to be as predictable as the Fiesta/Escort/Sierra/Mondeo/Granny or whatever they grew up with. The Galaxy fails to meet their criteria of predictability, so it ges a lower score than all of the other "Fords". Seat owners consider their vehicles to be "Spanish" in origins and because they share the marque with the old Ibiza, the Panda-type-thingy and the Cordoba etc, their expectations might be that their Alhambra will have the same pedigree. The Alhambra impresses them, although it squeeks and breaks down sometimes, so it ends up with a higher score... That's my opininon - most of the "clan" are identical in almost every way (well the diesels are), so has anyone else got any better explanations of the considerable different positions of the three vehicles???

Unfortunately, I find it necessary to comment that gratingly bad spelling spoils it for the rest of us. Can I suggest (if you do intend to post again, which you say you don't), that you type your submission into Word first, spell check it, then cut and paste into the website? Or perhaps use the edit facility after posting. Some comments on here are, of course, tongue-in-cheek....you just have to look carefully to decide which are which... P.S. I don't appreciate the misuse of apostrophe's either. B)

The "Aldi" offer looks quite good, although it doesn't say what the satnav software is. Sounds like it only does major roads from the description, so not a street-level software package. It says it comes with two 256MB MMC cards, so that sounds like good value at

Just returned with Gal from 10k service, so I thought I'd better update...

I would concur with the comments regarding the doors. Having had a 1996P and a 2003 53, I can confirm that the doors haven't changed at all.

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ might work tho.... B)

You first! Tell me what happens...

mmmmm how fetching...... Well they certainly made me fetch anyway. Bet they work really well with parking sensors.....attractive crunch noise BEFORE the "Casualty" beeeeeeeep of death!!! Now how about a pair of huuuuge blue driving lights on the front of that as well.... there might even be room for 4...no....6 even! Even better with the "new" chrome grin from December....

I won't lecture you, but WHY ON EARTH do you want them? Don't think you can get them for a Galaxy. If you really MUST have them, see a steel fabricator.

"All the good colours" ??? I don't think they do any "bad" colours these days! Ok there might be a lot of shades of silver ie Satin, Machine, Oyster and that sneaky misnamed 4th shade of sliver - Spruce Green, but the rest of the colours are all good'uns with the very possible exception of Netune Green (personally don't do green cars) and the once "must have" Radiant Red

Mick, The TomTom software is loaded onto your PocketPC/PDA via your PC, as are the maps. The whole of the UK fits onto a 128MB card with about 40MB to spare. You select your destination etc directly from the PocketPC, either from the comfort of your armchair, or from the comfort of your Ford armchair! PocketPC versions are much more versatile than built in ones, as you can add other programs, like TrafCam for instance, which warns you where fixed or regular mobile speed cameras are located (using a POI database which is updated via the internet, as are the maps and software). You get voice commands as well, in a choice of english voices (or rude americans if you so desire), plus about 10 other languages if you're that way inclined!! You also have all the advantages of a PocketPC of course! ie syncronised Outlook, email facilities, other software packages, games for when you're in a traffic jam!! etc Plus, you can move the installation easily from car to car. As far as I'm aware, the PocketPC versions have all of the functions of the built in ones, plus a few extra. The only disadvantage is the smaller screen size, but it's perfectly adequate for the purpose. I've got mine fitted on a windscreen suction bracket to the right of the steering wheel. My internal satellite receiver (size of matchbox) sits next to the triangular window (mounted on a velcro pad) and works fine (10 satellites usually). I have routed my power cable behind the trim that the driver's door closes against, through the fusebox area and round to the cigarette lighter socket. It's well hidden. If you mount the receiver in the front windscreen you may have signal problems, due to the wiggly wires in the quickclear screen, or so I'm told.

Dave-G: Why have you got one then????

Yup, Saturday 8th November will be 10,000 miles or thereabouts!! :( You were spot on with the 1000 miles per week - about 900 Mon-Fri and the other 100 at the weekend! Somewhere in there I manage to spend the day at work as well... I generally plough the M6 from Carlisle to J36 and then the dodgy A590 to Barrow-in-Furness (remeber the Chewits advert???). Professional Safety Camera dodger it would seem. Need to be on those two roads!!

My first was a 2.8.... hic hic now where's that can of petrol... There are 92 2.8's on Autotrader website at this moment, from 53 reg to oldest made. got my first one from www.custombilt.co.uk (Newcastle)

I've got TomTom Navigator 2 running on a Viewsonic V35 PocketPC. Got mine from www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk, but I don't think they do the bundle I purchased any more. Cost me

Just seen these today for

Try www.elephant.co.uk Their website deals with chipped and customised cars.

My Galaxy heated front windscreen is manufactured by Saint Gobain. Aren't all Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra windows made by them?

You won't get a 130 Ghia import for under abpout

This is a classic problem with the Galaxy (and Sharan/Alhambra). Go back to your dealer and REJECT THE VEHICLE. That will make them sort the problem out.

The "service interval calculating" bit simply displays the "need" to service the vehicle every 5000kms doesn't it (according to the handbook)? The handbook tells you how to reset it as well....

My 6 week old Galaxy 115 TDI has done 6500 miles (OUCH!!!) I've put in 1 litre to date. This seems to be what they get through.