iainkirk

I get 18-20k out of fronts and the backs will probably do 60k, although I can't be sure as they end up on the front every 15k, swappedwith the (nearly) baldies from the front! I've only used SP2020's to date and these can be had for as low as

Basically, if we go to Lewis, we will be taking the Galaxy over and leaving the Vectra at Glasgow airport or at one of our sites nearby. We would only take the Galaxy over via CalMac/Ullapool after we had found somewhere to live. Prior to that (as this week) we would fly from Glasgow and pick up a company-provided hire car at Stornoway airport and stay in a company-paid hotel. That isn't a solution long term as the hire car would attract tax as a company car. Company pays the ferry fare to take the car over/back anyway. We will be on Lewis on a 17 days out of 21 days basis, ie 3 days at home plus half a day's travel time either side, the company paying our return air fares on BA. Car fuel for Galaxy and Vectra is paid for by them anyway. Travel time from Stornoway is 50 minutes on the plane and 1 3/4 hours drive back to Carlisle, so it's quite a short journey in reality, given where Lewis is! Galaxy is financed by car allowance, as is the Vectra (we both work for same company), so we're obviously obliged to use at least one of them. Besides, the tax relief on business mileage is useful as well. Construction sites are classed as temporary locations, hence all our work mileage attracts tax relief. We have Class 1 business use insurance on both cars. The carrot? Between us we will be getting an extra 27k a year, 17k of it as tax free subsistence (and obviously paying no travel costs), so Ivor, would that increase the attraction??? Obviously, we have to rent and run an extra house out of that, but that probably still leaves the best part of 15 grand a year in our pockets <G>. Ivor, we're building a new sewage works and some CSOs in Stornoway itself - about 9 million quid in total, plus my other half will be running the admin for other sites on the Western Isles from there.

Very true! However I suspect I will still end up doing at least 1200 miles a month on the island. Lets hope we don't have any breakdowns!!!

My employer has asked me and my other half to go and run several sites on The Isle of Lewis for the next 9 months. We are off to Stornoway on Monday for 4 days to do a reality check and decide if we will do it. How the hell am I going to get my Galaxy serviced without paying a return crossing on CalMac to Ullapool???

Ford recommended price for cambelt change is

Probably depends on how much abuse it has received in lieu of the correct service regime (eg excess oil volume, incorrect oil grade etc - all as per standrard service regime at Fraud delaers)!

They appear on eFraud occasionally. Alternatively, take the middle one out of the middle row of seats - that way you'll be able to see out of the rear view mirror as an added bonus!!!

The stuff on Audiworld.com doesn't work on the Galaxy. F to C display change should work though.

No traction control as standard on TDI as far as I'm aware. Only available on V6 unless you made a factory order and not available in mainland Europe (ie imported vehicles) at all EXCEPT on V6... Correct me if I'm wrong.

Fraud don't have a part number for the blanking plates, basically because they don't offer them! I beleive you will find that they are cheaper from your local VW or Seat dealer than they go for on eBay, in a similar way to speaker grilles.

I've driven loads of cars in the 19 years I've been driving and I've done an estimated 750,000 miles in that time. I find the Galaxy actually to be one of the easiest cars to maneouvre and park! I now find hatchbacks especially bad in comparison, due to the lack of glass area and low seating position! SWMBO has a new shape Vectra, which I find really bad to reverse. Two tips: take out the middle headrest in the middle row - that makes through vision a lot better. Also, if nobody is sitting in row 3, fold the seats down!

Time to reach normal operating temperature also depends on driving style and road speed. eg, I live exactly 1 mile from the nearest M6 junction. On my journey to work (via the M6!) mine reaches normal temperature after just over half a mile on the motorway. If I drove at 30 in 5th/6th, it would probably take about 10 miles to warm up.

Is your Galaxy a UK model or an import? If it's an import, your battery is covered by the warranty for the full 2 year Ford Europe warranty period. If it's a UK model, it's only covered for 12 months.

Dangermouse, check your oil as the PD engines do have quite a high oil consumption, especially when new. That's why it tells you on the fuel filler flap to check every 1000 miles - that's almost as often as a Mazda RX8!

www.liverpoolvictoria.co.uk Very flexible when it comes to mods and points etc. Good prices, escpecially if you need Class 1 business use or high mileage. Forgot to add, they do Protected No Claims discount and also GUARANTEED no claims discount. The latter costs you

1. errr...can you guess? 2. Just above high tide level, Carlisle, Cumbria 3. Galaxy 115 TDI Ghia, 2003 53 Reg. Belgian Import flavour. 4. 16 months and 55000 miles. Previously had a 1996 V6 about 4-5 years ago. 5. Yes, hopefully the next version and a bit more power. 6. If you include tyres, I've had 8 of them (so

Foaming on a PD engine is due to excessive oil volume, so I'm told.

Spooky isn't it...

MOT: It costs the same as any other car... Service:

Don't confuse matters MM!

Ivor, Every now and again new 5-spoke Ghia alloys come up on eBay - that's where I got my spare from.

Probably one with dangly bits hanging from the bottom! Do they actually exist yet though??? (other than on the Ford configurator)

Yes, although there are two FINIS codes on the parts database. Only one is available and lasts almost no time at all on both Mk1 and Mk2 Galaxies!

Find four Ghia owners who've bought an alloy for the spare. Took my steel spare to the tip a few weeks ago, as it didn't get nicked despite me putting it with the dustbins 3 weeks in a row - perhaps I should have got a neighbour to hang it under their Zafira - it would have gone straight away then! :lol:

I would say there are three main causes here: 1) roundabout 2) 2.8 VR6 3) the nut behind the steering wheel :lol: