1.8 Tdci Mkiii Owners Here?

[Tommie1]

Are there any owners or drivers of the MKIII model with the 125 hp Diesel engine on this forum?

 

I would like to know if this car also has trouble with starting weakness, and if there are software updates from Ford foreseen.

 

Many thanks already for your help.

Also other experiences with this car and engine are very welcome.

[Davetheref]

I have a 125 ps S-Max diesel which is the same engine. I haven't noticed any problems starting but have noticed you have to give it a bit of 'wellie' first time when pulling away or its likely to stall. After that first time it runs sweet as a nut.

[Tommie1]

Thanks for your reaction.

What is your consumption?

How many miles with one tankfill?

[Davetheref]

The MPG's seem very good so far. I'm averaging around 51 mpg and that is around town and my work journey every day of around 35 miles. I wish the 'computer' had more functions like my mark 2 Gal had but it shows when I fill up that I should get 700 miles from a tankful and its not far off that in reality.

 

All in all, quited plesed with it.

[Tommie1]

Waauw, that's very low.

Is that reading from the computer or the result from your own calculation.

 

But anyhow, you must be driving very efficiently !

[mumof4]

Waauw, that's very low.

Is that reading from the computer or the result from your own calculation.

 

But anyhow, you must be driving very efficiently !

 

He has to driving his pimp-mobil so all the ladies can gawp at his Bling :lol:

[Davetheref]

He has to driving his pimp-mobil so all the ladies can gawp at his Bling

 

 

Not blinged up enough yet :lol:

 

I am going to get the windows tinted as its not standard on the Zetec.

 

I must admit that I do try to drive my normal daily route at around 55 mph as its mainly motorways and so I guess I do get the best return on that. I haven't worked it out myself yet and do use the on board 'computer' but I have noticed since my mark 2 that I have longer intervals now between filling up.

[Tommie1]

Hey,

 

Mine will be the Trend (should be very comparable to Zetec in UK).

Did you ever get a software update of the engine? This seems to be a hot topic on the 2.0 TDCI engines.

Would you know how to see the software version?

 

And it keeps on being strange that there are so few MKIII owners here. Is this model not popular in UK?

 

Best Regards,

[mumof4]

Well to be honest Tommie, a few of us that have/have had the MKI or MKII, think the MKIII is pretty ummmmmm....cr@p.

Plus with the MKIII still being relatively new,,the little niggles and faults may not have materialised yet!..wait a few months or so and we may have more MKIII owners joining who have problems.

[Davetheref]

Did you ever get a software update of the engine? This seems to be a hot topic on the 2.0 TDCI engines.

Would you know how to see the software version?

 

 

I have never heard of a software upgrade. Do you know what it is meant to do or help with ?

[Tommie1]

Well to be honest Tommie, a few of us that have/have had the MKI or MKII, think the MKIII is pretty ummmmmm....cr@p.

Plus with the MKIII still being relatively new,,the little niggles and faults may not have materialised yet!..wait a few months or so and we may have more MKIII owners joining who have problems.

 

Let me tell you a bit more about some of my previous cars:

 

1. Renault Sc

[mumof4]

OK.I had a MKII Ghia.Drove well, not much road noise..not too many serious probs with her,Roomy, a joy to drive and taking the seats out was easy.She would fly when i drove her.

 

The MKIII.

 

To me looks like a box on wheels..i like smooth lines and the streamlined shape of the MKII.

The seats in the MKIII fold flat system..good in theory but the backs of the seats are flimsyand have material on them.Not very practical if carting about a load of cr@p to the waste site.I much prefer being able to take the seats out in the MKII.

Bags of room inside when the seats are out!

 

 

The handbrake on the MKIII..Looks awfull!!The whole cabin looks awfull.

 

I dont like the MKIII purely for cosmetic reasons.I think inside it has lost the smooth shape, on the Ghia there is way too much chrome.Looks like they have chromed everything they can think of.Too many cubby holes.what is the point in having overhead cubbies??.And no spare tyre.

 

I have only ever seen 3 MKIIIs on the road since they came out.

 

This is all my opinion..and my personal preference of course.

[Davetheref]

Well, I cant comment on the Mark 3 Gal but my S-Max is very much the same parts and cabin etc. and just a more rounded shape.

I have had 2 mark 2 Gals in a row and even though I had no major problems at all, I love this S-Max already. It is only the 125 ps 1.8 TDCI but the engine is so much smoother and more refined than my old Gals and a lot less noisey to boot.

I really like the inside cabin as well. The handbrake is great and easier to use than a traditional one. There may be a lot of chrome but I think it looks very modern and has nice clean lines. Love cubby holes and cant get enough of them. The seats are a joy and I definately do not miss lugging the old heavy seats out when I want to take a load and just cover with an old sheet if worried about moving crap about in the back.

I know there is no spare wheel but in all my time with my Gals, I never once had to use the spare (kiss of death now) and there is an emergency kit supplied if needed.

 

All in all, no complaints yet.

[mumof4]

Each to their own..the S-Max and C-max do look nice and i would rather one of them than the MKIII Galaxy.

 

But my opinion is just that...im female..its all purely cosmetic :wacko:

[Davetheref]

Must admit that I really dont like the look of the C-Max and my daughter says its an 'old man's car' and wouldn't let me have one even if I wanted.

[Tommie1]

When I recap this, most of the comments come to the fact that you tell the Galaxy is crap because of the design...

 

Well, I like the design (but for me this is not critical, and I also think the S-Max looks a bit better on the outside). I like the splendid engines and especially the low noise level.

 

Due to 4 kids, I need a larger car (S-max is a bit small if you use 6 seats), and I really believe this is the best you can find at the moment.

[mumof4]

I have 4 kids aswell, and its not by choice that my Galaxy went..far from it.Yes i dont like the New Galaxy because of the design, that is my preference...In an ideal world i would still have my Galaxy but i don't.I have a 10 yr old Vectra which really isnt big enough but its all i could afford, and i like her.Like me she is getting on a bit,and needs a bit of TLC..she will do me and the kids for a year or so.

 

We all have our preferences in what we like...I'm sure there are cars out there that you have seen, taken a look and thought that looks awfull....for me that car is the MKIII Galaxy.

 

I do respect other peoples opinions and if they like the MKIII then fine..We have had many discussions on this forum in regards to the MKIII when it first came out, some like it..others don't.

 

That doesnt mean i wont try and help out if someone has a problem with their MKIII, i will help where i can with my limited knowledge.

[Davetheref]

Well, I like the design (but for me this is not critical, and I also think the S-Max looks a bit better on the outside). I like the splendid engines and especially the low noise level.

The new engine was one of the main reasons I changed.

 

I'm sure there are cars out there that you have seen, taken a look and thought that looks awfull....for me that car is the MKIII Galaxy.

 

 

That reminds of a few years ago when I almost bought a Fiat Multipla. I had one for a days test drive and the ride and engine were really good, but I couldn't live with the shape even though it was so practicle on the inside. In fact my kids threatened to dis-own me if I got it and wouldn't be seen dead in it.

 

As you said Maz, we all have our cars we dislike from the outset but some grow on you after a time (I dont think the Multipla would ever had grown on me). :wacko:

[Jeff Tipps]

Well to be honest Tommie, a few of us that have/have had the MKI or MKII, think the MKIII is pretty ummmmmm....cr@p.

Plus with the MKIII still being relatively new,,the little niggles and faults may not have materialised yet!..wait a few months or so and we may have more MKIII owners joining who have problems.

 

My MKIII now 10 months old 18,000 miles no problems yet (one safety recall to check earthing point for heated screen). Have seen quite a few MKIII Galaxy's around my area mainly Zetec & Ghia models.

[Jeff Tipps]

Are there any owners or drivers of the MKIII model with the 125 hp Diesel engine on this forum?

 

I would like to know if this car also has trouble with starting weakness, and if there are software updates from Ford foreseen.

 

Many thanks already for your help.

Also other experiences with this car and engine are very welcome.

 

Tommie,

I have had no starting problems with my MKIII 125hp.

[Jeff Tipps]

He has to driving his pimp-mobil so all the ladies can gawp at his Bling

 

 

 

 

I am going to get the windows tinted as its not standard on the Zetec.

 

 

 

Tinted/privacy glass is standard on the MKIII Galaxy Zetec, but at least you get the better front seats in the Zetec SMax.

[mumof4]

My MKIII now 10 months old 18,000 miles no problems yet (one safety recall to check earthing point for heated screen). Have seen quite a few MKIII Galaxy's around my area mainly Zetec & Ghia models.

 

Right..i am going to be pedantic now coz im in that sorta mood..

 

Mine is the 125PS version and I find it a bit sluggish pulling away, it must be a bit better than the 100PS option though.

Had a concern about the seats at first as they are very thin on the padding. But I have done a couple of long journeys and they have been comfy enough, although they are a bit narrow. I have stated on here before that the Zetec Galaxy should have the same front seats as the Zetec S-Max which has sportier 'bucket' style and hold you in place much better. But for some reason they are different

 

My overhead console was also rattling, it turned out to be the child rear seat mirror thing.

 

On closer inspection the I think the quality of the seats is poor. Very thinly padded all round especially the 3rd row

 

A couple of things I'm not so sure on & one is the handbrake (not the electric option) I have crushed my fingers releasing it on several occasions, guess after a couple more times I will learn to keep my fingers clear!! I think they should have added the electric handbrake as standard. The handbrake does not however get in the way of changing gears as somone I think posted on here. It would also be nice to have the Aux heater & cruise control as standard.

[mumof4]

And coz im really pedantic today..lets compare them side by side.. :wacko:

 

Larryo..used your pic..Hope you dont mind.

 

 

 

Heck of a difference between the two.

[Tommie1]

Yes,

The left one is more beautiful than the right one...

:rolleyes: :D :P

[Davetheref]

The left one is more beautiful than the right one...

 

 

Hear Hear :rolleyes: :P