Advice On Options Please

[KenS]

Hi Folks - my Mk2 Gal is almost four and I am about to change to a Mk3. I test drove a 1.8 6 gear diesel mk3 and was impressed, particulary with performance and economy. The driver's seat was very comfortable too. The next gal will last rather longer than four years so I am paying more attention to accessories. I have questions around tonneau cover, net, radio and rear quarter windows. Can you help please?

 

1. Tonneau cover and net - I can understand what the tonneau cover does for its money, but the next seems very expensive. What does it do and is it any good?

 

2. Sony radio - I read elsewhere here that the standard radio is less sensitive, and speakers not brillant, so I think I'll go for the sony version. Any comments please?

 

3. Rear opening quarter windows - is this solved now? Do they open?

 

In fact, thanks for any advice you have on options. I did look at the x-pack but it seems very expensive. I like the idea of the panorama roof, but everything else seems more posy than functional.

 

Cheers and thanks -Ken

[buford_t_justice]

KenS,

 

(1) I've ordered a tonneau cover for mine but didn't enquire about the load net. Just out of interest how much are they asking for a net? I didn't bother with one because I hadn't used the one I had for my MK2 in the last 3 years! It's like a spiders web that just holds stuff down in the boot.

 

(2) My Galaxy will be coming with the Sony 6CD Radio anyway so can't help you unfortunately.

 

(3) Still manual unless you specify otherwise.

 

Regards.

Edited November 5, 2007 by buford_t_justice

[Steve Ashby]

Standard radio seems fine to me, but thats very much personal choice.

 

We got the Tonneau cover, bit of a faff, to get round the reat seat belts when you pull, it and nowhere to store it when you put the seven seats up.

 

We didn;t go for electric rear quarter lights, and we certainly didn't get manual ones as standard, but there are other postings on this.

[davetech]

I've had my second Mk III for 5 weeks now. I kept the tonneau cover from the first one in the cellar. It's been there for over a year and is likely to stay there. I got the panoramic roof again. Wife and kids like it, but I don't rate it much. I suspect I might miss the light and airiness if I didn't have it though. For some inexplicable reason, Ford have changed the decent interior lights for some rubbish stuff out of a McDonald's Happy Meal. The front lights point forward at the dash (towards the auto dimming rear view mirror sensor) and the middle light on mine keeps falling down on one side. I have the Sony single disc CD player this time (not requested, but apparently due to the Traction Control now fitted as standard) which replaced the 6 disc Ford player I had last year; at least this one plays MP3s. This is my second Mk III after 3 Mk IIs in the last 5 years. I was dubious about going to a Ford built car after the proven ( Volkswagen) Mk II. There is no comparison. The Mk III is infinitely better at handling and is so much more pleasurable to drive. Although my last Mk II had 150PS with its 1.9 litre dieslen engine. I still cannot fathom why I only have 140PS from my 2.0 litre diesel now. I wonder if there are any plans to increase engine power now that the chassis and handling can handle it. Enjoy your Mk III. It is a great car (albeit the usual Ford quality niggles).