Buying Advice

[CGA]

Hi everybody,new to this forum, and am thinking of getting the wife a Galaxy. A 1.9 TDI seems favourite, 2005 less than 80000 miles. What should I be looking for/to avoid/common faults. Am I right in thinking this engine has a cam belt, if so what are the intervals?

Please be gentle.

[mumble_bee]

Hi CGA,

 

Just food for thought:

 

Ford stopped making the Gal MK2 in 05/06, VW continued until 09/10.

You can get a decent newer Sharan MK2 for not much Dollaz.

 

The timing belt thing varies on opinion between 40k and 60k

 

Personally I'm not fussed about the mileage if the car is in good nick, which is hard to find 2nd hand because of the typical uses:

1. Taxi

2. Munchkin transporter

 

for me the big faults after 5 galaxy/sharans have been:

 

1. Driveshaft - vibration under power over 40mph

2. Front Shock(s) - Big God Damn Clunk when you go over a pothole - NOT to be confused with the Drop links (which are not a big deal)

3. Engine related issues - NOT TDI (mainly the V6)

4. Courtesy ECU dying - Never happened to me - but many friends - sure sign of this is damp/water under front passenger seat

5. AC issues - lots on the forum about this - never believe the seller's assertion it just needs gas

 

Gosh I bet some of the gurus could add to this - above is just my experience, but I'm a cheapskate.

[CGA]

Thanks for that, I would be happy to go for a sharan but haven't seen any cheaper than an equivalent Galaxy. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place (EBAY, auto trader).

As a matter of interest, I just rang a local main agent in East Anglia who told me that can belt changes were 10 years or 120k, and that he has not seen a belt failure in years!Think I will ignore that advice.

[gregers]

welcome to the forum,

think the dealer got confused with a mk3 there as these(with the smax)10 years and 125k.

on the forum the info iirc is 1st part of 2003 was 40k later part of 2003 60k.

 

if auto then gear box problems,

run on pump

booster heater(THATS A GOOD 1)thread found in faqs,WAR AND PEACE IS SHORTER.

winch for spare tyre,

door gaitor/wire problems,

 

and a few more,

check out the faqs found in the tech section of the forum for a bit of info.

[CGA]

I have a disco 3 which has fuel burning heater, which sounds the same as a boost heater, and sounds like the same issues, and difficulty in testing to see if it is working.

I thought that the advice re cam belt intervals was flawed.

We had a look at an 05 115bhp TDI with 72k on the clock, but I think the wife was a bit underwhelmed, maybe a Ghia would tick a few more boxes. What are the thoughts on a 1.8 mk3, are they worth the extra money?

Cheers.

[gregers]

from what ive read the 1.8 is a bit gutless,but as said thats what ive read.

dunno if there is anyone on here with a 1,8 who could give you some real time advice?

look on the net for some reviews etc.

honest john

auto express and the likes then you can hopefully make your mind up?

 

mk2 ghia will have a lot more toys then say a zetec,but then the price does go up by a lot.and remember the ghia comes with various added extras that may well have been added by a previous owner.i had a ghia lovely car.i test drove another 1 with full leather and dvd etc,superb mind you that was a 130bhp.

 

have you had a look at the samx?you may be pleasantly surprised??

[CGA]

A 130bhp mk2 Ghia may tempt her, it looks now like she is after cruise control and toys like that. Did they ever fit heated front seats to the mk2? I have had a look at the mk3 section, and apart from the cost, they seem well received. Do you mean the smax? I will have to do about of research.

Thanks again.

[gregers]

yeah soz,must have pished when i wrote that lol.

yes smax.

 

if you can find the ubber rare 150 bhp thatll be a beast :rolleyes:

[marinabrid]

hi all, im thinking of changing the old gal, 98 tdi 110 after many years happy service, a friend of mine has an 07 sharan 2.0 tdi se 140 hp   he want around £6500   it has 95000 on the clock  mainly motorway high speed work, my mileage is around 1000 a year now pottering about,  at this mileage and age im wondering if id be buying trouble   with this dmf and air con and i think i read somewhere about dodgy fuel pump on this model, you can get a 06 new shape gal for around the same money,  im wondering what to do,   anyone any expericence with this model engine sharan,  it dont even have heated screen fitted , shame. even the old gal has this.   thanks for any incoming advice.   does this model also use the variable vane turbo like the afn engine.

[marinabrid]

hi all, im thinking of changing the old gal, 98 tdi 110 after many years happy service, a friend of mine has an 07 sharan 2.0 tdi se 140 hp   he want around £6500   it has 95000 on the clock  mainly motorway high speed work, my mileage is around 1000 a year now pottering about,  at this mileage and age im wondering if id be buying trouble   with this dmf and air con and i think i read somewhere about dodgy fuel pump on this model, you can get a 06 new shape gal for around the same money,  im wondering what to do,   anyone any expericence with this model engine sharan,  it dont even have heated screen fitted , shame. even the old gal has this.   thanks for any incoming advice.   does this model also use the variable vane turbo like the afn engine. 

[gregers]

i could be wrong but i think the heated screen was a ford idea and only fitted to the galaxy's??

as for the high mileage sharan,i bought my smax with 99k on a 08 plate,ive had it now about 15mths and its now approaching 106k and mainly used round town.

what does parkers say about the value of it?

[marinabrid]

the value sees quite good as its 07 reg, m concern is that basically its a car from the 90s  facelifted a bit and when you can get the newer fords and smax  for a bit more cash  it seems to make more sense,  ive had all the probs with the gal and dont fancy going through it all again, but i know the car well and its history but its a gamble  i think. how do you compare the smax with your galaxy you owned ?

[seatkid]

i could be wrong but i think the heated screen was a ford idea and only fitted to the galaxy's??

Yes....you are wrong. It may be a Ford idea but it is fitted to Sharans and Alhambras - like mine!!

[gregers]

Yes....you are wrong. It may be a Ford idea but it is fitted to Sharans and Alhambras - like mine!!

many thanks seatkid. :22: :rolleyes:

[gregers]

the value sees quite good as its 07 reg, m concern is that basically its a car from the 90s  facelifted a bit and when you can get the newer fords and smax  for a bit more cash  it seems to make more sense,  ive had all the probs with the gal and dont fancy going through it all again, but i know the car well and its history but its a gamble  i think. how do you compare the smax with your galaxy you owned ?

well i have driven a mk3 galaxy and that seemed very nice to drive,we have a zetec s max on mobility,hence why i had my mid life crisis and got the Lexus for myself.but the bloody thing gave me a bad back so had a look round for another mk2 but the prices were very high for as you say an older car.plus some of the sheds i looked at really wernt worth the dosh.

so found my s max on ebay garage about 1hr away from me went and had a test drive and done the deal.

mind you even though my old mk2 ghia had a few toys,my s max has a lot more as its a titanium model.

half leather/pan glass roof/18"alloys/convers+ dash board.

 

go and test drive 1 think your be pleasantly surprised.

[marinabrid]

hi seatkid,  on the sharan or alhambra  is the heated screen  on a seperate switch like the galaxy  or combined with the mirrors or rear,   i can't see a seperate switch on this pals sharan  and its  se model 07   unless it was option fitted on the vw

[seatkid]

hi seatkid,  on the sharan or alhambra  is the heated screen  on a seperate switch like the galaxy  or combined with the mirrors or rear,   i can't see a seperate switch on this pals sharan  and its  se model 07   unless it was option fitted on the vw

 

On my 98 Alhambra its a seperate switch next to the rear window heater switch. It came with the "winter pack" option.

 

Remember all Ford/VW/Seat Mk1 and Mk2's are essentially identical vehicles built on the the same line with trim detail differences.

 

Heated screens were only fitted as standard to high end models (i.e. Ghia X, Carat  etc) or available as optional extra on mid range upwards. (They are expensive). When fitted, I think they also fit an larger alternator and battery too and possibly a different or additional loom. Mine came with a 120 amp alternator and a full size battery that fills the entire battery tray, even though its a 90bhp AHU engine.

Edited March 1, 2013 by seatkid

[acecard]

heard nice things about the smax, especially gregers extolling its virtues, and then theres the important question of price- but I constantly need to convey large amounts of people/equipment/mattresses/ even tumble dryers have been known to take a ride.

Can  the smax seriously cater for the likes of me? I have always owned big cars and would hate to struggle 'cos i saved a few grand

[acecard]

When fitted, I think they also fit an larger alternator and battery too and possibly a different or additional loom. Mine came with a 120 amp alternator and a full size battery that fills the entire battery tray, even though its a 90bhp AHU engine.

yep- the heated front screen draws serious amps - be a hell of a job on winter morns without it - don't think i would ever get moving

[gregers]

heard nice things about the smax, especially gregers extolling its virtues, and then theres the important question of price- but I constantly need to convey large amounts of people/equipment/mattresses/ even tumble dryers have been known to take a ride.

Can  the smax seriously cater for the likes of me? I have always owned big cars and would hate to struggle 'cos i saved a few grand

well i have just had to purchase another tumble dryer and it went in through the passenger door as i had 2 sets of golf clubs and trolley in the boot.

swallows all my tools as well,im a carpenter and i have a lot of gear.

 

now the rear most seats i wouldnt be able to sit in them as im 6'2" but there fine for my kids and small adults,now with my old mk2 i managed to squeeze in a king size mattress.pretty certain you wont get 1 in a smax.

[CGA]

Thanks guys, had a look at a s Max, the wife said it's not big enough for the dogs to stand up in! Looks like a search for a gal Ghia with low milage on a 05 plate. Wish me luck.

 

[gregers]

christ what dog you got,ive got a gsd and she stands up no probs.

 

oh and saw a couple of mpvs as i past today,

 

www.lmcmotorsales.co.uk/used_mpv_4x4_estates.htm

 

dunno what there like.

Edited March 7, 2013 by gregers

[CGA]

They're Italian Spinone, and one lad we had was bigger than a GSD by a margin. They are all spoiled though.

Up date re search; went to look at an Alhambra Stylance. It had all the toys and in nice order other than crushed sill that I have read about. The one on the nearside was quite bad, and the offside had cracked paint (both front). It had just passed an MOT with no advisories, but what is involved in fixing them. Someone mentioned about £200, but the seller wouldn't negotiate sadly, so still looking.

Thanks.

[gregers]

blimey big dogs then.

did you check out that link i gave you?as there now seems to be a few more on there forecourt.

[CGA]

Gregers, just managed to check that site out (on my tablet, so can't work out cutting and pasting) lots of zafira,s, only one gal, a petrol. Thanks anyway, I'm in west Norfolk, but am prepared to travel.