Want To Buy My 1St Galaxy - A Few Tip & Hints Please

[Fraz-ktf]

Hi folks.

 

I'm looking in earnest for my first Galaxy, jumping ship from a succession of 5 VW Passat Tdi estates, now that I need more carrying capacity for the kid's bikes and stuff and although quite excited about the prospect, I'm baffled about the amount of spec variation available on the MKll (2002 to 2005 years - which are in my price bracket.)

 

I've decided I want the Tdi Ghia but I can't work out what all the various "Packs" include, such as Entertainment pack etc . . . . can anyone please advise? (And what does MY mean in an advert?)

 

I know that ideally, I want the following items to be in the spec but I don't know if they came as a "Standard" issue or as an "Extra", again, could anyone advise please?

 

Privacy Glass

Leather upholstery (Does leather upholstery mean that the seats are automatically heated?)

Heated windscreen

Swivelling front seats

Trip Computer

Climate Control

Front parking sensors

ESP (Traction Control)

Electrically operated rear quarter-lights

Front Fog Lights

CD Multi-changer

Cruise Control

Rear Load-Cover Blind

 

Also, could anyone please tell me how to make swivelling seats swivel? Where is the lever?

 

I guess it's also important to ask if there are any "Common" issues with Galaxy's that I should be aware of before buying, bodywork, electrics or mechanical problems?

 

Finally, at what mileage / interval should a Tdi have a cambelt change?

 

Many, many thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to help me with this list of numpty questions and I look forward to spending the next few years with my Galaxy and this Forum.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Fraz-ktf

[mumof4]

Hi folks.

 

I'm looking in earnest for my first Galaxy, jumping ship from a succession of 5 VW Passat Tdi estates, now that I need more carrying capacity for the kid's bikes and stuff and although quite excited about the prospect, I'm baffled about the amount of spec variation available on the MKll (2002 to 2005 years - which are in my price bracket.)

 

I've decided I want the Tdi Ghia but I can't work out what all the various "Packs" include, such as Entertainment pack etc . . . . can anyone please advise? (And what does MY mean in an advert?)

 

I know that ideally, I want the following items to be in the spec but I don't know if they came as a "Standard" issue or as an "Extra", again, could anyone advise please?

 

Privacy Glass

Leather upholstery (Does leather upholstery mean that the seats are automatically heated?)

Heated windscreen

Swivelling front seats

Trip Computer

Climate Control

Front parking sensors

ESP (Traction Control)

Electrically operated rear quarter-lights

Front Fog Lights

CD Multi-changer

Cruise Control

Rear Load-Cover Blind

 

Also, could anyone please tell me how to make swivelling seats swivel? Where is the lever?

 

I guess it's also important to ask if there are any "Common" issues with Galaxy's that I should be aware of before buying, bodywork, electrics or mechanical problems?

 

Finally, at what mileage / interval should a Tdi have a cambelt change?

 

Many, many thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to help me with this list of numpty questions and I look forward to spending the next few years with my Galaxy and this Forum.

1.  media pack/ entertainment pack... i just flogged a 2002 MKII galaxy, had the media pack, screens in the front head rests so the kids could watch a vid. They could even if they so wished plug in a playstation and play that.

2. privacy glass, never seen a gal without any in the rear.

3.unless it says heated seats, then it wont habve them.

4.heated windscreen.. look for wee lines in the screen. if none, its not heated. sometimes glass can be replaced with a non heating windscreen.

5.swivelling front seats. Yup should have them/

6, yup, trip computer on MKII aswell.

7. yup

8. yup.

9. nay sure.

10. should have.

11. yes

12. not always. Bought mine with a tape deck player, changed it for a cd one. can pick em up cheaply enough on ebay if you get one that doesnt.

13.yes.

14. Nope. never seen a MKII for sale that comes with one.

 

common issues that i can think of: drop links seem a regular thing, easy enough and cheap enough to do them yourself, if i can do em being a female... then so can you. booster heater not working, i was lucky enough that the last gal i owned, it worked and vevre stopped working!!... wiring in the gaiters can split. easy enough to sort once you find the wires that have split. cambelt.. its either 40k or 60k depending on year etcc.. cannae remember to be honest!!

 

These are only my personal observations of owning 3 galaxys in my driving life... 2 MKIIs and one MKI. i am no mechanic, my word is not law or even totally sane half the time.. im sure i might of got some bits wrong as the lads know on here im not always right ;)  i am no mechanic.. did i mention that?? but... i do know some bits of useless information!!

 

when you go look at one, take for a test drive, make sure you drive it, do a full lock circle in it, hear knocking... drop links. maybe she says... check wipers work and are not seized. took me days to unseize mine!! check all over the car, check aircon, go over it from tailgate to nose checking everything, check to see if leaking coolant underneath, there are good uns and bad uns out there... go up hills, see if it goes into limp home mode... check to see if it smokes ( nasty habit) .. walk away after 5 mins after seeing it if your not convinced. more you look at it, more you will convince yourself that you can sort out any problems and its a bargain.. just walk. keep in mind your wallet and your peace of mind. mine had done 225k miles when i sold her and the engine was absolutely sound. had the clutch and camblet done at 200k miles. it was the original clutch i had replaced.

anyway, these babys can go for miles and miles if looked after and treated right.

 

good luck!!!

 

Maz

[gregers]

as above,as for cam belt there are differing arguments here,before 1st half of 2003 it was 40k,later part of 2003 60k.but more info has come available that it is still 40k.so if you know the number plate of the 1 your looking at then check it out at ford etis site.

 

make sure it comes with 2 keys(3 if your really lucky)as these cars cost a bloody fortune to recode/new key,and the mk2 requires 2 keys to program any others.

 

like all cars there are very good 1s and some awful 1s,

if your buying from a dealer negotiate the best warranty you can,try to get the full monty THAT is worth the paper it is written on.

as for reliability,well lets face it most cars will have some kind of owners forum which is usually filled up will q + a's,just take your time in finding the right 1 for you.

 

 

and yes you did read it correctly 'A WOMAN ADMITTING SHE ISNT RIGHT ALL THE TIME' now thats GOT to be a 1st :16:

[mumof4]

Actually Gregsy baby, you are wrong. I only had one key for my gal, a non remote one. Yet....... a friend had a spare key with a remote on it, ( a ford key) and he managed to code that remote to my gal on it. with just my key and the remote. ;) so the remote would then work with my gal.

 

Hooo hum!!!!!!

[acecard]

And watch for tracking issues on the front tyres - very sensitive and can go through the rubber like butter if its out - use a reputable steering geometry place and not the tyre fitters - "would you lke your tracking screwed up sir? - special deal today - nearside and offside for the price of one"

Edited September 7, 2013 by acecard

[gregers]

Actually Gregsy baby, you are wrong. I only had one key for my gal, a non remote one. Yet....... a friend had a spare key with a remote on it, ( a ford key) and he managed to code that remote to my gal on it. with just my key and the remote. ;) so the remote would then work with my gal.

 

Hooo hum!!!!!!

you sure mummy?

 

reason why i ask,as you know this question has been asked er just a few times.and the general concenus is that only fords/auto locksmith can code the keys to the pats system.or was your key JUST cloned??

i too obtained a spare remote for mine and managed to program it to the car BUT NOT to the pats system.so i could not start the car.

 

if as you say is correct then post the solution up and let the forum members know the secret.save quids allround :46:

[mumof4]

you sure mummy?

 

reason why i ask,as you know this question has been asked er just a few times.and the general concenus is that only fords/auto locksmith can code the keys to the pats system.or was your key JUST cloned??

i too obtained a spare remote for mine and managed to program it to the car BUT NOT to the pats system.so i could not start the car.

 

if as you say is correct then post the solution up and let the forum members know the secret.save quids allround :46:

i havent got a clue what he did, but i will ask him to post up what he did next time i se him.

 

Me wrong gregsy babes...??!!!... noooooooo..< cough>

[mk2vr6]

did you ever read anything i posted? I told you years ago that its possible to get after market keys cut and coded into the pats system..... i even posted up a link to guy who did mine and how he did it

you sure mummy?

 

reason why i ask,as you know this question has been asked er just a few times.and the general concenus is that only fords/auto locksmith can code the keys to the pats system.or was your key JUST cloned??

i too obtained a spare remote for mine and managed to program it to the car BUT NOT to the pats system.so i could not start the car.

 

if as you say is correct then post the solution up and let the forum members know the secret.save quids allround :46:

[gregers]

i must have missed it m8.

 

long time no hear,how are you?

[mk2vr6]

bored! thats why I popped in here ;) plus I heard the daft tart was back! so that's worth popping in just to wind her up :)

i must have missed it m8.

 

long time no hear,how are you?

[Fraz-ktf]

Thanks guys for all the off-topic banter :48:

 

And thanks for the one respondee to my query.

 

any one else can help please?

 

Don't want to sound ungrateful but the off topic stuff is really no help, shouldn't you start another thread (Or get a room?)  :-)

[mk2vr6]

JEEZ newbies! dont they get stressy! there are certain books out there that will tell you all you need to know, glass's guide is a good one, if i had the time I would climb up into my loft and dig out my collection of sales brouchures and spec sheets, but from experience they only cover the basics and then you need to know that you cant have option a.b and c if you want d as d is included in option pack y which isnt available if you have b ....

Thanks guys for all the off-topic banter :48:

 

And thanks for the one respondee to my query.

 

any one else can help please?

 

Don't want to sound ungrateful but the off topic stuff is really no help, shouldn't you start another thread (Or get a room?)  :-)

[gregers]

welcome to the forum,GET used to it.thats what makes it a friendly site.

[chrispb123456]

Think I'm right in saying there is a member that has every option available for the Mk2 and his booster heater works aswell :rolleyes:

[gregers]

is there whos that then ;) ;)

[acecard]

  (Or get a room?)  :-)

I would but no-one will share it with me .... :2:  

[mk2vr6]

Think I'm right in saying there is a member that has every option available for the Mk2 and his booster heater works aswell :rolleyes:

 

 and I heard he get 60 too the gallon as well! :ph34r:

[steveant1]

Hi. I am new to this site. And just looking around. Did you get the galaxy you wanted. As I am looking for my first one. I haven't worked on one before is the engine easy to work on.

[gregers]

i went past a garage today steve that had a mk2 galaxy for sale iirc it was on an 02 plate and was up for

[steveant1]

Hi. Thanks for that . but I only have a about 850.so it is well out of my price range. But thanks for getting back to me. I much appreciated.

[seatkid]

I think you'll struggle to find any half decent example at

[steveant1]

Hi.i will be happy with a mk1 just something to get started on. I have a Toyota asthma 8 seater I have done it had a head go as well before I got it. I was a pain to work on. So the galaxy has the same problem with head gaskets then?

[steveant1]

Toyota Estima.it was ment to say. It is like a privia.

[gregers]

as seatkid has said,id be VERY surprised if you even find a decent mk1 at that price,unless its a bucket of bolts.

[steveant1]

Hi. I'm sorry to say that used to be the case but not any more. When I first got my Toyota it was worth