Time To Upgrade The Gal But For Which One !

[Guest Wanny]

Hi there, I have had my 97 2.3 Ghia X for a year now and have been highly delighted with it, but I feel its time to upgrade. I want another at the same spec Ghia X and a diesel, however I can probably afford a good Mk1 110 and if really pushed a MK2 which I believe are 115. We do quite a bit of travelling with the caravan on the back and have found the 2.3 quite good but MPG puts the price of Holidays up a bit. My questions are

[Ivor_E_Tower]

TDI 115 - about 35mpg in stop-start town driving, and around 48mpg on long runs (got nearly 50mpg out of it travelling 6-up to EuroDisney and back again last October, 600+ miles with no refuelling).

I'd be very wary of the Renault; the 2.2 diesel has a habit of breaking its crankshaft thrust washer at around 80,000 miles leaving you with a bill for a new engine (several thousand pounds). The new-shape one with the 1.9 diesel or V6 3.0 diesel is a better bet :D ...but on balance I'd stick to a Galaxy.

I think you will find little real-world difference between the "older" 110 and newer 115 engine; the 115 does like its special oil though, which can be difficult (and expensive) to obtain.

[Guest Wanny]

Are all MK2 diesels 6 speed or was this added later, I believe the Mk2 started in 2000 on a X plate. Also is it just a face lift or did they improve a of the design such as the Air Con which appears to be most trouble some ?

[Andrew T]

Sadly no. The MK2 comes with all the MK1s faults as Standard; Leaking washer pipes, blockable scuttle drains, self destructing A/C, fragile spare wheel winches, Silver Calcium batteries that won't last 4 winters. I know because I've had them all in the last 9 months.

P!ssed off? me?

[tim-spam]

In terms of out-and-out performance through the gears, the 115 has a slight but noticeable advantage over the 110. However, the biggest difference between these two is in the torque - the 115 has much better low to mid range punch (the maximum torque is around 20% higher). This translates into considerably better in-gear acceleration, and is particularly suitable for towing.

It is however important to ensure that the correct oil has been used, and that you continue to use it. It can be expensive to buy (although shopping around can bring the price down a lot), but when you calculate the cost of oil in terms of pence per mile, it is almost insignificant.

Hope this helps,

Tim

[Ivor_E_Tower]

There are some W-reg facelifted models about - but not too many diesels. I have been told that VW rationed the supply of the PDI engines to Ford following the facelift - and all facelifted diesels are TDI PD, with manual transmission have 6 forward speeds.

[ferguscawley]

I would recommend the 110 (non PD) engined model. Mine has just done 547 miles for 60.06 litres of diesel (41.37 mpg). They were hard miles too - lots of 75 - 85 mph stuff, a 1 hour traffic jam, several short school runs and some towing (a loaded motorcycle trailer).

There is plenty of torque/acceleration and its very quiet. Its not so fussy oil-wise either so it is very cheap to maintain (I do all the work myself). Recommended !

 

Ferg

[Tigger]

Mark2 tdi towing with all bikes and AC about 26-28mpg

[Ivor]

I have a MK2.

 

I get around 40MPG pottering about, 50MPG on the motorway if you take it easy.

 

Towing the caravan @ 60MPH drops it down to 26MPG and the oil temp moves up from it's normal 90DegC to 120DegC.