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Ford Galaxy Owners Club

What To Look Out For - Buying A Used Galaxy/alhamb


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Guest Kp&MrJ
Posted

Hi all, We're new to this forum but have been members over on www.fordmondeo.org for some time. Having wrote off our trusty Mondeo Estate ( MK2, Many Mods & ultra reliable ) We're considering replacing it with a Galaxy or Alhambra, preferably a TDi. Any advise on what to look out for when buying a 'used' version would be greatly appreciated as we intend to become active members on this forum once a replacement has been purchased, especially with modifications to suspension and tuning the ol' TDi for a bit nore grunt.

 

Thanks in advance, and a big HELLO from a newbie.

Posted

A big hello and welcome to the forums,

 

To be honest I cannot help you with the question but I am sure someone will be along shortly to answer.

 

I am only the site designer and mechanical things are a bit above me :( :ph34r:

Posted

When I was recently looking at Galaxys I found the following:

 

- The electric window switch gear should be tested (all the windows including the quarter lights if they are electric).

- The black trim on the inside door handles in very prone to coming off. Perhaps scraped by rings or children with hammers.

- The two front storage bins can fail or be very sticky.

- Check the back/front bumpers for scrapes and bumps. The parking sensor is good but some people just can't drive.

- Check every button and switch, windscreen wipers, wash/wipe, radio, CD, etc etc.

- Check every seat is fully working including the behind chair shelves. I've seen these not working or even snapped off.

 

A good way to check the model version (trim level) is to look at the vanity mirrors. LX has mirror for passenger only, Zetec has 2 mirrors with covers and Ghia has 2 mirrors with covers and illumination.

 

Bear in mind that these cars are often used by families with children, and children bash and scrape things - thats life.

 

Good Luck.

Guest Jennyt
Posted

Hello - don't have a great deal of advice to give but would say that the Galaxy is much much better than the Alhambra - I have a Ford Galaxy and spent some time getting my head around the difference between the Alhambra and the Sharan and came to the conclusion that the Galaxy was far superior.

You buy the Ford reliability and interior perfection which the Seat and VW just can't compare to. I have three children and they virtually destroyed my Renault Espace - the Galaxy has stood up to some serious abuse and they love the Multimedia screens. Long journeys are heavenly for children and adults now - peace and quiet.

Good luck

J

Guest SA Intruder
Posted

And how is the Galaxy any different to the Alhambra or Sharan?

 

They are all built on the same line, by the same people, using the same materials.

 

My wife had a Galaxy, we have just ordered an Alhambra. Only reason - Seat VFM.

 

Only main differences can be Ford engine (ugh!) in 2.3 and Audio components (except speakers). And the analogue clock!

Guest mstraxs
Posted

got to say that I agree that the Galaxy is superior. Ours friends have the sharan and it just doesn't seem up to the same build quality and has less stansard options. I realise they were both built at the same factory in portugal but its really uncanny that the sharan doesn't stand up to the abuse as well.

 

Mark

Guest SA Intruder
Posted

Biggest problem with the VW Autoeuropa Palmela plant is it has had unpleasant Industrial Relations issues since it opened in 1995.

 

Your chances of having "assembly" problems are fairly equal. Ford has no prescence at Palmela since it sold its share of the plant wholly to VW last year. VW thus control the plant QMS.

 

The suppliers for the various plastics (for the interior) are the same, as are the seating, wiring, instrumentation, carpetry, etc etc. Most of the running gear is supplied pre-assembled into sub-assemblies from outside Portugal.

 

SAP controls the build; the vehicle is not "personalised" until is is fairly advanced on the track.

  • 1 month later...
Guest SA Intruder
Posted

See the attached part information sticker from my SEAT front seat.

 

Notice the alternative part numbers on the right for Ford and VW.

 

Same seat for all.

post-20-1049549054.jpg

Posted

ALL motoring journalists list the Seat as best VFM from new.

I'm a biased true believer, voted Seat with cash. No regrets.

Holds it's value a tad better s/h as a small bonus

Ford has no real MPV interest in Portugal see prev post.

Ford in house ICE supplier sold off too

The badge engineering is akin to the British Leyland days, Austin/Morris etc

Ford to build their own in house MPV in Belgium, soonish (alleg)

'We' to get a new 2.0 TDi eng in VW/Seat models next year (alleg)

If Ford was prosecuted for making MPVs there's little evidence to support, apart from badges or the least favoured 2.3 Ford engine. Most of it always VW sourced. Ford can't fully support V6 models!.

I buy VFM I can now get

  • 5 weeks later...
Guest steven.tunnicliffe@lineone.net
Posted
I'm more than happy with my 2.3 engine! It does for me.

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