Jump to content
Ford Galaxy Owners Club

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi all,

 

being an owner of galaxy 1,9Tdi since the last month only I am little bit disapointed to read here about faults and problems only.

 

Where are those who are driving an galaxy for a thousands miles without any problems?? Silent or really non-existing?

 

Or shall I belive that galaxy is indeed rubish, that the construction is so complicated that the car can not be reliable and always is something dying?

 

ventoux

Guest SA Intruder
Posted

The sort of things you tend to see on this Forum relate to problems. So what you see more of is precisely that - problems.

 

There are 10s of thousands of these vehicles around Europe. Most go on for many years and many thousands of miles without any major problems.

 

Most of the parts used come straight out of the VW parts bin. Engines, transmissions, Audio, electrics, Brakes etc are all used across the VW/AutoEuropa range of vehicles. Yes, and some Ford engines/'boxes/Audio!

 

There are some "stock" faults with these vehicles, as there are with any. They aren't perfect, and the JD Power survey (if you believe that sort of thing) doesn't rate them very highly, based on owner feedback. But neither does it rate some other very good and popular cars...

 

There are Forums (Fora?) on other makes and models of cars and motorcycles, and they also reflect "problems" or "queries" too. It is only because that's the sort of thing discussed. Few people discuss something that isn't a problem or concern.

 

I would not get too concerned about what you see here. The majority of the regulars on this Forum tend to be quite enthusiastic about these vehicles, and enjoy sharing their views and experiences with others. And it doesn't have to be always about problems....!

 

Enjoy.

Posted

In line; the main purpose of these forums seems to be for them few who have problems to get them resolved with help from others - hence the thread a few weeks ago "Galaxy running really well" or similar.

One of the main things to note on the requests for help is that most are obscure faults that neither the vehicle's owner or the so-called garage technicians can resolve. It appears that all mass-produced vehicles have some weak areas, and this forum draws attention tot hem too, by the nature that several people will unfortunately have suffered from the same, or similar, problems.

As SA Intruder says, when you consider how many tens of thousands of Galaxys/Sharans/Alhambras there are on the roads, this forum must only carry messages of problems from a very small percentage of owners.

As an example, I have had my second-hand Galaxy for nearly 3 months now, and although I had a problem with the airconditioning that took nearly a month to sort out, apart from that the vehicle is great.

 

So it's not all doom, gloom and tales of woe!

Posted

Just to say i fully agree with S A Intruder.........

 

I'd aslo like to say how much i enjoyed reading your article on 'chipping' (see May 8 2003, 07:58 PM), very informative and very interesting to boot.......!!!

Posted

Just to back up what SA Intruder and Ivor E Tower have said - The Galaxy is a great vehicle that is well styled and excellent to drive.

I'm currently in the United States - Home of the MPV!!!! and I can assure you that The Galaxy is truly one of the best looking MPV's, Has brilliant build quality and not that bad reliability.

I feel I can say this beacuse in the week and a half, I have had the chance to view a multitude of MPV's ranging from 3.0's to 5.3 Litres and try several of them. The US could certainly learn a lesson or two from the Galaxy/Sharan and Alhambra trio!!!

Posted

OK,

thank you to calm me down....

 

Is there any difference in terms of reliability of Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra trio?

 

Probably you will answer NO, because they are all built in the same factory line in

Portugal.

 

But seems to me that the most atractive for many is Sharan. Also the rating at parker's

( http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/car_revi...s.asp?family=mp )

is higher for Sharan.

Is the difference just in a badge, slight shapping of car body and interior details, having nothing with the reliability?

Or something more?

 

V.

Posted

The Sharan is higher priced and doesn't come with as much kit as standard according to the brochure. The VW badge is seen as more prestigious than Ford or Seat hence the price difference.

The Galaxy has been tweaked by Ford with some Ford parts i.e. vent grills, radio etc and the Galaxy has a different selection of engines but they are fundamentally all the same car. I believe that Ford have also tweaked the ride and handling on the Galaxy.

 

Howard

Posted

I wouldn't take Parker's comments or prices too seriously. Certainly in the UK the Galaxy outsells the Sharan and Alhambra. Currently there is a shortage of used, facelifted (post-2000) diesel versions of all 3 models and the prices being asked especially by dealers is well above the figures quoted in the trade guides.

There is also a big variation in the standard of equipment offered by Ford, VW and Seat - I believe that VW still charge extra for cruise control on their top-spec models whereas Ford and SEAT fit it as standard on their top spec models.

Reliability of all basic items and electrics should be the same for all 3 versions; engines differ for Ford, both pre- and post- facelift in 2000 as has already been told, so there will be some variation on mechanical reliability. (The 2-litre engine in early Galaxies is a Ford unit and differs from the 2 litre fitted to VW and Seat versions).

Interestingly the latest "What car" depreciation figures indicaet that after about 4 years, Sharan will be worth less than Galaxy - perhaps people perceive older VW's as being expensive to run and repair?

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest andley
Posted
hi there ventoux. really no need to worry about galaxy prob's. mines a 97 aspen nearly 85k on the clock and only thing gone wrong is the 'clock spring ' on airbag set-up. i get the feeling this is a 'normal'?? fault but at under 60 quid to fix inc' it aint worth fashing over. as for build i think the galaxy comes out better than the alhambra/ sharan. lovely car, good drive position etc .get out , drive it and forget the problems!
Posted

..and again, refer to the posting "Galaxy running really well" (or similar).

 

Since mine was serviced and the aircon fixed, it too is running really well - so much so, that now when stopped at traffic lights, I have to check the rev counter to make sure that the engine is still running! It's vibration-free and it's gone very quiet - even with aircon running and no noisy kids on board.

Guest SA Intruder
Posted
as for build i think the galaxy comes out better than the alhambra/ sharan.

This can happen how?

Posted

The build quality issue is an interesting one. Various surveys, reports and forums give different results from owners; some claim that Galaxy trim stands up better to wear and tear, others that VW trim stands up better. This is despite the fact that all are built in the same factory using largely the same parts! I take it that all the seat trim materials are the same. The dashboard mouldings are different on the upper dash, and I suppose that the door trim panels are largely the same.

I therefore wonder how some people claim that their trim is more durable - is it psychological or is it down to whether or not their kids/passengers kick the trim to death when travelling in the vehicle?

Posted

I'm in love with my Galaxy! Yes I've had a few issues with it, but it's by far the best all round car I've had.

 

I've had nippier cars but this one just eats the miles at cruising speed. The driving position and visibility is top, and the Ghia X has all the mod cons!

 

I'm a vintage Vee Dubber at weekends, so the Galaxy keeps my soul happy but with modern reliability and comfort!

 

<heave> I sound like a advert...

Posted

When I was looking for a Galaxy /Sharan last Autumn I had experience of a 2nd hand Sharan for 2 weeks.

I needed a new seat belt and a jack, both items from Volks were about 30% more expensive than Ident parts from Ford and could be obtained faster. Seat belt is a special order since it is an explosive device!! Pre-tensioners act upon accident to hold U tight.

I think this explained why the prices for 2/ 3 year old Sharans at auction were often lower than equivalent Galaxies. For other reasons the Sharan went back.

Since I subsequently found one can get bigger discounst on Galaxies than Sharans (Volkswagen/Audi were asking a premium on right hand drive cars in Europe at one time ,perhaps they still do)

With Ford they apply the same list price for Right or left hand drive for that country minus any discount of course.

Explains why there are so many imported Galaxies driving the new price down.

I bought a new Galaxy 1.9Tdi Ghia and it does everthing I want, with incredible fuel consumption for such a large vehicle. Well over 40 mpg on mixed driving, about the same as my 98 1.8TD Mondeo Ghia.

It also tows a very large caravan with ridiculous ease in comparison to my previous vehicles

(1) a 170bhp V6 Rover 15-18mpg when towing

(2) the Mondeo 88bhp 25-29mpg max 60mph.

The Galaxy manages similar consumption but journeys are much faster and safer(no sway when being overtaken) max 70+mph, :lol: in France of course.

Posted

However failure statistics do not sound encouragingly.

Have a look at http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk for instant. Yes, I know it is not recently updated. Reliability index of 134 means worse than average reliability.

About 61% failures are due to aircon!! TUV car reliability report in Germany includes trio Gal/Shar/Alh among less reliable cars too.

Well, the engine(s) is certainly well built. But some minor problems (MAF sensor, valves etc.) could cause serious troubles

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Latest reliability survey I saw says that Galaxy and Sharan have higher than normal warranty claims for aircon faults. Alhambra however had nothing of note reported for warranty claims (!).

Interesting also to find somewhere a Galaxy owner who had his for 7 years with no problems from the aircon system. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that my system behaves OK for 7 years too! (Will get it re-gassed every 2 years as a precaution I think).

Posted

I wonder if the reliability is any better or worse for the dual aircon systems. Not sure how different the mechanics would be. Knowing my luck, it just means there's twice as much to go wrong.

 

Howard

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest ANDY FITZGERALD
Posted

:angry: For future reference is anybody on the forum from BIRMINGHAM UK.

I want to get together a list of the best garages and specialist air-con people, that people have had experience with. I am currently waiting for my 1.9L TDi to go back in to have the Air-Con/Main Blower fixed. However, the garage is not my choosing, but the dealer who I had the vehicle off uses them. (Under S/Hand Warranty) He is confident he can fix it in one day (This Friday) I hope he is as good as his prediction, he has had the vehicle briefly to diagnose the fault on tuesday morning, so we will see how he fairs.

 

Andy

  • 3 weeks later...
Guest ANDY FITZGERALD
Posted
:lol: ALL CARS HAVE THEIR FAULTS...NOTHINGS PERFECT...PERFECTION COSTS BIG MONEY...!!
Posted

From past experience....best way to ensure you don't get problems with the aircon system is......

 

 

LEAVE IT SWITCHED ON

 

OK, not really an option for those of you with the manaul aircon (frostbite city!) but I leave my dual auto on all the time.

 

I don't notice any difference in fuel consumption/performance with it on compared to off, according to the 'puter.

 

I've had several Focii/Focuses in the past...believe me, it's not only they Galaxy that suffers from aircon trouble!!!

Guest JIMSTDI
Posted

i would of thought that the load that the air takes up on a 12v system is the same ,be it dual c/c //or manual air con

 

i must say when my gal gets stuck in traffic when :lol: ,or i get caught at the lights etc when :)

 

i do turn off power loads i dont need on,why waste more fuel then one needs to

 

 

james

Guest JIMSTDI
Posted

i would of thought that the load that the air takes up on a 12v system is the same ,be it dual c/c //or manual air con

 

i must say when my gal gets stuck in traffic when :lol: ,or i get caught at the lights etc when :)

 

i do turn off power loads i dont need on,why waste more fuel then one needs to

 

 

james

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...