Ford S Max

[paddyc]

Hey guys

Looking at possibly getting a used version of the ford smax, budget not much about 3500. Mostly diesel versions on ebay, autotrader which you can get on a 07ish plate with high miles. Running costs seem similar, so not sure whether to get the petrol or diesel. Some problems with dpf on the diesel and wary of cambelt failure as well, so leaning towards petrol but not any about on my budget.
Read various reviews and mostly positive.I think as long as it been well serviced and in good nick I may get something decent.

Any owners previous or current that can advise on these or any other similar mpv vehicles which have had good experience with I would appreciate.

cheers

 

[SaintHacker]

I've got a 56 plate 2 litre petrol, and I love it. MPG isn't brilliant round town but on a run you can get low 40s if your careful with it. There's a few common faults with them, as there is with all cars, have a look on http://www.smaxownersclub.com/forum/forum.php or the TalkFord website for tons of info.

 

[gregers]

recently got rid of mine,twas an 08 tdi non dpf.i was 2nd owner and bought it when it was 3 years old and as i drove it home it clocked up 100k.bought it for 8k and sold it to a dealer for just under 4k after 5 years it had 124k when it went.didnt really warrant a tdi but they do hold there value better then the petrol versions.
cam belt needs to be done at 125k or 10 years.they are great cars with lots of toys.mine was a titanium.if your budget wont stretch to a smax,take a look at the mk2 galaxy.tdi versions are really vw's.if you do get 1 ive got a few bits you might want to buy off me?

 

[User62651]

I had a brand new one on lease for a few months back around 2009/10, I really liked it, the driving position 'up front' was a newish thing for me then, having had a mondeo estate immediately beforehand, the driving visibility with the large windcreen was great, I'd a diesel 2.0 litre I think, recall it had ample power and some poke. Nice quiet drive too. Would have been happy to keep it but moved jobs and with that went the leasing deal.
Only downside was the load carrying, I thought it would beat the Mondeo estate easy but it didn't, all the extra space seemed to be in height/headroom rather than load space so for me the Mondeo estate was a better load carrier, SMax had the extra seats of course if wanted.