Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

General => Chatter => Topic started by: Head Womble on October 09, 2014, 10:56:38 PM

Title: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 09, 2014, 10:56:38 PM
Well it was time to change SWMBO's car as the 406 is to low for her and her bad knees.

So today I put a deposit on a 2000 Ford Galaxy 1.9 110 (non PD) auto Zetec, 112K. pick it up on saturday.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: oakwoodtv on October 09, 2014, 11:16:47 PM
That's the problem with most cars now the driving position means your feet are only
six inches lower than your bum.

And if you have to get in when its parked next to the curb you have to be a contortionist.   
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: julesandtash on October 10, 2014, 09:30:13 AM
I thought she may have stolen the Disco off of you and it was you who was looking for a new car  :)
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 10, 2014, 09:13:32 PM
I thought she may have stolen the Disco off of you and it was you who was looking for a new car  :)

Na, the disco's just a little too high for her, and with the seats up the boot is too small for all three dogs.

Plus we've gone for an auto as it's less stress on her knees.

Have you ever tried looking for a reasonably fuel efficient diesel auto with high seating position and a large boot for less than £1500, not a lot out there believe me.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: greasemonkey on October 10, 2014, 10:20:26 PM
I've got a dodgy ankle, from bending the handlebars on a motorbike with it, as I ejected.
Peugeot clutches are a pig. The clutch pedal is small, and it's impossible to get the whole foot on it, just the toes, where it causes most stress. I often change gear in a car without the clutch.
As you say, a bigger vehicle, with a higher seat is so much better.
I guess it's different with knees. I've sometimes thought about putting an extension on the clutch pedal.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: rbdazza on October 11, 2014, 08:29:01 AM
Automatics are the way forward. Both our cars are autos. Firstly because swmbo couldn't pass her test in a manual.. However I think id struggle to go back now. Fuel consumption is annoying though
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: bertle on October 11, 2014, 08:53:15 AM
My caddy van is a 1.6 tdi with a 7 speed dsg which is superb, after being an auto sceptic I am suprised how much I like it, swmbo also likes it so we have bought an Altea with the same engine and box.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: julesandtash on October 11, 2014, 10:07:39 AM
Have you ever tried looking for a reasonably fuel efficient diesel auto with high seating position and a large boot for less than £1500, not a lot out there believe me.

My RangeRover would have scored quite highly on most of those points, especially as access mode on the air suspension makes it easy to get in and out of - even Tash's mother who is registered disabled found it OK but, then you mentioned fuel consumption !!!

The Rangie makes a Discovery look positively frugal in the fuel department
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: oakwoodtv on October 11, 2014, 10:11:59 AM
Automatics are the way forward.

You cannot beat four on the floor.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Manfred on October 11, 2014, 02:17:11 PM
Have you ever tried looking for a reasonably fuel efficient diesel auto with high seating position and a large boot for less than £1500, not a lot out there believe me.

My RangeRover would have scored quite highly on most of those points, especially as access mode on the air suspension makes it easy to get in and out of - even Tash's mother who is registered disabled found it OK but, then you mentioned fuel consumption !!!

The Rangie makes a Discovery look positively frugal in the fuel department


     RangeRover's and fuel consumption go hand in hand. My TD5  is a lot better but in winter just put in what it needs and forget about the miles it hasn't done since last top up. It's an Auto also.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Manfred on October 11, 2014, 02:21:45 PM
I fancied a galaxy myself when we got the Landy as the Ghia has a cab heater fitted so toasty in winter for the school run. What are the 1.9 engines like with bio ?
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 12, 2014, 07:57:48 PM
I fancied a galaxy myself when we got the Landy as the Ghia has a cab heater fitted so toasty in winter for the school run. What are the 1.9 engines like with bio ?

Mine is a Zetec and has the cabin heater, not sure yet if it's lecy or a diesel burner.

Plenty run the 1.9TDI on bio (some on veg), don't forget it's a VAG under that Ford badge.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 12, 2014, 08:00:37 PM
Have you ever tried looking for a reasonably fuel efficient diesel auto with high seating position and a large boot for less than £1500, not a lot out there believe me.

My RangeRover would have scored quite highly on most of those points, especially as access mode on the air suspension makes it easy to get in and out of - even Tash's mother who is registered disabled found it OK but, then you mentioned fuel consumption !!!

The Rangie makes a Discovery look positively frugal in the fuel department

I found out today that it has captain seats that swivel and make it even easier to get in and out of.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Manfred on October 12, 2014, 11:15:27 PM
Thanks for that. I didn't know ford fitted VAG units.  Nice with the captains chairs also. 
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 13, 2014, 08:06:22 PM
Thanks for that. I didn't know ford fitted VAG units.  Nice with the captains chairs also.

The VW Sharran, Ford Galaxy and Seat Alhambra are all the same car underneath, built with VAG parts.

Ford 2,0L diesel units are PSA engines with Delphi fuel systems (far inferior to the Bosch/Siemens systems PSA use).

The 1.6L diesel is a joint effort between PSA and Ford and is used in many cars including the BMW mini.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Tony on October 14, 2014, 10:29:42 AM
We peered at the Sharran/Galaxy/Alhambra combo after the Delica.  But we like being able to see over other traffic which is why we picked the Largo instead.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: 1958steveflying on October 14, 2014, 10:46:19 AM
Great choice of motor.. I have had a Sharan and 2 Galaxys, breaking one of the Galaxy's atm. all 110's but manual's. The Sharan is still going strong with another member on here and was offered for sale over on VOD a long while back. On my present Galaxy I have a TDI Tuning box (not the cheap ones on Eblag) which makes an awesome difference to performance and fuel consumption. (I have a spare from the one I am breaking if you are interested at a good price!)
 
They are all fitted with the Eberspacher D3wz or the D5wz aux heaters on later models, mounted N/S rear in front of the rear wheel right by the rear cabin heater unit. Very rarely do they work though.

 
They are meant to work when the ambient temperature is below 7c (temp sensor fitted by the wiper linkage on the N/S) and the when the engine is below 75c (picked up from the ecu via the engine temp sensor)  It will only work when both of these criteria are met !

  The most common fault are the wires to the units dosing pump which is mounted on the O/S in front of the fuel tank, they corrode off the end of the pump.
The pumps that are fitted are not Bio proof ! ! The other likely issue can be the glow plug or its mesh cover. Also due to where they are mounted and the rare instances they are required the units burner fan can seize which shuts the unit off on initial self test !

   The most common problem with the 1.9Tdi engine is number 3 injector which has a sensor wire fitted to it which senses the injection point and adjusts the timing on the fly by wire IP. I couldn't find fault with anything else about the car.

   When I bought my first Galaxy (after the Sharan) my research did steer me away from the early auto 4 speed boxes as they appeared to be a weak one so I hope you don't have problems with that, having said that the manuals suffer from a weak clutch prone to slipping especially with the tuning box fitted so swings and roundabouts between the manual and auto's problems.

   I would buy one again at the drop of a hat they are just the best car I have owned.

   I hope your relationship with yours is as long and happy as mine has been bud.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 14, 2014, 11:14:03 PM
Thanks for that info Steve.
I was aware of the weak auto box but this one seems fine (at the moment).

Tell me more about the tuning box.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: 1958steveflying on October 15, 2014, 11:41:50 AM
Its this tuning box bud.
 http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/car_and_van_diesel_tuning_boxes/ford/galaxy/19_tdi_108_bhp__110_ps__81_kw/td_diesel_tuning_box_ford_galaxy_19_tdi_108_bhp_110_ps_81_kw_P341.html (http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/car_and_van_diesel_tuning_boxes/ford/galaxy/19_tdi_108_bhp__110_ps__81_kw/td_diesel_tuning_box_ford_galaxy_19_tdi_108_bhp_110_ps_81_kw_P341.html)

Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 15, 2014, 09:37:54 PM
Its this tuning box bud.
 http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/car_and_van_diesel_tuning_boxes/ford/galaxy/19_tdi_108_bhp__110_ps__81_kw/td_diesel_tuning_box_ford_galaxy_19_tdi_108_bhp_110_ps_81_kw_P341.html (http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/car_and_van_diesel_tuning_boxes/ford/galaxy/19_tdi_108_bhp__110_ps__81_kw/td_diesel_tuning_box_ford_galaxy_19_tdi_108_bhp_110_ps_81_kw_P341.html)

You have a PM
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: GedsJeep on October 16, 2014, 12:27:26 AM


Have you ever tried looking for a reasonably fuel efficient diesel auto with high seating position and a large boot for less than £1500, not a lot out there believe me.

rexton.....
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 16, 2014, 09:31:58 PM
The Galaxy may not win many prizes for good looks, but would win hands against a fugly Rexton.

I'd also have a good bet it's cheaper to run.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: GedsJeep on October 16, 2014, 09:57:09 PM
it the galaxy an oil burner then?
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: Head Womble on October 16, 2014, 10:36:48 PM
Yes, but I run it on bio, or will do when I get the next batch going.
Title: Re: Time for a change
Post by: GedsJeep on October 16, 2014, 10:59:48 PM
then running costs will be roughly the same then.

33-36 on anything runny enough that goes down the lines, minus the price of electricity, meth, caustic, little breakable glass tubes, bottles of wine, strange contraptions.....