FORD S-MAX MPV REVIEW

My car

I have had an S-Max as a company car for the last 2 years and whilst its quick, roomy, well equipped and comfortable there have been a couple of quite severe mechanical faults. Fuel consumption (even though its a diesel) is a disapointing 40MPG and is comparable with my Bosses Jaguar XF.

After 12 months the break servo return cylinder had a fault and (usually when starting in the morning) intermittently I had no breaks - the break pedal was solid - most disconcerting! This week (10 months later) I have experienced a clunk from the steering and the steering rack has now gone so the car is off the road for a week as spares are hard to come by and have to be ordered by Ford.

Irritatingly the car also has no spare wheel, just a pump and a pot of gunk to inject to get you out of trouble. Recently I used this as I had a puncture. It got me to the garage but the tyre was scrapped, the tyres are a non-standard size and had to be ordered so I was effectively marrooned from going to work due to a puncture! Oh yes, the replacement pot of gunk to fill the tyre in case of a puncture is also a costly £40.00 from Ford.

Despite the recession Ford has raised prices of all of its vehicles and the S-Max I have is now in the region of 23.5k with that in mind and the problems experienced...I can get a Freelander 2 for less money...so Ford wont be getting my business for my next car.

My car

Bought the S-Max just over a year ago with 100 miles on clock and have since done 13,000 - it replaced a Touran 1.9TDi.

The LX spec despite being the basic one is perfectly satisfactory - in fact I dislike the Zetec wheels and interior trim. Ours came with optional Panoramic Roof and Blue tooth.

Early realiablity was poor with several electrical faults - ABS/Traction Control, Alarm, interior lighting and heated screen and I understand that this is not unuaual on cars that have been left standing for a while. All were fixed under warranty and its been fine ever since.

Space and practicality are superb, although its a bit big in Multi Storey parks ( parking sensors are a must) and shopping drops out of the boot when you open it as theres no lip. Apart from this and the woeful air con (again not uncommon I understand) everything else is pretty much perfect.

The car is an excellent cruiser, very refind, though the 1.8TDCi engine needs frequesnt use of the (excellent) gear bos to keep it on the boil.

Running costs have been okay with 41mpg, servicing at £125, only gripe is the front tyres needed replacing at 10,000 and the rears are well over half worn.

Despite the early reliability problems I would definately buy another ( the facelift version due spring 2010 though has questionable looks but some really interesting engine/gearbox combinations), but at the moment looks like I will hang onto it for another couple of years.

My car

I have just swopped my 2.0 titanium aut for a 2.2 titanium as I tow a caravan which I have just changed to a heaver model. I now tow up to 1600kgs,with no problems at all, the weight of the car is enough to hold my van steady. The power of the car is more than enough to maintain the legal speed limit on motorways. Fuel is good for towing such a heavy van averaging over 35mpg towing, solo around 48mpg on a run. My first S-Max was trouble free for 30000 mixed towing and solo. With the seats down it becomes a lorry with enough space for all our camping gear and small westie.I do miss the auto box but the 2.2 only comes in manual.For my hobby of caravanning I have yet to find a car that ticks all the boxes like the S-Max.

My car

Having owned previously a BMW 530d, I am really impressed on how this car handles. I do love also the space and practicality; the extra 2 seats are very clever and will do the job (for kids) even on longer journeys. However, the reliabaility is really poor; it has been 6 weeks now that my car is at the dealer's due to engine failure! An this after only 16.000 miles! And I still do not know when I am getting it back... Not to mention all the minor problems that do not keep you off the road, but do contribute to an overall negative impression over the car's quality. I must sadly admit that this is my first and last Ford for sure.