Ford S Max

[Buzz]

Test drove the S Max Bad

• Pricing 118K COE at 18K, OMV at 29K, RM margins is 30K
• Some bits are really plasticky e.g. side mirrors control, grab handle for rear most seat can cut your hand as you unfold it
• 2.3L not the T5
• No spare tire??

Good

• Handling, poise very good in the wet and body roll well controlled (test route North Bouna Vista road)
• Power from 2.3 seems to be sufficient especially from pull
• Gear box responsive, down shifts readily
• Seats very comfy
• Center and rear row are individual seats
• Center row can slide forward and back for more last row space
• Center and rear row folding very easy, will form flat floor
• Titanium trim loads of kit, e.g. bi xenon, adpative headlight, auto wiper, auto lights, moon roof
• extra vents for center row

In short a compelling vehicle to buy if not for the pricing.

[Eacs]

Think price more cater to Ang Mo...............

[Jimhow]

rented a diesel 1 during my stint in france.

inside was very big with moonroof. dials and trims was good wif auto headlight(dont know if spore 1 have) overall handling was very good for a

huge car.

 

downside was parking where there the car was wide and long veri difficult to pack in those small parking lot

[Magfocus]

Good to know that the 2.3 has sufficient power to pull the Smax, shld be good for the Mondeo then

[Buzz]

This Titanium edition has front and rear sensors as std so should take care of the tight parking situations and yes it has auto lights as well.

[Buzz]

Best should be the TDI or the 2.5T

[Magfocus]

Unlikely to come in, so at least good to know the 2.3 shld be sufficiently powerrful to move the Mondeo

[Buzz]

Yup still think it will be a great long distance cruiser but FC will sucks in local conditions.

[Pampers]

Just traded my FORD Focus for the new S Max......

It took me a long time to decide on the S Max over the other MPVs

The S Max is one with good performance and handling plus it is a very safe car. Fuel efficiency will not be good, but thats to make up for the weight of the car.

 

Will be collecting in a week's time.... wish me all the best

[Alfpoon]

How's your S-Max so far? what kind of FC are you getting? what's your driving pattern?

[Silver_blade]

Agree with your assessment. I would have bought it if not for the price. I don't mind paying the list price, but I feel the mark-up (+around 27%) is too much for a ford (run-of-the-mill Cat). i was quoted $108k (after $10k discount; Champion League promotion). I think a mark-up of around 15%-18% would be reasonable.

[Route88]

Pricey

[Route88]

The transmission does help,power wise shud be equivalant to Grandis or ODC

[Relagsingh]

IMO its seriously overpriced.

 

well... if the buyer is willing to commit and willing to drive it for many years, they can disregard the low paper value.

Edited July 10, 2008 by Relagsingh

[Magfocus]

Probably the tuning of the engine for more torque at usable levels

[Route88]

Must see the dyno chart

[Miles]

most conti cars usually ask for $20k margin... which i think is reasonable.

but at $118k, its about $35k margin. distributor is being greedy.

 

2.3L petrol will be the only model coming in because it is the only model matted with auto trans.

Same for Mondeo.

Unless they bring in the 2.0 TDCi with the new Powershift (dual clutch) trans.

 

FC will be around 7km/L ... lucky if can get 8km/L.

 

I am still very puzzled why Regent brought in Ghia spec Mondeo instead of Titanium. Because Ghia and Titanium is essentially same spec, except Ghia is wood trim, whereas Titanium is aluminium trim.

 

The top of the range is Titanium X ... which will not come in because it will cost about the price of basic 320i.

[Magfocus]

So who is gonna send the Smax to a dyno?