topgazza

Concur completely. I went past the Skoda dealer in Basibgstoke this very morning and check the showroom. He had a new Octavia in the workshop for pre prep and he let me in to look at in. Very nice. He also had a new RS...fantastic and a Superb Elegance. I prefer the old model Passat still, feels roomier and more comfortable but that really is all down to personal taste and leg/arm length. Skoda stand on its own as a quality car, and I know people have had problems with them, but I suspect the vast majority don't. Its still my only real criticism of the C-Max. Its a terrific car but with a

Thats true. I sit in new Mercs and just want to get out. Skodas, like Audis are very well built but the interiors are quite harsh to look at and not very welcoming. You get used to it I know. I love dark austere interiors like the older VW s and if Ford could repeat that effect and quality not that quality is bad now, far from it, , they would sell even more cars IMO. I think the recent news of a redesigned EGR valve could well be the missing piece of the reliability/MPG perception jigsaw for the C-Max. I hope so anyway.

I have this image in my mind of several of the grumpy bears on this thread Mastertech on the loo ..and back at work on a C-MAX recall, note change of outfit Alun shows his education "is this a wrench or am I just pleased to see you" ..and cata offers to help Left over after Alun fixes boot switch.... In any case I see Mastertech as more of a Hamster rather than a monkey but thats just me. Jeez chill out guys, it could be worse you could own a French and Mastertech could be a Johnny Foreigner...

Driving a company car as a temp until they sort themselves out. A new (oldshape) Passat Highline Estate 1.9TDi 130 bhp. Leather, climate, in dash cd autochanger. Its superb...but I am pressing for a C-Max Ultima. Having said that the Passat is a step up in overall quality, but you pays your money etc etc. I do miss the sparkyness of the C-Max though but its a bit chalk and cheese with the Passat Vs C-Max

Good for you My Max has gone....for now...but I'm still hanging around anyways.....wheres that booing coming from? :x

VWs did indeed have the same problem with the MAF. Caused exactley the same symptoms as people report on their Max's. Hesitation, tendancy to stick at a certain rev level and no response to the throttle. Happened once to me and was replaced as an exchange unit for £25 (which warranty direct covered anyway). VW insist on sticking with their PD diesels on the basis of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Apart from the MAF everythoing else works like a Panzer tank. Less complicated engine seems to be the reason....

Thats true Alun of most stuff so i know what you mean. However i have had my B&O 5500 stack system for 13 years. Looks as good as it did when I bought it as if nothing else B&O style is always ageless, its never gone wrong and to this uneducated ear it still sounds great. I don't care whats inside as long as it works and looks good. They do get a bit hot so space is good.... Form above function? Certainly form, and boy do you pay a premium for that but it functions well, just like the Volvo....

Thats the thing. Like a lot of forums is is primarily intended as a place to ask for advice and help to solve a probem so it always seems skewed. I can only echo your thoughts TDCIGHIA with my terrific experience with my C-Max. It seems Ford are finally looking at re-egineering the EGR valve which seems to be at the heart of most problems that persist and cause most concerns. That has to be good news

Bang & Olufsen are owned by Philips but I'd always go for the B&O

I must admit the Volvo is a stunning car. Trouble is you can fall in love with its status and impressive appearence, which it has, and go all starry eyed over cost of running etc etc. Around town you'll be lucky to get 20 mpg and your wallet will empty in a different way than a higher up front cost, but it will empty. I guess it will depend on miles per annum and type of roads you will drive on. Just trying to be devils advocate, honest. Fact is as a car you will not be disappointed, they are fantastic. Spacious, comfortable, reliable......just pricey to run is all

Thats a good point. Although a 5-6 year old Volvo is barely run in. Even the petrol ones which I would avoid purely on cost of running. If you are determined to change then it has to be diesel and VW/Audi/Volvo. Whats the price Andy?

Can't agree with the "less well built" thats too subjective and impossible to prove. Although the materials in the new Passats do not look as sunstantial as teh old one and teh Skoda. I looked at a Skoda as a fleet car and was very impressed indeed. That sounds like a "new age" dealer Silver and a very impressive

Alfie. I tend to agree but then VW have a track record in fixing problems quickly and quietly....in most cases. Very few , if any, long running issues. The customer service is what lets Ford down as well. The cars are, in themselves fine, and my Zetec was absolutely superb and fault free...sorry Silver Beast didn't mean to rub it in.

Like Merc it shows in the new Passat interior. The loaner Passat I have is the "old" shape and is built like a Normandy bunker and is so quiet you can hear my daughter nits scratching their behinds from the back seat. Got yourself sorted?

Andy. I sold my 2000 1.9TDi Passat Sport Estate (115bhp) with 106k on the clock. It never let me down and for safety I guess it was much better than the earlier N reg. Good powerful engine and 55mpg on average..it sold for £5k. So I guess it depends on your budget

I used Warranty Direct on my wifes old Punto and the Passat I had before my C-Max. Once you undertsand the simple rules they are well worth the money. Two claims, one for the Punto starter motor, cost me £15 excess to repair and I got a loan car. MAF on the Passat, ditto excess and repaired in a day, including new CV boots. Skodas are fine for the majority, like Fords and I guess a lot of cras, as long as they're not French. I know one or too will disagree but for affordable high quality you can't beat a VW.

Not to betrusted. My Zetec used to say between 450 and 500 depending if I was facing south or North

Ok. My Zetyec wnet last Thursday and I confess genuine regret at watching it go. However I have driven a number of trial cars as part of the fleet options open to me. Some of the observations are what you would expect and I'll keep them brief. BMW 3 series 220D - expensive so tax is high.Very quick. Fantastic build quality but very small inside. Nah! Volvo V50 - Tad on the expensive side for what you get. Well built surprisingly good drive but for an estate not big. Good looking but too much tax. Mondeo Ghia X 2.0 TDCi Hatch- Overall very nice indeed. Bigger than most inside but qual

Don't play the innocent with us Nicky . "Buttery taste" Ah! Those scratch and sniff days........

He started it.......no wait..........I did!

Stuck one on the front of the car. not hit a deer since....they work

I used to know a girl like that....... :twisted:

My 2.0 was fine after 5k miles...I know you can never say never....

Nick Wells has NINE C-Maxs ???????

Seems some serious re engineering work has been done on th RGR. Could be a recognition of the many many faults/poor mpg related to this ? :idea: