Ford C-Max - Petrol or Diesel

darren_5

Hi all,

We have 'more a less' decided on a Ford C-Max. However, we are undecided between a diesel or petrol.

We currently have a diesel Renault Scenic.

It will be used to go back and for to family, maybe once a month 100 mile journey.

It will also be used daily arond town and on say 20-30 mile trips for my work a few days a week.

Which goes wrong more often? Which should i get?

Ive seen this labelled as 'grandad car' im 30

bigjl

You need to be a bit more specific.

Old shape or new shape for a start.

Either way the 2.0tdci is a strong engine.

I haven't heard of many DPF issues on the Galaxy with the 2.0tdci engine.

Old shape will be available without a DPF the new one won't.

The biggest issue with DPF equipped diesels is people not using them in a way that allows them to Regen, or continually switching off when half way through a Regen or ignoring the initial DPF light when it requests you to talent for a Regen run.

I think the 1.6 diesels have Eloys additive but I can't confirm that as true you would need to check.

The 1.6 diesel is not very tolerant to minimal maintenance, even the manufacturers interval is too long for some usages.

If mileage is low then a 1.6 or 1.8 petrol engine will likely do the job with alightly higher fuel costs.

If you are buying new they probably do the 1.0 Ecoboost in the C Max which might make a good compromise between economy and not having a DPF.

darren_5

Its the new shape C-Max 62 plate.

Its the 1.6 engine we are looking at.

darren_5

Also should say im looking at around 8k with low mileage

Seen some diesels with 40k on and petrols with 30k

Marktheshark

The 1.6 tdci is the ancient lump used in French offerings as far as I know, it is not a reliable lump.

bigjl

Marktheshark wrote: »

The 1.6 tdci is the ancient lump used in French offerings as far as I know, it is not a reliable lump.

Since when is the 1.6tdci engine an ancient engine?

Do you think the 1.6 used in Volvos is a better bet?

Robisere

I have had a 2.0 ltr diesel turbo for over 2 years now and I love it. "Granddad car"? Yes, I am a granddad, but at 71 I have been driving for many years and I have driven many different cars, plus been an amateur Rally Driver. I have had all the fast cars, but this is my all-time favourite and I will have another one next year.

I live in a rural area of Lincolnshire and I drive various distances, probably averaging around 250 miles a week. I am on permanent Granddad Taxi duty - today I took my youngest gdaughter out all day, maybe 110 miles in total. The 2.0 Tdi C-Max is a good combination of comfort and pace: I live on the edge of the Wolds and there is a long, steep hill to get up to the local bypass - the car sails up and once I just tried to see how fast it would take the hill. At 80 it was still pulling, with no apparent effort. It has 146 BHP; the new model has 150.

Your decision may be based upon how many regular passengers. I have taken 4 with me in my 5-seat, but there is a Grand C-Max which has 7 seats. Just one tip: I use Shell V-power diesel, it's more expensive but also more economical and the engine runs as smooth as treacle. It is hard to tell that there is a diesel engine under the bonnet when travelling.

bigjl

What do you consider ancient in automotive engineering terms?

5 years?

10 years?

20 years?

The 1.9 XUD is an ancient design. As is the 1.8 Duratorq as its derived from the old Endura lump from the 80's.

But the 1.6 tdci/HDi engine?

BeenThroughItAll

bigjl wrote: »

What do you consider ancient in automotive engineering terms?

5 years?

10 years?

20 years?

The 1.9 XUD is an ancient design. As is the 1.8 Duratorq as its derived from the old Endura lump from the 80's.

But the 1.6 tdci/HDi engine?

Which was, IIRC, introduced in 2003-2004.

darren_5

So what were we thinking

Petrol v Diesel - i'll be doing around 13k a year

mchale

darren_5 wrote: »

with low mileage

I'd go for petrol with low mileage, sorry to clarify with the mileage your doing a year, I'd go for petrol.