The 1.6TDCi is a much better engine than the 1.8 TDCi. I'd have preferred a 1.6 in my C-Max, but ended up with the 1.8. The engine is much rougher and noisier than the 1.6, and is less fuel efficient. The cast iron engine block means it takes a long while to warm up, and makes it a heavier car.
On the plus side it's a (marginally) simpler engine, being based on the older TDi - allegedly the 1.8's are more reliable. It has 20% more power in the mid-range than the 1.6. It's an effortless motorway cruiser, and handles steep hills easily. My car is also fortunate not to have a DPF, so that's one less thing to worry about.
My C-Max struggles to get even 30mpg around town (though I live in a hilly area which does affect the economy). Can get up to 65mpg on long motorway runs if you keep it below 60.
If I had the money I'd have no hesitation in buying another one. I love the amount of legroom, and the high driving position is extremely comfortable even on long trips. Next time I'd go for the 2.0 TDCi for extra oomph if possible, or the 1.6TDCi otherwise.
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If he likes it and it has been trouble-free, why doesn't he just hang on to it?
More than once I've heard stories about people who loved their car, decided to replace it with another of the same model, only to find that the replacement was not nearly as satisfactory as the one they got rid of.
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Thanks for the advice. I'm going to look at the Kia options as dad has a very good friend who is a main Kia dealer - hadn't even thought about that!
He wants to change as he gets concerned about maintenance costs as the miles pile on. He's never kept a car to this mileage before (usually P Ex'd at 70k ish) and is getting twitchy about the clutch, even though I've told him it could last another 30k. I know what you mean though tyro - I don't want him to get a Friday afternoon one!
Maybe I'll be able to pursuade him to keep it another couple of years...
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Nomag,id keep this car 4 a for at least another 2 years.Worried about the clutch,get your local recommended indie to check & advise.Not a great fan of the tdcis,mostly in my game they are not up to the job,but for private motorway miles i think youll easily do another 36k in 2 years,keep your dosh in your pocket or your dads,better the devil you know,as the saying goes
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taxi iom,
I'd be interested to know what diesel engines are up to the job? Do taxi drivers rely on word of mouth or is there information circulated around in, say a trade publication, that acts as a reference of some sort?
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The 1.6TDCi is a much better engine than the 1.8 TDCi. I'd have preferred a 1.6 in my C-Max but ended up with the 1.8. The engine is much rougher and noisier than the 1.6 and is less fuel efficient. >>
I have driven the 1.6 in a C-Max and the 1.8 in a Focus and found the 1.8 just as refined and more punchy. The 2.0 is better again in both respects though.
The C4 Picasso is a great car though I found the 1.6d less refined than in a C-Max, could have been the particular car though.
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The latest C-Max in Titanium spec (nice wheels) looks great IMO.
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I'll add another vote to the keep the old car campaign.
That sort of mileage is nothing for a modern car, and as your dad has got it this far without spending much, he seems to look after them. Even allowing for a possible clutch/DMF replacement, he's still quids in.
There doesn't seem much point in swapping for another C-Max, possibly with the 1.8 (yet another modified Lynx) engine.
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Financially, the 'keep it' argument makes perfect sense.
But finance is (although essential) not the only consideration. I suspect that Nomag Senior wants a new, or newer, car and can afford it: in particular they don't want to be let down by an ageing car with nonagenarian Granny in the back.
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What about the Honda Jazz, good boot space and Jap reliability.
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Avant's hit the nail on the head....I have tried to convince dad to keep the car but he is distinctly twitchy about ongoing reliability. However, in the absence of suitable 1.6s I think he will wait a few more months. I looked at the Kia Carens but it's not as well packaged as the C-Max, and the Jazz is too small (boot wise) for him.
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