Didn't want to go off at a tangent on the other S-Max thread.
I drove an FRV (2.2 diesel) 6 adults up last night. Pretty impressive, and a very reasonable indicated 43MPG on 100 mile A road route - car had done 300 miles - for all those people with consumption issues on Accord.
However it did feel a bit like I was driving a Transit minibus. Engine a lot noisier than in Accord, and very soft suspension (better when fully loaded than when I was on my own). I drove the Sport model, but that a trim difference only, the suspension is the same (and same size wheels/tyres).
I think an auto one would work well, but of course Honda don't do diesel auto's.
Has anybody driven both cars? i also wonder if the S-Max would cope with 6 adults for an hours journey?
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Has anybody driven both cars?
Test Drive Magazine have. July 06 edition.
They prefered the S Max, and reckoned that passengers would prefer it on a journey.
If you've not seen it, and would like any more info about the article, just ask.
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Hi Tyro,
I am have just started looking at these 2 cars also, and discovered your post of some months ago...
I can't find the article you refer to - on the off-chance that you see this, can you remember what other useful points it made?
Many thanks!
\"Archie\"
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Archie
Sorry for not replying. I've been away for a couple of weeks.
Basically, they felt that the S-Max didn't have any real disadvantages other than its sheer size / bulk / weight and hence fuel economy, and that it had the best handling, seating system, and practicality.
Re the FRV, they didn't like the handbrake lever ("the slide-out handbrake lever is a pain. We found ourselves inclined to hold the car on the clutch when pausing on steep hills, rather than tackling the handbrake.") They also felt there could be a visibility problem with a passenger in the middle seat ("The middle pasenger caused a big blind spot when you're looking over your shoulder to change lane. The rest of the FR-Vs visibility is fine.") They felt the steering was light and lacked feedback.
Positively, the FR-V had the most comfortable ride, and also spoke highly of its excellent build quality, and reckoned it would cost less to run.
They were testing the 2.0 TDCi engine in the ford agaisnt the CTDi in the Honda, and felt that the Honda engine was possibly better than the Ford's but not by much.
Hope this helps.
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I think an auto one would work well, but of course Honda don't do diesel auto's.
A manufacturer that does not offer such a combination (diesel + auto) is a stupid one, if you ask me...
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Free enterprise is the basis of western economy.
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Don't you buy a diesel for economy though? Wouldn't an autbox negate the savings?
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Don't you buy a diesel for economy though? Wouldn't an autbox negate the savings?
Diesel auto's (using 'conventional' auto boxes) can be pretty poor on economy around town, but there shouldn't be much difference (if any) when cruising.
In fact, most auto boxes lock-up when cruising so there are no torque convertor losses, and they can often pull higher gear (especially final drive) ratios than manuals so they're revving slower at any given (crusing) speed.
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The automatic S-Max is not available until 2007 is it? So neither car at the moment can be purchased with an auto.
Now the 2.5 turbo engine from the Focus ST would be a nice choice. But then I read in Autoexpress the next Mondeo ST will have a 3.2 litre straight 6 turbo. So maybe this engine will end up in the S-Max too. The engine is the Volvo designed SI6 (straight inline six) going into the S80... it's short because it fits transversely in the engine bay and is only a few mm longer than the straight 5 from Volvo.
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rtj70 posted: ..engine stuff..(petrol)
The engine I'd like to see in it is the Ford 2.7 V6 diesel. And there's an auto that goes with that. But does it fit into the S-Max?
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Basically, they felt that the S-Max didn't have any real disadvantages other than its sheer size / bulk / weight and hence fuel economy, and that it had the best handling, seating system, and practicality.
In Technical Matter there's a thread going on with recurring engine and trim problems on S-Max.
The last thing I need is a car that's back and to the dealer every 5 mins (especially with the useless Ford dealers around here).
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A 54 litre tank of diesel last night got me 37.9 mpg from my Accord.
Not impressed. That was one up on the motorway for 70% of the tank. The rest was 2 up on A and B roads.
I expected better, much better. It's lovely to drive, but fuel economy approaches being a joke.
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my Smax 2.0 tdci returned 52.3mpg on a trip down from Scotland with 2 adults 2 kids dog and luggage. Very impressed no probs so far(fingers crossed).
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A 54 litre tank of diesel last night got me 37.9 mpg from my Accord.
!!!!!!!!!
Gordon, do you mind my asking what speeds that was at? I've taken mine on a couple of 300 mile trips lately, mostly motorway with some A-road and round town stuff thrown in, with 3/4 large people in the car, and I've got 51/52 out of it, brim to brim. Admittedly I didn't often exceed an indicated 80mph, but even so that's a colossal difference! Normal short distance commuting (with lots of 1st and 2nd gear work) yields about 43/44.
Toby
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Had some problems with the S-Max I've been driving for almost a week...
1) right rear light - sometimes only half of it is working
img225.imageshack.us/img225/7836/aoy6.jpg
2) rattles comig from one of the tweeters, very intermittent
img225.imageshack.us/img225/2170/dqv2.jpg
Apart from that, nice car, albeit I find the TDCi diesel almost as noisy as VAG's humble TDI.
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Free enterprise is the basis of western economy.
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Try bose noise cancelling head phones when driving TDI's and TDCi's.
They are great.
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