Ford S-max 1.5 ecoboost

creedp

Does anybody drive a Ford s-max 1.5 ecoboost and wish to share experiences regarding fuel consumption, tyre wear, reliability, adequate power, etc. I'm looking at replacing a diesel and was automatically considering diesel again but my annual mileage is relatively low - less that 20k kms and I just wondering if the ecoboost would be a feasible option?

colm_mcm

It’s not just about your annual mileage, but the types of journeys that make up that mileage.
Diesel is still very much the go-to for larger MPVs. Not saying it’s the right choice for you but it’s the standard.

creedp

colm_mcm wrote: »

It’s not just about your annual mileage, but the types of journeys that make up that mileage.
Diesel is still very much the go-to for larger MPVs. Not saying it’s the right choice for you but it’s the standard.

Thanks and I agree. Currently much of the mileage on the S-Max involves longer journeys with 6 occupants and often significant luggage. However, this may not always be the case and I intend keeping this car for number of years

colm_mcm

I guess the petrol is more future-proof in that respect, if you foresee your driving to be repeated short hops with no relief in terms of longer journeys then a diesel is not suited.
In that case, would a large MPV even be a requirement in a few years time if your travel was to change?

creedp

colm_mcm wrote: »

I guess the petrol is more future-proof in that respect, if you foresee your driving to be repeated short hops with no relief in terms of longer journeys then a diesel is not suited.
In that case, would a large MPV even be a requirement in a few years time if your travel was to change?

I currently have a Leaf for the short haul stuff where not all of us are travelling. 7 seater currently needed as I have 4 kids but obviously in a few years 1 or 2 may have flown the coup (possibly wishful thinking!!). Some of my long haul stuff relates to travelling 'home' which is a 700km round trip and that will continue unless there is a family bust up!!

I was looking up the real consumption figures and the 2L diesel is coming in around 41.9mpg compared to 31.1mpg for the 1.5 ecoboost and at 20k km per year and current pricing the diesel would cost approx. €1,200 less a year

beauf

You also have to factor if there is a difference in price, resale, and servicing..

colm_mcm

My gut feeling is that you should get the diesel.

Casati

I dont think the 1.5 was sold here so you'll be importing and likely the VRT will be prohibitive on them- the annual tax will be high too - I think 570 a year approx versus 270 for the diesel. This isnt huge but it will ruin the resale value

I'd defo buy the diesel for your type of driving anyway unless of course you have been offered a petrol at lot cheaper than a diesel

creedp

Casati wrote: »

I dont think the 1.5 was sold here so you'll be importing and likely the VRT will be prohibitive on them- the annual tax will be high too - I think 570 a year approx versus 270 for the diesel. This isnt huge but it will ruin the resale value

I'd defo buy the diesel for your type of driving anyway unless of course you have been offered a petrol at lot cheaper than a diesel

That's what I'm paying now for an 08 diesel so not a massive issue of itself. However, you're right the VRT would be much higher as well and I was surprised that they are priced very similar to the diesel in the UK so not really a runner to import price wise.

Leonard Hofstadter

If you're doing long journeys with heavy loads you'll be much better off with diesel OP. The extra torque will make it more relaxing to drive and the fuel economy will be far superior, not to mention the miles you'll be able to do on one tank of fuel.

I'm definitely not the biggest fan of diesels and they don't suit my circumstances, but they still have their merits and still make more sense for certain types of driving / usage than any other fuel - you're the prime example of someone who would be best served by sticking with diesel despite popular opinion amongst the masses.

senordingdong

I was in the same boat as you.
Needed an smax but because we do low, most urban miles, an automatic petrol was the obvious choice.
However it didn't pan out.
Simply because of the price disparity, we were looking to the UK. Even in the UK market 2l petrol smax was quite rare, the 1.5l even more so, virtually non existent in fact.
This unfortunately, artificially inflated the price, as the market was saturated with diesels. The vrt was jaw dropping, and annual motor tax utterly unreasonable.

We bit the bullet and got a diesel, and at a great price, making a huge saving. We just concede that once or twice a month we will have to spin it up the motorway and back.

beauf

When I bought my MPV there was a 5~6k difference between diesel and petrol.
The petrol models had like a fraction of the mileage, many were like new.
We didn't do much mileage so it made sense.

If I was doing it now, there is no choice other than diesel. We still do low mileage.
My only concern would be that when modern diesel breaks, it tends to more expensive than a simple petrol.
But can you buy a simple petrol anymore? In an MPV?

Ideally you want a Hybrid with a large battery and a petrol motor. But that seems to only be available in (expensive) SUVs.

creedp

Thanks for the views. I think any fleeting idea of going petrol have been put to bed at this point! As a matter of interest any views on the powerhift option? A couple of dealers have advised against them saying they are troublesome. Unlike the VW dsg they also seem to significantly increase fuel consumption.

One last think does the 18" wheel and sport suspension set up of the Titanium Sport version result in an overly harsh ride?

creedp

beauf wrote: »

When I bought my MPV there was a 5~6k difference between diesel and petrol.
The petrol models had like a fraction of the mileage, many were like new.
We didn't do much mileage so it made sense.

If I was doing it now, there is no choice other than diesel. We still do low mileage.
My only concern would be that when modern diesel breaks, it tends to more expensive than a simple petrol.
But can you buy a simple petrol anymore? In an MPV?

Ideally you want a Hybrid with a large battery and a petrol motor. But that seems to only be available in (expensive) SUVs.

Yes would love a petrol hybrid or phev but alas no option out there. Unfortunately it seems phev batteries into mpv body does not go! Surprising though there is no decent hybrid option either.

senordingdong

creedp wrote: »

Yes would love a petrol hybrid or phev but alas no option out there. Unfortunately it seems phev batteries into mpv body does not go! Surprising though there is no decent hybrid option either.

There is a hybrid smax arriving either this year or next. Obviously no consumer info on performance but I expect price will be outrageous.
Also presuming Ford will have gone their usual way and chucked the batteries into the boot.

beauf

There that Toyota Prius+ but it looks a little cramped for MPV, and it looks weird inside and out. Not really economical either, so whats the point.

colm_mcm

beauf wrote: »

There that Toyota Prius+ but it looks a little cramped for MPV, and it looks weird inside and out. Not really economical either, so whats the point.

They are economical though.
You’re right about the size, and a lot of them have a rear bench. Only some have individual middle row seats.

Compared to a Zafira etc they’re not bad, but they’re a bit dated now and have none of the flair of a Picasso/Scenic etc.

creedp

senordingdong wrote: »

There is a hybrid smax arriving either this year or next. Obviously no consumer info on performance but I expect price will be outrageous.
Also presuming Ford will have gone their usual way and chucked the batteries into the boot.

Its a bit late for me and in any case I would agree it will probably be very expensive and have an even more compromised boot with all 7 seats up - probably no spare wheel as well.

beauf

Sorry I must have mixed it up with something else.

Gwynston

I went from an 08 diesel S-Max to a new-model 161 S-Max and found the same thing - diesel is really the only option.
We do mostly shortish journeys of 20-30km daily, so not city driving, but probably still not the ideal realm of a diesel. And fully loaded-up, it really comes in to it's own. especially on longer journeys!

Remember, the S-Max is almost just a "less tall" Galaxy, so they're heavy! I used to have the 140hp, but our new one is the 180hp and it barely feels any quicker, so the new model is heavier. I think the 1.5 petrol would struggle with people on board - it's a good engine for the size, but more suited to a Mondeo than an S-Max.

I know we'd all like to move to modern, small capacity, blown petrols, but some classes of cars are still more suited to diesels. As long as you're not exclusively doing short journeys, they do a good job in an MPV.

And IMO the S-Max is the best "drivers'" MPV - more car-like than most. We recently spent a few days driving around the roads in Kerry, and I had a great time behind the wheel! The car really belies its size, even on those narrow roads.

Leonard Hofstadter

beauf wrote: »

When I bought my MPV there was a 5~6k difference between diesel and petrol.
The petrol models had like a fraction of the mileage, many were like new.
We didn't do much mileage so it made sense.

If I was doing it now, there is no choice other than diesel. We still do low mileage.
My only concern would be that when modern diesel breaks, it tends to more expensive than a simple petrol.
But can you buy a simple petrol anymore? In an MPV?

Ideally you want a Hybrid with a large battery and a petrol motor. But that seems to only be available in (expensive) SUVs.

If the OP is doing long distance driving there won't be a problem with DPFs and the likes. Besides, the technology has improved a lot so the latest diesels are nowhere near as prone to these kind of problems as diesels from 10-15 years ago are.

OP, I would stick with manual, the dual clutch auto has a reputation for being troublesome. Generally automatics are much better suited to diesels, but I'd stick with a manual on reliability grounds this time.

creedp

Leonard Hofstadter wrote: »

If the OP is doing long distance driving there won't be a problem with DPFs and the likes. Besides, the technology has improved a lot so the latest diesels are nowhere near as prone to these kind of problems as diesels from 10-15 years ago are.

OP, I would stick with manual, the dual clutch auto has a reputation for being troublesome. Generally automatics are much better suited to diesels, but I'd stick with a manual on reliability grounds this time.

Thanks for that .. you're not the only person who has said that to me but it good to hear it confirmed elsewhere. I was going to discount on account of higher consumption and therefore higher vrt / tax and fuel costs. In any case I know some see a manual as old hat and the only option these days is an auto but I like driving a manual car especially on longer journeys.

Only problem I am finding is that I want a titanium sport and a large number of that spec seem to be auto leaving a lessor pool of cars to choose from.

beauf

I don't think the reliability issues are limited to old cars. That's said ours is NA petrol and what we've saved in servicing and repairs we've paid in tax and petrol. I had planned on replacing it soon with something bigger and diesel for long holidays. Might put that on hold for a while now.

creedp

Gwynston wrote: »

I went from an 08 diesel S-Max to a new-model 161 S-Max and found the same thing - diesel is really the only option.
We do mostly shortish journeys of 20-30km daily, so not city driving, but probably still not the ideal realm of a diesel. And fully loaded-up, it really comes in to it's own. especially on longer journeys!

Remember, the S-Max is almost just a "less tall" Galaxy, so they're heavy! I used to have the 140hp, but our new one is the 180hp and it barely feels any quicker, so the new model is heavier. I think the 1.5 petrol would struggle with people on board - it's a good engine for the size, but more suited to a Mondeo than an S-Max.

I know we'd all like to move to modern, small capacity, blown petrols, but some classes of cars are still more suited to diesels. As long as you're not exclusively doing short journeys, they do a good job in an MPV.

And IMO the S-Max is the best "drivers'" MPV - more car-like than most. We recently spent a few days driving around the roads in Kerry, and I had a great time behind the wheel! The car really belies its size, even on those narrow roads.

By the way what spec did you get? I'm looking at getting a titanium sport and presume the sports suspension and 18" wheels dont make the ride too harsh

Gwynston

creedp wrote: »

By the way what spec did you get? I'm looking at getting a titanium sport and presume the sports suspension and 18" wheels dont make the ride too harsh

Mine is a Titanium - not Sport - so regular suspension, with 17" wheels. So probably more comfortable than the Sport. TBH, it's a fairly hard ride anyway, as it's a heavy car, so I don't think I'd want Sport suspension or bigger wheels.

We do have the extra lowered all-round sports skirts, which I think improve the looks.

senordingdong

creedp wrote: »

By the way what spec did you get? I'm looking at getting a titanium sport and presume the sports suspension and 18" wheels dont make the ride too harsh

I got the titanium sport, the suspension isn't as bad as you would presume. It's also a little offset by the other comforts the car has, like the high seating position.

creedp

Gwynston wrote: »

Mine is a Titanium - not Sport - so regular suspension, with 17" wheels. So probably more comfortable than the Sport. TBH, it's a fairly hard ride anyway, as it's a heavy car, so I don't think I'd want Sport suspension or bigger wheels.

We do have the extra lowered all-round sports skirts, which I think improve the looks.

That the main reason I want the sport version. It looks far nicer. Currently have std titanium spec and ride woulnt be especially soft. Difficult to get exactly what you want in a used car. My wife wants leather seats and I want a 180bhp with the sport trim and manual. Not too many around with that spec and a reasonable price

senordingdong

creedp wrote: »

That the main reason I want the sport version. It looks far nicer. Currently have std titanium spec and ride woulnt be especially soft. Difficult to get exactly what you want in a used car. My wife wants leather seats and I want a 180bhp with the sport trim and manual. Not too many around with that spec and a reasonable price

Try capital motors in Tallaght. They have three in stock right now, had six up until recently.

creedp

senordingdong wrote: »

Try capital motors in Tallaght. They have three in stock right now, had six up until recently.

Just checked website and 2 are auto and the manual doesn't have leather and it says it has 163bhp which I didnt think existed. I thought it was either 150, 180, or 210.


I have seen one online with all spec I want but mileage was 61k miles, not very high but I was hoping to get a bit lower so as to avoid the dreaded dmf and timing belt issues for as long as possible.

senordingdong

creedp wrote: »

Just checked website and 2 are auto and the manual doesn't have leather and it says it has 163bhp which I didnt think existed. I thought it was either 150, 180, or 210.

Iirc the diesels were 118, 148 and 178 bhp, and the two petrol were 158 and 237bhp but I'm not an expert.

Ring them and ask if they're getting more in because I think they source cars too.

creedp

senordingdong wrote: »

Iirc the diesels were 118, 148 and 178 bhp, and the two petrol were 158 and 237bhp but I'm not an expert.

Ring them and ask if they're getting more in because I think they source cars too.

Thanks I'll give them a shout early next week if nothing else appears on website