Just to say thanks to everyone for helpful advice over the last 3 years.I tried to stay the corse with my Townace but I needed more reliability for work so we now have a VW Sharan. It feels like a RR. I never did make an acejam but I just may pop along to one anyway to have a sad reminisce, all the best Dave

- (#7432) Dave Greg, 2 Jan 04 07:08

no staying power some people!

actually 3 years is good going dave. i can appreciate your stance. these critters do demand a lot of tlc. good luck with the new wheels. i could cope with the van but not the name. sounds like it was made in chigwell (could have been worse, vw could have called it a tracey! lol).

- (#7432) Ian Dunse, 2 Jan 04 07:16

Out of the frying pan into the fire if you've bought a Sharan. Probably the most unreliable MPV out there. Massive air con problems, turbo diesel problems, coil pack problems on the VW engined petrols, to name but a few of the problems I have encountered on these vehicles. The A/C problems are particularly prolific, with compressors that literally fall apart, evaporators that spring a leak & empty the R134a into the cabin, condensors that corrode away to nothing all of which cost a fortune to sort. Worst thing is that you can't ignore it & do without the a/c either, they use a serpentine belt which runs everything and can't simply be removed like others can. To be honest out of all the MPVs out there the Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra would be the one I would avoid. Perhaps a new shape Previa or a Mitsubishi Spacewagon would be my choice of UK spec car.
Regards Rob.
- (#7432) Rob Drinkwater, 2 Jan 04 12:56

Unfortunately, Rob's right. VW aint as good as they used to be...
If it's a diesel, join the forums at www,tdiclub.com, and forwarn yourself on the issues concerning the TDI. Relay 109, glowplug harnesses, fuel filters and intakes blocking up. All issues worth being aware of before a dealer screws you to the wall...

- (#7432) david miller, 2 Jan 04 15:05

The problem with the Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan series is that they are not made in Germany, like many Volkswagen Audi Group cars they are made in either Spain, South Africa or Brazil. This means they source certain parts locally, so therefore quality can suffer. This is the main reason for the problems with this series of car. They don't make any of these in Germany, but things like Golfs are made all over the world, so it's woth checking on the cassis plate where it's made, then avaoiding certain build areas.
Regards rob.

- (#7432) Rob Drinkwater, 3 Jan 04 05:06

... we had a Mitsubishi spacewagon before we got the Toyota SpaceCruiser (now we have a Townace). I wouldn't have one again - the bodywork was flimsy, the roof too low for seven people, no space for luggage, and the electrics were very iffy - some days the doors locked, others they didn't.

But each to his own ...it was relatively fast ... eg 95mph (I am told, officer).

- (#7432) tony, 5 Jan 04 12:12

I'm not talking about the previous shape Space Wagon, it's the same as the import 'Chariot' model. The new shape Space Wagon is much bigger, with a slightly higher roof, though still not as big as a Townie/Spacie.

Regards Rob.

- (#7432) Rob Drinkwater, 5 Jan 04 13:45

I don't know if anyone is still following this thread but the Sharan is going ok so far, I'm not sure how it will turn out in the long run. I find it amazing you folks seem to know so much about all these cars. I'm very tall and I go camping with lots of gear and a trailer hence large car needed. The Townace had become a liability and had to go. The Sharan has a 1 year warrenty. If I have any problems after that I'll get something else. There are no doubt some specific weaknesses with all cars, I will run this one gently and hope for the best. Cheers again for advice. Dave

- (#7432) Dave Greg, 18 Jan 04 16:54