Ford S-Max: You Know You Want To
Dented and kerbed and remapped to 275hp - the ideal PH family hack!
Cloth seats too? Bonus
The Ford MPV was rather interesting at the time of its launch in 2006, taking the conventional seven-seat format and making it just a little bit cooler. It was sleeker than the average people mover, more stylish and better to drive, but not at the cost of practicality. It rightly sold very well, usually as a diesel.
But there was, for a limited time, the option to have your S-Max with the old Focus ST engine. Yep, five cylinders, 220hp and a healthy appetite for unleaded in your family bus. This was back in those care-free pre-recession days where, alongside the Ford, Vauxhall also made a 240hp Zafira VXR. Because why on earth not?
Unsurprisingly the S-Max ST (not the official name, but it sounds good) didn't sell in vast numbers, discontinued and then replaced with a more efficient 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo. But, very occasionally, one comes up for sale. Consider it a budget R63 AMG, combining many seats with plentiful performance and, presumably, quite a lot of fun too.
This S-Max 2.5 appeals more than most. Not only is it pre-dented and pre-kerbed so your family doesn't have to, but it's also more powerful. It's been remapped to 274bhp (277hp) and 280lb ft with an upgraded intercooler, sports exhaust and new air filter as well. Given it was already fairly sprightly to start with (140mph, 60 in less than eight seconds), this S-Max promises to be a right giggle.
And proof from the rolling road
The S-Max even stacks up reasonably well on the sensible stuff. The mileage is below average, the oil is changed regularly and it even has a tow bar. Though you may not want to use it too often, as even the standard combined mpg was 30...
Yes, a tuned five-cylinder S-Max probably won't be the most affordable family car to run. On top of the fuel costs, it probably gets through front tyres fairly quickly too. But for entertainment value alone, before its reputation as a decent family car, this S-Max must be worth £5K of a PH parent's cash.
FORD S-MAX 2.5 TITANIUM
Price: £5,250
Why you should: Scare hot hatches with a people carrier
Why you shouldn't: Scare your family with the state of it
See the original advert here
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The S8 has been sold, and I'm buying another S-Max.
Personally I'd hold out for a Titanium X model, much better spec but I think that was only available with the less charismatic 2l turbo petrol?
king s
You can also get the facelift with the more expensive 200PS 2.2 diesel, if you like sucking Satan's juice (or need the fuel economy). Still, the character of that 2.5T is very alluring.
How about this for an extra grand: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016... Full leather, sat-nav and 18" wheels.
I think for my £5k I'd be looking at a V70 with the proper high pressure turbo T5 engine, unless I really needed those 7 seats.
In fact I have an early, base model Zetec 2.5T in what is essentially Police Pursuit car spec: big engine, no extras - it really is basic. Small alloys (very corroded), cloth interior (knackered by kids), no cruise control, sunroof or spoilers. Garages love it when you rock up with a people carrier, open the bonnet and find a Focus ST engine.
But you know what? It's a cracking steer. Based on the then-new 3rd Generation Mondeo floorpan it certainly doesn't handle like an MPV. Mine's in standard, 220BHP flavour and it goes like the clappers, pulling from no revs in any gear and if you open a window you can almost pretend you're in a Sport quattro. Almost.
Mine replaced an Octavia vRS Estate last year and is more fun to drive, only marginally less economical (late 20's mpg on a run) and roughly twice as roomy. Around town it's down to about 23mpg though. Aero seems OK as it's no worse with a roof box on. I've done 10,000 miles in a year and it's needed 2 tyres and a set of front pads. Also did the cambelt as a precaution (Ford recommend a change about once a millennium - ignore!). The rearmost seats fold into the boot floor, like a Zafira, meaning you can have 5 seats and a huge boot or 7 seats and a small one.
Would I buy another? Normally I never go back to a car I've had before, but I might make an exception with this one.
So many people turn their nose up in favour of "posh" SUV's, wouldnt be seen dead in an MPV so buy something that isnt really as good at carting a family round, certainly in most cases a lot more expensive to buy and run, I wasnt bothered by the Airport taxi Chic image, it did 40 to the gallon most of the time, didnt break, could be used as a van and drove better than I ever could have hoped after the previous model which was no better than ok.
This could be quite amusing, it will be reasonably brisk if not mad fast.
An estate is not a better solution for families, we had an 850 T5, with three kids and a dog, them wanting to take mates places and all the crap you need for kids, the Galaxy was way better.
Why pretend, if you have small kids, your life is compromised (not over as per the lazy Clarkson comments these MPV threads always bring out) for the forseeable future, get the best tool for the job, you will be covered in puke, be sleep deprived and have to hang round at Wacky Warehouses and stuff anyway.
Im 45 now, done all that, back to proper cars now
If I had a couple of children and didn't want a fast estate or 4x4, this is the one I'd probably go for.
I'm not sure I should admit to this in public but whilst walking the dog and daydreaming about cars, as I do, I once considered the idea of stripping one of these out and setting it up for a trackday for a laugh. Inspired by that RS-engined Yeti. I guess this one's halfway there!
However if you get milk or milk sick on the car seats regardless of type and let it soak in you are going to have a bad time.
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