Ford Galaxy MK3 - bike hauler, tip shed, impromptu van...
Discussion
Picked this old Galaxy up for £4k last week, after getting thoroughly balled off with the rubbish choice of vans under £8k. Mostly for carting mountain bikes around as well as the odd bit of DIYing.
It's a 2010 Galaxy 2.0Tdci Ghia, in suitably boring Sea Grey. It's big, boxy, dull, and runs on dirty Denzel.
Room inside for 3 bikes and 3 blokes, possibly 4 and 4 at a squeeze, and unlike all the vans within budget it's got a reasonable amount of power (~140bhp), air con and cruise, 7 seats, and at 93k the mileage is reasonable as well.
Interior was very grubby but much improved after thoroughly cleaning all the carpets and fabrics. Exterior has the usual dings and a slightly s
t paintjob on the NS doors. Mechanically all seems A1, plenty of history and a recent service, cambelt done 5000 miles ago.
The old bus drives well enough, weirdly light steering aside. Definitely not a fun or entertaining drive but it's comfy enough and goes reasonably well for a big 7 seater. Upsides vs an actual van are normal speed limits, no problems taking it into the local tip, and occasionally 7 seats will be useful.
It's a 2010 Galaxy 2.0Tdci Ghia, in suitably boring Sea Grey. It's big, boxy, dull, and runs on dirty Denzel.
Room inside for 3 bikes and 3 blokes, possibly 4 and 4 at a squeeze, and unlike all the vans within budget it's got a reasonable amount of power (~140bhp), air con and cruise, 7 seats, and at 93k the mileage is reasonable as well.
Interior was very grubby but much improved after thoroughly cleaning all the carpets and fabrics. Exterior has the usual dings and a slightly s
t paintjob on the NS doors. Mechanically all seems A1, plenty of history and a recent service, cambelt done 5000 miles ago. The old bus drives well enough, weirdly light steering aside. Definitely not a fun or entertaining drive but it's comfy enough and goes reasonably well for a big 7 seater. Upsides vs an actual van are normal speed limits, no problems taking it into the local tip, and occasionally 7 seats will be useful.
Nice choice, makes sense and looks good for the jobs in hand.
Been looking for something that could take 2 bikes inside without removing the front wheel.
Doesn’t look like your bike could go in vertically with the wheels on or can the seats be removed instead of folded?
I notice you have a Giulietta too, how does the Galaxy compare with road noise and rough roads?
Been looking for something that could take 2 bikes inside without removing the front wheel.
Doesn’t look like your bike could go in vertically with the wheels on or can the seats be removed instead of folded?
I notice you have a Giulietta too, how does the Galaxy compare with road noise and rough roads?
Looks like a cracking buy for your needs. I too have recently been thinking about getting a large mpv for our future house renovation, seems you can get away with more and not have to have a battered poverty spec van parked outside - win win!
Although my budget would be much less a Honda odyssey would be ideal for us.
Although my budget would be much less a Honda odyssey would be ideal for us.
I had a mk2 Galaxy when the kids were younger.
I expected to hate it but there’s satisfaction to be had when you have a vehicle that so versatile.
I also hired a mk3 when I took the kids and parents on holiday a few years back and I thought it drove and went well for such a big vehicle.
They actually handle pretty well .
It’s a shame that the MPV has died out. If people could get over their image they prove to be so much more useful than an SUV.
I expected to hate it but there’s satisfaction to be had when you have a vehicle that so versatile.
I also hired a mk3 when I took the kids and parents on holiday a few years back and I thought it drove and went well for such a big vehicle.
They actually handle pretty well .
It’s a shame that the MPV has died out. If people could get over their image they prove to be so much more useful than an SUV.
Edited by Alfa Pete on Sunday 6th September 16:59
Thanks all. More PH love for the big grey box than I expected! 
Must say I never did get the SUV craze. I did read up on a few of the bigger SUVs along with MPVs and vans, but none of them seem quite as practical as a similar sized MPV.
I haven't driven the Galaxy and the Alfa back to back yet, and I've yet to take it down any properly rough tracks so I can't really say for certain. Not noticed any particularly intrusive road noise in either car, though. The Galaxy definitely has a much softer ride; our Giulietta is a Veloce, which has stiffer suspension and 18" wheels that do make it rather firm. Of course there's no contest in terms of handling, the Galaxy hangs on gamely and feels more secure than a van of similar size, but there's no hiding the weight and centre of gravity!
Must say I never did get the SUV craze. I did read up on a few of the bigger SUVs along with MPVs and vans, but none of them seem quite as practical as a similar sized MPV.
V6todayEVmanana said:
Nice choice, makes sense and looks good for the jobs in hand.
Been looking for something that could take 2 bikes inside without removing the front wheel.
Doesn’t look like your bike could go in vertically with the wheels on or can the seats be removed instead of folded?
I notice you have a Giulietta too, how does the Galaxy compare with road noise and rough roads?
There might be a way to get a whole bike in, I haven't tried yet. If you take out the rear seats it looks as though there might just be enough height to leave the front wheel on. The bike would need to be tilted to one side to get it through the boot opening though, and to accommodate the overall length of it you'd probably have to stand the bike diagonally across the load area.Been looking for something that could take 2 bikes inside without removing the front wheel.
Doesn’t look like your bike could go in vertically with the wheels on or can the seats be removed instead of folded?
I notice you have a Giulietta too, how does the Galaxy compare with road noise and rough roads?
I haven't driven the Galaxy and the Alfa back to back yet, and I've yet to take it down any properly rough tracks so I can't really say for certain. Not noticed any particularly intrusive road noise in either car, though. The Galaxy definitely has a much softer ride; our Giulietta is a Veloce, which has stiffer suspension and 18" wheels that do make it rather firm. Of course there's no contest in terms of handling, the Galaxy hangs on gamely and feels more secure than a van of similar size, but there's no hiding the weight and centre of gravity!
I've got these 2 brilliant vehicles.
7 seater mpv
5 seater estate with huge boot
Tip van
Bike transporter......all in one vehicle..
The Mrs is eying up Mk3s to replace the Mk2.
I on the other hand am thinking 09/10 plate Sharan or Alhambra when the day comes that the Mk1 is no longer operational.
Small update having done a few little jobs on the Galaxy over the past few weeks.
First job was to get another key as it only came with one, which works but is very worn. £20ish for a suitable key blank, £25 for an OBDII dongle with the necessary automatic HSCAN/MSCAN switching, a free trial of Forscan software (will be spending the £16 on a full 3 year license when the trial ends), and a fiver to have the blank key cut at a local cobbler. Spent a fair bit of time reading up on how to do the programming and making sure that I bought a key with the right transponder, fortunately it's all working nicely.
Needed to change a few bulbs. Taillight: easy. High level brake light: not bad. Sidelight (in fog light unit): what an awkward bd that was.
Replaced the gear knob and gaiter as they were worn and looked crap. A bit fiddly but straightforward enough.
Fitted a new battery as the old one was dropping to 8V under cranking.
The car has started to take a few seconds of cranking before the engine fires up. Once started it runs and performs well, so I've tried changing the fuel filter and seal and bleeding the system, but that's not done the trick. It's just had a bottle of Forte injector cleaner added to a tank of Shell V-power diesel, in the hope that it's just a grotty injector that's allowing fuel rail pressure to leak off when the engine's not running. Fingers crossed that the additive and posh fuel will sort it...
Otherwise it's still big, still grey, still good at carrying people/stuff.
First job was to get another key as it only came with one, which works but is very worn. £20ish for a suitable key blank, £25 for an OBDII dongle with the necessary automatic HSCAN/MSCAN switching, a free trial of Forscan software (will be spending the £16 on a full 3 year license when the trial ends), and a fiver to have the blank key cut at a local cobbler. Spent a fair bit of time reading up on how to do the programming and making sure that I bought a key with the right transponder, fortunately it's all working nicely.
Needed to change a few bulbs. Taillight: easy. High level brake light: not bad. Sidelight (in fog light unit): what an awkward b
d that was.Replaced the gear knob and gaiter as they were worn and looked crap. A bit fiddly but straightforward enough.
Fitted a new battery as the old one was dropping to 8V under cranking.
The car has started to take a few seconds of cranking before the engine fires up. Once started it runs and performs well, so I've tried changing the fuel filter and seal and bleeding the system, but that's not done the trick. It's just had a bottle of Forte injector cleaner added to a tank of Shell V-power diesel, in the hope that it's just a grotty injector that's allowing fuel rail pressure to leak off when the engine's not running. Fingers crossed that the additive and posh fuel will sort it...
Otherwise it's still big, still grey, still good at carrying people/stuff.
My dad has had two of these in a row, a 2010 one and now a 2015 one. He uses it for much the same thing, carting himself and his wife along with their bikes here there and everywhere. He loves them. I didn't see the appeal until I borrowed it a few weeks ago and I felt it was a very nice place to sit. All the gadgets you'd ever need too.
Good purchase OP. Hope it does you well.
Good purchase OP. Hope it does you well.
These are really versatile, built on the Mondeo MK4 platform so drive well and as you say practical.
The only thing I’d watch would be the handbrake handle, they’re very well known for failing. Keep a large screwdriver in the car to manually release it should you not want to replace it. Why Ford made the handbrake handles out of chocolate I’ve no idea.
The only thing I’d watch would be the handbrake handle, they’re very well known for failing. Keep a large screwdriver in the car to manually release it should you not want to replace it. Why Ford made the handbrake handles out of chocolate I’ve no idea.
Good note about the handbrake, have popped an old screwdriver set and some spanners in the boot as a matter of course!
What with lockdowns and dismal wet weather, my Galaxy hasn't done much bike transporting lately, although it's had a couple of rides to work and back just to give it a run. Proved quite handy yesterday though, ferrying extended family and a ridiculous amount of Christmas tat for the kids back and forth! Middle row of seats will very comfortably take 2 kids in their car seats - in the outer seats as these are the ones with Isofix - plus an adult in the middle. In smaller cars like the Ioniq or the Guilietta this is only just physically possible, and exceedingly cramped and uncomfortable for said adult.
As a consequence of colder weather, the Galaxy's occasional poor starting had become quite consistent. I did a bit of poking around with a multimeter and current clamp a few weeks ago, and discovered that...
(a) glow plugs 2 and 3 are open circuit; and
(b) the glow plug light on the dash is exceedingly disingenuous: the light only illuminates for maybe half a second, but the two good plugs are drawing approx 20 amps a piece for around 4-5 seconds, dropping to around 10 amps each for another 6-7 afterwards.
Cold starting was therefore much improved - although not perfect - by ignoring the light completely and instead allowing the surviving pair of plugs to heat for ~10sec, turning off, then on again for another 5sec before cranking.
The car is booked in for MOT early in Jan, so I've asked the garage to replace all 4 plugs while it's in. Looked into doing them myself, but on the Galaxy they're a swine of a job to replace, being buried down the back of the engine underneath the EGR gubbins; don't fancy that job much, especially as it's not uncommon for a plug to snap off in the cylinder head!
What with lockdowns and dismal wet weather, my Galaxy hasn't done much bike transporting lately, although it's had a couple of rides to work and back just to give it a run. Proved quite handy yesterday though, ferrying extended family and a ridiculous amount of Christmas tat for the kids back and forth! Middle row of seats will very comfortably take 2 kids in their car seats - in the outer seats as these are the ones with Isofix - plus an adult in the middle. In smaller cars like the Ioniq or the Guilietta this is only just physically possible, and exceedingly cramped and uncomfortable for said adult.
As a consequence of colder weather, the Galaxy's occasional poor starting had become quite consistent. I did a bit of poking around with a multimeter and current clamp a few weeks ago, and discovered that...
(a) glow plugs 2 and 3 are open circuit; and
(b) the glow plug light on the dash is exceedingly disingenuous: the light only illuminates for maybe half a second, but the two good plugs are drawing approx 20 amps a piece for around 4-5 seconds, dropping to around 10 amps each for another 6-7 afterwards.
Cold starting was therefore much improved - although not perfect - by ignoring the light completely and instead allowing the surviving pair of plugs to heat for ~10sec, turning off, then on again for another 5sec before cranking.
The car is booked in for MOT early in Jan, so I've asked the garage to replace all 4 plugs while it's in. Looked into doing them myself, but on the Galaxy they're a swine of a job to replace, being buried down the back of the engine underneath the EGR gubbins; don't fancy that job much, especially as it's not uncommon for a plug to snap off in the cylinder head!
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