General Late to the party?

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General Late to the party?

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Towing a boat trailer plus sailing equipment plus camping equipment is taking it's toll on the 159s rear suspension, so I started looking into alternatives. A van would be great but they're fairly expencive to buy and run, so I looked into what else would do the job. With 2 seats out the Multi looks like a winner especially given the price even for a late mk2 model. I've owned a lot of Bravo/Brava era JTDs so I've a fairly good idea of the issues, but any advice on Multi specific problems would be appreciated.
Always thought I'd like to buy a Multi - seems I've got an excuse now!
 
Not late......early!

Not sure how big a boat you've got in mind, but check the towing weights for the Multi. Some here have been disappointed by not being able to tow a large-ish caravan with one. Despite appearances, it's quite a light car.

Taking seats out pays dividends - you get another 20-25kg of payload for each one removed, as well as the extra space. Newer cars with fold-flat seats lose out on that front.
 
The trailer is rated for 750Kg so should be well within the towing weight.

You say newer cars can't lose their seats? Does this apply to all the seats or just some?

Is there a difference between the aircon in a Eleganza versus Dynamic? They both look like the climate control I had on my Mareas.

Finally, I've heard you can retro-fit cruise control. Do you need to have a certain version to be able to do this? I've become quite used to having this so would be a real useful thing to fit.
 
I believe that I am one of only two people to have fitted CC to a Multipla, on this forum at least. I did it 100% myself whilst I believe then other guy had it done. I did a full write up on it. Just search my posts. Was the best thing I ever did. The worst was selling my Multipla and buying a Zafira :-(
 
Hmmm...yes very poorly built cars. I would sincerely urge others not to consider buying one. Mine had only done a genuine 13.5K when I bought it and yet the Ignition coils, EGR valve and pressure plate all needed doing. The last one is a known Zafir issue apparently to the point where it is even on an official Vauxhaull Tech Notification.....but of course they wash their hands of it. Truly guys the Multipla is a wayyyyy better car.
 
Yes. I had a look at a couple before buying the Multipla. They just aren't very well worked out - pretty impractical people carriers. The seating set up and load bay is rubbish (same applies to the Touran as well). I didn't get as far as looking at what they're like to work on - lost interest in them very quickly. The diesel ones I tried weren't much fun to drive either. The Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra are way better if you really need seven seats.
 
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Indeed my other car is a 2004 SEAT Alhambra which is vastly superior to both the Zafira and Multipla combined. Great space, great versatility and great consumption. A doddle to work on and thus far uber reliable. I may well get shod of the Zaffy and buy another one but a late model say 2007-2010.

Sorry Hellcat to hijack your thread
 
Easily, by removing 2 of the rear seats I used to get all 4 of our bikes in. 2 adult MB's and my sons bikes a 16" and a 14"
 
What is the length that you can fit between the back of the front seats to the rear door? Id like to fit my bike in stood up with the rear wheel still attached, and the front forks secured to the floor (through a fixed hub).


Edit: I think I need at least 1530mm. Long bike!
 
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Finally, I've heard you can retro-fit cruise control. Do you need to have a certain version to be able to do this? I've become quite used to having this so would be a real useful thing to fit.

welcome back..,:)

Cruise..
be wary - as I got into a knot trying to enable cruise on my marea.., :(
using software to scan for connectivity on a potential purchase may be a good idea, ( only certain ECU specs support it..)

Charlie
 
I think I'll give cruise control a miss. I wondered if it was an option on the later models like it was in the Stilo, and just needed a stalk fitting. Obviously not!

Just watching the adverts at the moment waiting for a good one. Saw a black eleganza with tow bar, roof rack and box a couple of weeks ago but it was sold almost as soon as it went up!
 
He shoots, he scores!

I think I've got a honest one. 74k and 2008. Glow plug light accompanies a slow start, but once it's running the engine purrs. No knocking from the suspension over bumps, and seems the electrics work. Best thing it already has a tow bar fitted, and comes with original aero roof bars. That means for sailing weekends we can top the boat instead of having to tow the overkill dinghy trailer, and can probably carry 5 bikes and people easily if we carry 3 of them on the bike rack.

Can't wait to get out there!
 

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I had after market CC fitted - the guy came to me and job done in about 2 hrs. The only issue I had was a tendency for the CC to not settle into a smooth drive, instead, it felt like it was constantly pushing you. The guy came out and trimmed it in and since then it's been great.
I'm glad to have it my 04 bug, it makes the 800+ km drag down to Castra a piece of cake.
I wouldn't be without it now.
George
 
Well just thought I'd check in to say Whistler (the wind whistles around the roof bars) is doing great. It's been hauling people, boats and bikes all over, and without nearly as much grumbling as the Alfas make. The highlight being taking the whole family to Carnac in France for a sailing world championship complete with boat on roof covering over 2000km in a lot more comfort than would have been possible with a van. I thought I was pushing my luck holding 130kmph almost the whole way from Carnac to Calais to catch a ferry after being in traffic jams for hours but nope, it was up to the job.

Only one issue though, the passenger window top guide has jumped out the track and we had to keep it pushed up. This was rather amusing at the left-hand drive autoroute ticket machines.

I can honestly say this is the craziest, most perfect vehicle I could have ever bought. :worship:
 

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Welcome to the world of bugs, hellcat.

Word of warning..........

it's gonna be reeeeeeel hard to find a shed that's any where near as good and as practical as the faithful old Multi if you ever think of getting rid of it.

I never thought I'd be on bug #6 now, they get into your blood.

Happy driving and long may she travel

George
 
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