General Which car should we take?

[Matthen]

Hi all: Toward the end of the month we’re going on holiday to Scotland – we will be driving. We can either take a Ford C-Max – 1.6 petrol or the Bravo – 1.4 T-jet 150. The reason I ask this is the infamous M32 gearbox – will it cope with two 11 hour days of driving (there and back) in the top ratios, or is this likely to cause bearing failure. The car has now done 69k miles and had a gearbox oil change 750 miles ago. No sign of bearing failure as yet. The achieved economy of both cars is about the same however the bravo has 50% more power than the ford (useful in the mountains) and has cruise control. Also the bravo has a bigger fuel tank. The ford is bigger, has a better CD player, better seats and a better gearbox, although no 6th gear (noisier on the motorway).


Thoughts? Which car would you take?
I think net miles over the 3-week period we are away will be about 2250/2500 miles.

 

[flisko]

i would take diesel

 

[Matthen]

So would I if we had one to take.

 

[aurick86]

The Bravo will cope , no problem! it shouldn't be a problem for the gearbox as well.
But the seats in the bravo are not the best, especially if you are going to be driving more that 4-5 hours straight.

Then again... it's much nicer driving around with more power, you can overtake much easier.

 

[flisko]

The Bravo will cope , no problem! it shouldn't be a problem for the gearbox as well.
But the seats in the bravo are not the best, especially if you are going to be driving more that 4-5 hours straight.

Then again... it's much nicer driving around with more power, you can overtake much easier.

i heard that bravo seats arent that comfortable for fat people

 

[Matthen]

i heard that bravo seats arent that comfortable for fat people

That maybe so, but I am not fat. I find the seats are lacking in padding, and take a while to get into the correct position, but they are sufficient. I do have back problems though, born of a climbing injury.

Yes, I am leaning toward the bravo, simply because it has more power. Also, I suspect on the single carriageway roads of scotland it will do rather better fuel wise than the ford. Just don't want the gear box to start whining 100 miles into the journey!

 

[1.8Stilo]

If the gearbox was going to go, this really wouldn't make any difference. We regularly take ours to Scotland, which is bout an 8 hour drive. When your on the slower B Roads use 5th gear.

 

[aurick86]

Yes only use 6th gear over 120km/h and never accelerate in it. it's supposed to be a cruising gear.

Also the problem with the seats is that there isn't enough leg support.
The Bravo Sport seats are slightly better.

 

[g8rpi]

Well I have a Croma (Bigger heavier and 150 HP) with the M32 gearbox that is about to hit 100K with no issues and I've done several very long journeys. I think the M32 problems pretty much went away when they increased the oil level in the box. I prefer the Croma to the wife's 2.0 Focus estate any day.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[Matthen]

Yes only use 6th gear over 120km/h and never accelerate in it. it's supposed to be a cruising gear.

Also the problem with the seats is that there isn't enough leg support.
The Bravo Sport seats are slightly better.

Yes, thats about what i've found re the seats. Never accelerate in 6th.. Does this not make the cruise control useless, if I have to change down to climb every hill? Thanks for the tip about the speed.

Well I have a Croma (Bigger heavier and 150 HP) with the M32 gearbox that is about to hit 100K with no issues and I've done several very long journeys. I think the M32 problems pretty much went away when they increased the oil level in the box. I prefer the Croma to the wife's 2.0 Focus estate any day.

Robert G8RPI.

That's good to hear. We'll be in the car about 10 hours each direction, so its a fairly long way. I'm leaning toward the Bravo, but then I always was biased!.

 

[aurick86]

Yes, thats about what i've found re the seats. Never accelerate in 6th.. Does this not make the cruise control useless, if I have to change down to climb every hill? Thanks for the tip about the speed.

It depends on the hill.
You don't want to feel the engine working to hard. ( that would mean the gearbox is receiving the full torque the engine can deliver.

 

[Matthen]

Okay Thanks for your input people.

 

[1.8Stilo]

Well I have a Croma (Bigger heavier and 150 HP) with the M32 gearbox that is about to hit 100K with no issues and I've done several very long journeys. I think the M32 problems pretty much went away when they increased the oil level in the box. I prefer the Croma to the wife's 2.0 Focus estate any day.

Robert G8RPI.

What's the revised oil level then? If I remember rightly it's was 2.4-5L I filled ours with when I changed the oil years ago. I've read of people in Vauxhall forms using 3L

 

[g8rpi]

Hi,
The revised level is the 2.4/2.5l where you drain and refill and don't use the level plug on the side of the gearbox. Problem is some garages don't know this and just fill (or worse drain out) to the old level plug.


Robert G8RPI.

 

[aurick86]

so where is the new filling point?

 

[g8rpi]

so where is the new filling point?

Filling point is on top of the gearbox. It was always there, the change is that you can't use the plug on the side for level. The only way to check the oil level is to drain it and refill with the correct quantity fresh oil.


Robert G8RPI.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Sell the Ford! No choice really, just remember your cheque book for the garage bills. I would always opt for cruise control myself. My choice is Bravo D or Panda 100HP and heart ALWAYS rules so its Anda every time!

 

[Matthen]

Sell the Ford! No choice really, just remember your cheque book for the garage bills. I would always opt for cruise control myself. My choice is Bravo D or Panda 100HP and heart ALWAYS rules so its Anda every time!

Does anyone still use them? The ford has its uses, it certainly comes into its own when more than 2 people are making the journey.