Hi. Like jonbob, we tow a 1500kg Swift Challenger with a 130hp Galaxy. No problems at all.
Sounds like yours is going into "Limp Mode". Switching off, then on should re-set it, but you need to know why. Maf sensor has been mentioned,EGR valve is another. My brothers Kia had a problem recently, kept losing power, like yours, & he found the EGR valve was sticking. His was electrically operated, & some WD40 freed it up. Was fine after.
A common fault is the actuator on the turbo, & it reports a boost pressure fault & puts the engine in limp mode. Some folk on FGOC (Ford Galaxy Owners Club) have had some success in fixing just the actuator, but a garage isn't going to mess about with it. There is a place in Nottingham, Midland Turbo's I think they are called, who will overhaul your turbo for about £200 - £300.
Unfortunately the turbo is buried at the back of the engine, & has to be worked on from underneath.
Worth sorting though, as they are great vehicles. Ours is always full of bikes etc. It's just so practical.
We are on our second Alammbra, (We only sold the first as hubby wanted a new one. Lol) We have never had any problem with either of them, they are a good car, and a good tow car.
I have the latest Sharan which is same as the Alhambra.
It will be a year old tomorrow (3rd September.)
The Sharan (SE 140bhp)replaced a 09 Galaxy and a 07 Galaxy before that, i was a bit sceptical of the VW's after having problems with the 05reg Touran i had and the reasonably faultless Galaxies. (both did over 115k in 26 months)
So to the Sharan.......
Likes.
Sliding side rear door, great for the kids and getting in and out in car parks.
(notice small likes list...
Dislikes (long list..!)
Uncomfortable seats and hard ride.
Poor build quality ,rear parking sensors have fallen in the bumper on 3 separate occasions, drivers seats showing heavy wear with 10k mile on clock, interior panels coming loose (the list could go on.!)
Paintwork is very poor quality, easily marked and just generally not up to the quality you would expect.
Stupid startstop engine, sometimes you stop at lights, take out of gear and the engine stops, depress clutch to move off and it tells you to start engine manually (does this randomly)
Electric handbrake and autohold system that seems to have a mind of its own.
Bluemotion technology.... a complete rip off!!
After 14k it came up "top up adblue 1400 miles" it then started counting down miles so i went into the vw dealer to enquire...
I was told it needed adblue which is a special liquid(urea) in a special bottle that screws into a special fitting in the boot! It took 10 bottles of adblue at £5.40 a bottle) to fill it and when we went back to the lease company for authorisation we were told it is a consumable like oil and water so was not covered under lease agreement.
It did the same top up message at 29k & 44K so i had to go through the same thing again!
(a friend has the same engine and blue motion on a motability car and was told they have to pay for adblue!)
A colleague ignored the mileage countdown for the adblue top up and when it got to 0 the vehicle would not start or move so had to be recovered!!
The tyres are continental self sealing which seem great with puncture in the centre track but if its near the sidewall your stuffed and nobody seems to keep them as stock, only 2 day special order.
I hope i have given you a balanced view on my Sharan and as it is the same car as the new Seat Alhambra it is of some use.!
If i had to make the choice personally i wouldnt touch one with a bargepole and would have another Galaxy without a doubt!
Any questions, ask away and i can take photo's if you need to see anything.
Quote: Originally posted by philz55 on 03/9/2012
Buy adblue in the service station. About £13 for 10 litres. The truckers buy it in bulk.
I know that it is available like this,as do VW group that is why they make the bottles a special self sealing type fitting with a vw bottle only fitting in the car boot to stop you using this and to make you buy it from them.
Whilst i dont pay for it (it goes on my company credit card) anyone who buys/leases the car privately will have to!
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Topic: Seat Alambra
