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Original poster

S-Max, C4 Grand Picasso or something else?

55 replies

Arefrenchcarscrap · 25/01/2015 22:23

We have a 2006 BMW 325i touring. Two kids (2, 4), third on the way. Need a bigger car. May buy new or nearly new, depending on discounts, finance, spec etc.

Required spec:

  • petrol (mileage of only 4k per year, almost all urban)
  • 7-seater with fold flat third row (no room in house to store seats, which I think rules out the Qashqai +2?)
  • reliable
  • decent level of mod cons (BMW is a bit old and was bought second hand, so lack of things like Bluetooth and GPS is a bit annoying, looking forward to having these in the new car)

I have narrowed it down to S-max or a Citroen.

From what I can see, the S-Max is a little bit pricier, has a slightly sparser spec, but at least it isn't French.

Is there anything else out there I should consider?

Am I being silly about the French thing? My mother had some really crap Peugeots...

OP posts:
AliceMum09 · 25/01/2015 22:35

We have a Peugeot 5008, which is the same car 'underneath' as the Citroen. It's coming up to 4 years old now (we bought it nearly new when it was 8 months old) and we have absolutely no complaints. It's lovely to drive (1.6 diesel engine) and fits any combination of 3 child seats easily. We bought it when I was pregnant with our third.

The one slight downside is that I reckon it has one of the smallest boots when all 7 seats are in use of all the cars in this category (probably half what the S-Max has, from looking in the back of every S-Max I walk past!). But on the flip side of that the 'pop-up' boot seats have very good legroom, even if my tall 9 year old sits back there I don't have to slide the middle row forward. You'd have to slide the middle row a little to fit an adult in the back, but not enought to make the middle row cramped. The back seats are fine for adults, maybe not for endless hours on the motorway, but they are useable for adults.

I can fit a Maclaren Quest in the boot with the rear seats up but it takes up all the depth. You can put a couple of bags on top, and there is a surprising amount of space to shove bags underneath the rear seats (there are two 'wells' left where they have popped up from). I did have my BabyJogger City Mini back there once, with one wheel off, but it banged about when I was driving and ended up resting against the boot door and fell out when I opened it!

I think Peugeot have improved their reliability over the past few years.

richthegreatcornholio · 26/01/2015 12:42

I think the S-Max will be the most reliable.

richthegreatcornholio · 26/01/2015 12:44

Reliability index shows the S-Max as having below average reliability but quite a bit better than the Grand Picasso.

JugglingLife · 26/01/2015 12:45

My mummy bus is a VW Touran. I adore her. Roomy, reliable, efficient and safe. Also not too many gadgets which is a massive bonus!

slalomsuki · 26/01/2015 12:50

I love my SMax, had it 5 years now and considering trading it in for another one in the next year or so.

Very reliable and with three kids I have used the 3rd row of seats from time to time. Love the driving position and the few gadgets that I have. Kids have a lot of room in the back also compared to a hired car we had the other week which was the same length but less leg room.

Had a scenic before this and while I liked driving it, it was unreliable towards the end.

toomuchpizza · 26/01/2015 13:01

I have a Mazda 5 and I love it - sliding doors in the back are a huge bonus. Mine is an ex-mobility car with very low mileage. There are quite a few ex-mobility ones around. Maybe worth a look?

We also have a scenic which I liked driving but it's had so many things wrong with it in the last few years.

richthegreatcornholio · 26/01/2015 13:38

My mummy bus is a VW Touran

Even less reliable that the Grand Picasso

Original poster
Arefrenchcarscrap · 26/01/2015 21:17

Thanks all.

Some basic research reveals the Qashqai+2 is now the "all new" X-Trail, which does have fold flat third row, but isn't available in petrol, is more expensive and doesn't seem to be getting rave reviews. Anyone seen one of these?

Rich - do you think I am right to be dismissing diesel? There is a massive preponderence or diesels in this market, but I don't think we do enough mileage to get any benefit and the particulate thing puts me off.

Think it is likely to come down to a test drive and a bias towards the S-Max unless there is a great deal available on a Citroen.

This is a car we are likely to keep for 8 years or so, so reliability and maintenance cost is a factor. The BMW we have is a great car and is reliable in that it hasn't ever broken down, but the service costs of that are starting to get over £1,000 a year (Beemers aren't cheap to run, even if they don't actually stop working!).

OP posts:
richthegreatcornholio · 27/01/2015 11:21

A modern diesel is totally unsuitable for your needs and will likely cause problems in the 8 years of ownership. I would also not want to own a Citroën for that length of time either. A simple non-turbo petrol engine is what you need. Preferably something far eastern if you really want reliability above all else.

richthegreatcornholio · 27/01/2015 11:32

Take a look at the Kia Carens. Third row of seats fold into the floor and they do a 1.6 petrol with a useful 133bhp so it won't be too sluggish. Add the 7 year warranty and you're onto a winner. You should definitely test drive one.

DifferentNow · 27/01/2015 11:48

We bought a new 1.6 petrol Kia Carens SR7 this weekend. 7 year warranty and high spec as standard. It's compact inside when all 7 seats are being used but a Maclaren Quest still fits in the boot. It looks like a car rather than a MPV and drives very nicely.

As it happens, 2 hours after we collected it and with less than 30 miles on the clock, some stupid fucker smashed into the side of us so it's currently being repaired and our courtesy car is a VW Sharan. It is wonderfully spacious but very sluggish and feels like driving a transit van.

Original poster
Arefrenchcarscrap · 27/01/2015 12:07

Thanks for the tip on the Kia, both of you.

I was keen to find something from the far east to compare against the S Max. I was disappointed that Nissan don't seem to have anything that fits the bill, but the Kia sounds like a great option.

I kind of knew a diesel wasn't for me, but it's surprisingly hard to buy a petrol car these days. I LOVE the sound of a 7-year warranty and it seems to be very competitively priced versus the Ford.

I will book a Ford and Kia test drive, I think.

DifferentNow - gutted to hear about your new car! Sounds like a complete nightmare.

OP posts:
richthegreatcornholio · 27/01/2015 12:12

Different What's the interior quality like? Soft feel plastics etc? Plenty of toys? Gutted to hear about someone hitting your brand new car!

iwantgin · 27/01/2015 12:28

I love my Citroen c4 Grand picasso.

Bought it new in Sept 2009 - and it is great. Only had to take it in to the garage once (servicing aside) for a glitch in the battery fuse.

Other than that it's been great.

Bought it originally as it was one of only a few cars which had the three full sized seats in the back. The extra 2 were just a bonus we use those very occasionally if we are giving other people lifts. It's a bit of a squeeze getting in there as an adult (and it is generally me who gets int he back as the smallest!! and I am not that small). We don't have young DC, but do have 3 teen boys -who didn't want squashing into the back seats. There is lots of space in the back seats - no complaints.

Mine is the exclusive - which made them all happy as had a few extras - sunblinds, extra charging sockets, seatback tables etc.

We have used it on the long drives to France each summer - and it does that very well. Everyone has plenty of space, the air con is great and i like the option of switching the speedo to Km, and using the speed limiters etc.

Some don't like the ride of it - it is more of a cruiser than a sports vehicle. But it is great for visibility - you can see all round. It feels very open and large, but isn't difficult to park.

DH has a new car which is 3 times more expensive than my Citroen was - but I still prefer to drive mine for jaunts about town, parking up etc.

iwantgin · 27/01/2015 12:29

Also I find it quite economical.

I have the 1.6 Diesel - despite a smallish engine it can pick up some speed.

imip · 27/01/2015 12:32

Our smax is coming up to 3yo. It's been great! We've driven it to Europe 4 times. We locked the keys in the car there, and ford assist helped us out.

We live in London, so usually driven at low speeds. I must admit at low speeds the car feels a little tinny, but at high speed (say 60k and over), it's a dream to drive.

I wouldn't let that put you off though, it's served us well (kinda imagining now that I've sung it's praising it may fall apart!).

NetballHoop · 27/01/2015 12:33

We have the VW Sharan (the newer style one) which has been perfect for us. All the rear seats fold flat leaving you with loads of space if you need it.

TheFairyCaravan · 27/01/2015 12:39

I wouldn't get the Citroen if you're going to keep it for 8 years. We had one from new and managed too eek 3 years out of it before we'd had enough of the niggly little faults and sold it. It was bloody uncomfortable too.

We looked at the Touran this time last year and was impressed by it, by as we only need 5 seats settled on a Golf.

ladymalfoy · 27/01/2015 12:44

Agree with Richthegreat.
We have a Carens. It's brilliant and easier to drive than my 407.
And there's a torch in the back! A torch! In the back!
And a mirror that flips down so you see what the Los are upto in the back.

thinkingaboutthistoomuch · 27/01/2015 12:52

just came on to say, I love sliding rear doors. Wish I had them when children were newborns in infant carrier, but great when still at the stage of lifting them in and out, doing buckles etc. Great on a windy day and/or tight car parking spaces, in my opinion. Also means when child is older and getting in themselves, not worrying about them damaging car beside.

Medoc · 27/01/2015 12:55

Marking place as I'm looking to change soon. Need 3 child seats, but nit necessarily the 7 seats.
Like the sliding doors at rear if SMax but really struggling with the thought of owning a ford (sorry!)
I was looking at Mercedes B class, but all my driving is urban, nose to tail and my previous merc (a class) was utterly crap for fuel economy (again about 5k per year)
I like the look of the Citroen

threeberries · 27/01/2015 13:23

have you looked at the seat Alhambra? love mine

imip · 27/01/2015 14:37

I struggled owning a ford also, for the price there are more reputable and 'better' brands out there. But the styling of the smax. And we wanted a small 7 seater. Just ticked too many boxes and I had to lose my snobbiness over the brand Smile.

I wish it had sliding doors though...

TheNumberfaker · 27/01/2015 14:46

I would never buy a French car.
We have a Toyota Verso. It has the same fold flat 3rd row as an Smax but the tonneau cover is easier to store when the extra seats are up. It also has airbags that go all the way back. I don't think the Smax does. It has very flexible seating and doesn't feel like a really big car. Cheaper than an Smax and Toyota have a 5 year warranty too.