Transit

[lacroupade]

I'm ready to buy a low-roof SWB van, and having driven the Mk7 Transit a couple of times, thats the baby for me......looking for a medium mileage 56/57 plater but I've heard that the 2.2 TDCI engine can be a bitch because of expensive problems with the common-rail injection system.....any of our more technically-orientated members have any experience or views worth sharing?

 

[rayf3262]

All I can add to the assessment, is that that particular engine powers a wide gamut of Ford badged vehicles.
I think they have shoehorned into nearly all of there offerings!
Whatever you buy, it would be wise to ensure it comes with a cast iron warranty, after all you will be relying on it for your business to operate efficiently.

 

[96terrano]

I think the LDV convoy and pilot have a 2.5 transit engine in:bow

 

[lacroupade]

I think the LDV convoy and pilot have a 2.5 transit engine in:bow

...not to mention a well-deserved reputation as the vilest vans on the planet LOL......just Google them. :lol

 

[Timbo_1975]

Whether its in a mondeo, a transit or an s-max, the 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4's do have their fair share of problems. HP pumps, injectors, DMF's, cam chains it could be anything.

I would go for as late model as you can, they do seem to have got better recently. If it has a complete service history, go on condition rather than mileage.

 

[lacroupade]

Whether its in a mondeo, a transit or an s-max, the 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4's do have their fair share of problems. HP pumps, injectors, DMF's, cam chains it could be anything.

I would go for as late model as you can, they do seem to have got better recently. If it has a complete service history, go on condition rather than mileage.

Thats the only worrier.....if I had the budget I'd go after a Toyota or possible even a Nissan (Not sure the VW Transported justifies its price frankly), but the old Ford story is mass production = cheap parts & easy repairs (we hope).

I'm looking at the post-06 facelift which is when they went from the 2.0 as the base engine to to 2.2 TDCI.....

I would also consider the Renault Trafic, as prices are compatible, but my hatred of Renaults reliability reputation (or lack thereof!) puts me off......but then maybe the Trafic has a later Nissan/Renault unit that might be of better quality?

 

[Timbo_1975]

I would also consider the Renault Trafic, as prices are compatible, but my hatred of Renaults reliability reputation (or lack thereof!) puts me off......but then maybe the Trafic has a later Nissan/Renault unit that might be of better quality?

Err no, worse than you can ever imagine!!!

VW T5 is a great van though..

 

[lacroupade]

Err no, worse than you can ever imagine!!!

VW T5 is a great van though..

So my fears weren't groundless then.

Yes I have been tempted by the Transporter but its such silly money....unless I used it as daily transport as well of course, hmmm theres an idea! :naughty

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

My experience with transits isn't up to date enough

I have owned and run the 2.4 rwd variants up to 54 plate and they are very good indeed, no 'notable' issues at all (the early versions of this engine had a few niggles)

And the 2.0 fwd are also fine, nut i like RWD vehicles

 

[96terrano]

...not to mention a well-deserved reputation as the vilest vans on the planet LOL......just Google them. :lol

I don't need to google them I've done over 250 miles in one

 

[lacroupade]

I don't need to google them I've done over 250 miles in one

what without breaking down? I'm stunned LOL :lol

 

[spinna]

Another thing to bare in mind is the clutch, ive heard alot of stories about short life of the clutch if worked hard (most transits are) and they are very expensive to replace un like the old transits.

 

[Timbo_1975]

Look at the Toyota Hiace d4d. Very very underated vans.

 

[Deleted account DD]

VW & Mercs faired very well on my previous employers fleet they were used and driven to the max 24/7.

VW (probably larger than the one youre after) faired the best apparently.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Another thing to bare in mind is the clutch, ive heard alot of stories about short life of the clutch if worked hard (most transits are) and they are very expensive to replace un like the old transits.

yes a few of the very early 2.4's had clutch/flywheel issues back in 2000/2001 they were re-called but the story outlived the problem :thumb2

 

[Timbo_1975]

I would say that clutch and DMF issues on the 2.4 are still current, certinaly not as bad as they once were, but thats because many people have retro fitted single mass flywheels!

 

[dan]

Transits were good vehicles once!

The £9 wheel bearing is now, for some unknown reason £268

The rear axles can be problematic - £3k usually sorts it out.

The the dual mass flywheel, and the mondeo engine pulling it.

That said, the missus runs one at work (non turbo) which has done 180k now on its' 2.0 diesel. They have spent 5 grand on it this year though!

My honest advice - Toyota Hiace.........dry clutch, 2.4 tommy engine, they do the mileage. I think you have to think smart, and go with the best reliable basic truck you can!

Hiace clutch - £80

Wheel Bearing -£30

 

[Groundhog]

A Transit is a Transit, well proven. I'm running two N reg Transit midibuses with 2.5 non turbo diesels at the moment, both over 230,000 miles. As long as they are reguarly serviced they are bulletproof. The only problem was with the Lucas Epic pump used briefly on the 2.5TD, it had a tendancy to drop into limp mode if a sensor coughed.

 

[dan]

A Transit is a Transit, well proven. I'm running two N reg Transit midibuses with 2.5 non turbo diesels at the moment, both over 230,000 miles. As long as they are reguarly serviced they are bulletproof. The only problem was with the Lucas Epic pump used briefly on the 2.5TD, it had a tendancy to drop into limp mode if a sensor coughed.

The old ones were bulletproof....you wait until you get a newer one! You will be in for a shock!

 

[Timbo_1975]

A Transit is a Transit, well proven. I'm running two N reg Transit midibuses with 2.5 non turbo diesels at the moment, both over 230,000 miles. As long as they are reguarly serviced they are bulletproof. The only problem was with the Lucas Epic pump used briefly on the 2.5TD, it had a tendancy to drop into limp mode if a sensor coughed.

The EPIC was certainly EPICally dire. We have converted at least a dozen of these back to the mechanical VE pump as found on the non-turbo'd 2.5 flavour.