Anyone clued up on vans.
im after a van, i would like a VW Caddy, but they are still good money,
so its either a vauxhall combi, or Transit connect. i got 3k max.
What should i be looking out for on the connects? and what is the best engine to go for?

 

Off to buy a Connect tomorrow so I just hope they are good, Its a T200 SWB low roof

 

Working for Royal Mail I can conclude that the Connect is a tougher van. The only thing they seem to suffer with is the EGR valve. I love the Combi cdti's for the way they drive, but they are so so so much more fragile compared to the Fords.

The best van out of the lot is the proper Transits made before '06, they really are awesome machines!!

 

What does that mean? is it weight load?

 

if i got a vauxhall it would be a 1700 the 13cdti are too weak from what i heard.
the old transits are legendary, but too big for what i need.

 

I have an 06 connect that i use for work....not missed a beat in the year i've had it and doesn't exactly get treated like the car lol!
Been brilliant so far, a bit sluggish if i'm honest but well built, a nice size and i prefer the higher driving position over the combo's which really do feel like you're driving a little car (based on the corsa i know).
The newer 1.7cdti combo's go soo well for a van though.....if the connect had that engine/performance they'd be awesome imo!

 

what engine has yours got?

 

can bypass the egr's quite easily on the connects tbh, watch for exhaust flexi's going as they crack the manifold eventually and are a pain in the ass to change for anyone with hands bigger than a petite ladys lol!

 

The 1.8tddi 75bhp.....i looked for ages to find a nice one and nearly all of them at that age come with the 75bhp engine, although there is a 90bhp version too.
They do sound like 'transits' when they're cold lol, the engine doesn't have the refinement of some of the more modern diesel engine's in vans now but is a solid old lump.
I carry lots of tools/equipment and find it still pulls practically the same fully loaded as it does empty!

 

wots the story???

 

theres 2 ive seen one a 75 and the other is a 90, but the 75ps is a better spec'd van.

 

i saw an 85hp 06 connect go through the auction a few weeks back £1750+vat and fee 7% had fsh and 92k iirc it looked like new

 

Whats the story..... morning glory....... Oasis 1995, am i right?????
















think im going to get rid of the bora and get a van, i cant get any loot away from work with a car.

 

I'd go for the connect to had timing chains brake on the combos, my boss has just bought us a fully loaded connect 90ps electric windows and mirrors heated front, rear screens and mirrors, air con, remote central locking, and the only one i've ever seen with a lift up tailgate not 2 doors on the back.

 

when do the timing belts need changing on these? also what life does the clutch have roughly?

 

ya rite with oasis! was wonderin bout the van maklarkey! off till sat gis a call tmorro or fri

 

Yes i agree ive got an 02 reg tranny gets a beating every day hard as fuck

 

connect FTW, i think the best spec 1's are the T220 LX.

 

heres mine!!

 

When i worked for a rental company, You can imagine how the vans were treated, we did the belt at about 80k and you would do a clutch till atleast 150k

hope that helps

 

the footprint of a small transit is virtually the same as a lwb connect, plus they have a better turning circle too
but the connects handle really really well and will be easier to find in your price range

get one of the 90 brake versions though, quick enough, and if you get the drivers pack you get fogs front plus hot screen and heated washer jets, leccy mirrors (heated) and potentially reverse sensors and even ac

 

Just bought a 90ps T200 swb in the summer, very pleased with it after my previous Berlingo!




Theres plenty info on http://fordtransit.org/forum/ , they reckon the 75ps is underpowered and judging by my 90 I would be inclined to agree.

A few weeks ago I got mine mapped and it now feels similar to a Combo 1.7td in terms of acceleration, well worth the money. Got it done here www.vantuner.co.uk

Cheers, Mark

 

I have to say that the combo is by far the best of the small vans in my opinion. I cannot comment on the 1.3's 1st hand though, only the 1.7 which for me, lasted 285k, without missing a beat, only needing an airflow meter as it brought the light on, tyres, brakes and servicing. Thats around 20 years worth of driving so not bad going at all! Still on original clutch too!

I was speaking with a couple of AA patrol guys and there the people you need to talk too really. They actually said the transit connects are the worst vans for breakdowns, usualy EGR valves as mentioned.

Like anything i suppoose, it depends how its been looked after, more so with vans.

Ill be going for another combo next though, definatly!

 

the connects don't have issues with the egr mate, it's the proper full sized transits, the connects eat tyres and driveshafts but other than that don't seem to have too many issues

 

I'd keep well off the VW.

Weve got 2 at work and there fookin horrible to drive. Absolute shite, no power and the drive is utter shite.

 

You've been lucky with the Combo. We get load through the door with big problems. Utter shite van for durability and reliability.

Transit Connects don't have EGR faults and are pretty bullet proof. Just suffer from a wiring fault at the front of the engine that stops them from charging usually.

 

Connect every day, i've worked on tonnes and by far the most common problem is collapsed front wheel bearings! Engines are pretty bullet proof (Have been in fords for 20+ years in one form or another) spot on to drive, handle well and not too bad on fuel, happy days.

 

What were the big problems with the combo's out if interest? Obviously it depends on the van, but im just going by what the AA guys have said, and they say they have far more breakdowns with them then they do with the combo's.

In fact i tell i lie, i had to replace both front springs, but other than that (£50), and the airflow meter (£30), and serviced it and thats it. Sailed through every MOT its had. Original clutch, original wheel bearings, even original bushes on the front end, although i must admit, there probabaly about ready soon.

I think the key with buying a used van, is to get one thats been driven by the owner, not by staff/workers who dont usually give a shit about it.

 

we have a vauxhall combi, if you leave it outside in the cold for to long ( more than a day ) with out moving it, the brakes at the back seize

 

ive had a combi they are shite unless its the old 1.7 new cdtis are crap
the conect is a far better van but get the ddi not the cd.
and as for the caddy they tend to go through gear boxes

 

Funny you should say that as I noticed my Corsa doing it t'other day!!!nit sure if the handbrakes a but tight though as it locks on about 2 clicks,awesome bar!!!

 

where are th3 connects goin cheap these days?

im after one but can only find retail, i want to auction but locally theres not much about

also transit biggies are just as good, mine if 10 plate and fully loaded mind
my old pov spec connects wernt such nice places to be but then i'd fit all the gubbins inc nice seats neways

 

Just a small list of issues for you...

EGR valves, wiring faults, ABS faults, Boost control faults EGR control circuit faults, immobiliser faults, ECU faults, pump and injector faults causing random non-starts, valve clearence issues causing misfires. We also had cutting out and low power issues but I can't remember what was the cause of them.

We did have a series of wiring problems on a loom that ran over the engine somewhere chaffing through and causing cutting out issues.

Had a couple of radios stop working too.

We have had mechanical issues with wearing hub knuckes where the ball joints go into the hub too on a couple.

 

Funny you should mention that actually as mine did that a couple of times before. You just need to get someone to bounce up and down on the back and off they pop.

Jeeeez, i must have one of the good ones then.