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I’m in the market in the next few weeks for a new to me works van and after much deliberation I’ve decided on the Transit.
I’m looking at the Limited swb model but there seem to be a few different engines fitted, so are there any which I should avoid and any which are a must.
Tia.
Well I believe the recent engines are just re-mapped to give the different power outputs. I have a 2017 transit custom and bought the mid range bhp verison. It can be re-mapped to give more bhp but still good mpg. You need to find a company that does the re-mapping and ask.
Also, dont forget the what loads you intend to fill it with will to some extent dictate what enging option is best for you. Mine only has my bike in the back, as such its pleanty fast enough.
Thanks Trimix, I’m not carryinga lot of weight so that’s not a problem. Will look into the remapping.
Have you spent any time driving one? I had one on hire for a day last week and found it hugely uncomfortable, had a Vivaro the week before which was a much better driving position for me.
Yes I’ve driven one and found it fine, I’m not doing any long runs anyway just short journeys between jobs. I’ve had Transits before and always got on with them.
I got a new Sport LWB with the 185 engine a few months back. Sporty suspension but it's still comfy. Also goes like stink. Get one of those 🙂
2nd the sport with 185 engine. Ive got the DCiv auto.
Can even start it with your phone if that floats yer boat 😜
DCiv manual here, so can't start with my phone - bugger!
I have a 2017 with the 2L “panther” engine (adblue needed).
My workmate has the older 2.2 engine pre adblue. Same power output but mine is noticeable smoother, quieter and more torque.
Not had any issues, when I did loads of <3 mile journeys for a mo month it did flag up I needed to do a longer run so it could do a burn off. Usually up/down motorway a fair bit and never seen it come on again.
I’ve had Transits before and always got on with them.
Dont compare the new transits to the old ones in comfort terms - the old ones I reckon were some of the most comfortable vans you could drive. The new ones (the small Customs not the 3.5t ones) have an a really jarring ride. First one I drove I pulled into the first garage to see if there was too much air in the tyres.
If its for work - depending on work you do with it - you may need to get a tape measure out. The new shape van is a bit smaller than the old one. Not so that you'd notice on paper where the measurements are along the floor, but a backwards sloping bulkhead cuts into the loadspace a fair bit so things you'd thing would fit in a 'transit sized van' might not fit.
I've had a 2004 Mk6 and currently got a 2013 Mk7, both very comfy (for the driver, no adjustment on the double passenger seats)
Anyway, my engines were a 85hp 2L and now a 125hp 2.2L, pre-ad blu.
Both generally reliable, alternator, starter motor and fuel pump in the first in the time I had it (79k-140k miles) and no engine issues on the current one (bought at 79k again, now 86k)
Fuel pump was expensive and a PITA, the other bits cheap and easy.
The thing which will kill a Transit is rust. Not so sure about the newer ones but check rear suspension mounts, sills, engine mounts, rear cross member behind the bumper and under the passenger seat. Also wings but that's usually cosmetic.
To answer the question, the 125hp has been great for me. 35mpg in a LWB semi-high and enough power to overtake stuff, it will never be fast as it's too big to corner well. My previous one cornered better but 85hp was underpowered but did 40mpg in SWM low roof guise. I suspect the 140hp would be too thirsty for me, I'm happy with the 125, seems a good balance.
I spent ages looking for a petrol/LPG one but they are rare as hens teeth and either knackered or silly money
I hired one of the XLWB ones a month ago for a 600 mile round trip journey.
It was poor compared to the equivalent merc I had last time.
It must have been the lowest spec as it had no cruise control, air con or reversing sensors. Hateful thing.
I hired one of the XLWB ones a month ago
Theres a lot weird about the bigger transits - something odd about the mirrors means the blind spot directly behind you is enormous, they are oddly keen on stalling during low speed moves and the load space floor is lined with teflon and feels like its got carpet underneath 🙂
They're not really 'transits' at all - they were designed for the US market as a replacement for the Econoline
I had a 2016 2.2 Tdci which used the very popular engine that was used in dozens of cars, Inc jaguar and LR products. Mine was the Sport with the two stripes on the bonnet. Did 22k in a year and heres the low down.
way better built than any Vauxhall/Fiat/French option.
2.2 155bhp engine felt strangled, had mine re-mapped to 190 bhp and MPG went up and removes the 102mph speed limiter they come with as standard.
At the time, the new panther 2.0 engines were having horrendous issues with oil and filter change warnings and ford did a re0mod which basically increased the length of the dip stick.
The 2.0 is much smoother than the 2.2 and if you can get the right standard of spec, then don't worry if its underpowered, theyre all the same engine and a £300 remap will see you over 200bhp regardless of wether you bought 100bhp or 170bhp model.
The standard locks are STILL utter gash. Factor in £160 for a Hykee lock replacement.
Very car like to drive, the good spec models are a nice space to be in,
They have clutch assist/anti-stall, so you don't need to rev the engine to get moving, but people do and then slip the clutch too much and complain about a jerky drive.
Far more passenger room and oddment storage than a VW Transporter. I'm 6'1" and the VW salesman perturbed me as much as possible against a test drive, celarly knew the steering adjustment and bulkhead on the VW is short and not very adjustable.
If you get anything with 18" wheels they have extra load car tyres fitted, so the fronts wont see much beyond 12k and 25 aboslute max on the rears. I did get dome great Falken FR433's on mine after the fronts where done after 8k!
I'd have another one tomorrow.
got a late 2017 custom limited swb, 130bhp which coming from a 85hp mk7 was a massive jump up. also get over 35mpg. regually do long jouneys biking and its comfortable and quite. limited is a decent spec, heated seats are great after a winter bike ride.
load it to the max with naterials and it is noticable so if you are always at max weight more power would be better and 8x4 sheets still fit in flat but not as high up as the mk7.
rear end is a little bouncy, an A road i regually drive there is a corner thats fine at 55, but at 60 the back end actually skips round the corner, got me a bit worried the first time.
DCiv manual here, so can’t start with my phone – bugger!
Mine parks itself in spaces and parallel too 😉
And tells me if traffic is coming when reversing out of a blind spot
Got to love the toys 🙂
Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate it.
Space isn’t going to be a problem as I’m currently in an nv200 and that’s been ok just need a wee bit more room and load is going to be fine as well, just two sets of ladders and a few electrical parts.
As far as remapping goes it sounds very interesting and something I will look into when I get sorted but how does effect your insurance etc?
Going off at a tangent I’m looking at van racking systems, don’t need it fully racked just down one side, what are you guys using if you are.
I googled for racking, lots of companies supply Ply racking in all sorts of shapes, sizes, options. Cheap and well made. So cheap it seems daft to try to make your own. I got mine and painted it to look really slick and pro. Here you go: https://www.mkplylining.co.uk/