Looking at a MK7

[chris_r]

Hi all,

I work as a courier down here in Adelaide, South Australia. My current work vehicle of choice is an extremely unreliable 2010 Hyundai iLoad TQ-V diesel van. In the 3.5 years I've owned this steaming pile of manure, I've covered 172,000kms and am currently having the engine rebuilt a second time due to a broken oil pump chain. So once I've got this yard ornament back, I'm looking at selling it as soon as I possibly can and looking for a replacement to suit.

Now, my work as a contracted courier dictates a couple things in terms of vehicles. One is, I need a vehicle at least 2007 or newer with a minimum 1 tonne payload and it must be white. My boss, however has asked me that if possible that I get a van with the swing opening barn style doors. No problem, that counts out the Hiace and leaves me with a range of Euro vans to choose from. I've had a Mercedes Vito before and whilst it was nice to drive, it too was unreliable (and costly). We have Renault Trafic vans here too, but they too have a lot of issues in local conditions. Then there's the Ford Transit, often referred to by local dealers as the "Tragedy", yet I kind of have a soft spot for them, especially the Mk7 model, which my previous employer started using prior to the end of my term in that job. Great vans to drive and still more comfortable getting in and out of than forward control vans like the Hiace.

So, I'm thinking of getting a 2007 MK7 (referred to as the VM series here) or later, manual turbo diesel, rear wheel drive (I've heard some of the front wheelers have gearbox issues), short roof and short wheelbase Transit. What I want to know is if anyone here has problems with them and is there anything I should look for or expect engine/gearbox wise?

[gopher]

Hi see no one helping lol. im in Adelaide too have a mark6 or 2001 vh great to drive have had problems with camchain guide wear at 12000km cost$8 grand to fix clutch replace and has been slipping for 12 months , now have knock at idle , hope mark 7 or vm is better am looking at one too have you had any luck.

[ake]

Can't speak for Australia, but we run Mk 7 vans and have had very few problems, other than service items. We have had about 20 and probably done over 2 million miles

[chris_r]

Can't speak for Australia, but we run Mk 7 vans and have had very few problems, other than service items. We have had about 20 and probably done over 2 million miles

As I've seemed to find, weather conditions are torture on cars down here. The iLoad's D4CB engine for example, timing chains are practically supposed to last forever, but as myself and several other couriers have discovered they don't last 200,000kms. Which, funny enough is just outside the warranty period.

I did speak to another courier driver who owns a Mk7, and in the 300,000kms he's done, he's only had to do a starter motor and a thermo fan. I think that makes my mind up when I'm done with the Hyundai.