ex-RAC Transits... Good buy?

[skyte]

Hi

I'm looking at getting a van and probably gonna go for a transit. I've got about £4k-£5k to spend.

I've seen ex-RAC transits going from MVS near Sheffield and they seemed like a good bunch of guys. They shift 10 a week and you can test drive what you want and then pick one. MVS then MOT it, take the clobber out of the back and sort out the bodywork if it needs it.

The price is right for a 2001 (mk6 I think) and they have around 80k - 100k mileage. Presumably a good service history and moderate use - always full of tools and some towing. They are all one driver from new but the RAC are getting rid of them at this age for a reason...

MVS recommended the Transit 330 as being a more robust van.

Has anyone had any experience with ex-RAC transits?

Anyone know if the 330 is better / worse / same for mpg as the 280?

Any comments would be great!

[gemini]

youre buying one from the right place as he gets ALL the rac vans and keeps the best ones to sell himself the others, non runners etc are sold on to traders

[sc_BK]

Depends also on what you're planning on using it for, AFAIK all ex-RAC transit have a tailgate, which means you won't be able to get a forklift up to it

[skyte]

the tailgate is actually perfect coz i'll be using it to further my career as a kitesurfing beach bum and having a door to stand under when getting in/out of a wetsuit in the rain is a good thing.

I'm just trying to figure out if the 330 will have a wierd axle ratio that makes it great for pulling heavy loads but pants for motorway driving or whether the 330 is beefed up suspension etc.

What exactly is the difference between 280 and 330 etc? is it more than just axel ratios?

[madmark]

ex rac are great vans! i love them if i wanted a cleen mk5 this would be the only one to get with tailgate and a few other parts!

the 330 mk6 is a god all round van test drive one make shure its want you want and you wont go wrong! normaly they are maintained regardless infact i was at my dealer the otherday and they had just done some work on a mk6 one and the bill was over £1500

[transitgeoff]

what did they do?? replace the battery

[motorwise]

what did they do?? replace the battery

be fair they put new wipers on as well

[AndyG]

What exactly is the difference between 280 and 330 etc? is it more than just axel ratios?

As no one else wants to tell you

The usual 280 will probably be a 2.0L fwd and the 330 will be a 2.4L rwd. So the floor in the 330 rwd will be slightly higher when compared

But go for that test drive I would imagine that the axle ratio would be geared for towing rather than cruising

Do a bit of homework and find out what box on the ID Plate tells you the axle ratio You may find they vary

[skyte]

Thanks Andy!

Will do some homework and figure out what the ID plate tells. Will start by searchin this forum!

My other concern with the transit is the rust problem... the beach kills vans... especially transits!

My mate's transit's last visit to the garage resulted in them jackin up the van but the front wheels stayin on the ground as the front of the van had sort of rusted itself seperate to the rest of the van!

Many transits rust badly around the top of the windscreen it seems. Any other badspots to watch for?

[gemini]

Any other badspots to watch for?

only the body and chassis

[AndyG]

On a 330 it's easy to put your head underneath because of the extra ground clearance and 16" wheels

The RAC usually take care of their vans and it's not unknown that some have extra undersealing

If you're using it on the beach you'd best waxoyl it regulary

[skyte]

thanks again...

I will be sure to check the body and chassis for rust! MVS recomended spraying inside all the panels regularly with WD40, but I might have greenpeace follow me to every beach with a clean up squad :!

So who's gonna stick their head out and recommend which axle ratio will be best suited for a 330 loaded light (maybe 100Kg - 200Kg) for gettin to and from the beach?

I'm guessing the highest ratio would be better - does a ratio of X:1 mean the wheels go round X times for every one engine revolution? But I'm also guessing that the 330 will not come in every possible axle ratio?

Sorry for the 20 Qs!

[gemini]

100Kg - 200Kg you wont know its on, i would go for lowest miles best condition everytime

[skyte]

fnuk this forum is fast!

mileage and condition will be first priority, but i don' wanna end up with something built for towing that screams it's nuts off at 70mph carrying a poxy payload of kitesurfing gear and gettin 20mpg!

[MrMPuk]

but i don' wanna end up with something built for towing that screams it's nuts off at 70mph carrying a poxy payload of kitesurfing gear and gettin 20mpg!

You don't want an RAC van then.