Newbie with questions...

[elted]

Hi, I'm about to upgrade from a Connect to the real thing, but I have a few Q's. I'm looking at a '04 125 T280 LWB MR, (38000 miles) with lots of goodies:
AC, Parking Sensors, Upgrade engine, and Durashift ASM.
I know that this is not a true automatic, however is it a reliable unit? Does anyone have any experience with one, I have heard conflicting reports, but none from anyone who has actually driven one for a period of time.
Thanks in advance.

[FredTransit]

Just wanted to say welcome, I have no idea about the later transit.

[AndyG]

Hi, I'm about to upgrade from a Connect to the real thing, but I have a few Q's. I'm looking at a '04 125 T280 LWB MR, (38000 miles) with lots of goodies:
AC, Parking Sensors, Upgrade engine, and Durashift ASM.
I know that this is not a true automatic, however is it a reliable unit? Does anyone have any experience with one, I have heard conflicting reports, but none from anyone who has actually driven one for a period of time.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome elted I did have a 90PS one for a week.
You must take this vehicle for a good test drive include parking and manouvering in tight spaces and on hills
You can read my findings under the mk3,4,5 section. Subsection "looking at an ex Police Van" and go straight to page 2

[nitroman]

hi elted! got the short wheelbase low roof version 125ps i can vouch for the engine and ride etc you will not be dissapointed at all, the durashift on the demo van i ran is ok but had jerky gearchanges and as mentioned before on here if you floored the van in say 3rd it will uneccasarly shift to 2nd instead of making use of torque available.it was slower but if you arnt a speed demon like me that wont matter!

[elted]

Thanks for your replys and welcome.
I asked the dealer for a 24 hour test drive and he gave it to me for 5 days .
The transmission takes a bit of getting used to. First gear and reverse don't actually engage until you accelerate, so parking can be a bit hairy . However on a long day of city centre driving (which is everyday for me) it's wonderful. The Aircon is great this time of year also. So I'll be getting the cheque book out on Monday. Thanks again.

[MarkM]

Unless you really need the van NOW I would wait until the new model is in the showrooms as all the old stock will get heavily discounted, you might even end up with a higher specced van rather than the one you are thinking of paying for now but I don't know your needs as to if you must have a van quickly.

[elted]

Unless you really need the van NOW I would wait until the new model is in the showrooms as all the old stock will get heavily discounted, you might even end up with a higher specced van rather than the one you are thinking of paying for now but I don't know your needs as to if you must have a van quickly.

The new model isn't available here (Ireland) until Oct/Nov, so waiting is not an option, but thanks for the idea.

[elted]

Hi, Time for an update...
On the last day of my test drive, I was sitting at traffic lights. When they went green, I accelerated, the van hopped gave a loud bang and stalled. I restarted, put it in Drive and accelerated again, this time it bunny hopped before stalling. This happened 4 times.
I turned it off for about 30 seconds (lots of horn blaring from behind at this time). then tried again. It ran fine for the rest of the day
I found the name and phone no. of the original owner in the service book, so I gave him a call. He says "Dont touch that bucket of S**t" apparantly it broke down 7 times in 8 months, he put 15000 miles on replacement vans .
So I brought it back to the dealer and told him that I won't be buying today.
Back to the drawing board .

[madmark]

i know a frend of mine runs a 15 seat bus with that gearbox , its been in and out of fords alot! he isnt that pleased with it attall! what about looking at the 125ps hallmark ????? this will have most of the bits you want! apart from the auto ,plus i think you get them cheaper were you are dont you?????

[elted]

Forgive my Transit ignorance but, What's a Hallmark???

[nitroman]

hallmark was one of the special edition transit with air con ,bulkhead and electric mirrors/windows very nice spec

[madmark]

there are a few left to be had, as nitroman says the speck is good, you can have 100ps engine or 125ps engine, metalic paint ,aircon ,heated elrtic mirrors ,foglamps,heated screen, rev counter, cd player, central remote locking, bulkhead,tinted glass,electric windows, traction control etc, nice speck van based on a transit 280 ! so good i am tempted myself!

[elted]

Thanks guys. I'll start looking right away.

[AndyG]

Hi, Time for an update...
On the last day of my test drive, I was sitting at traffic lights. When they went green, I accelerated, the van hopped gave a loud bang and stalled. I restarted, put it in Drive and accelerated again, this time it bunny hopped before stalling. This happened 4 times.
I turned it off for about 30 seconds (lots of horn blaring from behind at this time). then tried again. It ran fine for the rest of the day
I found the name and phone no. of the original owner in the service book, so I gave him a call. He says "Dont touch that bucket of S**t" apparantly it broke down 7 times in 8 months, he put 15000 miles on replacement vans .
So I brought it back to the dealer and told him that I won't be buying today.
Back to the drawing board .

It's only a mod. that Ford, now know how to cure

As I said before but just incase it can't be found now, what happens is the hydraulic clutch actuator draws in air and gives you this effect but usually after a sprint on the motorway
Still a nightmare to park on a hill in a small/ish place 'cause the box isn't "on line" until the engine reaches a predetermined rev Unlike a real automatic box that uses a torque converter and is always "on line"

Perhaps it's best that you'd steered clear

[elted]

what happens is the hydraulic clutch actuator draws in air and gives you this effect but usually after a sprint on the motorway

You've hit the nail right on the old head there Andyg, the traffic lights where it happened were at the end of the M50 motorway. You say there is a Mod for this? The dealer hadn't a clue what it was.