what are pros n cons on onnect

[plonka69]

looking to buy a transit connect.. after reading a few reviews and technical data sheets im after advise on how the connect measures up to cab noise ,,, mpg,,, umpth,, and stylabillity.. ive read bout he charging problem where alot of peeps replaced the alternator when all was needed was FORD to come clean about how the loom was made to short and how the front tyres wear down evey 8 to 10.000 miles due to axel issues again FORD not accepting responsability.. rea how royal mail made a big enquirey.. with all this in mind i know to look for these problems.. but what model will give me go power response good mpg and cheap to maintain.. any advise is good advice cheers to all up front

[gt_addict]

I have only ever owned a connect as a van, I've driven plenty of others and I must say for the price it's the best I've driven. Drives like a car, I get 39mpg around town with 250kgs of tools onboard and a rhino roof rack. The alternator doesn't need to be replaced usually, just the £20 wiring loom that goes behind the radiator. The tyres I have on the rear have done approximately 25,000miles and the fronts have done 6,000miles and still have 4mm tread left across the whole width. So not sure where you read about an axle issue as I've never heard of one.

Overall it's a well priced, great handling, cheap to maintain and pretty good on fuel consumption van.

[plonka69]

what style model connect do you have ie engine size body type.. the tyre complaint i came across about a week ago searching TRANSIT CONNECT COMMON FAULTS... like you say your front tyres have done 6000 with 4mm left would say youve only got less than 4000 left at maximun as their more tan halfway worn... the tyre issue wouldnt bother me as im only wanting to be using in privately at weekends.. have a company van 11 reg citreon dispatch bag of nails more road noise than a mk1 transit with the doors open.. as comfortable as a mk1 panda seating and as quick as a kiddies bike with training wheels

[gt_addict]

I've got a 2004 reg, T230 LWB 1.8tdci 90ps with 112,000milss on the clock.

The tyres I've got on the front are Dunlop winter sport 3D. So they are going to wear quicker considering they are winter tyres. Still I don't think 10,000miles is too bad considering on my old focus ST170 I used to do a set in less than that

I've also had it remapped by http://fordtransit.org/ad/redirect/29/ (forum name is martynx on here) and I'm still getting the same mpg but with more power.

[plonka69]

thanks for reply.. the moneys i will be spending put me in the range of upto 2006 so your van stats are what i was looking at.. how much did your remap cost and did you notice it straight away... yeah 10.000 miles for me would take around 2 to 3 yrs so not bad at all also found that tyres are recommended to be replaced every 5 yrs as standard.. just trying to get a van that serves my minor needs and can give it a character without robbing a bank...

[gt_addict]

I opted for a postal remap. Basically you take your ecu out and note down the number on the sticker. Then send the unit off to vantuner and he will map it to your requirements. I just went for a standard remap, not absolute power. He reckons my van is pushing out around 110-115hp now. You do notice it straight away and it is rather fun in comparison to the old ford map.


As for tyres is your only doing weekend use and not daily driving in it then yes your tyres will last longer. I do about 10,000-15,000 miles a year and I'm expecting these front tyres to do that as I fitted them last November.

[plonka69]

thats a big jump in bhp.. will look up this vantuner and add the costing into the van.. thnks for all your help...

[gt_addict]

I forgot to mention price. It cost me £150 for a postal remap but in person (depending how far you are willing to travel) its around £250, but you can take the van for drives to hone the map to your exact needs.

No worries about helping, it's what we are here for

[michael firth]

Hi my 2011 connect has worn the rear tyres out on the outside smooth inside is 5mm dealer says it needs a new axel has been on order 4weeks told none in country has ford got a problem ?

[lightning]

I have a 2008 Connect TDCi T200 and I don't have this tyre wear problem. I get about 25,000 miles from the front tyres and they wear evenly.
The van is now on 52,000 miles and I never had any alternator wiring loom problems either, although the alternator did get noisy early this year and I had to replace it. £99 from my local motor factors, fitted it myself in half an hour.

Apart from that the van has been reliable. It's great to drive and being the 110ps is pretty lively too. I have had some software issues with it but this seems confined to the 110ps as others have not had the problems I've experienced.

I also replaced the throttle pedal, another common issue, although mine turned out not to be faulty. MPG is 36 on mainly local driving.
More on a run, 45mpg achievable if you drive at 55-65mph.