[slap bash]

|My van just passed its fourth MOT since I have had this van never a fail yet. The only expense I have had in 4 years is two new tyres. Its a good van for anyone thinking of buying a van.And never had a garage service in the time. I do one once a year myself.

[Cookie]

The Connect comes up as the 2nd most reliable van in this Parkers survey:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/vans/news-and-advice/2015/january/most-reliable-vans-of-2014/

I have a 2004 Vauxhall Combo which doesn't even appear in the top 10 

[the king]

the combo is a very relible moter thats the 1.7 dti  /di and the 1.7cdti  the 1.3cdti can snap the chin at low milege  not shore about the new ones connect is nce the tddi 75 was more relible but the tdci 90 was nce and 115  but not quiet as relible more to go rong injectors were a issue but they came out on prob unlike other makes lol

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwikgs6g-b3KAhUBZyYKHfaEB20QFggqMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpassionford.com%2Fforum%2Fgeneral-car-related-discussion%2F395794-transit-connect-tddi-vs-tdci-engines.html&usg=AFQjCNF6nBbucdcjN67bekXEBLpU1YDVdQ&sig2=qhWstCDN3UkptgxiFNBsWw

[NWH]

Mine never missed a beat in years over 100 k when I sold it the bloke who bought it had to have 2-3 new valves I believe,oh dear.

[rosskesava]

I've had a 03 transit connect form almost new. Ex BT with 11 000 on the clock bought in 2004.

Now at 180 000.

Apart from the normal usual stuff, cam belt due to mileage (£130),  the only major repair was a recon gear box at £800 at 160 000 and had a new clutch for an extra £60. Oh, and a fan belt pulley disintegrated - £120.

Loads of odd things are now showing signs of wearing such as a squeaking heater fan, a small leak in a door seal, sliding door remote unit duff, headlight adjuster gone naff, squeaking windscreen wash pump, etc, so time for a change. Plus the van is starting to look a bit tired and a bit old.

Out of all the vans I've ever owned, it's been the best by a mile without a single breakdown in all that time.

Am thinking of buying a 4 seater Ford Ranger next.

[matthewprice]

Have a 09 connect. Within warranty no 4 injectors went.since another 2 have went .doing a bit of research believe there might have been a bad batch.other than that been great

[dazmond]

the T230 is the perfect size van for wfp IMO for a one man band.

after having a kangoo van for 4 years,the connect is in a different league,larger,feels more solid and much better payload.

i ve had to replace 2 starter motors and an alternator though in 2 years!

[Spruce]

The Connect comes up as the 2nd most reliable van in this Parkers survey:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/vans/news-and-advice/2015/january/most-reliable-vans-of-2014/

I have a 2004 Vauxhall Combo which doesn't even appear in the top 10 

Renault didn't do well on the survey;

It was a particularly bad year for Renaults, with the Renault Trafic and Renault Master both falling out of the Top 10, and falling from fifth to eighth in the manufacturer ratings. The only other van to fall out of the Top 10 was the Vauxhall Movano.

A Vauxhall Movano is a rebadged Renault.

[dd]

I've yet to find anyone else who has a van like mine! Had it 4 years in March and only tyres and wiper blades replaced. I think brake pads coming up. Only done just over 20,000 miles. A year's warranty left but this is a keeper, maybe even 'til I retire but it'll be 14 years old by then ...

Sorry, but a 4 year old van with 20k should not need anything replacing - even tyres IMO. What makes it so special?

[Spruce]

I've had a 03 transit connect form almost new. Ex BT with 11 000 on the clock bought in 2004.

Now at 180 000.

Apart from the normal usual stuff, cam belt due to mileage (£130),  the only major repair was a recon gear box at £800 at 160 000 and had a new clutch for an extra £60. Oh, and a fan belt pulley disintegrated - £120.

Loads of odd things are now showing signs of wearing such as a squeaking heater fan, a small leak in a door seal, sliding door remote unit duff, headlight adjuster gone naff, squeaking windscreen wash pump, etc, so time for a change. Plus the van is starting to look a bit tired and a bit old.

Out of all the vans I've ever owned, it's been the best by a mile without a single breakdown in all that time.

Am thinking of buying a 4 seater Ford Ranger next.

Out of interest; is there any rust developing on the sills toward the back wheels?

[rosskesava]

Out of interest; is there any rust developing on the sills toward the back wheels?

Not that I've noticed.

I'll have a look tomorrow.

[ray mck]

Just had mine checked for rust 4 plates welded on the sills.

[DaveG]

I've yet to find anyone else who has a van like mine! Had it 4 years in March and only tyres and wiper blades replaced. I think brake pads coming up. Only done just over 20,000 miles. A year's warranty left but this is a keeper, maybe even 'til I retire but it'll be 14 years old by then ...

Hyundai if I remember correctly 

My old H100 (1998), with about 150,000 miles on the clock, only went to a new owner due to rust 

[JackieW]

What is the largest, as in heaviest, tank that can be carried in one?
Safely  I mean.

[rosskesava]

Out of interest; is there any rust developing on the sills toward the back wheels?

Not that I've noticed.

I'll have a look tomorrow.

Nope. No rust.

Phew....

[slap bash]

I spoke to early. One of the fuel lines to the motor came loose today and spewed diesel everywhere  and in traffic so by the time I got the hood open  had lost 10 liters of fuel.  I was at the hospital for a check up for my knee replacement. But was able to fix it after my visit to the doctor. Thank God it was diesel not petrol. Still a good van.

[Spruce]

What is the largest, as in heaviest, tank that can be carried in one?
Safely  I mean.

T200 = 625kg payload, so 400 liter safely.
T220 = 825 kg payload, so 500 liters.
T230 = 900 kgs payload. I wouldn't put 650 liter tank in it.

500 liters is more than enough for a single operator per day. Despite what Daz says, they are a small van. A LWB will comfortably take a 500 liter tank length ways (front to back) with a hose reel behind it. There isn't then a lot of space left to the rear doors. There will be enough room down the side between the tank and the sides to fit a fold up ladder/steps.

If you have a bulkhead then you can only fit an SLX22 in at an angle down the side or diagonally across the top of the tank.

You need a side loading door, which I think is standard on the LWB but was an optional extra on the swb (although most vans ordered for stock by the dealers had side loading doors.) There are some swb examples on Ebay that don't have a side loading door. I was looking yesterday.

[dazmond]

i have the mesh bulkhead type in my T230 and theres room above to fit poles in with ease.i have a 25ft and 47ft.they fit in nice and straight and can easily shut the rear doors.

theres enough room for fixed reel,pumpbox,backpack,trad gear,gas heater and bottle,fold up trolley,5l pressure sprayer,warning cone,toolbox,spare cloths/brushes,cleaning chemicals,etc.the cab has storage above the windscreen for gloves/hats and a shelf on the dashboard for invoices,chits,leaflets and business cards.

its big enough for a sole trader yet not too big to manoeuvre in tight spaces/small driveways.

[Klean07]

Had my Connect 200 for 8 years before I upgraded to a bigger newer Citroen Dispatch last year. I only ever had to buy tyres plus the usual cambelt change and service plus it never let me down.