I’d appreciate the advice of the more mechanically minded. The old transit connect is being retired after this season. So I need a new fishing machine. I’ve narrowed it down to either of these.
Question is do I buy a newer lower mileage transit custom and accept they have a wet belt. Or buy an older higher mileage T6.
It won’t be a daily driver, so higher mileage not so much of a problem. I’ve always had Ford vans but the 2.0lt eco blue makes me nervous. But then so does buying a much older t6 with four times the mileage for the same money. Only VW I’ve owned was a golf, no experience of their vans.
Any thoughts?
Cheers chaps
Question is do I buy a newer lower mileage transit custom and accept they have a wet belt. Or buy an older higher mileage T6.
It won’t be a daily driver, so higher mileage not so much of a problem. I’ve always had Ford vans but the 2.0lt eco blue makes me nervous. But then so does buying a much older t6 with four times the mileage for the same money. Only VW I’ve owned was a golf, no experience of their vans.
Any thoughts?
Cheers chaps
In reply to Post #1
Any mechanic I’ve ever spoken to, says avoid the wet belt transits like the plague!!
Any mechanic I’ve ever spoken to, says avoid the wet belt transits like the plague!!
In reply to Post #1
Following - I want a 4Motion Caddy Max . . .or poss a 4Motion T6 SWB . . .I think?
All advice appreciated . . .
Following - I want a 4Motion Caddy Max . . .or poss a 4Motion T6 SWB . . .I think?
All advice appreciated . . .
Its basically the wet belt on newer stuff vs cam belt on older stuff. Both have their problems if not maintained correctly, and thats without the lottery of the DPF/EGR/Adblue.
I have T6 Campervan and taken precautions to avoid DPF/EGR/Adblu problems and I just replace the cam belt every 5 years (not cheap).
However, personally I wouldnt avoid newer because of a wet belt .... If the vehicle is second hand, then ford main dealer service history is essential (or at least evidence of service history, including itemised paperwork confirming the correct oil has been used - the correct oil is very important!) and its likely to be as problem free as any alternative.
For me, lower mileage / newer vehicle with wet belt (with FSH) will always trump older higher mileage vehicles.
I cant wait to move away from diesel all together personally, just a shame it wont be for a whie yet.
I have T6 Campervan and taken precautions to avoid DPF/EGR/Adblu problems and I just replace the cam belt every 5 years (not cheap).
However, personally I wouldnt avoid newer because of a wet belt .... If the vehicle is second hand, then ford main dealer service history is essential (or at least evidence of service history, including itemised paperwork confirming the correct oil has been used - the correct oil is very important!) and its likely to be as problem free as any alternative.
For me, lower mileage / newer vehicle with wet belt (with FSH) will always trump older higher mileage vehicles.
I cant wait to move away from diesel all together personally, just a shame it wont be for a whie yet.
Doesn't the VW T6 have a wet belt for the oil pump though?
Ok, I get that's not as problematic as the ford offering.
Ok, I get that's not as problematic as the ford offering.
In reply to Post #4
So the t6 needs a cambelt change every five’s years the same as a custom with a wet belt?
I’m guessing as it’s a dry belt it’s a much easier and cheaper job than on the custom?
So the t6 needs a cambelt change every five’s years the same as a custom with a wet belt?
I’m guessing as it’s a dry belt it’s a much easier and cheaper job than on the custom?
In reply to Post #6
The UK arm of VW stated for many years that the cam belt should be changed at 5 years or 60,000 miles (whatever sooner), and yet more recently VW UK has fallen inline with the rest of Europe/World and dropped the recommended 5 yearly change, and now recommend inspect at 100K miles.
Make you own mind up with that one.
Cost (including waterpump and tensioner) is anything from £600 to £1000+ (highly recommended to use genuine VAG parts for this job)
The UK arm of VW stated for many years that the cam belt should be changed at 5 years or 60,000 miles (whatever sooner), and yet more recently VW UK has fallen inline with the rest of Europe/World and dropped the recommended 5 yearly change, and now recommend inspect at 100K miles.
Make you own mind up with that one.
Cost (including waterpump and tensioner) is anything from £600 to £1000+ (highly recommended to use genuine VAG parts for this job)
In reply to Post #1
what about a low mile t5.1 ?
what about a low mile t5.1 ?
In reply to Post #7
Good information
I have a 2023 transit custom. Most Ford engines have wet belts!
Ultimately it comes down to maintenance. You need to look after them and change the oil as recommended, do the belt at the recommended frequency and you should have no bother. From 2022 onwards they have upgraded the belt spec. Reading between the lines the problem is when diesel gets into the sump, this accelerates belt degradation. They check for this when they drop the oil
The new VW and Ford are on the same chassis too
Good information
I have a 2023 transit custom. Most Ford engines have wet belts!
Ultimately it comes down to maintenance. You need to look after them and change the oil as recommended, do the belt at the recommended frequency and you should have no bother. From 2022 onwards they have upgraded the belt spec. Reading between the lines the problem is when diesel gets into the sump, this accelerates belt degradation. They check for this when they drop the oil
The new VW and Ford are on the same chassis too
In reply to Post #4
For me, lower mileage / newer vehicle with wet belt (with FSH) will always trump older higher mileage vehicles.
100% if i was buying older and didn't know the full service history i would just get the belt changed and try and negotiate that in the price
For me, lower mileage / newer vehicle with wet belt (with FSH) will always trump older higher mileage vehicles.
100% if i was buying older and didn't know the full service history i would just get the belt changed and try and negotiate that in the price
In reply to Post #10
All motors need looking after - are we saying most trade vans are / have been abused? Sure I read somewhere yrs ago that ex British Gas vans were worth a punt at high miles as they have complete service records . .
All motors need looking after - are we saying most trade vans are / have been abused? Sure I read somewhere yrs ago that ex British Gas vans were worth a punt at high miles as they have complete service records . .
In reply to Post #11
Service records are everything, all online now, can see mine on the Ford app. If i was buying one, as mentioned below, i would want to see a dealer service history. To be fair, larger cooperates who operate a lot of vehicles usually have these so they may have high mileage but hey will have also been well maintained. I would check the previous owners and who has done the servicng
Flip side, trade vans are generally thrashed to death (multiple drivers) as opposed to one privately owned 
Personally i certainly wouldn't buy an ex delivery van
Service records are everything, all online now, can see mine on the Ford app. If i was buying one, as mentioned below, i would want to see a dealer service history. To be fair, larger cooperates who operate a lot of vehicles usually have these so they may have high mileage but hey will have also been well maintained. I would check the previous owners and who has done the servicng
Flip side, trade vans are generally thrashed to death (multiple drivers) as opposed to one privately owned
Personally i certainly wouldn't buy an ex delivery van
In reply to Post #12
Totally agree on the service history BUT the worst cases of lieing, skimping or not doing paid for work have all been with main dealers. I now use a trusted back street garage for all my servicing and repairs.
Totally agree on the service history BUT the worst cases of lieing, skimping or not doing paid for work have all been with main dealers. I now use a trusted back street garage for all my servicing and repairs.
In reply to Post #9
Not 100% relevant as it’s not the vehicles being discussed, but my boss has got a 2024 Ford Warrior truck with just over 20,000 on the clock, that snapped a wet belt last week. Still waiting to find out if it’s covered under warranty, needs a new engine, or is a total write off!
Not 100% relevant as it’s not the vehicles being discussed, but my boss has got a 2024 Ford Warrior truck with just over 20,000 on the clock, that snapped a wet belt last week. Still waiting to find out if it’s covered under warranty, needs a new engine, or is a total write off!
In reply to Post #14
I guess my comment was about most Fords have wet belts is
Oh dear, must be well pissed. Based on the law of averages he sounds unlucky, hope he is covered by warranty, should be
I once bought a Ford escort 1.8 TD, still under warranty and the belt went,, ended up swapping it for a Mondeo, told them I didn’t want the escort back after they had repaired it
I guess my comment was about most Fords have wet belts is
Oh dear, must be well pissed. Based on the law of averages he sounds unlucky, hope he is covered by warranty, should be
I once bought a Ford escort 1.8 TD, still under warranty and the belt went,, ended up swapping it for a Mondeo, told them I didn’t want the escort back after they had repaired it
In reply to Post #14
It’s stories like that which are giving me sleepless nights!!
It’s stories like that which are giving me sleepless nights!!
In reply to Post #16
I'm not surprised and I'm there at the mo with the uncertainty though not what your looking at.
I had my cam chain inspected by Peugeot who've re warranteed it, but I just don't trust them as the rectification work is 2k. When they tell you it's a 3 month back log and you think who's got 3 months loss of use on a vehicle.
When you look on Ebay and see sites selling recon engines because of the same fault, sub 3K£ fitted and you actually think that's not bad...WTH.
In Jan I'd made the decision to find a Merc or Renault because they don't use PSA or Ford engines but rather a R/M/Nissan unit. Buying a VW and paying extra because it's a VW...maybe in the past but not now, not for me anyway, each to their own though.
And as for letting any chain or belt run to manufacturers recs...is that a thing even. My old car said x years or 100k, standard in real world was 70k.....or run the risk!
I'm not surprised and I'm there at the mo with the uncertainty though not what your looking at.
I had my cam chain inspected by Peugeot who've re warranteed it, but I just don't trust them as the rectification work is 2k. When they tell you it's a 3 month back log and you think who's got 3 months loss of use on a vehicle.
When you look on Ebay and see sites selling recon engines because of the same fault, sub 3K£ fitted and you actually think that's not bad...WTH.
In Jan I'd made the decision to find a Merc or Renault because they don't use PSA or Ford engines but rather a R/M/Nissan unit. Buying a VW and paying extra because it's a VW...maybe in the past but not now, not for me anyway, each to their own though.
And as for letting any chain or belt run to manufacturers recs...is that a thing even. My old car said x years or 100k, standard in real world was 70k.....or run the risk!
In reply to Post #17
My 2022 Peugeot van was recalled for the 7mm chain, It passed the "noise" test.
I asked what that means in terms of warranty as they were sending me away still with the weaker chain. I was told if it snapped at a later date I would be in the hands of Peugeot customer service. They will decide what, if any, support I would get.
I left feeling very disappointed with Peugeot.
My 2022 Peugeot van was recalled for the 7mm chain, It passed the "noise" test.
I asked what that means in terms of warranty as they were sending me away still with the weaker chain. I was told if it snapped at a later date I would be in the hands of Peugeot customer service. They will decide what, if any, support I would get.
I left feeling very disappointed with Peugeot.
In reply to Post #18
That's the one mate, don't forget they change the oil to 5w30 from 0w10 or whatever it was to keep the chain lubed and amazingly aid it's shear strength....yeah right.
I'd had mine serviced 5 months earlier by a local indy and I asked them to use the 5w30 as though Peugeot had changed it on the books they we're unable to fit my car in earlier. How would that of worked if it snapped, not to mention it was a very slow recall...hmm.
They also kindly reminded us of the warranty only being available to those who could prove the car had been serviced as per manual with said oil and any mapping made it redundant, fair enough. I take it from that some folks had already come a cropper!
That's the one mate, don't forget they change the oil to 5w30 from 0w10 or whatever it was to keep the chain lubed and amazingly aid it's shear strength....yeah right.
I'd had mine serviced 5 months earlier by a local indy and I asked them to use the 5w30 as though Peugeot had changed it on the books they we're unable to fit my car in earlier. How would that of worked if it snapped, not to mention it was a very slow recall...hmm.
They also kindly reminded us of the warranty only being available to those who could prove the car had been serviced as per manual with said oil and any mapping made it redundant, fair enough. I take it from that some folks had already come a cropper!
In reply to Post #19
Mine has had main dealer servicing from new at the dealership that did the recall. They could see the history, in fact no oil change was done as it only had its 4 year service a month or 2 back and had the correct oil.
Still didnt give me the assurance of a warranty on the chain.
Mine has had main dealer servicing from new at the dealership that did the recall. They could see the history, in fact no oil change was done as it only had its 4 year service a month or 2 back and had the correct oil.
Still didnt give me the assurance of a warranty on the chain.
In reply to Post #20
You and me both. I'm still tempted to have the 8mm chain done as I intend to keep the vehicle (Rifter/Partner)as I like it, but the cost :-( Luckily it's a 2nd vehicle too, I'd be more apprehensive if it was our sole one.
I see Mercedes have pulled the Citan now so only the Vito as a concern for me, bit big tbh...but never say never!
You and me both. I'm still tempted to have the 8mm chain done as I intend to keep the vehicle (Rifter/Partner)as I like it, but the cost :-( Luckily it's a 2nd vehicle too, I'd be more apprehensive if it was our sole one.
I see Mercedes have pulled the Citan now so only the Vito as a concern for me, bit big tbh...but never say never!
i definitely wouldn't buy a ford transit, be better off buying a low mile t5.1 or a Mercedes v class
I have a early 2016 custom limited LWB (one of the last chains) with now 157k miles on and it's I love it. Pulls like a train, I test drive a golf I was going to buy and getting back into the van felt like luxury driving it compared. Used as a work van mostly, starting to show signs of rust on arches and spent about £1600 on it last year but that's just maintenance stuff. I wouldn't buy any wet belt vehicle ever. If I was buying a vehicle just for fishing it would probably be an SUV like a Q5 quattro.
This'll trigger everyone - I use a Toyota ProAce EV thats been camper converted. Get about 180 miles to a charge (costs about £5 from flat at home). All the fishing near me it does easily.
DId a 180km bike ride in Suffolk the other week, live in Devon. Yes I stopped twice to top up the charge each way, but as we've got a dog it wasn't a problem as we would've stopped twice anyway. About half an hour to top up both times. Yes motorway charging is a lot more expensive than at home, but it cost about £180 to get there and back (640 mile round trip, plus a trip to the beach, etc). Would've cost about £130 in diesel anway. And all the time I'm at home, that 640 miles would cost me about £20. And vastly cheaper servicing, plus no wet belts!
Electric vans are an absolute steal used because of the discounts they give to fleets as new registrations. I paid £9800+VAT for a 3 1/2yr old one with just over 12k on the clock. Conversion cost me about £9k with the pop top, solar and kitchen. Did everything else myself. You couldn't buy a camper for £22k.
DId a 180km bike ride in Suffolk the other week, live in Devon. Yes I stopped twice to top up the charge each way, but as we've got a dog it wasn't a problem as we would've stopped twice anyway. About half an hour to top up both times. Yes motorway charging is a lot more expensive than at home, but it cost about £180 to get there and back (640 mile round trip, plus a trip to the beach, etc). Would've cost about £130 in diesel anway. And all the time I'm at home, that 640 miles would cost me about £20. And vastly cheaper servicing, plus no wet belts!
Electric vans are an absolute steal used because of the discounts they give to fleets as new registrations. I paid £9800+VAT for a 3 1/2yr old one with just over 12k on the clock. Conversion cost me about £9k with the pop top, solar and kitchen. Did everything else myself. You couldn't buy a camper for £22k.
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