2004 Ford Transit Connect T230 LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

How big are the speakers in the doors?

Good grief, thank you to the original poster and those who followed his post up: I am looking for a new small van (I have never owned or driven one before) and was hesitating between the Connect (mainly because of the LWB version) and the new Kangoo Express, due to be launched here in France in January 2008. Well, now my mind is made up: the Kangoo might look a bit Postman Pat-like, but it should be a lot more comfortable than the Ford. Thanks again :-)

I have a long wheel base T230 uprated to 900kg. 28000 miles, 2 years old. Poor radio sound, battery light comes up since 2300 miles. Switch off and OK. Poor fuel consumption (32 average mpg) Good build quality (last van Merc. VITO 110 terrible rust at 109,000 miles including decaying floor and corroding internals of engine) no obvious tyre problems, but I know others who have had it. No aircon fitted, but 2 who have them have had problems with easily blocked overflow pipes (?) flooding passenger footwell. In recent cold weather however the engine is causing considerable concern. I have NEVER heard such a noisy clanking endy engine. I take care not to flg a cold engine, but it sounds as though a rod will come through the block. Drivers seat OK for me, but passenger seat a joke. Fitting racking using Ford fitted attachment points was fun, I don't think, every bolt or threaded studding length comes out at a different angle. Road noise not too good, but try a few others and it isn't too bad because it doesn't run at over 65mph anyway.

Gutless, turgid etc, but what's the alternative for reliability and relatively cheap spares?

I know, get a engine management upgrade chip to boost it to 140bhp, pay a mortgage busting insurance premium and ear plugs.

Hi! I've just bought a LX T230. I do not have a problem with the handling or driving position, but then again I only do relatively short journeys. I have one problem though; the sliding side door refuses to unlock; Is this a common problem? Is there an easy fix?

With regard to the "self locking" side door... there is a locking catch on the inside of the door and if your load shifts during driving and touches the catch... it stops the door unlocking electronically!! Simple fix to clamber over all the stuff in your van to unlatch the catch!!! A bit of a Ford design oversight... I too have the problem with intermittent battery warning light after 45k miles.. had a look for chafed wiring loom but couldn't see any problems... anyone know where I should be looking???

I agree with the first comments made - good post.

Something not mentioned in the thread - in my experience the end caps on the rear bumpers fall off all the time, just being held on by integral plastic press fasteners.

My van has to be taken off the road each time - I am told by the mechanics that service our vehicles that it is not road legal without the plastic end stops to cover the metal ends.

Although I have no figures, I think this fault is common - I have yet to see a Transit Connect with both plastic rear bumper ends on (except on our own fleet, which replaces them immediately (four replaced on my van alone in under a year!).

Nice little earner for the replacement parts dealers...

I bought a 230lx LWB from auction last year never having driven one before one the way home thought the engine was faulty... but no! apparently 70mph is the best the TDcI can do (empty). It can carry a lot of weight without sinking or the rear wheels splaying out (Berlingo) but I have had all the other faults (battery light, random locking doors, strange and very un-diesel like noises from the engine). A proper SWB Transit would have been a better & cheaper choice, at least they have a passenger seat! The thing in the Connect is not a seat.

My 04 connect has just started the battery light problem - has 45k on it - can it be sorted with a bit of gaffer tape?

Jeeez!! I must have been lucky with my Connect. 2004 LWB Hi-top 230L, bought it with 70K on clock and it's perfect, you guys don't know how to drive, I'm getting 45mpg round town! What's wrong with the drivers seat? It feels alright to me. The engine is sweet, 85-90 mph on the motorway and it runs straight as a die, I've checked my tyres and can't see any abnormal wear, all in all probably the best van I've had. Yeah, thinking about it if Carling made vans it would probably look something like the Connect!

The Ford Transit Connect is due to be sold here in the US, starting this summer, and I am considering buying one. I need a "daily driver" to get to work and for shopping, you know usual daily driver activities. The reason that I am considering the Ford Transit Connect is because I have the occasional need to haul motorcycles and other motorcycle stuff. I used to have a full size, long wheelbase Chevy van for that role, but it was cost prohibitive to use in that role, even before the latest economic crisis.

I want to thank everyone that has commented on the Transit Connect, it has given me a lot to think about.

Does anyone have any experience with hauling a full size sport bike in a Transit Connect? I have a Triumph Speed Triple that I will haul in the vehicle, to track days and the like. I have studied the Transit Connect spec's and it will fit in the vehicle with the passenger seat removed, maybe with the seat just folded forward, but I would like to hear from someone that has actually carried a motorcycle in one, or even seen a motorcycle in one!

Here in the states you either have a choice of pickups (too open, too tall, crap for gas mileage), a full size van (too big and clumsy, crap gas mileage), pulling a trailer behind a car (hard on car, storage for trailer when not in use, crap gas mileage when using it). I am hoping that the Transit Connect will work for an occasional motorcycle hauler, because over here, it seems that it may be the only sensible game in town.

Can anyone help me with Transit Connect motorcycle hauling experience?

Stephanie aka "Clueless in Seattle"

I've a Jan 2004 SWB 220 van, and from reading all the other comments it would seem I too have 'been lucky'.

Owned it from new, with myself being the only driver, so it was well specified. Yes, the air con has been problematical, and yes, sometimes the alternator warning light comes on. Today (13 Feb 2009) an unusual problem has occurred - the passengers door will not 'latch' (stay closed) and the alarm horns intermittently 'beeps'. So dealer it must be...

Fuel consumption around 40mpg as an average with a 3/4 loaded van virtually all the time. My engine is just fine for performance; considerably above those quoted by others (Turbo TDCI), but it needs redesigning.

Yes, I would buy another and probably keep my fingers crossed it performs the same as this one.

I have a Transit Connect, and the battery light is coming on, and I'm at the 45k mark.

Whereabouts is the wiring rubbing against the chassis? I have already checked the smart charge cable and that seems to be fine.

Thanks in advance.

I`ve got a 52 plate t200 75bhp. It`s done 56k. I`m getting a knocking/deep rattle noise when accelerating in first, second and third, and also when I`m coasting, but intermittently. Any ideas on what it is???

I have a 2004 LWB Hi-top 230L with 49000 on it. Bought a year ago, and the only problem that I had so far was the wear and tear on the inside of my tires after having done 9000 mile, but heaven knows how long they were on there before I got it...

Also, now after a service, I've been told that my anti roll bar needs replacement if I want to pass the test this August, which is going to cost me a bundle.

Otherwise I am madly in love with this van (had a Opel Combo 1.7 before this that was absolutely s*** to own) and find my seat fine and the driving including heavy loads good.

Also, I put mopeds and medium bikes in there with no problem when going to a run, or when having a flat or something, but I have to take the shields of the mopeds as the van is just not high enough for them.

D.

Hi.

I have a 2004 short wheel Transit Connect. I also have the problem of sliding side door not opening. Tried opening up the panel. Getting all the noises when I try and open with the remote, but refuses to open.

Anyone know how to fix the problem?

Thanks in advance.