Ford Transit Custom
Discussion
Driven the base spec and trend. Nice vans, good stereo in even basic trim, trend a bit confusing, many buttons. Centre of the dash gets very hot in every one I've driven for some reason, glad I have aircon. Drivers door dropped on one and the rear doors seem odd on another as if the body has flexed out of shape. Mpg not bad if you stay legal, drops like a stone in the eighties.
I have driven a few development models .
The top spec ones have too much going on with the dash .
The smart cruise control can be scary as you overtake on dual carriageways if going round bends as it suddenly will slam the brakes on .
The lower power ones are gutless with even a light load ,the high power ones are flying machines.
A/c ,descent stereo with satnav and blue tooth ,cruise and parking sensors are all handy .
The turn illumination is a bit un nerving on roundabouts at night until you get used to it ,I thought it was someone trying to get up the inside .
Good range on the fuel tank as well.
Ours are all development models so vary from the normal specs and engine tune and some are special eco models while others are running high power units ,all have the spec badges deleted .
The top spec ones have too much going on with the dash .
The smart cruise control can be scary as you overtake on dual carriageways if going round bends as it suddenly will slam the brakes on .
The lower power ones are gutless with even a light load ,the high power ones are flying machines.
A/c ,descent stereo with satnav and blue tooth ,cruise and parking sensors are all handy .
The turn illumination is a bit un nerving on roundabouts at night until you get used to it ,I thought it was someone trying to get up the inside .
Good range on the fuel tank as well.
Ours are all development models so vary from the normal specs and engine tune and some are special eco models while others are running high power units ,all have the spec badges deleted .
Flyin Banana said:
If anybodys Looking for a new Ford van, just let me know 
Rob
Word on the street is the custom will be avaliable with an autobox very soon - would be interested in one of these in a decent spec (short/low body with a/c, comfy seats etc) feel free to drop me an email as and when.Rob
Patch1875 said:
Van arrived yesterday, engine is very refined feels much bigger than my Expert van.
Loving all the extra toys to play with!
Just found this thread, we've had one in our company for a year now. It's done over 40k reasonably trouble free miles. Had a fairly serious oil leak sorted under warranty. Otherwise it's a great van. Loving all the extra toys to play with!
I found coming from my L200 it took some getting used to to get the best from it. Once used to where it's at its best it's very good on juice, it can feel like your changing gear a lot though and the gearing is quite short.
Only other slight negatives are that it takes me some time to get comfortable for long runs and get knee pain for days after, it's not impossible to get it right but takes some messing about. It's not helped by the pedals being quite high off the floor and the footwell being small.
Other slight negative is that I'd like a rest for your left foot when on cruise. We do a lot of motorway work and it would make a big difference.
mcjimny said:
Just found this thread, we've had one in our company for a year now. It's done over 40k reasonably trouble free miles. Had a fairly serious oil leak sorted under warranty. Otherwise it's a great van.
I found coming from my L200 it took some getting used to to get the best from it. Once used to where it's at its best it's very good on juice, it can feel like your changing gear a lot though and the gearing is quite short.
Only other slight negatives are that it takes me some time to get comfortable for long runs and get knee pain for days after, it's not impossible to get it right but takes some messing about. It's not helped by the pedals being quite high off the floor and the footwell being small.
Other slight negative is that I'd like a rest for your left foot when on cruise. We do a lot of motorway work and it would make a big difference.
I've also noticed this with the pedals, I'm 6'4 and I'm still trying to find my right position think I'm getting there. It's the brake pedal I'm struggling with it does seem very high.I found coming from my L200 it took some getting used to to get the best from it. Once used to where it's at its best it's very good on juice, it can feel like your changing gear a lot though and the gearing is quite short.
Only other slight negatives are that it takes me some time to get comfortable for long runs and get knee pain for days after, it's not impossible to get it right but takes some messing about. It's not helped by the pedals being quite high off the floor and the footwell being small.
Other slight negative is that I'd like a rest for your left foot when on cruise. We do a lot of motorway work and it would make a big difference.
Just been looking and these have a really generous spec, when I bought the vito stuff like power foldback mirrors (actually properly usefull in a van!) and autowipers were factory order and not that cheap. No integrated webasto option but heated windscreen mitigates it. Same jokey overpriced satnav offerings as everything else.
Looks like 8 years and 65k is all you get from a merc now so is there any downside to buying the cheaper transit? Limited looks the one to go for - who puts 18" alloys and ultra low profiles on a van ffs.
What tyres does the 170 need, feeding the merc £160 a corner contis hurts when they last about 8000 urban miles
Looks like 8 years and 65k is all you get from a merc now so is there any downside to buying the cheaper transit? Limited looks the one to go for - who puts 18" alloys and ultra low profiles on a van ffs.
What tyres does the 170 need, feeding the merc £160 a corner contis hurts when they last about 8000 urban miles
Flyin Banana said:
Auto Custom is coming out Q1 so no pricing as yet but will pop you an email when it does, the limited van is a great spec and the one to go for if want some of the nicer options like A/C
ill keep you posted !
Cheers Rob
Rob, I sent you a message via PH a few weeks ago mate....not sure if you've seen it or not.ill keep you posted !
Cheers Rob
Little Lofty said:
I'm thinking about a Custom Limited to replace my 2 year old Trafic, finding it difficult to justify the extra £2/3k it will cost me over the Renault though, anyone had both? Are they worth the extra £.
Might be worth a bit more at resale if the spec is right , Metallic, A/C bigger HP etcyou might prefer the ford over the renault its your call....
IMHO the transit feels better than the French stuff. Interior plastics, drive etc.. All better than the French and shared platform equivalents I've had experience of.
Regardless of residual value I would say the transit is an easier sell and ages much better.
Ford understand what people look for in a transit style van and it works.
Regardless of residual value I would say the transit is an easier sell and ages much better.
Ford understand what people look for in a transit style van and it works.
mcjimny said:
IMHO the transit feels better than the French stuff. Interior plastics, drive etc.. All better than the French and shared platform equivalents I've had experience of.
Regardless of residual value I would say the transit is an easier sell and ages much better.
Ford understand what people look for in a transit style van and it works.
Thanks chaps.Regardless of residual value I would say the transit is an easier sell and ages much better.
Ford understand what people look for in a transit style van and it works.
I had a good poke around a Custom today and I'll have to agree. My Trafic is perfectly functional and I've never been let down by any of my Renaults, but it is lagging behind in quality. One thing that lets down the Custom is the tiny screen and lack of digital speedo which I'm now quite used too, apart from that though the Custom does seem a much better package. I'll probably go for a Sport with the new 170 engine, not a huge amount of them around though. Has anyone bought through a broker, they are quite a bit cheaper than my local dealers?
Was quite prepared to go through a broker but couldn't get the colour and spec I was after.
Dealer gave us one to try out for a few days, showed them what prices the brokers were coming up with and the dealer came very close.
Ended up going with the dealer on a contract hire, doesn't make sense to buy any more.
Dealer gave us one to try out for a few days, showed them what prices the brokers were coming up with and the dealer came very close.
Ended up going with the dealer on a contract hire, doesn't make sense to buy any more.
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