I'm thinking of getting a van to replace the CrV that will be heading back from hoots.
A van that can perhaps transport a couple of bikes, kayak on roof etc and be crashed out in if needs be... Nothing too smart nor too large but functional. Anyone know owt about Mercedes Vito? Seems a good compromise without the excessive cult of VW cost.
Some say....... they are the greatest van in the world (said in a Clarkeson esk voice)
and some say they are the most unreliable piece of crap they have ever had. But then others have had only a few problems.
They do rust and early versions badly and the 108 version is a bit slow but overall okay. Just bear in mind many are used and abused by builder types that often do NOT look after them.
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Walk a mile in another man's shoes. ...and you will be a mile away... and have his shoes..
Aye cam chain engine and many 250k plus mileage examples so does seem to fit as a cheap and useful van plus low loading rear and not too high for roof rack for kayaks....will keep an eye open
Finally something I know a little about, being an ex stonemason I've used and abused many vans and the conclusion I've come to is ; steer clear of any Euro sh1t, gotta be Jap all the way, Toyota/ Nissan I can't fault em, spend your money on low mileage rather than age. fully agree with FB avoid any ex builder vans, sure signs are dusty interior, dents to rear panel floor, spongy rear suspension. Have a word with Hugh he bought a peach of a van last year one of those black body vans that we all get to ride in at least once. x
-- Edited by supertaff on Friday 7th of February 2014 12:55:49 AM
That's one side benifit of you having had so many vehicles over years Lucky, you always have a picture ready to hand of something to fit the topic. did you always have it in your favourite pale blue and pink colour scheme?
Pete, go and drive all the vans that your are considering, I found the VW T4 a pain to drive where as the Transit I'll do Longdude miles in each day and be as fresh as Taffyboy on a night out with the girls.
A view from my corner (as I've had the odd van over the years....)
Really depends on your budget and how much mileage you intend to put on it.
The older shape Merc Sprinters are pretty robust (the CDi models from 2000 up until the facelift in 06) - I had 2 in my previous jobs and both went to over 150k without major hassle.....and that was back when I didn't drive like a vicar
DHL run the later models (with a piece of plastic instead of a proper metal key) and they're not as well built as the earlier ones. Good spec though with aircon and leccy windows, albeit a tad thirsty. Also being RWD only they are a bit higher to load anything into it. Having said that I could get my GSXR750 into it okay with a plank resting on the back step. The bodywork can get tatty if small rust spots aren't nipped in the bud. They do come in SWB, MWB and FeckOffHuge WB and also low and standard roof - both of which are metal so you can get roofracks for them.
If you want something similar size but not a Merc (they do hold their price) then Ford do a Transit in SWB, MWB and LWB and 3 different height roofs, although the "Jumbo" model is plastic. Older shape ones up to '06 are favoured by Herr Snaf - newer ones are plentiful although I found them a bit basic inside.
Going smaller in size, there are loads of Vauxhall Vivaro's around in both SWB and LWB. Both will get 2 bikes in and have pretty good kit levels. The Renault Trafic and Nissan Primestar are the same vans but different badges. Even the lower power ones go well and are pretty economical.
I wouldn't necessarily discount French vans. My Renault Master has now racked up 59k in under 2 years. Couple of issues sorted under warranty with no quibble. 25k mile service intervals and no cambelt to replace means servicing is cheap, even if it does eat tyres every 15k. Like I said previously - if you don't do much mileage, things like fuel economy and servicing/tyres etc aren't going to be your primary concern. I've had an older shape Master and that was also excellent and had 140k on it when I sold it on.
Not sure what the Toyotas (like Hugh has) are like to own or drive. although I did think the engines were a bit rough. Maybe I'm thinking about the older, non turbo ones.
I'd steer clear of any Citroen Relay/Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer (all the same van). There are more than a few owners of these at Yodel that wish they'd paid a bit extra and gone for something else. Electrics are crap, gearboxes and clutches fail earlier than the norm and although they are quick, they feel flimsy.
There - I can still contribute to the forum after all
Ive got a toyota hiace swb and so far so good first mot and service since ive owned it, is happening in a fortnights time so ill let you know about the price.
Cost a bit more than a transit to buy, but can't really fault it, did a 6 hour trip to up north in one stint and had no back issues, the driving seat is like an armchair.
its rear wheel drive so can be a bit spinney on wet hills when its empty, can get three bikes in the back easy two facing forwards and one facing backwards.
only had to buy two headlight bulbs in the first year of owning, its got the d4d engine same as the hilux and we all know you can't kill a hilux
parts are easy and cheap to get hold of
Don't buy an ex builders van if you can help it as they do get abused trust me!!!!!
-- Edited by hugh on Friday 7th of February 2014 06:33:36 PM
Finally something I know a little about, being an ex stonemason ....
-- Edited by supertaff on Friday 7th of February 2014 12:55:49 AM
Aye back in the Paleozoic period of geological time was you on Easter Island?
You know full well I was there, co's you were the bumbling coconut head I paid to model for me.
Can't get the picture of Ldude being used as a plank to load bikes, out of my swede, in my vision he's face down with his legs lashed together to avoid crushin his crackers.x
Thank you all. Will see what turns up locally to have a look at. Most reviews seem to be love or hate no matter what van your looking at but many high mileage examples of all. I don't expect to do massive miles so will look for a one owner high motorway miles non builders van....and keep an open mind on the right choice till something that looks right turns up.
I presume if one tried to insure a former Cat C write off that now has full MoT it's going to be a nightmare and any savings on the buy price reflected in insurance premiums and subsequent on sale value....seems obvious that is right answer so ignore the non question unless anyone knows different.
There's enough choice around mate to be able to leave the Cat C and D's alone. To put it into context - my 2012 master is up for £9k plus VAT and there's a Cat D 2012 model that looks like it's been through a mincer up for £7250.
There are good ones out there -just a case of waiting until one fits your needs.
I'm off to look at it in Taunton Wednesday lunchtime. Just spoke to the seller.
Understand same as vivaro and traffic but that's nae so bad is it...it was a taxi / airport vehicle up to 87k miles this guy has done less than 20k miles in 2 and a half years and has bought a bigger van.....it's been chipped and he claims about 40 mpg on a run unless you boot it.
I'm on my 3rd Vivaro from new, Clayters has had his for years. Nissan Primastar has a few standard extras more than Vauxhaul Vivaro or Renault versions.
Buy all accounts, VW transporters reliability is shocking with steep parts price.
Pete, I found 2009 Vivaros with 75k miles for 7k on ebay and a lot for 5k with 10000
Tim, you can get the side windows fitted for less than £300.
I've also had 3 transits from new (work) and they are great, more room in the cab and a little more in the back. Better turning circle than Vivaro/primastar and Traffic. But cost more in general.
Cheers Dude this one has a 100k miles but I think at least £2k of work to convert to the standard it is. Air con but no cruise control. I think its priced about right and I like the conversion and the guy sounded honest....the only thing I'm unsure about is how hard it maybe to load a bike with the rock n roll bed in or how easy to remove the rock n roll bed.....going to have a butchers anyway
Morning Peter, I'd just like to say what a fine choice of vehicle sir, be sure to check she's got a decent sound system co's we got a lot of Gary Numan to get through, I suggest our first trip is to Romania you can ride where ever you like and on the evening we can chow down on a huge chunk of shergar chips peas and a coldie whilst the family granny is under the tablecloth with her spitoon chewing our chipolatas and with change from a fiver.
P.S it was fully the knobbly's fault on Sat not even Eddie Lejeune could have kept your lovely bike upright on that nasty wet rock,
see you soon old chum, love n hugs.xx
You'll get that what ever you look at.
I had a look at the Datsun van and thought it was up around VW money which is twice what I paid for my Transit which is newer and only had 40k on the clock when I bought it two years ago.
Buying a camper(ish) converted van going in to spring/summer will be when the market rises as well, get one soon or wait to autumn.
Actually thinking about it don't buy a transit if you're going anywhere near salt water, it will melt.
Oh dear far too many horror stories on Primastar review websites about gearboxes dying, diesel injectors snapping in the head for my liking ...
Pete, if one's van is lovely one doesn't bother to go on forums. If one's van has a snapped injector / dying gearbox, one bleats on the forum and several other peeps with snapped injector / dying gearbox vans come out and bleat too. There are a squillions of these van's on the road and the general consensus here is that they're a decent bit of kit.
Also, a lot of sh1te is spouted on this forum, so the snapped injector / dying gearbox forum is likely to be the same.
Just buy the bloody thing and if it's sh1te sell the wheel and get some chickens.
And, make sure it's got a tow bar. That way we can get 3 bikes in the van, 3 on Super's trailer and 6 heavily soiled legends of the trail on the bench seat.
The Mercs do this seized injector on some of their other models including the offroad things they do, tbh its not confined to Mercs or just these vans either.
Because of the long injectors that tend to be fitted into direct injection common rail diesels they become stuck on many makes and engine types. They become stuck because people ignore the ticking noise warning that an injector seal has gone and the resulting carbon and oil build up glues the injector firmly in place then requiring considerable force to remove.
Its because drivers often ignore the noise and fumes and carry on, its because of bad design, seal failure, humans being retards that they become seized.
__________________
Walk a mile in another man's shoes. ...and you will be a mile away... and have his shoes..
Oh dear far too many horror stories on Primastar review websites about gearboxes dying, diesel injectors snapping in the head for my liking ...
Just buy the bloody thing and if it's sh1te sell the wheel and get some chickens.
And, make sure it's got a tow bar. That way we can get 3 bikes in the van, 3 on Super's trailer and 6 heavily soiled legends of the trail on the bench seat.
I'll drive.
on reflection I've decided to buy some chickens instead
Aye back in the Paleozoic period of geological time was you on Easter Island? 
did you always have it in your favourite pale blue and pink colour scheme?
