The rise of the Super-MPV. A new menace

[Devil2575]

Mave said:

Hooli said:

This always makes me laugh. I'm sure I remember myself, my sister, both parents & two dogs fitting in a mini estate fine thirty odd years ago. How much bigger are kids these days?

Well, a child in a car seat is about twice as wide as a child on their own.... So they're about twice the size :-)

Indeed. You could fit three adults in the back of a Focus at a push. You could not fit three child seats, they are simply too wide.

[HertsBiker]

A bit like SUV popularity. Most people hate them on the road, until they drive one and suddenly are converted to liking the high ride and practicalities. On reading the original post I agreed, then when I read about all of the advantages of a big van, makes me want one! And yes I do like SUVs too.

[hairyben]

driving as I do a high spec vito (auto, 3.0TDI, elecsAC etc) but panel van for work, it's a nice enough commute thing to drive but the downsides are a pain- while the 15&a bit foot of a SWB will technically get you in a parking space they really do use it all and most multi-stories are out, as are many, many open air local authority car parks with height bars at 2.0 to prevent commercial use. thirsty too lugging 3T around but I think thats as much the v6 derivative I have.

[sparkyhx]

see them usually as taxis

[Lordglenmorangie]

LittleEnus said:

Lordglenmorangie said:

I fail to see the logic to this post

As much logic as your eBay classifieds post where you were trying to sell a t5 camper can

No advert on eBay , as trying to list a classified using Apple is impossible

PS; I am asking 20K which means who ever buys it is getting the van for two thousand as the camper conversion is 18K .

Edited by Lordglenmorangie on Friday 27th March 19:18

[eric twinge]

irfan1712 said:

We've had ours since new in 2013 and I can honestly say its money well spent. Just for the OP, i justify buying it because its now my family wagon (5 seats), I can then remove the quick release seats to use it for my showrooms delivering furniture to customers, i can do the tip run in it, i can get my Quad in the back with the seats still in, generally you'll be amazed at how much you take the practicality of these for granted. You might see them on the school run, but id take a punt at saying that very transporter is probably being used for something else aswell. think of it as a van/car/mpv in one.. basically no need for a car or separate van/larger car.

I couldn't possibly do any of the tasks above in my old 4.4 X5.. the only thing I've lost is the BMW badge and the V8 noise, and the general image of owning a luxury jeep. oh and crap Mpg. I didn't want to buy a transit, and didn't really want to sell my x5, but Buying a Sportline transporter means I have a bi tdi 180bhp/300lb/ft which has enough poke to make it enjoyable (for a 3 tonne van) and it will pull any load and 5 up with ease, and have all the luxuries and toys, and look the business, but with ten times more room. Its also DSG so it picks up pace very quickly, actually surprises a lot of ordinary cars.

There's a good reason why their so popular. and not that it matters but im Not quite sure what you find so hideous about them haha..

Here's ours, a 2013 Long wheel base Sportline Kombi.
It has heated leather captain seats, quick release leather seats in the back, Carpeted floors, Kenwood Touchscreen Satnav/Dab/Dvd , Bluetooth, Reverse Camera, Parking sensors F+R, Leather wheel, Cruise etc...it really has everything a modern day driver would need. It does have a few crappy van plastics and design flaws, but its as good as it gets. Ive also had every panel sound deadened with Dynamat, its insulated, and has an upgraded sound system. it sounds absolutely perfect, and there is ZERO road noise, its as quiet as a Mercedes. Only thing I wish it did have, which I couldn't spec at the time is Xenons.

Its a LWB, so supermarket parking means im the saddo at the back on my own. and just aswell, because no donkeys will ram their cars next to my large doors so I cant get in. I avoid multistories not so much for the vans dimensions but because of others banging thier doors on the van. Big long white panels will show up marks and paint off other doors very easily! Ive only ever taking it one underground multi story, which was petrifying, but there was plenty of room regarding height width and surprisingly length in the spaces in whatever Leeds hotel we stayed at in the city centre.




Lastly, its not quite an investment but its one of the better ways to spend money on four wheels, have a look at how much these hold their value. its truly ridiculous.. but i'm not complaining and another reason why they may be so popular compared to the typical SUV which plummets in value by the year.

Edited by irfan1712 on Friday 27th March 12:28

Edited by irfan1712 on Friday 27th March 12:29

I like that.
I thought our s Max was big enough for me, wife, two girls, one of which uses a wheelchair so has all other associated bits. We were camping in Cornwall last year and our Max was stuffed. Next to us was a transporter like yours, it just swallowed everything. I was quite tempted, and still am, would be able to get the bikes etc in as well.

[shake n bake]

Yup, thousands of vans now lowered to the ground with stupid wheels on for good measure. Goes from a useful van to an impractical p o s!

Edited by shake n bake on Friday 27th March 20:23