Which donor panel van?
Discussion
I looked at this a while ago - from my reading, the 180bhp engine seemed to have issues so I think the 140bhp one is the pick of the bunch (of the latest engines). Other than that, it's a case of deciding whether you want aircon and what type of rear door you want and then a case of looking for the best condition one you can find in your budget!
I'd say a 140 Highline if you can find one in budget. 6 speed box, aircon, cruise, alloys, parking sensors etc
Edit to add the 102 and 85 are essentially the same engine mechanically as the 140, so all can be remapped to the same power, but they have a 5 speed box instead of the 140's 6 speed. As above, I'd avoid the 180 - too many reports of expensive problems.
Edit to add the 102 and 85 are essentially the same engine mechanically as the 140, so all can be remapped to the same power, but they have a 5 speed box instead of the 140's 6 speed. As above, I'd avoid the 180 - too many reports of expensive problems.
Edited by LeighW on Wednesday 28th February 14:03
I'm sort of looking at this on the back burner too.
Choose a van with A/C and Cruise control already fitted if you're going to want it when cruising through Spain etc. That also goes for petrol vs diesel and auto vs manual, and the length and height of the van too as they are fixed.
The only other thing is that the Fords and Renault/Nissan etc type are cheaper then VW for the base vehicle, I was chatting about this last year with the van builders at the NEC camping/caravan show. They reckoned there was about £8k in it, but that was new and last winter.
I've also done a study of costs and MPG, they all seem to be about the same in real life unless you can squeeze into a Fiat Doblo conversion in which case you're on for 30-50% better economy, although I'm not sure why the difference is so big.
People have also noted that panel vans tend to do Millenium Falcon mileages and that a decent low mileage second hand one isn't that much more than a new one in some cases - so just check against new prices before you buy it, as new ones also have new engines, tyres, brakes, warrantees, exhausts etc. so sometimes it pays anyway.
IF you decide to buy new, bear in mind the great scramble to petrol, you may be wiser going for a cheaper old diesel than a newer diesel (although I think euro-6 will be safe for a while) as depreciation may strike.
When you select your van also look at the make, model and 'faults' or 'problems' so you can be forewarned about buying lemons and/or ask the right questions.
Choose a van with A/C and Cruise control already fitted if you're going to want it when cruising through Spain etc. That also goes for petrol vs diesel and auto vs manual, and the length and height of the van too as they are fixed.
The only other thing is that the Fords and Renault/Nissan etc type are cheaper then VW for the base vehicle, I was chatting about this last year with the van builders at the NEC camping/caravan show. They reckoned there was about £8k in it, but that was new and last winter.
I've also done a study of costs and MPG, they all seem to be about the same in real life unless you can squeeze into a Fiat Doblo conversion in which case you're on for 30-50% better economy, although I'm not sure why the difference is so big.
People have also noted that panel vans tend to do Millenium Falcon mileages and that a decent low mileage second hand one isn't that much more than a new one in some cases - so just check against new prices before you buy it, as new ones also have new engines, tyres, brakes, warrantees, exhausts etc. so sometimes it pays anyway.
IF you decide to buy new, bear in mind the great scramble to petrol, you may be wiser going for a cheaper old diesel than a newer diesel (although I think euro-6 will be safe for a while) as depreciation may strike.
When you select your van also look at the make, model and 'faults' or 'problems' so you can be forewarned about buying lemons and/or ask the right questions.
Been thinking about this for a while. My problem is my lack of personal skill in then converting said van. I like the *idea* of it......
Wonder if it could still make sense to source a suitable van & pay for a conversion of my choosing.
Ahh, I'll probably keep over thinking it until I pop my clogs, whilst still going on camping hols in the meantime!
The VW transporter looks like it ought to drive more 'car like' than Vito/Transit/etc. Anyone done some comparisons for comfort?
Wonder if it could still make sense to source a suitable van & pay for a conversion of my choosing.
Ahh, I'll probably keep over thinking it until I pop my clogs, whilst still going on camping hols in the meantime!
The VW transporter looks like it ought to drive more 'car like' than Vito/Transit/etc. Anyone done some comparisons for comfort?
Converting stuff yourself is great, but if you haven't got the time etc then there's a few about already done.
E.g.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-VIVARO-RENAULT...
Lots of places do conversions to existing vans too. I've a vague notion that one day I'll buy one to get converted, but it might be easier to save up and buy one already done at a show.
E.g.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-VIVARO-RENAULT...
Lots of places do conversions to existing vans too. I've a vague notion that one day I'll buy one to get converted, but it might be easier to save up and buy one already done at a show.
Thanks for the replies guys. I think a LWB 140 Highline is the one to go for, saying that, you do appear to get much better value for money for a non VW converted van. Brand and image rules and I expect the residuals on VW's are a lot stronger.
Edit: BTW, I don't trust myself to do the conversion as I have a habit of bodging and cutting corners. Will be looking for a reputable installation specialist in the midlands soon I hope!
Edit: BTW, I don't trust myself to do the conversion as I have a habit of bodging and cutting corners. Will be looking for a reputable installation specialist in the midlands soon I hope!
Edited by warp9 on Thursday 1st March 11:51
Recently been through a similar thing (albeit SWB) with a similar budget.
The great things about VW is that some have strange specs so things can be retrofitted and there are lots of guides online. Focus on the big items that can't be easily changed (weight limit (T28/30/32), engine choice, gearbox, aircon) would be my advice.
Also agree that a 140 is probably the best engine - I think post 2012 180's are meant to be better but I didn't want to take the risk so we settled on a T32 140 DSG with 70k on the clock. Bear in mind the T32 have different suspension and require a different MOT (not ideal but the rest of the van fitted our spec).
We got Sat Nav/bluetooth built in (lots of aftermarket options though) but have since retrofitted parking sensors, reversing camera and cruise control. Also consider body coloured bumpers as spraying commercial ones is a ball ache and will cost several hundred.
Edited to add don't dismiss a Kombi either. Our's is a Kombi and we've found ti useful to use like that when converting. Also you can sell the rear stuff for a few quid when it gets ripped out.
The great things about VW is that some have strange specs so things can be retrofitted and there are lots of guides online. Focus on the big items that can't be easily changed (weight limit (T28/30/32), engine choice, gearbox, aircon) would be my advice.
Also agree that a 140 is probably the best engine - I think post 2012 180's are meant to be better but I didn't want to take the risk so we settled on a T32 140 DSG with 70k on the clock. Bear in mind the T32 have different suspension and require a different MOT (not ideal but the rest of the van fitted our spec).
We got Sat Nav/bluetooth built in (lots of aftermarket options though) but have since retrofitted parking sensors, reversing camera and cruise control. Also consider body coloured bumpers as spraying commercial ones is a ball ache and will cost several hundred.
Edited to add don't dismiss a Kombi either. Our's is a Kombi and we've found ti useful to use like that when converting. Also you can sell the rear stuff for a few quid when it gets ripped out.
Lots of info here about the VW - mainly T6 but some T5.
https://www.t6forum.com/#vw-t6-discussions.18
Hillside leisure is in Derby so might be worth checking them out for conversions if near.
http://www.hillsideleisure.co.uk/campervan-range/
I'd be going for a Renault Trafic (£25k new) - possibly the kombi model, get a pop-top + swivel chairs fitted and then see if I needed anything else as I wouldn't be after the fridge/cooker etc, just a decent day van that would work as a portable tent when required. https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/tr...
I'm still looking for a pop-top with a skylight though - like on the Mazda Bongo, it must be possible.
Re holding values: you may want to look at how much you'll lose rather then percentages: this is where it may be worth looking at used big-name campers (e.g. Westfalia) which you may be able to sell after a year or two at what you bought them for: free motoring!
At the other end of the spectrum there are a few good panel van based campers around that are < £7k so you could literally scrap them after a couple of years and still beat depreciation on many vehicles.
This may also be worth a read while choosing layouts etc.
http://deepredmotorhome.com/
It's a big van though, I've since decided that such a big van is great for staying in but a pain for almost everything else so I'm back looking at mid sized vans I could casually use for supermarket runs too.
ETA:
Reading up a bit more about this I see that Trafics start from £20k on the road, £22,290 for a crew van in metallic with AC and Cruise (OTR, delivered), so if adding a pop-top on that I reckon I've only be in for about £26k to have a van where I can sleep on the roof, carry people for day trips in the back and pop in a kitchen and toilet pod into the back - or a motorbike, pushbikes etc. Swivel seats for the front are not that much either.
The engines are supposed to be really sweet too, economy is best in class and cost is less than many cars!
http://www.minibus.ltd.uk/renault-trafic-sl27-crew...
https://www.t6forum.com/#vw-t6-discussions.18
Hillside leisure is in Derby so might be worth checking them out for conversions if near.
http://www.hillsideleisure.co.uk/campervan-range/
I'd be going for a Renault Trafic (£25k new) - possibly the kombi model, get a pop-top + swivel chairs fitted and then see if I needed anything else as I wouldn't be after the fridge/cooker etc, just a decent day van that would work as a portable tent when required. https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/tr...
I'm still looking for a pop-top with a skylight though - like on the Mazda Bongo, it must be possible.
Re holding values: you may want to look at how much you'll lose rather then percentages: this is where it may be worth looking at used big-name campers (e.g. Westfalia) which you may be able to sell after a year or two at what you bought them for: free motoring!
At the other end of the spectrum there are a few good panel van based campers around that are < £7k so you could literally scrap them after a couple of years and still beat depreciation on many vehicles.
This may also be worth a read while choosing layouts etc.
http://deepredmotorhome.com/
It's a big van though, I've since decided that such a big van is great for staying in but a pain for almost everything else so I'm back looking at mid sized vans I could casually use for supermarket runs too.
ETA:
Reading up a bit more about this I see that Trafics start from £20k on the road, £22,290 for a crew van in metallic with AC and Cruise (OTR, delivered), so if adding a pop-top on that I reckon I've only be in for about £26k to have a van where I can sleep on the roof, carry people for day trips in the back and pop in a kitchen and toilet pod into the back - or a motorbike, pushbikes etc. Swivel seats for the front are not that much either.
The engines are supposed to be really sweet too, economy is best in class and cost is less than many cars!
http://www.minibus.ltd.uk/renault-trafic-sl27-crew...
Edited by Globs on Friday 2nd March 10:51
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff