What ...er... minibus??

[eltax91]

Hi all

My wife manages several departments at a university. They have two LDV minibuses which are currently in a sorry state. They get used by the sports boys, taking rugby/ football lads about, towing the rowing team's boat and dragging around student volunteers etc. Anyway, I pointed out she ought to check the MAM of these minibuses and it appears they are, lets say somewhat "naughty" at the moment. So they need replacements pronto.

So, this leads me to my "what car", they have an absolute limit of £6k EACH minibus, tax and tested models. Requirements:-

• Diesel (can't trust the drivers to forget, they are all used to the LDV diesels)
• Less than 3500KG MAM (all current drivers but one obtained a license after 1997)
• Minimum 12 seats
• Tow bar

So, other than the faithful old transit, what's the best?

Edited by eltax91 on Tuesday 31st August 19:14

[B17NNS]

Tranny or a Sprinter I'd have thought.

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytype/minibus/payl...

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytype/minibus/payl...

Actually, having had a quick look there isn't that much about. Transit it is.

Edited by B17NNS on Tuesday 31st August 19:19

[jamiebae]

Just buy whatever is cheapest, they will all get abused and crashed on a regular basis so it makes very little difference what it is really. Ideally a Transit but if not maybe a Fiat Ducato or something similar.

[martin mrt]

You'll struggle to get a 12 seat minibus, with passengers, their gear and a trailer with rowing boats under 3500kg I reckon it will be nigh on impossible.

[eltax91]

B17NNS said:

Tranny or a Sprinter I'd have thought.

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytype/minibus/payl...

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytype/minibus/payl...

Actually, having had a quick look there isn't that much about. Transit it is.

Edited by B17NNS on Tuesday 31st August 19:19

Hmmm, they all state "3700 KG" GVW, is that the same as MAM? If so, too heavy for the drivers I think.

[eltax91]

martin mrt said:

You'll struggle to get a 12 seat minibus, with passengers, their gear and a trailer with rowing boats under 3500kg I reckon it will be nigh on impossible.

Not strictly the issue, it needs to be 3500KG for the other teams. The rowing team get driven by an employee, who passed pre 1997, so it's a non issue. Also, there is only one rowing boat on a very light trailer.

[B17NNS]

eltax91 said:

Hmmm, they all state "3700 KG" GVW, is that the same as MAM? If so, too heavy for the drivers I think.

Not sure, I did adjust the payload preference in the options.

They are LWB. The short wheelbase Transit seats 9 I think. The MWB 12.

[edthedead]

If they did not pass untill after 1997 they can't drive more than 8 seats either... they will need to have cat D or D1

[eltax91]

edthedead said:

If they did not pass untill after 1997 they can't drive more than 8 seats either... they will need to have cat D or D1

Not 100 per cent true. There is an exception for up to 16 seats when the journeys are for non commercial gain or commuting and are to benefit social activities of a group. At least that is how they are insured on existing mini buses.

[morgrp]

VW Transporters are the daddy when it comes to vans but are too small so umm..... Transit???

[eltax91]

BUMP for day crew

[Chris_w666]

For c£6k you won't get much niceness I would be looking at Transits, LDVs and the trio of things from Peuegot, Fiat and Citroen. Anything else will be far too old to be reliable or safe.

Ran a couple of Boxers for a while and they were good but bits of trim used to drop off at random, and if you look for the newer shape transits beware of their occasional tendency to use clutches and flywheels like most vehicles use washer fluid.

[HellDiver]

Sprinter 311CDI. There is nothing else close. I used to do the same sort of driving when I was at university. The Transits were under powered, Renault Trafics were a joke (old ones with the 1.9D Clio engine were fun when loaded up with a rugby team, 1st gear up hills). The Sprinters were the best for power, braking, and comfort.