Trackday transport (van talk)
Discussion
Long story short; Have van for trackdays, using it more and more as a car what trackday van / comfortable van / reliable for 3-4k?
I have a van that I use for trackdays, I generally commute on the bike but there's been some winter mornings where it's snowing so I choose to use the van. I don't have car, SWMBO does.
Now, I have a 2003 SWB high roof Renault Master, the high roof is excellent. It will take my R1200GS and ZX6R. I had a SWB standard roof Vauxhall Vivaro before and it was a heap of s
t. Leaked oil, endless electrical faults, a random breakdown because the plug for the crankshaft sensor fell out on the motorway, chose when and if it wanted to start on the first try. However the size and comfort was good.
The Renault master as just a trackday van is excellent, if a little old. It's 2003, 100k miles, immaculate inside, rust free, no rips, tears stains etc. Mechanically it's superb and I'd happily chuck the bikes in the back and drive to any European destination knowing it would be fine.
However - it's 5 speed, it's a bit droney at motorway speeds (engine, not wheel bearings), height barriers are a no go, no air con. I'm finding myself using a van more for day to day non van activities and the high roof is a pain in the arse for this plus you really know you're driving a van.
I'm looking to change to a Transporter/ Vito/ Peugeot expert etc sort of size, I don't want another Vauxhall as any Vauxhall I touch just seems to die a quick death of random faults and leaks. Trailer and car isn't an option.
Who's using what in my price range?
I have a van that I use for trackdays, I generally commute on the bike but there's been some winter mornings where it's snowing so I choose to use the van. I don't have car, SWMBO does.
Now, I have a 2003 SWB high roof Renault Master, the high roof is excellent. It will take my R1200GS and ZX6R. I had a SWB standard roof Vauxhall Vivaro before and it was a heap of s
t. Leaked oil, endless electrical faults, a random breakdown because the plug for the crankshaft sensor fell out on the motorway, chose when and if it wanted to start on the first try. However the size and comfort was good.The Renault master as just a trackday van is excellent, if a little old. It's 2003, 100k miles, immaculate inside, rust free, no rips, tears stains etc. Mechanically it's superb and I'd happily chuck the bikes in the back and drive to any European destination knowing it would be fine.
However - it's 5 speed, it's a bit droney at motorway speeds (engine, not wheel bearings), height barriers are a no go, no air con. I'm finding myself using a van more for day to day non van activities and the high roof is a pain in the arse for this plus you really know you're driving a van.
I'm looking to change to a Transporter/ Vito/ Peugeot expert etc sort of size, I don't want another Vauxhall as any Vauxhall I touch just seems to die a quick death of random faults and leaks. Trailer and car isn't an option.
Who's using what in my price range?
Edited by Bikesalot on Monday 2nd July 10:59
Vauxhall vivaro, Renault traffic and Nissan primastar are all basically the same van underneath, so avoid the other 2 if you don't want a vivaro.
I have a transporter which I love, but they hold money very well, so will be extremely high miles ore old for your budget.
Vito is also good and car like to drive, but pre 07's rust like a bd so not sure what your budget car get you.
I have a transporter which I love, but they hold money very well, so will be extremely high miles ore old for your budget.
Vito is also good and car like to drive, but pre 07's rust like a b
d so not sure what your budget car get you. I have a Vito for my trackday bike. Tips from me are that you should definitely get the LWB one, not a Compact, as the extra foot or so makes all the difference when loading (ooer matron). Also the engine performance spread across the different models is quite distinct. It’s easy to tell which model you’re looking at. The 109 is the most underpowered with 90bhp, you simply remove the “1” at the start off the model and add a zero at the end to get the power, so the 116 is 160bhp as a minimum. My 116 goes like stink even when fully loaded and outdrags most cars to around 95 (my self imposed limit). You can get lower power models chipped as they are more or less the same engine, but other aspects might need upgrading to cope.
Not sure what you’ll get for your budget, but as said previously, earlier models rust a lot and quickly. They are cheap to run once bought, but they aren’t cheap to buy, as the VW Transporter effect has moved across onto these. I don’t think you’ll get much for £4000
Oh yeah, standard height of the van at the back is quite low. I can get my sportsbikes in with out any problem, but a more upright bike will struggle. My enduro KTM needs a bit of leaning over and wiggling to get it through.
Not sure what you’ll get for your budget, but as said previously, earlier models rust a lot and quickly. They are cheap to run once bought, but they aren’t cheap to buy, as the VW Transporter effect has moved across onto these. I don’t think you’ll get much for £4000
Oh yeah, standard height of the van at the back is quite low. I can get my sportsbikes in with out any problem, but a more upright bike will struggle. My enduro KTM needs a bit of leaning over and wiggling to get it through.
Edited by Gavia on Monday 2nd July 11:34
I've driven an 09 plate Vito quite a bit for work and used it for trackdays a few times too.
It's a 111 model and goes ok most of the time, only struggles when accelerating up a steep hill in a high gear but as Gavia above, drives like a car and is a nice place to be. Especially with a 6 speed gearbox (not sure if standard fit)
It can be a bit tight for space with 2 bikes and enough gear for 2 people, however having sliding doors both sides makes it nice from a loading perspective.
You can have a higher mileage model for £2kish from 2008 onwards so £4k should get you something reasonable
It's a 111 model and goes ok most of the time, only struggles when accelerating up a steep hill in a high gear but as Gavia above, drives like a car and is a nice place to be. Especially with a 6 speed gearbox (not sure if standard fit)
It can be a bit tight for space with 2 bikes and enough gear for 2 people, however having sliding doors both sides makes it nice from a loading perspective.
You can have a higher mileage model for £2kish from 2008 onwards so £4k should get you something reasonable
Vito's look a bit smaller than transporters.
Transporters seem to cope with load (kart plus awning, tools etc) probably not far off your one bike. They aren't without their faults but are generally ok. They are the most car like van I've found and one you can live with daily. Mine was mechanically good but a few knocks which didn't bother me as it was in budget (4.5k). But you are looking at the rougher end. That said they hold value.
Advice about LWB is sensible. My SWB T5 is a tad too short. They do a 130 and 170 with a 2.5 tdi which is a bit better for heavier laods but you should be ok as it's not every day you'll have all that weight.
You can't really go too wrong with a transit if you aren't fussed on it looking like van.
Transporters seem to cope with load (kart plus awning, tools etc) probably not far off your one bike. They aren't without their faults but are generally ok. They are the most car like van I've found and one you can live with daily. Mine was mechanically good but a few knocks which didn't bother me as it was in budget (4.5k). But you are looking at the rougher end. That said they hold value.
Advice about LWB is sensible. My SWB T5 is a tad too short. They do a 130 and 170 with a 2.5 tdi which is a bit better for heavier laods but you should be ok as it's not every day you'll have all that weight.
You can't really go too wrong with a transit if you aren't fussed on it looking like van.
What is a reasonable amount for a VW? I've been toying with the idea of a Kombi (would need it not to be a "van", but something that could work as a leisure vehicle with rear seats and windows, but if one seat could be removed and my track bike put in (bonus if other seats can stay in).
Killboy said:
What is a reasonable amount for a VW? I've been toying with the idea of a Kombi (would need it not to be a "van", but something that could work as a leisure vehicle with rear seats and windows, but if one seat could be removed and my track bike put in (bonus if other seats can stay in).
Interested in reasonable mileage too. Guess that's subjective on history and servicing though. Carthrottle are currently running a 430k mile skoda and the internals still look new. 8k oil changes and a water pump every second cambelt. I like the look of the Mercs, the interior seems nice too. Few 100-120k mile vitos around for 2.9-3.6k that aren't covered in rust.
MotorsportTom said:
I've driven an 09 plate Vito quite a bit for work and used it for trackdays a few times too.
It's a 111 model and goes ok most of the time, only struggles when accelerating up a steep hill in a high gear but as Gavia above, drives like a car and is a nice place to be. Especially with a 6 speed gearbox (not sure if standard fit)
It can be a bit tight for space with 2 bikes and enough gear for 2 people, however having sliding doors both sides makes it nice from a loading perspective.
You can have a higher mileage model for £2kish from 2008 onwards so £4k should get you something reasonable
It might be a little tight, but there is plenty of space in a LWB Vito for two bikes and kit. I used to do it frequently and not have much bother at all. It's a 111 model and goes ok most of the time, only struggles when accelerating up a steep hill in a high gear but as Gavia above, drives like a car and is a nice place to be. Especially with a 6 speed gearbox (not sure if standard fit)
It can be a bit tight for space with 2 bikes and enough gear for 2 people, however having sliding doors both sides makes it nice from a loading perspective.
You can have a higher mileage model for £2kish from 2008 onwards so £4k should get you something reasonable
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