Discussion
I need a bigger van, working out of a VW Caddy is getting frustrating now!
I've got £5k to spend and preferably I want something the size of a SWB semi-hi roof Transit. I've been to look at a few Transits and my biggest concern is rust, that and the completely gutless 85ps engine they all seem to come with.
Vivaro/Trafic/Primistar are out, due to the horror stories of seized injectors etc.
Sprinters seem to rust for fun and I don't find them comfortable.
Hi-Ace hold their value too well and aren't great to drive.
Transporters are out, due to cost!
Pretty much leaves me with the Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer/Fiat Ducato. Which seem to be good value for money, but I've no experience of them. I drove a 2.0 HDI Berlingo from 140k-170k and it was faultless and went on to do 200k+, so I have faith in the engines.
Anyone have experience with them or can tempt me into any of the above?
I've got £5k to spend and preferably I want something the size of a SWB semi-hi roof Transit. I've been to look at a few Transits and my biggest concern is rust, that and the completely gutless 85ps engine they all seem to come with.
Vivaro/Trafic/Primistar are out, due to the horror stories of seized injectors etc.
Sprinters seem to rust for fun and I don't find them comfortable.
Hi-Ace hold their value too well and aren't great to drive.
Transporters are out, due to cost!
Pretty much leaves me with the Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer/Fiat Ducato. Which seem to be good value for money, but I've no experience of them. I drove a 2.0 HDI Berlingo from 140k-170k and it was faultless and went on to do 200k+, so I have faith in the engines.
Anyone have experience with them or can tempt me into any of the above?
Relay boxer ducs tend to eat discs if loaded and driven hard and eat front tyres, mercs rot and are not that quick unless high spec engines then they drink, trannies are mostly underpowered unless high spec but are rare to find a looked after owner driver .
Drove a new VW (grafter?) Sprinter sized van last week it was the same as the merc, dash, switch gear etc, but with a much nicer engine.
Drove a new VW (grafter?) Sprinter sized van last week it was the same as the merc, dash, switch gear etc, but with a much nicer engine.
Every modern van seems to be flawed in some way! The Crafters are nice, my Locksmith friend has a nice MWB version racked out like a mobile workshop. But they are out of my budget.
I've found what seems to be a decent Hiace locally. Going to look at it tomorrow. Going to compromise on load space and desirability for reliability instead.
Its a 2.5 D4D 88bhp model. Are these turbocharged or NA?
I've found what seems to be a decent Hiace locally. Going to look at it tomorrow. Going to compromise on load space and desirability for reliability instead.
Its a 2.5 D4D 88bhp model. Are these turbocharged or NA?
Rickyy said:
Vivaro/Trafic/Primistar are out, due to the horror stories of seized injectors etc.
Anyone have experience with them or can tempt me into any of the above?
Now covered under extended warranty! Youll be glad to hear, so don't diss them on that fault. Its nice, Vauxhall have just done three for us, changed all four injectorsAnyone have experience with them or can tempt me into any of the above?
FWIW I just bought an old Hiace Powervan, rust free (I kid you not) despite being 14yrs old, driving experience isn't something I'd write home about but not that different to other vans (perhaps apart from woeful interaction between RWD and my slightly sloping gravel drive GRRR)
I supposed most remarkable is that (with exception of door switch for intieror light) everything still works, even the ancient Sony CD player!
From what I've seen Hiace prices are below the equivalent because they are an old design and abit uncool (not many converted to Surf vans for example :-)
Worth looking at IMO
I supposed most remarkable is that (with exception of door switch for intieror light) everything still works, even the ancient Sony CD player!
From what I've seen Hiace prices are below the equivalent because they are an old design and abit uncool (not many converted to Surf vans for example :-)
Worth looking at IMO
I've bought the Hiace! The back looks like its never been used, interior is spotless and drives faultlessly.
06 Model, with just short of 100k, Paid 3999+vat, they are MOT'ing it, servicing and replacing the cambelt. Has two solid rear doors instead of the tailgate, which I prefer. Also has a nice big roof rack, so all I have to do is get it sign written and its good to go, collecting it Friday
06 Model, with just short of 100k, Paid 3999+vat, they are MOT'ing it, servicing and replacing the cambelt. Has two solid rear doors instead of the tailgate, which I prefer. Also has a nice big roof rack, so all I have to do is get it sign written and its good to go, collecting it Friday
Rickyy said:
I've bought the Hiace! The back looks like its never been used, interior is spotless and drives faultlessly.
06 Model, with just short of 100k, Paid 3999+vat, they are MOT'ing it, servicing and replacing the cambelt. Has two solid rear doors instead of the tailgate, which I prefer. Also has a nice big roof rack, so all I have to do is get it sign written and its good to go, collecting it Friday
Nice old van. N/A as you may now realise, but will go on forever. Dont let mileage worry you. I just sold a 2001 with 101k on the clock, for £4490 no Vat. Sounds like you got yourself a good deal there06 Model, with just short of 100k, Paid 3999+vat, they are MOT'ing it, servicing and replacing the cambelt. Has two solid rear doors instead of the tailgate, which I prefer. Also has a nice big roof rack, so all I have to do is get it sign written and its good to go, collecting it Friday
Thanks. I think this one is turbocharged, that what the description said and it sounded and drove like a turbo diesel. I was very pleased with the way it drove, I drove an R-Reg 2.4 years ago and it was quite agricultural, but the D4D engine is a lot smoother.
I agree with what someone said as them not being considered "cool", this works in my favour as it will be purely a work horse! Far too many plumbers round my way in VW T5s with 20" wheels!
I agree with what someone said as them not being considered "cool", this works in my favour as it will be purely a work horse! Far too many plumbers round my way in VW T5s with 20" wheels!
As a courier company (Ltd) Ive had ...(usually for at least a year)
LDV Convoy LWB - most cost effective, cost £1200, new starter, sold after a year for £900
Ford Transit LWB 52 plate - never liked it, felt underpowered, soft seats
Fiat Ducato 2.8lwb X reg (snub nosed) - great van, needed just a radiator
Citroen Relay 2.8hdi 04 LWB - from new (£17K) - bag of crap, limp mode monthly
Merc Sprinter Xlwb 53 plate - bought at 90K miles sold 2 years later at 170K miles, only needed a water pump
LDV Convoy LWB - most cost effective, cost £1200, new starter, sold after a year for £900
Ford Transit LWB 52 plate - never liked it, felt underpowered, soft seats
Fiat Ducato 2.8lwb X reg (snub nosed) - great van, needed just a radiator
Citroen Relay 2.8hdi 04 LWB - from new (£17K) - bag of crap, limp mode monthly
Merc Sprinter Xlwb 53 plate - bought at 90K miles sold 2 years later at 170K miles, only needed a water pump
scubadude said:
Rickyy said:
Its a 2.5 D4D 88bhp model. Are these turbocharged or NA?
I have older 2.4 which is NA, quick check under the bonnet will answer your Q though :-)
There it is!!
De-badged by previous owner?
SPACE!! Will be ordering some decent racking to go in here...
Drab interior, but fairly comfy.
Overall I'm very pleased, time will tell what the MPG is like, it took £90 to fill it up!
Thanks for all of the advice
I had an NV200 when I worked for a company, would make a great intercity van, but it struggled on open roads.
Too small for me as well.
Just filled it up again, 116 miles and it took 15.52 litres to brim it, the app on my phone makes that out to be just shy of 34mpg. I'll be very pleased if that continues!
Too small for me as well.
Just filled it up again, 116 miles and it took 15.52 litres to brim it, the app on my phone makes that out to be just shy of 34mpg. I'll be very pleased if that continues!
Rickyy said:
Just filled it up again, 116 miles and it took 15.52 litres to brim it, the app on my phone makes that out to be just shy of 34mpg. I'll be very pleased if that continues!
I'm suspicious that my fuel gauge is broken, I filled my Hiace and have done 100 rural miles and its yet to budge off the full stop!Also vastly improved the van this weekend by tightening the alternator up and now the batteries charge up rather than just run down... D'Oh!
Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff