Van Recommendation (not a 'what van!)
Discussion
Due to a rather acrimonious breakdown in professional relationship between my company and my nearest Ford Commercials outlet (they've gone from being 'Outstanding' in service and response to 'p*** poor') I've decided that after nearly 9 years of renewing the three Transits every 3 years ford can go and wipe their own a***s with stinging nettles. They're not getting a penny more from me.
so, been on the lookout for replacements. Not looking to get these vehicles for free, business is business after all, but always on the look out for a good deal.
Local Merc Commercial place didn't seem interested. At all. Business must be booming for them
Unbelievably blase about their products
Tried the Vauxhall and varieties of Vauxhall, good, comfortable, roomy but concerned about longevity of the suspension components (regularly will be carrying a 2 ton piece of equipment) and have heard a few 'dissatisfied' reports.
FIAT Ducatos are out on the sole reason that I had one as a hire van to help my sister move and it was THE most uncomfortable van I'd even driven. And that was only 6 miles!
So, friend of mine suggested VW. ok, why not give them a call. One dealer not too far from me. couldn't have been more helpful if they tried! So far so good......
Agreed to have a Crafter 163ps panel van to try. Popped down there Sat late afternoon to collect it. Chap was extremely courteous considering it was gone 6pm on a sat!!!, showed me round it (doesn't take long though does it? It's a van!)
Told him I'd have it back for him today (mon), "There's a full tank in there for you Mr XXXXXX (Mr X isn't my real name but it makes a change from being called 'mate' by some Ford Service oik that has never even met me before) Whenever's good for you...." was his reply!
Got it back to the unit, initial impressions very good, let's see how it is with a 2.254 ton load........
I was impressed to see that once loaded there was only negligible difference in the suspension travel.
Decided I'd do this run today as a) I hadn't seen the customer in person for a while b) I should really give the van a good appraisal and c) it's nice to get out of the office on a nice sunny day like today!
SE of our land to Brum..........
I bet there are a lot of so called 'executive saloons' that wouldn't have been as comfortable, smooth and effortless on that journey! I was genuinely astonished at just how refined they have made this 'van'. I think the load was probably about or close to its max but have to say it handled it brilliantly. No 'wallowy-ness' from the rear end, good strong gearbox (it had already done 30 odd K) nice smooth clutch.
Got the load done, good breakfast and chat with customer and headed back........ empty.
apart from the muppet in the X3 once I got off the Road to Hell I thought I'd give it a bit of a blast on the back roads.
Again, SERIOUSLY impressive stuff..for a van.
So unless anyone can provide very good reasons why I should pick something else, looks like VW may well be getting my company's business from now on.
My drivers spend a fair time on the road so comfort (and a few 'luxuries') is the least I can do for them. Think I might go back to doing some driving too! (Just on the odd occasion though, too many t**ts on our roads now)
so, anyone with any problems/issues/other recommendations over the Crafter??????
so, been on the lookout for replacements. Not looking to get these vehicles for free, business is business after all, but always on the look out for a good deal.
Local Merc Commercial place didn't seem interested. At all. Business must be booming for them
Unbelievably blase about their productsTried the Vauxhall and varieties of Vauxhall, good, comfortable, roomy but concerned about longevity of the suspension components (regularly will be carrying a 2 ton piece of equipment) and have heard a few 'dissatisfied' reports.
FIAT Ducatos are out on the sole reason that I had one as a hire van to help my sister move and it was THE most uncomfortable van I'd even driven. And that was only 6 miles!
So, friend of mine suggested VW. ok, why not give them a call. One dealer not too far from me. couldn't have been more helpful if they tried! So far so good......
Agreed to have a Crafter 163ps panel van to try. Popped down there Sat late afternoon to collect it. Chap was extremely courteous considering it was gone 6pm on a sat!!!, showed me round it (doesn't take long though does it? It's a van!)
Told him I'd have it back for him today (mon), "There's a full tank in there for you Mr XXXXXX (Mr X isn't my real name but it makes a change from being called 'mate' by some Ford Service oik that has never even met me before) Whenever's good for you...." was his reply!
Got it back to the unit, initial impressions very good, let's see how it is with a 2.254 ton load........
I was impressed to see that once loaded there was only negligible difference in the suspension travel.
Decided I'd do this run today as a) I hadn't seen the customer in person for a while b) I should really give the van a good appraisal and c) it's nice to get out of the office on a nice sunny day like today!
SE of our land to Brum..........
I bet there are a lot of so called 'executive saloons' that wouldn't have been as comfortable, smooth and effortless on that journey! I was genuinely astonished at just how refined they have made this 'van'. I think the load was probably about or close to its max but have to say it handled it brilliantly. No 'wallowy-ness' from the rear end, good strong gearbox (it had already done 30 odd K) nice smooth clutch.
Got the load done, good breakfast and chat with customer and headed back........ empty.
apart from the muppet in the X3 once I got off the Road to Hell I thought I'd give it a bit of a blast on the back roads.
Again, SERIOUSLY impressive stuff..for a van.
So unless anyone can provide very good reasons why I should pick something else, looks like VW may well be getting my company's business from now on.
My drivers spend a fair time on the road so comfort (and a few 'luxuries') is the least I can do for them. Think I might go back to doing some driving too! (Just on the odd occasion though, too many t**ts on our roads now)
so, anyone with any problems/issues/other recommendations over the Crafter??????
Aren't the Crafters the same as the Sprinters, just with a different front end? I'd imagine they co-developed the chassis and then plonked their own engines in.
Edit: They are the same, different front end/drivetrain treatment but the same underneath.
Can't speak highly enough of Sprinters chassis/comfort wise; I used to blat a bog spec one around the North Yorkshire Moors, first a '58 which I put 55k on in a year, then a '59 which did 52k, which was quite good fun. Can't speak for the engine side of it on VWs obviously but certainly chassis wise you can't go far wrong, especially doing motorway running with them. We used to wear the outside shoulders of the fronts excessively quickly, but I think that had more to do with being couriers and spending lots of time on back roads rather than m'way, which is really what they're designed for. The Merc engine would do 28mpg if you were gentle to it too, I assume the VW won't be far off, maybe even a bit better.
Edit: They are the same, different front end/drivetrain treatment but the same underneath.
Can't speak highly enough of Sprinters chassis/comfort wise; I used to blat a bog spec one around the North Yorkshire Moors, first a '58 which I put 55k on in a year, then a '59 which did 52k, which was quite good fun. Can't speak for the engine side of it on VWs obviously but certainly chassis wise you can't go far wrong, especially doing motorway running with them. We used to wear the outside shoulders of the fronts excessively quickly, but I think that had more to do with being couriers and spending lots of time on back roads rather than m'way, which is really what they're designed for. The Merc engine would do 28mpg if you were gentle to it too, I assume the VW won't be far off, maybe even a bit better.
Edited by Graebob on Monday 9th May 16:39
The Sprinters are indeed good, but I just couldn't possibly deal with that attitude from the nearby Commercial dealer. they were the pits.
All well and good buying one elsewhere but business wise it's a given to have it 'looked after' locally. That bunch probably couldn't look after an egg boiling. Or wouldn't care.....
Been there and done that with Ford
All well and good buying one elsewhere but business wise it's a given to have it 'looked after' locally. That bunch probably couldn't look after an egg boiling. Or wouldn't care.....
Been there and done that with Ford
The Crafter is indeed very similar to the sprinter. But the Crafter is painted at VW factory and the running gear is all VW too.
Although the paint on mercs has got better, they arent upto vw standard yet, and the gearboxes on vitos were utter rubbish after 50k or so!
over all the Crafter is well made, a bit of a brute in the looks, but will do what you want and the 6 speed 163bhp engine is a nice combo. I sold them for a few years until very recently when i got out from sales completely. but if I needed a big van theres no comparision imoa.
seen them used and abused via the worskshops and they take a beating and still come back for more.
But a word of advice, they arent selling like vw wanted, so there is a few incentives the dealer will have access too. so I'm sure I dont need to tell you, but get your barter head on when you are ready to talk turkey with them. Also the 163 engine is fairly hard to get hold of, so if you want specific spec, be prepped for a 12-14 week wait. unless they have a demo or stock van.
Also there was rumor of a new shape due out before the end of the year, not sure when its actually due though. if its anything like the Amarok truck it could be months away yet
Although the paint on mercs has got better, they arent upto vw standard yet, and the gearboxes on vitos were utter rubbish after 50k or so!
over all the Crafter is well made, a bit of a brute in the looks, but will do what you want and the 6 speed 163bhp engine is a nice combo. I sold them for a few years until very recently when i got out from sales completely. but if I needed a big van theres no comparision imoa.
seen them used and abused via the worskshops and they take a beating and still come back for more.
But a word of advice, they arent selling like vw wanted, so there is a few incentives the dealer will have access too. so I'm sure I dont need to tell you, but get your barter head on when you are ready to talk turkey with them. Also the 163 engine is fairly hard to get hold of, so if you want specific spec, be prepped for a 12-14 week wait. unless they have a demo or stock van.
Also there was rumor of a new shape due out before the end of the year, not sure when its actually due though. if its anything like the Amarok truck it could be months away yet
I'd buy one if I were in the marketspats said:
The Crafter is indeed very similar to the sprinter. But the Crafter is painted at VW factory and the running gear is all VW too.
Although the paint on mercs has got better, they arent upto vw standard yet, and the gearboxes on vitos were utter rubbish after 50k or so!
over all the Crafter is well made, a bit of a brute in the looks, but will do what you want and the 6 speed 163bhp engine is a nice combo. I sold them for a few years until very recently when i got out from sales completely. but if I needed a big van theres no comparision imoa.
seen them used and abused via the worskshops and they take a beating and still come back for more.
But a word of advice, they arent selling like vw wanted, so there is a few incentives the dealer will have access too. so I'm sure I dont need to tell you, but get your barter head on when you are ready to talk turkey with them. Also the 163 engine is fairly hard to get hold of, so if you want specific spec, be prepped for a 12-14 week wait. unless they have a demo or stock van.
Also there was rumor of a new shape due out before the end of the year, not sure when its actually due though. if its anything like the Amarok truck it could be months away yet
cheers for that Spats. Good viewpoint. Nice to hear that they're tough too.Although the paint on mercs has got better, they arent upto vw standard yet, and the gearboxes on vitos were utter rubbish after 50k or so!
over all the Crafter is well made, a bit of a brute in the looks, but will do what you want and the 6 speed 163bhp engine is a nice combo. I sold them for a few years until very recently when i got out from sales completely. but if I needed a big van theres no comparision imoa.
seen them used and abused via the worskshops and they take a beating and still come back for more.
But a word of advice, they arent selling like vw wanted, so there is a few incentives the dealer will have access too. so I'm sure I dont need to tell you, but get your barter head on when you are ready to talk turkey with them. Also the 163 engine is fairly hard to get hold of, so if you want specific spec, be prepped for a 12-14 week wait. unless they have a demo or stock van.
Also there was rumor of a new shape due out before the end of the year, not sure when its actually due though. if its anything like the Amarok truck it could be months away yet
The wait time isn't a prob as I'm stuck with these Trannies til Sept.
One thing I didn't ask the chap was if there's the option of a left side armrest for the drivers seat. Any idea? (that was probably my ONLY critisism)
hi there all
please excuse me, i am a bit of a newbie......
I need some advise, i am looking to buy a LWB sprinter or crafter. I am happy to buy either but am after advise on if the crafter will do the same sort of miles as a sprinter... ie: 100-200,000+.
I am looking at one with 71k on the clock but will be doing 1k per week, so i need something that will do the miles..
Can anyone advise???
regards
david
please excuse me, i am a bit of a newbie......
I need some advise, i am looking to buy a LWB sprinter or crafter. I am happy to buy either but am after advise on if the crafter will do the same sort of miles as a sprinter... ie: 100-200,000+.
I am looking at one with 71k on the clock but will be doing 1k per week, so i need something that will do the miles..
Can anyone advise???
regards
david
evilution9 said:
hi there all
please excuse me, i am a bit of a newbie......
I need some advise, i am looking to buy a LWB sprinter or crafter. I am happy to buy either but am after advise on if the crafter will do the same sort of miles as a sprinter... ie: 100-200,000+.
I am looking at one with 71k on the clock but will be doing 1k per week, so i need something that will do the miles..
Can anyone advise???
regards
david
I for one hope so as I've just ordered 3 of them!please excuse me, i am a bit of a newbie......
I need some advise, i am looking to buy a LWB sprinter or crafter. I am happy to buy either but am after advise on if the crafter will do the same sort of miles as a sprinter... ie: 100-200,000+.
I am looking at one with 71k on the clock but will be doing 1k per week, so i need something that will do the miles..
Can anyone advise???
regards
david
gave the 'test' van a 'London Trial' today after monday's (motorway stuff (again, Mr VW van sales man extremely helpful). Apart from the armrest, rather lack of but that's my own personal preference) and the fuel consumption can be a little 'juicy' I really can't fault it.
Blimey, thread revival 
Out of interest, how's the Crafter coming along (if I read right that's what you settled on?)
No experience of current gen Crafter/Sprinter, although saw a 56 reg Sprinter the other day with more rust than both my cars put together
Did look like it had led a hard life though!
Shame about the Ford dealer's service, not had to use a van regularly but out of the experience I have with a reasonable variety of vans the Transit did shine out for me.
Out of interest, how's the Crafter coming along (if I read right that's what you settled on?)
No experience of current gen Crafter/Sprinter, although saw a 56 reg Sprinter the other day with more rust than both my cars put together
Did look like it had led a hard life though!Shame about the Ford dealer's service, not had to use a van regularly but out of the experience I have with a reasonable variety of vans the Transit did shine out for me.
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