Which transporter for alternative
Which transporter for alternative
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Discussion

phildaintith

Original Poster:

9 posts

168 months

Monday 25th February 2019
quotequote all
Hi guys, I’ve not posted here in a while and hope this is the right section for the forums...

So the a4 estate is no longer big enough and I’m looking at a swb van for a daily vehicle and also a weekend camper.

I’ve been looking at t6 transporters but I’m struggling to find much within my price range of £20k, that’s got to be 20k without the vat. I was hoping to get one with a 6 speed box due to frequent trips up to Scotland and down in Europe. all within my budget are the 102bhp with a 5 speed box.

Has anyone had one of these for long distance trips? How do you find it?

I have seen that a remap can give fairly impressive figures on these and adds a bit more grunt.

Are there any other vans worth considering? My work have a fleet of new Renault traffics - a mix of the slower 100ish Bhp and a few sports and they are always breaking down and having problems so I’ve like to steer clear of the traffic and vivaros.

I’ve not had any experience with the Vito and transits if anyone can advise me on these?

The plan is to get something within 4 years old and low mileage so I can keep it a few years. Also with enough power for me not to be cursing driving through the alps 😂. And It’s got to be within 20/21k inclusive of vat





jeremyh1

1,483 posts

148 months

Monday 25th February 2019
quotequote all
I have had the T5 on long term hire with the five speed box only and I can honestly say it is one of the best vans I have driven I really like them .
I have done 45 K in this one and one trip was from Exeter to the isle of Sky and back again with out really stopping

If I was looking at spending 20 K on one I would be looking at a low mileage T5 with some warranty on it

The Cardinal

1,375 posts

273 months

Monday 25th February 2019
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We have a T5.1 (i.e. a facelifted T5), with the 2.0 TDI and 5-speed gearbox. It has a camper conversion, 4 people and their luggage to contend with.

Incidentally, the 2.0TDI is 100% the same lump - modified only by software in 84, 102 and 140PS outputs - and this means that a remap is all you need to get any of these, including the base models, to 160-170hp.

You will have spotted, however, that the gearbox is 5-speed on the two lower output versions. Depending on map, you will also hear that the 6-speed gearbox copes with higher outputs better. Ours is a base 84PS with a 5-speed, but seems fine to me after a c.165hp remap.

I would obviously prefer a 6-speed, but ours drives absolutely fine (for a van) and cruises comfortably. I find the sweet spot to be about 65mph, which gives about 40-45mpg overall and feels comfortable given limitations of the conversion and family.

It's obviously possible to cruise a lot faster (and many people do), but I personally think you are at the edge of handling and braking at higher speeds. In short, I don't think 6-speed is a big deal.

SwissJonese

1,492 posts

196 months

Monday 25th February 2019
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We have a T5.1 140bhp + 6 speed gearbox converted to a full campervan. We have driven down to Lake Lugano and up to Denmark 2 adults + 2 kids + 4 bikes without issue. They drive like a big VW golf, really comfortable and you can stop for a cuppa, make some food etc anywhere.

If you intend to drive down to the alps personally I found having air-con almost essential.

Also check the payload rating, starting with T26 (lowest) to T32 (highest). We went for a T30 as it is surprising the amount of weight a full kitchen, rock & roll bed etc is.

ZX10R NIN

29,873 posts

146 months

Monday 25th February 2019
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Try looking for one that's already been done:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-transit-H2-L2-155-...tongue outo4AAOSw5eBcYN-U:rk:44tongue outf:0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sprinter-513-campervan-...tongue outf:0


jeremyh1

1,483 posts

148 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
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SwissJonese said:
We have a T5.1 140bhp + 6 speed gearbox converted to a full campervan. We have driven down to Lake Lugano and up to Denmark 2 adults + 2 kids + 4 bikes without issue. They drive like a big VW golf, really comfortable and you can stop for a cuppa, make some food etc anywhere.

If you intend to drive down to the alps personally I found having air-con almost essential.

Also check the payload rating, starting with T26 (lowest) to T32 (highest). We went for a T30 as it is surprising the amount of weight a full kitchen, rock & roll bed etc is.
Im OK without there aircon as I get closer to the Med but everybody else does moan about it and there is nothing worse than driving with kids in the heat if they are not happy