van based MPVs
Discussion
Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster, seeking the wisdom of the hive.
I absolutely understand that there are similar threads - they have already been very valuable - but I just want to sound check for sense here.
We are a growing family of 2 adults and offspring number 4 on the way. I've owned a zafira tourer for a number of years and tbf it has been an utter workhorse as a commuter and well above average mileage (family all over the uk) but as a 7 seater the boot just is not viable and we've reached the point where some more cabin space will be useful.
We are the kind of family prone to poor decisions such as going camping in some especially rainy part of Wales or impulsively heading to the beach etc, so luggage capacity is an issue.
Psychologically I have reached a stage of acceptance that a van based MPV is likely what we need and I like the idea of a rear facing second row for child management purposes. My mileage means that it will need to be diesel, yes I am going to hell re the environment. In my head I have a max budget in the order of 20k, could stretch beyond this maybe for the right deal.
So, I've come up with my own short list with the above desirables considered:
Toyota Proace verso - the issue here us that the "family" trim only comes in the medium wheelbase. The VIP trims on the long wheelbase (and the 2.0D engine) seem rare and not cheap - wrong side of 30k, but these generally are newer vehicles.
Merc Viano - the v-class seems out of reach (££), and I must admit I like the look of the viano interiors - tax and insurance not as terrible as I imagined when quoted - these are getting on now in terms of age, but there seem to be some reasonable intermediate mileage examples going for ?sensible money - 15-20k
VW caravelle - prices for these seem all over the shop, but there seem to be older (circa 2012) 2.0Ds with well below average mileage going in the order of 25K - i could be persuaded? (EDIT - i have the impression luggage space might be an issue if using 6/7 seats?)
Those are my thoughts. Leaning towards the viano but I don't know if this is daft. I've driven none of these but am accepting that I am old and will die soon, as such the required practicalities take all priority,
cheers
Long time lurker, first time poster, seeking the wisdom of the hive.
I absolutely understand that there are similar threads - they have already been very valuable - but I just want to sound check for sense here.
We are a growing family of 2 adults and offspring number 4 on the way. I've owned a zafira tourer for a number of years and tbf it has been an utter workhorse as a commuter and well above average mileage (family all over the uk) but as a 7 seater the boot just is not viable and we've reached the point where some more cabin space will be useful.
We are the kind of family prone to poor decisions such as going camping in some especially rainy part of Wales or impulsively heading to the beach etc, so luggage capacity is an issue.
Psychologically I have reached a stage of acceptance that a van based MPV is likely what we need and I like the idea of a rear facing second row for child management purposes. My mileage means that it will need to be diesel, yes I am going to hell re the environment. In my head I have a max budget in the order of 20k, could stretch beyond this maybe for the right deal.
So, I've come up with my own short list with the above desirables considered:
Toyota Proace verso - the issue here us that the "family" trim only comes in the medium wheelbase. The VIP trims on the long wheelbase (and the 2.0D engine) seem rare and not cheap - wrong side of 30k, but these generally are newer vehicles.
Merc Viano - the v-class seems out of reach (££), and I must admit I like the look of the viano interiors - tax and insurance not as terrible as I imagined when quoted - these are getting on now in terms of age, but there seem to be some reasonable intermediate mileage examples going for ?sensible money - 15-20k
VW caravelle - prices for these seem all over the shop, but there seem to be older (circa 2012) 2.0Ds with well below average mileage going in the order of 25K - i could be persuaded? (EDIT - i have the impression luggage space might be an issue if using 6/7 seats?)
Those are my thoughts. Leaning towards the viano but I don't know if this is daft. I've driven none of these but am accepting that I am old and will die soon, as such the required practicalities take all priority,
cheers
Edited by daimc on Sunday 8th December 16:14
My mate's got 4 girls and him and his wife use a Viano. It looks great. he holidays mainly in the UK so it's great for taking all 6 of them plus lots of luggage up and down the country.
A family member has four grown up lads. He's gone a bit off-piste with a Toyota Alphard. if you can put up with the looks the interior is quite plush.
I always thought it was a shame that Toyota don't do the Sienna in the UK. When 6 of us went to Orlando it swallowed all of us plus 5 full sized suitcases with ease.
A family member has four grown up lads. He's gone a bit off-piste with a Toyota Alphard. if you can put up with the looks the interior is quite plush.
I always thought it was a shame that Toyota don't do the Sienna in the UK. When 6 of us went to Orlando it swallowed all of us plus 5 full sized suitcases with ease.
Countdown said:
My mate's got 4 girls and him and his wife use a Viano. It looks great. he holidays mainly in the UK so it's great for taking all 6 of them plus lots of luggage up and down the country.
A family member has four grown up lads. He's gone a bit off-piste with a Toyota Alphard. if you can put up with the looks the interior is quite plush.
I always thought it was a shame that Toyota don't do the Sienna in the UK. When 6 of us went to Orlando it swallowed all of us plus 5 full sized suitcases with ease.
Cheers Count,A family member has four grown up lads. He's gone a bit off-piste with a Toyota Alphard. if you can put up with the looks the interior is quite plush.
I always thought it was a shame that Toyota don't do the Sienna in the UK. When 6 of us went to Orlando it swallowed all of us plus 5 full sized suitcases with ease.
Yep theres a few imports discussed here and on other fora, the alphard deffo comes up as an option, I'm put off by the fuel economy tho, but agree with the kit etc they look a pleasant place to be
Well under budget.
i800:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411066...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411196...
Vivaro Life Elite, not cheap:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410165...
Viano:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403097...
i800:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411066...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411196...
Vivaro Life Elite, not cheap:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410165...
Viano:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403097...
sherman said:
Transit Turneo seems like the obvous choice.
I was given one of these for a couple of weeks in Spain as an ‘free upgrade’ from a VW T-ROC. Despite my initial thoughts, I actually liked it. Driving was fine, plus easy to turn off the new mandatory speed limit warnings with only a couple button presses.
The sliding rear doors are great for car parks.
Actual dimensions are also fine, not too much different from the usual SUV/estate cars so fitted car parks no problem.
We had a Transit Custom L2 crew van as a family bus, intended to have it two years but kept it five weeks liked it so much. Kinda wish we’d got a tourneo instead but don’t need something that size any more as kids are growing up. Driven a few and they’re great.
Two captains up front definitely better than the single chair for driver and 2 seat front bench (although kids loved sitting in the front in the middle seat).
Two captains up front definitely better than the single chair for driver and 2 seat front bench (although kids loved sitting in the front in the middle seat).
Is the Tourneo better than the Vito for handling? I've had my Vito 3 years, but can't say I've ever warmed to it. It's useful, but I'd rather have something I actually enjoy using. Peugeot Traveller looks like a nice place to be as does the interior of the Ford, certainly a bit more so than the Vito.
Chicken Chaser said:
Is the Tourneo better than the Vito for handling? I've had my Vito 3 years, but can't say I've ever warmed to it. It's useful, but I'd rather have something I actually enjoy using. Peugeot Traveller looks like a nice place to be as does the interior of the Ford, certainly a bit more so than the Vito.
I haven’t driven a Vito or V class but i think the Tourneo drives great for what it is. Certainly better than a Transporter in my opinion. Cue the VW boys tearing me a new one
VW possibly a nicer interior, certainly holds value very well (but so do Tourneos).
In July we got rid of a 2014 vito dualiner (long) with the 3 litre diesel and replaced it with a proace verso in medium length, a low mileage 2021 car. Whilst I miss the ridiculous speed and torque of the merc the proace is perfectly nice. We went for the 180hp 8 speed auto and it drives well, plenty of kit on it as well.
Only small issue is although its basically the same length as the vito there doesnt seem anywhere near as much room for bikes etc in the back, we have stored the 3 rear seats and basically use it as a combi van. Sometimes i wish we had went for the long variant in peugeot/citroen/vauxhall form but at the same time I think the extra length looks a bit ungainly.
The verso is far better on fuel than the merc but it does come with the nice £600 luxury car tax.
Only small issue is although its basically the same length as the vito there doesnt seem anywhere near as much room for bikes etc in the back, we have stored the 3 rear seats and basically use it as a combi van. Sometimes i wish we had went for the long variant in peugeot/citroen/vauxhall form but at the same time I think the extra length looks a bit ungainly.
The verso is far better on fuel than the merc but it does come with the nice £600 luxury car tax.
Kombi van - 2 rows of 3 seats and acres of space in the back. Easily get something Transporter shaped for that kind of money (I'm biased but I've owned by T5.1 for over 10 years and its been the most reliable and useful vehicle I've ever owned) and have some budget left to sound dead and carpet line the interior to make it a bit more car-ey.
I know i've said this before. Previously had a yellow vito, then 11 years ago I bought a T5 caravelle executive. Still got it. 2.5l 5c diesel, now at 230k, no problems at all. Six individual captains chairs (so kids can;t actually tough each other) seats come out and motorbikes can go in. Tows my big race trailer very well. Nice to drive, heated seats, cruise, three zone climate etc. Put carplay in it early on, and had it remapped at 60k. Best vehicle we've had, and when it eventually dies it'll be replaced by a T6 (which will have a worse engine, but I'd want Auto and radar cruise on the next one)...
We've got 3 children and the car we bought and kept for the longest (4 years) was a Discovery 4, it was a great do everything car and with the 2 full size seats in the 3rd row when required.
I appreciate they can be expensive to run but it ticked all of the boxes and living in the Cotswolds it was an ideal classless car. Secret is to have a good LR specialist who can look after it rather than have to take it back to JLR for any work.
I understand its not a van based vehicle, although with the 5 seats folded flat it was much better than a van and used for numerous things.
My brother-in-law had an old Ford Tourneo, which he'd bought from work, he's only just sold it as all 4 of his kids have now left home, he loved it, I borrowed it a couple of times but I though it was just a Ford Transit...
I appreciate they can be expensive to run but it ticked all of the boxes and living in the Cotswolds it was an ideal classless car. Secret is to have a good LR specialist who can look after it rather than have to take it back to JLR for any work.
I understand its not a van based vehicle, although with the 5 seats folded flat it was much better than a van and used for numerous things.
My brother-in-law had an old Ford Tourneo, which he'd bought from work, he's only just sold it as all 4 of his kids have now left home, he loved it, I borrowed it a couple of times but I though it was just a Ford Transit...
Interesting to hear about people with Transporters that have had no issues despite huge mileage......my best mate has had a very different experience. He has a 2017 VW Transport T6.1 DSG TDi Caravelle which he bought off a fellow doctor a couple of years back. To set the scene: One (older doctor) owner, full VW service history, ALL the toys (i.e. many optional extras) and only 63k miles on it when bought. Paid £27k for it.
Since ownership and 15k miles covered, he has had:
Gearbox differential/driveshaft spline corrosion related failure (£2800 - VW wanted £8900)
Powered sliding door failure (£600)
Tailgate actuator failure (£400)
Coolant leak (ongoing issue, untraceable thus far)
Regular EML illumination / 'safe mode' - (Ongoing, loses all power until engine restart)
Whilst it's a really lovely well-equipped van, it's been an expensive & frustrating experience. For example, the gearbox repair took 3 weeks whilst DSG parts were sourced. If you going down this route, I'd suggest you'd need a VW dealer warranty.
Since ownership and 15k miles covered, he has had:
Gearbox differential/driveshaft spline corrosion related failure (£2800 - VW wanted £8900)
Powered sliding door failure (£600)
Tailgate actuator failure (£400)
Coolant leak (ongoing issue, untraceable thus far)
Regular EML illumination / 'safe mode' - (Ongoing, loses all power until engine restart)
Whilst it's a really lovely well-equipped van, it's been an expensive & frustrating experience. For example, the gearbox repair took 3 weeks whilst DSG parts were sourced. If you going down this route, I'd suggest you'd need a VW dealer warranty.
OP read this, I posted almost the exact same question earlier this year, same budget too:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Camping, piling 'gear' in, I'm out on the Mountain Bike every weekend, we do a big euro road trip every year etc...
TL:DR - this is one of the very best things I've ever bought. Years (decades!) of big estate cars, but now honestly it feels like I've seen the light.
As a perfect example - yesterday 6 of us spent a good hour and a half inside it, picnicing round the central table, playing card games, whilst all the 'regular car' families were hiding from a rain storm.
Mine has factory curtains, sunroofs, captains chairs, folding tables etc...Its just 'nicer' than everything else I tested. Couldnt be happier. I will almost definitely borrow a bit more money to buy a newer V-Class in a year or two based on how much I love this one.
Nearly all the best ones are hoovered up by these guys - I bought mine from them before it even got advertised, they are in demand. Suggest you speak to them and get on their list.
https://www.globalautomobiles.co.uk/
Two key points - Get the Van-based MPV, not the Kombi Van. A Viano, Tourneo or Caravelle is significantly nicer than a Vito dualiner, Transit Custom DCIV or T6 Kombi - there are changes you simply cannot add - proper rear heating, proper carpets, door cards, insulation etc. The seats in the back of the Kombis are bloody awful particularly. Honestly - its worth it.
Discoverys, Tourneo Connect sized vans, and regular 'MPV's (galaxies etc) dont come anywhere close to the practicality level of these either, and wont do what you want. Do it properly. Viano, V VClass, Tourneo Custom, Caravelle or Peugeot Traveller Allure spec.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Camping, piling 'gear' in, I'm out on the Mountain Bike every weekend, we do a big euro road trip every year etc...
TL:DR - this is one of the very best things I've ever bought. Years (decades!) of big estate cars, but now honestly it feels like I've seen the light.
As a perfect example - yesterday 6 of us spent a good hour and a half inside it, picnicing round the central table, playing card games, whilst all the 'regular car' families were hiding from a rain storm.
daimc said:
Merc Viano - the v-class seems out of reach (££), and I must admit I like the look of the viano interiors - tax and insurance not as terrible as I imagined when quoted - these are getting on now in terms of age, but there seem to be some reasonable intermediate mileage examples going for ?sensible money - 15-20k
...Leaning towards the viano but I don't know if this is daft
Ditto - The V Class (available from about £25k currently) was just our of reach and the Viano is older than most of the 'lesser' vehicle I could get for the budget but its just so good - very high quality, it rides great, is very well built - its got the brill V6 diesel, the only one in its class so it goes like the clappers and is ever so nice to drive. ...Leaning towards the viano but I don't know if this is daft
Mine has factory curtains, sunroofs, captains chairs, folding tables etc...Its just 'nicer' than everything else I tested. Couldnt be happier. I will almost definitely borrow a bit more money to buy a newer V-Class in a year or two based on how much I love this one.
Nearly all the best ones are hoovered up by these guys - I bought mine from them before it even got advertised, they are in demand. Suggest you speak to them and get on their list.
https://www.globalautomobiles.co.uk/
Two key points - Get the Van-based MPV, not the Kombi Van. A Viano, Tourneo or Caravelle is significantly nicer than a Vito dualiner, Transit Custom DCIV or T6 Kombi - there are changes you simply cannot add - proper rear heating, proper carpets, door cards, insulation etc. The seats in the back of the Kombis are bloody awful particularly. Honestly - its worth it.
Discoverys, Tourneo Connect sized vans, and regular 'MPV's (galaxies etc) dont come anywhere close to the practicality level of these either, and wont do what you want. Do it properly. Viano, V VClass, Tourneo Custom, Caravelle or Peugeot Traveller Allure spec.
Edited by snotrag on Monday 9th December 10:04
MattyD803 said:
Interesting to hear about people with Transporters that have had no issues despite huge mileage......my best mate has had a very different experience. He has a 2017 VW Transport T6.1 DSG TDi Caravelle which he bought off a fellow doctor a couple of years back. To set the scene: One (older doctor) owner, full VW service history, ALL the toys (i.e. many optional extras) and only 63k miles on it when bought. Paid £27k for it.
Since ownership and 15k miles covered, he has had:
Gearbox differential/driveshaft spline corrosion related failure (£2800 - VW wanted £8900)
Powered sliding door failure (£600)
Tailgate actuator failure (£400)
Coolant leak (ongoing issue, untraceable thus far)
Regular EML illumination / 'safe mode' - (Ongoing, loses all power until engine restart)
Whilst it's a really lovely well-equipped van, it's been an expensive & frustrating experience. For example, the gearbox repair took 3 weeks whilst DSG parts were sourced. If you going down this route, I'd suggest you'd need a VW dealer warranty.
No such thing as a 2017 T6.1, let's stick to actual ownership issues rather than a mate, bloke down the pub etc.Since ownership and 15k miles covered, he has had:
Gearbox differential/driveshaft spline corrosion related failure (£2800 - VW wanted £8900)
Powered sliding door failure (£600)
Tailgate actuator failure (£400)
Coolant leak (ongoing issue, untraceable thus far)
Regular EML illumination / 'safe mode' - (Ongoing, loses all power until engine restart)
Whilst it's a really lovely well-equipped van, it's been an expensive & frustrating experience. For example, the gearbox repair took 3 weeks whilst DSG parts were sourced. If you going down this route, I'd suggest you'd need a VW dealer warranty.
I'm on Transporter number 3, the only issues I've had was an instrument binacle and passenger central locking assembly on my T6.
EGR/DPF issues are common, but that's the same on any modern diesel with cheap fuel and short trips.
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