that's it, I'm buying a White Van!

[duncan m]

What is it with White Vans?!?

I was hoofing up the M3 this morning at s steady 3000+ and could I shake the bu@@ers? Could I hell.

They scream up behind you, giving it large on the headlights, ‘GET OUT OF MY WAY!!! ’ You pull over, and they rocket past, ladders, sheets of plaster board, and god only knows what else bouncing up and down on the roof-rack, and disappear into the distance.

Who makes these things? And who installs the engines??? I did want to upgrade my Chimaera for a Tuscan, but now I’m having second thoughts…maybe for the ultimate speed rush I should visit a White Van showroom. I wonder what they’d give me for the Chimaera ?

[TUS 373]

In my experience it is w@nkers in Mercedes Sprinter vans. Seem to be alot quicker than trannies - and bigger still too. Not a good feeling to have a rear view mirror full of van 6" off your back bumper.

[incorrigible]

I was travelling (as a passenger of course ) at 95 on a fairly twisty A road and had one of thse enourmouse Merc things overtake me

Maybe I should get one as a track day weapon could even get a caterham in the back just in case I stuffed it

[RichardR]

TUS 373 said: In my experience it is w@nkers in Mercedes Sprinter vans.

This has to be the most applicable model name since MG came up with "Midget". In fact, I reckon only "Mercedes AggressiveFcker" would be more suitable.

[aphelion]

Best Mercedes Sprinter we ever saw in the Tiv was on its offside, underside facing us, straddled across the middle lane of the M6 - with the group of blokes who'd vacated it standing on the hard shoulder scratching their heads ... Priceless!

[TUS 373]

Potential candidates for the Darwin awards then? Knuckle dragging primates with no power of consequential thought or fear of danger. Sounds about right.

[domster]

I used to advertise the Sprinter.

The little communicated performance figures, for your information and delight are:

0-60 in 13 seconds

Top speed, 100 mph

Which is handy for a van, and I guess these figures may have been semi-laden

[jmorgan]

[peepingovertheparapet] I drive a Sprinter[/duckinkbackdownandboilingtheoil]

[apache]

i think a lot of the problem is that it takes a while to gain momentum in these things, once you've reached the valve bouncing, rpm off the gauge, exhaust glowing max speed you're very reluctant to back off for anyone

[Size Nine Elm]

Who makes these things? And who installs the engines??? I did want to upgrade my Chimaera for a Tuscan, but now I’m having second thoughts…maybe for the ultimate speed rush I should visit a White Van showroom. I wonder what they’d give me for the Chimaera ?

Had fun a couple of years ago on the B709
(www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=335000&Y=645000&A=Y&Z=5) north of Innerleithen.
I had just put new tyres on the Chimaera, so was going some on the straights, and taking corners with respect. Followed by a Parceline van. He must have been taking the corners at 90 to keep up. Came to the end of the road after 15-odd miles, and he was still behind me. Gave him a wave and a smile...

[mrsd]

incorrigible said: I was travelling (as a passenger of course ) at 95 on a fairly twisty A road and had one of thse enourmouse Merc things overtake me

This wasn't on the Snake Pass at about 4.30 yesterday by any chance ? Jesus H Christ that guy was trying hard On two wheels round the last corner into Glossop. In a van

[lazyitus]

For info : VW's LT 2.8 TDI produces 158 bhp and is quicker than the Merc. But watch out for this one: The new Transporter van (which is smaller and lighter) is coming out this year with 174 BHP! Watch out racer boys!

[anonymous-user]

aphelion said: Best Mercedes Sprinter we ever saw in the Tiv was on its offside, underside facing us, straddled across the middle lane of the M6 - with the group of blokes who'd vacated it standing on the hard shoulder scratching their heads ... Priceless!

I gather from a friend in the transport business that these things have a habit of doing a kind of forward roll or flip if the brakes are applied heavily at high speed.

[jmorgan]

paul-b said:

I gather from a friend in the transport business that these things have a habit of doing a kind of forward roll or flip if the brakes are applied heavily at high speed.

Not happened to me yet but then I don't tend to drive like the typical white van man.

Also

Have had the ABS come on when having to avoid a numpty comming out of a side road etc. Annoyed that they must have seen me but decided van=slow so pulled out. Also the cars on a 2 lane Mway that pull ot infront of me whilst I am overtaking a lorry causing me to brake, then loose my momentum and have to pull in behind lorry to gather it up again. Cars that overtake me on A roads and pull into the gap I leave as a safe distance to the car infront then brake and turn off the road.
As I drive a van for work I see a lot of car drivers doing daft things as much as van drivers. HGV drivers arn't immune from the numpty gland fever either.

[domster]

lazyitus said: For info : VW's LT 2.8 TDI produces 158 bhp and is quicker than the Merc. But watch out for this one: The new Transporter van (which is smaller and lighter) is coming out this year with 174 BHP! Watch out racer boys!

I think the Vito CDi has the same engine or similar. 220 ft/lbs of torque springs to mind. That can't be a healthy figure for a compact van driven by a lobotomised labourer.

[wedg1e]

Just been advised by my service manager that my Combo is due to be replaced this year: the Vito is on the shortlist! May drop hints about the new Transporter, though...

Woohoo!

Ian
aka White Van Maniac...

[lazyitus]

Wedg1e : If you want a Transporter, I can sort you brochures etc as I sell them for a living. Let me know if I can help.

[apache]

wedgie, have you seen polar ben's post 'any ideas' and could you help?