Need a Swb 3.5t panel van, and recommendations?

[m3jappa]

Currently I have a 54 reg merc 311 mwb. It's been a great van for the 5 years I've had it but it's getting tired so I'm reluctantly looking for a newer van.


Problems I have are....
New mwb sprinters look fking massive, especially with the high roof. I plan to do my trailer test and start using a tipper trailer so a mwb van might be too big with a great trailer being towed.

Things like vito are too small and won't take the weight I need.

I'd like some half decent power, my 311 is okay unloaded but even half loaded the weight is noticible in terms of capability.

Ideally I'd like a sprinter 316 Swb but these seem very rare, there's a lovely black one on eBay but the miles put me off (114k) I know sprinters are capable but mine has become less and less reliable after 120k ish (nothing major) and besides I want to start with low ish miles and good condition as in my line of work it will get wrecked.

So any ideas? Transit Swb seem massively underpowered as well as crafters, or they seem to have power but are only 2.8t gvw.

Thanks

[m3jappa]

Yes there are 313 available but they are thin on the ground or have higher miles unfortunately.

I would even go back with the 311 if I found a tidy lowish miler but it seem these are rare then popular come selling time. again a couple of nice ones on eBay but are autos and I'm not sure if they are a wise move, though I love auto on anything other than a 'toy'

I may have to wait it out......

I also wondered if the coloured sprinters rust as bad as the white ones, I have seen quite new ones with rust but none on the coloured ones.
Rust is the only downside with sprinters it seems.

[m3jappa]

That master is a nice looking van, I'll look into them.