Time for a van ... now collectioned!

[0ldCh0d]

I am wary of transits, especially as they seem to have harder lives than any other van apart from a sprinter.

Sprinters are relatively decent, even with gung-ho high miles & they hold their residual value far far better than a transit. If it was my choice, over a transit, it would be a sprinter or Vw LT. But, that is just my own preference.

[SiC]

Better off walking!

At least a c15 doesn't leave you walking as the only option, like a Laguna does! Teeheheeee

[Felly Magic]

Sprinters & LT's rust for a laugh, and head gaskets do fail fairly often, comedy build quality on them for an alleged premium brand. Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole tbh 

[DodgeRover]

I'm running a Mk2 LWB transit in and out of the LEZ so i'm running LPG. See a few mk3/4/5's still about in the zone i'm assuming they're either logged in trade/ registered as MPV's or petrols

 

Anything Petrol or LPG is LEZ exempt currently, god knows what will happen when they bring in the ULEZ though but people put their fingers in their ears and say it'll never happen when I try and tell them about it

[Lacquer Peel]

LTs in colours other than white don't rust so badly.

The 2.5 TDI is a good engine but they're thirsty in a van that size.

[mouseflakes]

Ulysse/Synergie/806?

[twosmoke300]

Hiace is simply the most reliable van out there . Not sure about lez stuff but most people in the trade reccomend them

[Junkman]

That Tissier next to that Porker:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182255212467

 

Not only would it meet each and every one of your requirements to the tea, it'd also instantly elevate you into the eclectic league of PHWOAR.

And that includes Ranchos, to make myself clear enough here.

 

Not sure about toll charges, but I for one wouldn't bloody give a toss and that LEZ horseshit could be circumfered by installing a Maserati engine.

 

Questions?

[rml2345]

The problem with Mercedes vans is that they are water soluble and a bit pants. The newer shape Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro with DCi power seem to be pretty hardy on the other hand, being capable of surviving Royal Mail service without catastrophic failure.

That Tisser would be the ultimate in light commercials but I can't imagine how much stock you'd need to sell to keep it functioning.

One of these days I'm going to succumb to one of LP's ebay Serena finds...

[inconsistant]

Bongo Friendlee

[Junkman]

The newer shape Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro with DCi power seem to be pretty hardy on the other hand, being capable of surviving Royal Mail service without catastrophic failure.

 

They are so terrible that I'd rather have no van and stick my head into a running lawn mower instead.

Also, the LEZ is looming for them, if not already, then in the near future.

 

Back to OP:

 

How often is a van required?

Wouldn't a long term hiring contract make sense?

[Sheefag]

I've run a HiAce for the past six years, utterly bulletproof.

[messerschmitt owner]

How often is a van required?

Wouldn't a long term hiring contract make sense?

A vehicle capable of carrying 2/3 of a ton is required pretty much every weekend of the year. Whether that is the Merc or a van, it doesn't matter, but the Merc is incapable of carrying the load for some of the two days shows I do, when I am carrying perhaps 3/4 ton on board. I always like the option of two vehicles - that makes unwanted FTPs less of an issue as I can simply use the other vehicle. The Dispatch has been a useful tool for the past three and a half years but is too wee for that '3/4 ton' need.

 

Frankly, leasing is never something I want to do. HP Is bad enough. I like to own what I drive and have no restrictions as to use, mileage or worry that much about condition. I'm twenty miles from a decent and cheap van hire place and the hassles involved in hiring are a pain in the butt. And frankly, fifteen hires in a year and I am up at the cost of buying an old vehicle.

 

God forbid, though, in an Autoshite hero kind of way, I punted a cheeky offer in on the 1990s Hiace this morning. If I'm going to have a shagged out old van, I'd rather have one I like and that has a 'bed', making outdoor mid-week antique shows a possibility.

[Junkman]

I wasn't talking about leasing or HP.

I meant hiring. You can hire vans for 30 quid per weekend.

[messerschmitt owner]

I wasn't talking about leasing or HP.

I meant hiring. You can hire vans for 30 quid per weekend.

yep - 20 miles to the hire place, 20 miles back, both of which are on public transport and then a long walk, having to be done the day before (Friday) and return (Monday). And something like a £1000 excess - which eats out of the profits if anything happens. Van hire is cheaper and easier in an orange van in Salford... It's a nightmare in the sticks.

[Cavcraft]

Having talked to various van owners and drivers, I'd be looking at a Volksawgen if I were buying one. They do seem to be a bit more reliable and solid than Transists and the like. Renault/Vauxhall badged ones rarely highly too it seems, but seem to have a habit of shitting gears.

[messerschmitt owner]

thanks to scene tax - there are pretty much no VWs in budget apart from the odd LT28 or 35. It's really difficult to buy a shite van as so many of them are just shit!

[bub2006]

I drive a Luton sprinter 313 on a 65 plate. Yes its modern and so called premium brand but its already had water leaks fixed,crunchy box and poor mpg. Older one seem to rot for fun

[Guest Hooli]

I hate Sprinters, nasty shite things to drive. Transits are much nicer. Get an older RWD one or there is no point having a van.

 

 

We've got a '59 Caddy maxi, does everything, carries 860kg & is great. Out of the original price range I think though

[messerschmitt owner]

I never minded my old Sprinter 416  but I had it from new. The fuel consumption was woeful but that was more the fact I drove it like a bat out of hell and it had a stonking huge motorhome body on the back (and top). But it was showing rust aged four ...

[Guest Hooli]

The ones I drove & the VWs that look the same seemed to be designed by a committee not talking to each other. Even on the lowest setting the seat was too high, the windscreen was below eye level, the steering was between my toes & the pedals behind the seat.

 

But then I hate the modern trend to sit on cars/vans not in them.

[andy18s]

Ldv Cub?

2.3 of nice Nissan engine,mine run on veg easily..

Sliding doors on both sides and the original Nissan version had an upward opening tailgate whilst Ldv has the usual 2

[Guest Hooli]

Can we link this thread to the one about buying old buses?

[messerschmitt owner]

been 'saved' from that Hiace by it selling for more money than I offered! So, still looking. Strangely attracted to an Iveco MWB or SWB high top. I know, I know ... it's an Iveco but they seem to be less rusty and more cheap than similar white vans from Germany and Turkey.

 

Talk me out of it!

[dean36014]

Judging by the amount of Iveco 3 litre engines that have a rod out the block that I see in the skip at work(vehicle hire workshop) I wouldn't recommend an Iveco!

[messerschmitt owner]

Judging by the amount of Iveco 3 litre engines that have a rod out the block that I see in the skip at work(vehicle hire workshop) I wouldn't recommend an Iveco!

would likely be a 2.3 if I went that route - and they're just Fiat engines.

[dean36014]

According to the workshop lads the 2.3 are fine, but the 3 litre are rubbish. Mine you they are ragged silly by Tesco home shopping drivers but seen some nearly new ones with nice holes in the block. They have one mechanic who seems to be constantly rebuilding engines, and the local recovery company are regular visitors dragging them in. 

[messerschmitt owner]

I'm narrowing down what I want - mwb (swb too short, lwb too long), high top, ideally rear windows, and an extra set of seats if possible. I've decided that the Severn bridge is a bit of a red herring and I just need to kick my arse in gear and drive via Gloucester when with van.

 

Decent MoT, lowish mileage, and definitely not used by the Boys from the Black Stuff also compulsory. No 2 litre engines and must be turbo charged (I have a life and don't intend spending six weeks going 0-60)!

[Guest bangerfan101]

Toyota previa.

[Cavcraft]

been 'saved' from that Hiace by it selling for more money than I offered! So, still looking. Strangely attracted to an Iveco MWB or SWB high top. I know, I know ... it's an Iveco but they seem to be less rusty and more cheap than similar white vans from Germany and Turkey.

 

Talk me out of it!

 

There's a reason they're cheap, and if you buy one you'll find out. When they're going well and behaving (probably three out of five journeys at best) they're quite rapid, but all you're doing really is getting to the next point of breaking down a bit quicker.

 

 

Isn't Lacquer Peel selling his VW (Caddy?) on the cheap?