What Van? Help/advice needed on vans.

[codlord]

Not Surf related but I have unfortunately decided that due to circumstances (not doing enough 4x4 and doing more motocross type stuff) I will be selling my Surf and buying a van.

As I know not a lot about vans I just wondered if anyone here can offer some advice on whats hot and whats not in the world of vans.

Currently been looking at transit-sized vans (i.e. Ford Transit/VW Transporter etc). Not sure yet on SWB/MWB/LWB or roof height or windows. But it will be for transporting one motorbike, plus probably fit out the back with some basic camper stuff for living/sleeping in it too. Budget is gonna be about 3K to 5K.

Most vans I have seen have got very high mileage (100-160k) I guess commercial vans that are being sold on after their working life, but what sort of trouble-free milage do these (usually 2.4TD) vans normally give? What max milage should I be looking at?

Any help/advice appreciated.
thanks

[Slugsie]

I don't know so much about vans myself, but a mate of mine bought an ex GPO LDV Convoy van, and it just runs and runs. It's one of the longer ones, seats 5 (3 in front bench, 2 in rear), with enough rear space to hold a double bed. He's not had to do much to keep it on the road, and he's chuffed to bits with it. IIRC, he paid around £1500.

[The Lang-Shankit Scunner]

Def look for a vw tdi, bullet proof and also veg friendly if your inta that sort o thing. The older, ie N P reg vans where excellent, look out for one without too much rust. The good thing being the v-dubbers have plenty of stuff for modding them and making them cool, may take away the grief of losing the surf.

Owners clubs available for thes aswell.

[mrsurf]

i do , you want a mercedes sprinter mate take my word for it one of the quickist and best vans around ` but thats just my opiniun there may be others that disagree

[Bogus]

Theres somebody, somewhere who sells ex BT vans, many of them driven by one man and low mileage, well maintained to boot and keenly priced They are on the net somewhere, I,ll do a search and see if I can find them again although Im sure you can do this yourself. I looked at the site a few months back so Im sure I,ll find it again.

Bogus

Found the link a bit quicker than I thought I would

http://www.corgi-direct.com/BTFleet/

[plumb bob]

Whats your budget?

[Bogus]

Whats your budget?

Its 3-5 K according to his original post

Bogus

[joymic]

the best van on the road is a transit, use an abuse an it will still not let u down, sold mine to bye the surf, if it had to go (which it never will ) it would be a transit every time.

[plumb bob]

Its 3-5 K according to his original post

Bogus

Oh yeah, oopps, missed that, anyhoo, my VW LT35 may be for sale soon, '53 plate, 42,000 miles, full service history, clean, never abused, full roof rack ( 4 metres long) and rear ladder, central locking.

Got to get it valued first though.

[codlord]

Thanks for the info so far.

I think sprinter/LT35 is too big for my needs really. Probably be looking for transit size MWB or maybe LWB with medium or high roof (or equivalent).

My cousin has an LWB LT35 and its big enough for 3 or 4 bikes plus a load of gear! I will only be carrying 1 or 2 max.

[tintin]

Purely my opinion but..........
I used to drive transits all the time (been in the building trade for many years now) About 3 years ago i was using a little vauxhall combo (CR*P) cos i didn't need much kit, then a friend said he wanted to flog his vw.
Have been using the VW LT35 2.4TDI Medium Wheelbase Hi-Top ever since and i love it!
Its a lot faster than a transit (of the same era) Better on diesel, bigger load capacity, its not massive like the long wheelbase so it's much easier to get a parking space, Main dealer repair bills are about the same (but it seems to need less of them) AND i can stand up in the back to boot!!!
If i needed to upgrade i would definately go for another one!
For guidance mine is a 1999. White. Unwritten. Almost no rust anywhere. Good condition in & out. 180k miles,and is worth about 2 to 2.5k
Hope this helps
Alan

[plumb bob]

Thanks for the info so far.

I think sprinter/LT35 is too big for my needs really. Probably be looking for transit size MWB or maybe LWB with medium or high roof (or equivalent).

My cousin has an LWB LT35 and its big enough for 3 or 4 bikes plus a load of gear! I will only be carrying 1 or 2 max.

Mines MWB & medium roof, the rear is 3 metres long,you'd get two bikes and have enough room for tools and a small work bench maybe, it's just what you want/need, he he.

[magnum force]

My Transit has done 122345 mls and has past the mot for the past 3 years. If you go for Transit make shore it has power steering and a turbo. Apart from that they just go and go. O and the new ones are $$$$, loads of dosh for repairs..M. N. P. brill!!

[stormforce]

My Transit has done 122345 mls and has past the mot for the past 3 years. If you go for Transit make shore it has power steering and a turbo. Apart from that they just go and go. O and the new ones are $$$$, loads of dosh for repairs..M. N. P. brill!!

I agree with you on the new transits they are bl00dy $$$$.We have a fleet of about 12 transit crew vans and 5 flatbeds and they all have been back to the ford dealers so many times in the last 3 years i couldnt hazzard a guess on how many times tho but Networkrail will still have them.

[pirate-storm]

I agree with you on the new transits they are bl00dy $$$$.We have a fleet of about 12 transit crew vans and 5 flatbeds and they all have been back to the ford dealers so many times in the last 3 years i couldnt hazzard a guess on how many times tho but Networkrail will still have them.

thats why networkrail has them rich just like the trains dont run if wet/snow or to many leafs / late or called off or even dont stop when they should do