Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do less
than 10K/year.

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty. It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?


--
John Stumbles

I'm less competitive than you

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do
less
than 10K/year.

High mileage isn't that big a problem, but it is an old vehicle with quite a
high mileage, and is something that needs to be considered.

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty. It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

Glow plug light should only come on briefly in cold weather, but it should
still start without waiting for the light to go out.
Most modern diesels still have glow plugs, but you'll only notice the glow
plug light in cold weather.

IIRC, the V-reg Vito will have the old sprinter engine, and unless it's done
a high mileage, it seems a bit strange that it's had a new engine.

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?

If looking at transits, have a good look at the underside. Some literally
fall apart with rust quite quickly (I've seen 6yo condemened due to rust),
but others that are still immaculate without a hint of rust in the same
time.

I wouldn't rule out the Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro/Nissan badged
version, as they are fairly good vans.
They're not the most robust of vans, but they are pretty reliable provided
you don't abuse them.
We get less problems with them than transits at work.

In message , moray
writes

I wouldn't rule out the Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro/Nissan badged
version, as they are fairly good vans.
They're not the most robust of vans, but they are pretty reliable provided
you don't abuse them.
We get less problems with them than transits at work.


From personal experience, working for a company with 60 or so Sprinters
and 5 Vivaros, give the Vauxhalls a wide berth, the sprinters are all
around the 120 to 140 thou mark, and very few problems. The Vivaros have
an average 60 thou and are never out of the garage for wheel bearings,
ball joints and suspension faults. Their drivers seats are all sagging
and knackered, and the load capacity is ****e compared to a short body
low top sprinter.

Main sprinter faults: drivers door hinges sag, and door check strap
fails allowing doors to open too far damaging metal. Back door hinges
seize, especially the 'full-fold' type, and the doors then 'pinch' out
the rubber seals. Rear door's are held open by wire checks which bend
and break, allowing door to swing in the breeze. Gear linkages stiffen
up making gear changing hard work. Muppet drivers kerb the tyres, and
out of alignment steering eats tyres for lunch.
--
Keith

Keith wrote:

up making gear changing hard work. Muppet drivers kerb the tyres, and
out of alignment steering eats tyres for lunch.

They eat front nearside tyres even if treated nicely...



--
re-configure the solar matrix in parallel for endothermic propulsion

John Stumbles (John Stumbles ) gurgled
happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of
surprisingly tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look
too bad, but it did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting,
even though I do less than 10K/year.

Be fair! J-reg is 16yo now, so 200k is not THAT much over your average
mileage...

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty.

8 year old van. Vans get hard lives.

I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up

aka "diesel"...

This seems a bit old-fashioned: I thought modern diesels were more-or-
less instant-start?

They certainly shouldn't be on for very long.

Was it badged as "CDI"? If so, then that is a nice modern (expensive to
fix, gawdhelpyou if you put petrol in) common rail diesel.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays.

You think an 8yo Merc can get tatty, wait until you see what a similar
age Tranny can look like..

And I'm a bit leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with
their cars.

shrug
If you're francophobic, then avoid Nissan & Vauxhall - because they're
rebadged Renaults - and Fiat & Peugeot - because they're the same as the
Citroens.

You'll be avoiding some very decent vans, and some decent bargains
because plenty of other people wear the same blinkers as you, but...

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:03:53 +0000, Adrian wrote:

John Stumbles (John Stumbles ) gurgled
happily, sounding much like they were saying:
....
And I'm a bit leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with
their cars.

shrug
If you're francophobic, then avoid Nissan & Vauxhall - because they're
rebadged Renaults - and Fiat & Peugeot - because they're the same as the
Citroens.

You'll be avoiding some very decent vans, and some decent bargains
because plenty of other people wear the same blinkers as you, but...

I don't mind the garlic, just wanted to know if they're decent motors.
From what I've heard & seen their MPVs are sh1t, but I didn't know if that
applied to their commercials too.

--
John Stumbles

What is a simile like?

In article ,
John Stumbles wrote:
I don't mind the garlic, just wanted to know if they're decent motors.
From what I've heard & seen their MPVs are sh1t, but I didn't know if
that applied to their commercials too.

One place I work at has a number of Renault Masters and Traffics and
despite considerable abuse by a variety of drivers seem pretty reliable.
Good to drive too.

--
*Husband and cat lost -- reward for cat

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:03:53 +0000, Adrian wrote:

John Stumbles (John Stumbles ) gurgled
happily, sounding much like they were saying:
...
And I'm a bit leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with
their cars.

shrug
If you're francophobic, then avoid Nissan & Vauxhall - because they're
rebadged Renaults - and Fiat & Peugeot - because they're the same as the
Citroens.

You'll be avoiding some very decent vans, and some decent bargains
because plenty of other people wear the same blinkers as you, but...

I don't mind the garlic, just wanted to know if they're decent motors.
From what I've heard & seen their MPVs are sh1t, but I didn't know if that
applied to their commercials too.

--
John Stumbles

What is a simile like?

I have had a Renault Traffic (Old Shape), ok but too small, a Renault Master
( X reg New Shape), avoid like the plague, the service cost and level from
Renault is appaling, very expensive to run. I now have a Ford Transit
125T350 02 reg, which is fantastic, got with 1k on the clock 4 years ago
this week now has 110K + and it is still a great van.

Steve

On 23 Nov, 19:35, John Stumbles wrote:
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do less
than 10K/year.

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty. It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?

--
John Stumbles

I'm less competitive than you

Iveco Dailly.In a different league than transits and will run away
from the rest on a hill.
Mark.

wrote:

Iveco Dailly.In a different league than transits and will run away
from the rest on a hill.

Odd vans, they are.

Especially the long ones, which appear to be built on the same wheelbase
as the short ones.

--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:19:37 -0000, SteveH wrote:

wrote:

Iveco Dailly.In a different league than transits and will run away
from the rest on a hill.

Odd vans, they are.

Especially the long ones, which appear to be built on the same wheelbase
as the short ones.



Some different bits though, beware of 4.5t ones with 3.5t badges. The
weight load on the really long ones isn't that high so the short wheelbase
makes them more manouverable. Quite a nice drive though & they tow
beautifully.

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:35:17 -0000, John Stumbles
wrote:

Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do
less
than 10K/year.


If the cylinder heads been done then that's not a high mileage

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty. It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I
thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).


I found the 2nd door got in the way even more, but it depends what you're
putting in them

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?



There's some nice transits out there, but if you're tight on budget the
little renault/vauxhaull/nissan traffic/vivaro's quite good.

John Stumbles wrote:
SNIP
I thought modern diesels were more-or-less
instant-start?

My Renault Kangoo is instant start most of the time cos the glow plug light
goes out immediately. I have noticed in the recent cold snap that it stays
on longer. I guess they are linked to temperature sensors nowadays?

And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Gearbox went in my Kangoo, main shaft snapped, no warning. Rare but
acknowledged fault apparently. Takes 7:5 hours to remove & refit a gearbox.
I was surprised at this. Experienced transmission guy shrugged & simply
said "its French innit".

Great van other than that, but when it eventually needs upgrading I'll look
at Ford.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

On 2007-11-23 20:59:51 +0000, "The Medway Handyman"
said:

I was surprised at this. Experienced transmission guy shrugged & simply
said "its French innit".


Was it a typical gallic shrug?

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2007-11-23 20:59:51 +0000, "The Medway Handyman"
said:

I was surprised at this. Experienced transmission guy shrugged &
simply said "its French innit".


Was it a typical gallic shrug?

No, a typical motor trade shrug :-)


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

On 2007-11-24 01:33:42 +0000, "The Medway Handyman"
said:

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2007-11-23 20:59:51 +0000, "The Medway Handyman"
said:

I was surprised at this. Experienced transmission guy shrugged &
simply said "its French innit".


Was it a typical gallic shrug?

No, a typical motor trade shrug :-)

Ah yes. The one that precedes the quote for (mumble) hundred pounds.

Was it a typical gallic shrug?

No, a typical motor trade shrug :-)

All in the official service manual. Gallic shrugs. How to dangle
gauloise from lower lip. Officially sanctioned exclamations. Beret
positions. And a desire to have all clothing and materials coated in
Citroen LHM.

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do
less
than 10K/year.

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty.

Every oldish (ie, over 5 years) Merc van I see seems to have a frightening
amount of rust. IIRC some of the VWs are Merc clones.

It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?

The Citroen Dispatch and the numerable Pug / Fiat clones (all the same
vehicle) seem to be very reliable if slightly smaller than an SWB transit. A
lot of the panels are galvanised too. Ours has done something like 170k
without trouble, however the NA diesels are very slow.

"Doki" wrote in message
news

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do
less
than 10K/year.

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty.

Every oldish (ie, over 5 years) Merc van I see seems to have a frightening
amount of rust. IIRC some of the VWs are Merc clones.

It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I
thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?

The Citroen Dispatch and the numerable Pug / Fiat clones (all the same
vehicle) seem to be very reliable if slightly smaller than an SWB transit.
A lot of the panels are galvanised too. Ours has done something like 170k
without trouble, however the NA diesels are very slow.

And FWIW, it coped with me driving it for commuting this summer, which meant
being driven full throttle for about 10K without respite, doing about 1k a
week for a while. Only major gripe with the thing is the size of the A
pillar and the turning circle.

Accompanied by the sound of a chisel on slate
managed to produce the following words of wisdom
"Doki" wrote in message
news

The Citroen Dispatch and the numerable Pug / Fiat clones (all the
same vehicle) seem to be very reliable if slightly smaller than an
SWB transit. A lot of the panels are galvanised too. Ours has done
something like 170k without trouble, however the NA diesels are very
slow.

And FWIW, it coped with me driving it for commuting this summer,
which meant being driven full throttle for about 10K without respite,
doing about 1k a week for a while. Only major gripe with the thing is
the size of the A pillar and the turning circle.

I picked up a Citroen C2 from Leeds the other night, if you think the
pillars on a Despatch are bad, try one of those little Citroens.

Otherwise, the 1.1 but it was pretty good considering. Well specced as well,
electric windows, reasonable 4 speaker stereo setup, trip computer and a few
other gubbins. The pillars were horrifically bad though. Bugger all front
3/4 vision in it.

I am used to somewhat larger vehicles, I think that may affect things.


--
Pete M - OMF#9
"Save your breath for cooling your porridge!
W&P Range Rover V8 Turbo
Scorpio Ultima 24v
Tatra 805

On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:25:45 -0000, Doki wrote:


"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of
surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but
it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do
less
than 10K/year.

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty.

Every oldish (ie, over 5 years) Merc van I see seems to have a
frightening amount of rust. IIRC some of the VWs are Merc clones.


Different engines but otherwise identical on the LTs/Sprinters. So they've
both got crap seats compared with an LDV Concoy;-)

It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything
that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I
thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and
my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?

The Citroen Dispatch and the numerable Pug / Fiat clones (all the same
vehicle) seem to be very reliable if slightly smaller than an SWB
transit. A lot of the panels are galvanised too. Ours has done something
like 170k without trouble, however the NA diesels are very slow.

Doki wrote:

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...

Every oldish (ie, over 5 years) Merc van I see seems to have a
frightening amount of rust. IIRC some of the VWs are Merc clones.


Practical Motorcaravan (or some such) reviewed some BRAND NEW standard
vans - the Merc was already rusty.

"Another Dave" wrote in message
...
Doki wrote:

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...

Every oldish (ie, over 5 years) Merc van I see seems to have a
frightening amount of rust. IIRC some of the VWs are Merc clones.


Practical Motorcaravan (or some such) reviewed some BRAND NEW standard
vans - the Merc was already rusty.

Eh? Surely Practical Motorcaravan would be reviewing brand new
motorcaravans - ie, vans that have been ****ed about with, painted and had
lots of holes drilled?

On Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:31:29 +0000, Another Dave wrote:

Doki wrote:

Every oldish (ie, over 5 years) Merc van I see seems to have a
frightening amount of rust. IIRC some of the VWs are Merc clones.

Practical Motorcaravan (or some such) reviewed some BRAND NEW standard
vans - the Merc was already rusty.

I've seen 3 Vitos so far, a couple only 6-7 years old, all with rust
bubbling up under and through paintwork, and not just on sills. Definitely
a miss.

--
John Stumbles

Who's *really* behind all these conspiracy theories?

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do
less
than 10K/year.

The Vito - a V reg - had some dings, rusty scrapes at the back of the
sliding door tracks and various other places and was generally a bit
tatty. It had also had a new engine - maybe the last one threw a cambelt?
I noticed the engine was the type with a dashboard indicator that the
glowplugs are warming up (like my LDV Pilot: I don't want anything that's
like my LDV Pilot on a new van!) This seems a bit old-fashioned: I thought
modern diesels were more-or-less instant-start?

On the load-carrying side the Vito seems a bit shorter than the VW and my
pilot, but maybe the two sliding side doors would allow me to use the
space better (there are more-or-less dead areas I can barely get to with
one side door).

I had fancied a Toyota van (we bought a diesel Estima recently and I
think I could live with a similar van) but they seem like hens' teeth.

I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

Any recommendations for makes & models to go for (or to avoid)? And I'm
looking in Autotrader - are there other places to look?

Look for an early Merc Sprinter.
Preferably NOT an ex courier vehicle though ;-)

In message , RW
writes


Look for an early Merc Sprinter.
Preferably NOT an ex courier vehicle though ;-)


Actually........

A certain courier co with a distinctive orange livery auctions off their
vans at 3.5 years old, or 100k on the clock. They are owned and
maintained by Leaseplan, who have a very strict servicing and
maintenance regime, so a 03/53 plate sprinter from them is likely to be
in better nick than an owner-driver motor the same age/mileage.

They tend to dispose of dozens of vans at the same time too, all at the
same auction, so can be quite cheap.
--
Keith

Keith wrote:

In message , RW
writes


Look for an early Merc Sprinter.
Preferably NOT an ex courier vehicle though ;-)


Actually........

A certain courier co with a distinctive orange livery auctions off their
vans at 3.5 years old, or 100k on the clock. They are owned and
maintained by Leaseplan, who have a very strict servicing and
maintenance regime, so a 03/53 plate sprinter from them is likely to be
in better nick than an owner-driver motor the same age/mileage.

If they're owned and maintained by Leaseplan, they're not very strict on
servicing or maintenance. They cut corners wherever they can - a lot of
new vehicles never see the inside of a main dealer, meaning missed
recalls and TSBs - they're also likely to come with shot tyres and
brakes, 'cos Leaseplan *really* hate spending money on consumables until
they're almost illegally worn. They also like to dispose of stuff just
before it's due a main dealer cambelt service, too.... I wouldn't buy
from Leaseplan, 'cos I drive one of their cars every day.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

In article , Keith says...

A certain courier co with a distinctive orange livery auctions off their
vans at 3.5 years old, or 100k on the clock. They are owned and
maintained by Leaseplan, who have a very strict servicing and
maintenance regime, so a 03/53 plate sprinter from them is likely to be
in better nick than an owner-driver motor the same age/mileage.

Hardly. They've both been thrashed into the ground. The ones at
Parceline were well and truly knackered at 3 years old.



--
Conor

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.

Conor wrote:

In article , Keith says...

A certain courier co with a distinctive orange livery auctions off their
vans at 3.5 years old, or 100k on the clock. They are owned and
maintained by Leaseplan, who have a very strict servicing and
maintenance regime, so a 03/53 plate sprinter from them is likely to be
in better nick than an owner-driver motor the same age/mileage.

Hardly. They've both been thrashed into the ground. The ones at
Parceline were well and truly knackered at 3 years old.

Exactly.

I wouldn't buy my company car, for example....
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

"John Stumbles" wrote in message
...
....
I haven't looked at actual Ford Trannies: I'd heard they used to be
rustbuckets but don't know if this is the case nowadays. And I'm a bit
leery about Renaults and Citroens, from my dealings with their cars.

I've had good service over many years from Renault Masters. I chose them
because I used to have a particular size of carton that needed to be loaded
and a bed that was a few millimetres wider than most meant that I could get
a lot more cartons in.

Colin Bignell

In article ,
nightjar cpb@insert my surname here.me.uk wrote:
I've had good service over many years from Renault Masters. I chose them
because I used to have a particular size of carton that needed to be
loaded and a bed that was a few millimetres wider than most meant that
I could get a lot more cartons in.

We use them as camera cars. The cost of the coach built conversion pretty
well dwarfs any cost differences between basic vans of this type so it's
not that. Could be the availability of sliding doors on both sides plus
the low loading height that clinches it. But they seem pretty good - I've
never known one break down. Only thing is the rather poor turning circle
due to FWD and a long wheelbase. Easy to drive too - lighter controls than
many a car I've driven.

--
*A day without sunshine is like... night.*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

John Stumbles wrote:
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do less
than 10K/year.


Trannies are pretty good these ays. Round here (cambridge / suffolk)
there is a place that sells nothing but EX - BT transits - many still
racked out.

Highly useful.

I saw one that was just beginning to rust a bit - 10 year old, bought
after 4 years of BT..

http://dealerservices.autotrader.co....=1548&pageid=3

On 2007-11-24 11:14:40 +0000, The Natural Philosopher said:

John Stumbles wrote:
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad, but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I do less
than 10K/year.


Trannies are pretty good these ays. Round here (cambridge / suffolk)
there is a place that sells nothing but EX - BT transits - many still
racked out.

Highly useful.

I saw one that was just beginning to rust a bit - 10 year old, bought
after 4 years of BT..

http://dealerservices.autotrader.co....=1548&pageid=3

It's interesting that almost everything they have is £5.5k +/- 10%

Andy Hall wrote:
On 2007-11-24 11:14:40 +0000, The Natural Philosopher said:

John Stumbles wrote:
Looking for a van the size of a SWB low-roof Transit since my present
wagon is showing signs of terminal decrepitude. I had a look at a VW
Transporter and a Merc Vito this morning. I've seen a lot of
surprisingly
tatty looking VWs but this one, though J reg, didn't look too bad,
but it
did have 200K on the clock which is a bit offputting, even though I
do less
than 10K/year.


Trannies are pretty good these ays. Round here (cambridge / suffolk)
there is a place that sells nothing but EX - BT transits - many still
racked out.

Highly useful.

I saw one that was just beginning to rust a bit - 10 year old, bought
after 4 years of BT..

http://dealerservices.autotrader.co....=1548&pageid=3

It's interesting that almost everything they have is �5.5k +/- 10%

I think that is a reflection of the 'write off' point of the BT
accountants.

I've been their looking at stuff..was pretty impressed. If you get a
racked out one theres a lot of useful stiff in them, for mobile DIY.

I only know VW Transporters, but know them fairly well.

Huge info source here http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/index.php

(I'm assuming you're looking exclusively at T4's and that T5's would
be over budget).

I wouldn't attach too much importance to mileage or year - but much
more to condition and a *verifiable* service record. On my most recent
buy, I saw more clocked vehicles and probably fake service histories
than I ever have before).

Well looked after T4's do terrific mileages and offer superb
longevity. One key difference is the older 1.9TD and 2.4D models
versus the newer 2.5TDI. Very marked difference in power output. The
older ones are slow-coaches - the newer ones brisk - with a price
premium of course. Other than that, few significant changes over the
model years.

Cambelt change interval is now recommended to be 60000 miles
(decreased form the originally recommended 80000 miles),
OR every 4 years regardless of mileage. You may find some do light
mileage only but are way past their due change at least every 4 years.
£500 for an official dealer to change. Look out for others that skimp
and don't change the tensioner/idler/water-pump at the same time -
which the dealer will be doing.

Any official part is eye-wateringly expensive. Several good
aftermarket suppliers. GSF is probably best of them http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/index.php

Overall prices are a bit inflated as T4's are a very popular base for
surf-van conversions.

Personally I won't look at anything that's been customised - very,
very rare that it's done to a high engineering standard.

On Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:31:36 -0800, wrote:

I only know VW Transporters, but know them fairly well.

Huge info source here http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/index.php

(I'm assuming you're looking exclusively at T4's and that T5's would
be over budget).

errr, wot's a T4 (and what's a T5)?
They all seem to be described as plain old Transporters. Does it go by
year?

--
John Stumbles

I used to think the brain was the most interesting part of the body
- until I realised what was telling me that

errr, wot's a T4 (and what's a T5)?
They all seem to be described as plain old Transporters. Does it go by
year?

T4 is the 1990-2003 model:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:9...en_Eurovan.jpg

T5 is the 2003+ model:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:V...5_Multivan.jpg

Complete rundown he
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VW_Eurovan