weirdfish

Might be needing a small van soon if a project comes off.
Nothing bigger than a Peugeot expert sort of thing, but consider anything up to that sort of size.
Having never really needed a van in the past I'm not up with what's the best type or make, hopefully there's a few of you that might be able to guide me.
No heavy loads need to be carried, so basically enough room for a few toolboxes and power tools etc. and all the normal rubbish that gets thrown in when you think you might need it.
Doesn't have to be super fast, but nice and economical would be a bonus.
Only really want to spend a couple of grand tops.
Thanx.

Carnut

Does it need to be a van,I could be wrong but I think that they can cost more to insure. Could a good estate not do the job,my father in-law has a astra estate and he fits kitchens and is a bit of an all round handy man. A estate would be more comfortable (especially if your tall) and could be cheaper to run ie fuel/insurance.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Ive got a combo at the moment, 1.3cdti with a remap and to be honest its just passed 101k and all it has ever needed were brake pads and oil.

It does go through tyres if you load it up though.

It is pretty good on fuel, 60quid fills it up and it will do about 450miles to that. Been the 1.3 the tax is cheap too, but if you are going to be carrying heavy loads id get the 1.7cdti.

Dont get an expert they really arent designed for high miles and decent sized loads, I had a new LWB expert back in 2008/9 and it went through gearboxes drive shafts etc like nobodies business, it was terrible! Comfortable, but completely useless as a work van.

I would also recommend the older Fiat Doblos, I had the Mk1 and it went like stink, spent its entire time overloaded by a fair amount and did 150k miles in less than 3 years. It was brilliant, never went wrong and was nice to drive, I honestly cannot believe how fast it was lol.

Other than that a Hiace was a brilliant van but might be a bit big for what you need.

Transit connects are noisy and gutless and to be honest are one of the worst vans I have had, along with the VW transporter

mamoon2

I sell vans for a living and couldn't disagree more. Transit Connect is an excellent van, I have one myself and it certainly isn't gutless. The bonus of a connect is even the high roof version will fit under the barrier at the tip.

However, I would say.... Avoid the VW Caddy at all costs. I sell loads of these and they have nothing but problems, but remain a popular van because of the VW badge.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Really? I have dirven hundreds of vans, and the connect has always been uncomfortable, gutless and horrendously noisy in the cabin at motorway speeds. I wouldnt have one as a gift lol

weirdfish

I see your point, i was thinking along the lines of security, people cant see whats in a van, but i suppose you could tint the windows.
Also, i might need to put up some racking to carry spares etc.

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

I'd have to agree in the comments regarding the connect. I'm just shy of 6'3 and I couldn't drive one of those for any major length of time, however with a remap they are a bit better power wise, and yes I know exactly what you mean with the fiat really shocked me I will be honest! Really did shift!

VW caddy albeit a 08 plate was faultless in ever sense of the manor, went like stink, never broke down and covered over 250k as a courier van and often had euro pallet on the back with weight. Made countless trips across Europe delivering chairs and as said faultless.

Every van regardless of make, model or year are going to suffer from some kind of inherited problem, weather it be boxes, diesel pumps, chips on the pumps, immobiliser problems, chains the list could go on forever.

I would personally drive a few and see how you find them, a massive thing for me is leg room over anything else and being able to recline the rear of the seat to a degree. Driving sat upright with very little leg room leaves a lot to be desired!

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

I would also add that most combos will probably do more than 450miles to a tank of fuel with the remap etc, but mine is so overloaded it is untrue and I rake it EVERYWHERE. lol

weirdfish

What are Peugeot partners like, one has just come up for sale very close to me.
It's a 2006 2.0Hdi.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Its french, its cheap, nasty and crap lol

weirdfish

I'll leave that one alone then.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

I had a few, and it went well, but the noise was awful, especially so on the models with roof vents.

Anything french isnt really cut out for a works van, small deliveries and not massive miles they are perfect for, but tools and the such whats arent the best.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Doblo...item19ec36f9e3

This looks like a good shout

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/56-Fiat-Do...item2a3b0e0ad6

This one has a bulkhead which is better

weirdfish

Good suggestions, keep them coming in case I miss one.
Thinking about an earlier suggestion, I've had a quick look at the astravan, is it a realistic option?
I'm trying to avoid the VAT ones as well, I'm not registered so it's money down the pan as far as I'm concerned.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Astra vans arent bad although I find them useless for most things it all depends what you are going ot use them for, there isnt really a good way to rack an astra van. but yes not bad vans at all

Fast63

iTrader: (1)

Don't touch the combo! They are awful, and very unreliable, I've had many vans and the combo was by far the worst, never had so many problems with one van, my brother had one and that also broke down time after time and my mates wasn't much different, I'm sure the 1.7 might be better but I had the 1.3 and if your using it for anything other than tootling round town it's not up to the job, ha rant over, not biased or anything, good luck with you search

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Well ive done over 60k miles in a year in my 1.3 loaded to the hilt and thrashed it everywhere its perfect. It has just clocked over 102000 this morning and still is going strong.

It all depends what engine you get as there are a couple of variants.

weirdfish

This gets more confusing with every new post.
I suppose it's like everything mechanical, if it's been looked after and serviced then it might last a bit longer, but the trouble with a lot of vans is that they're used as a workhorse and hence maybe don't get the attention they should.
I'll have to keep an open mind and have a look at a few.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Do your research, not every combo has a bad engine, there are two or three different engines fitted to combos, it all depends what one you get as to the reliability issues.

My combo isnt a workhorse, it is a work slave lol. I thrash it everywhere, it is always thoroughly loaded, and to be honest I didnt even do an oil change in 45k miles. But I picked the right model with the right engine

The thing with my vans, are once they die i get a new one, it is a tool the same as a screwdriver. So i will drive it to destruction. Where as my cars are always well maintained with oil changes every 2k etc, yet the van is more reliable than all of them

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

If you are only spending a couple of grand, avoid anything with the peogeot/citroen/ford DV6 and DV4 engines. (1.6hdi and 1.4 hdi) Unless it has a perfect service history and invoices for synthetic oil.

The problem is if you get one thats been neglected - You may wonder about the od noisy tappet and teh offbeat induction/exhaust noise (bit liek a scoob), thats the start of your woes...as pretty soon the turbo fails. The you find every oilway is coked solid, as is the inlet ports, teh valve lifters have failed, the cam followers have fell apart and the camshafts are knackered. To warranty the turbo on its own you are facing an entire engine strip down...basically the van is scrap. We scrapped a few with less than 90K miles, as well as engine swaps.

The 1.9d (XUD) and older 2.0hdi lumps (DW10ATED) are ok.

Transit connects 1.8; make sure its had the little pump belt replaced ....older ones used to be chain 2005ish onwards are a "wet belt" system (in addition to the normal cambelt). Failure of this wrecks the pistons, as well as the valves. They can fail prematurely too.

On the flipside Combos, we've had the opposite experience. The highest mile one we've got is a 1.7 approaching 300K miles! Yeah its had cluthces, supesnsion, brakes, starter, alternator, yet it refuses to die. Biggest cost was the airbag moudle...which was the alternator's fault (excessive AC ripple - common on vauxhalls...check for flickering lights, which is a sign that the voltageages are all over teh place...this can kill ECUs, ABS, Airbag etc.). Its also had to have teh engine ECU soldered a few times (common, easy fix...even the RAC/AA can do it).

Doblos aren't too bad...yes bit will fall off and the rear leaf springs WILL fail (noted by it resting on the bump stops with little load in the back). They also feel very top-heavy with roof ladders, so not the nicest of drives. But the engines seem to tolerate it...however the same series of Fiat diesel engines is shared with Vauxhalls.

I like Astravans, as they are a Astra estate without windows and no back seats, so it drives and feels like a normal car. A Connect or Combo feels like a postman pat van in comparison.

Luan Pra bang

Had a connect, astra van, escort van, and caddy. Caddy drives like a car and is the best over all but did need rocker cover gasket and clutch and flywheel changed before 100k, astra is on 100k and drives **** but apart from no 4th gear no real problems, as a 1.3 cdti mpg is good as well. Astra vans are prone to random ecu failure though. Connect and escort vans are the most reliable but drive ****. Get air con though I hate vans without it.

bmw730i

mk5 astra van! did 50,000 miles in a year and it was the 1.3 cdti. will get laughed at now but the handling was exceptional and the brakes are great not much would beat me down the country lanes and not one fault in 50,000 miles.

FSH is a must and the 1.7 is a cracking engine but seem to split water pipes,the 1.3 is **** under to 2k rpm but can do speeds that will loose your licence.

space is not the best but drives like a car.

weirdfish

Went for the astra van in the end, 58 plate 1.7 CDTi full service and the all important gearbox/clutch/dual mass flywheel&slave cylinder all changed and still under warranty.
Before I go searching the internet, or handbook, does anyone know how to switch off the interior sensors when locking the van, scared the ****e out the dog earlier when I had to leave him in there and pop in the shops.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

google is your friend.

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

Try locking it with the key in the door to disarm the alarm.

At least you didn't get a pile of cack combo, the worst van, and IMO the worst vehicle I have had the misfortune of driving (having been a van courier for nearly twenty years of my life I ve driven a lot of vans) terrible driving position, most uncomfortable seats I have ever experienced, worst feeling gearbox I have ever experienced and nasty, wooly, uncommunicative steering (that actually failed completely for one of our drivers ending with an excursion in to a ditch), unreliable, when I was offered one to replace my 200k mile connect I refused point blank. The connect in comparison was fantastic, fast (tdci, non tdci gutless) comfortable (6'3" but found it comfortable) reliable (was sold on about 5 years ago with 230k and is still going strong) much better steering and gearbox, not that it's much help to you now lol

weirdfish

Oh how I wish it was, nowt about it on there, might try one of the owners sites.
Other than that it's just a case of locking via the key in the door, ( not ideal, but at least it locks it ).

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

I've run a Berlingo 1.9XUD non-turbo for the last 7 1/2 years. It's been brilliant, but I only do around 6000 miles a year so I'm perhaps not wearing things out like a high mileage one would.

However, I'm a masochist and it's 12 years old now, so I've just bought a 2.2 TDCi Land Rover 110 van to replace it! This may be interesting....