I'm on the look out for a new work van and I'm after some opinions on some vans as I'm unsure on what van to go for.

I'm a chippy and i currently drive a swb mk6 transit and its only just big enough tbh. I don't really fancy going up to a long wheel base high roof van, so I'm wondering if anyone has any views on the following vans...

07 onwards vivaro/master with the 2.0 cdti engine
07 onwards relay/ducato/boxer
04 onwards VW transporter
04 onwards merc vito

I'm looking at a low roof lwb version of one of the above. Fuel economy is quite important too with the price of fuel how it is. Anyone known faults I should be looking for?

Cheers in advance

Gavin.

 

cant go wrong with a transporter mate.few of the boys got them and the T5 2.5TDi 170BHP ones.mates got a Rreg one and its still going stong with 180k on the clock.

 

from my experience dont go with the peugeot/citroen..they keep going wrong..currently got an expert, it spends more time in the garage than on the road

 

Mate of mine works for a small business that has a couple of vivaros and they are complete rubbish, always breaking down. If I had to choose from that list it would be the VW, the vito's rust like buggery!

 

I would have a transporter or a ducato.

Just remember the ducato is cheep to buy for a reason. They are an awesome van tho

 

Them transporters fetch good money!

Im looking at Ł7k ish including the vat and I'm looking at a high mile boggo spec for that. I read a review on parkers about the relay and they said it was the best van in that size out at the moment.

Any vans I have missed?

 

Double post.

 

Bump for the morning people.

 

I've been using a vivaro for over 3 years now and only once has it let me down and that was sorted under warranty.

Sure, the trim can be a little flimsy in places but overall I haven't found it too bad a van really.

They can't be that bad as the AA wouldn't use them in their fleet IMO.

 

Do the new models still have gearbox problems?

Gavin.

 

I've had no faults at all with transmission and my van is used to tow cars and vans nearly everyday.

 

Id go for the vw but DONT get the 5 cylinder motor , far to much trouble , the 4 cylinder still uses the PD oil and holds 6 ltrs so best part of 50 odd notes for a oil change plus filter. Owe yes dont leave it till every 10k change it at 5-6k . I look after 11 odd vw,s most Tdi 9 with the PD engine got one with nearly 300 k on it but thats been pampered most have 100k odd on them no problem.

 

Yours dont breakdown Gary you crash them instead

 

Cheeky fucker!!

I best not mention your horsebox incident then eh?!!

 

What about a traffic sport lwb great vans and well equipped ad your getting bulit in sat nav and bluetooth in them just now really good to drive and I get about 37 mpg out of mine and it's carrying a fair bit of weight

 

VW Transporter is good but check the space. Their quite a bit smaller than a Transit.

 

Plasterer mate has a vivaro, and only just fits sheets of plasterboard in - they need to bend slightly.

Make sure all of the wood you use is going to fit because it seems a bit small...

 

I drive a 09 vito at work everyday this ones been ok apart from front tyres we've had about ten of them and they all run tyres off even after laser alignment. this last batch aren't too bad the 06 plates they replaced all had gearbox problems and mine had a new turbo we only do 15000m a year no towing and never at full weight so i'd be wary of an early one

 

Another option is a Toyota hiace the only problem with these is that they are amazingly slow

 

With the reviews you're getting i'd look at another transit lol, i've only got a connect and would like something bigger but for 7k you can't get a low mile newish vw that's not an 85ps one and everything else seems to get poor reviews....luck of the draw with the vivaro derived vans imo as there are so many around they can't ALL be bad!

 

Ive got a 07 Renault Trafic dci115, have done 80K, thrashed everywhere, tows the sierra on a trailer with ease, comfy and quiet and has been a good van, a bit juicy if pushed hard, has been back to the dealers a few times for warranty work and recalls.

Id have another!!

 

I think I have narrowed it down to either another transit or a citroën relay.

Trouble is I have got electric windows and mirrors on my current van and I won't go back to windy windows, the relay has got electric both, sat nav, cd player, etc. I just don't know anyone with one!

I need a mwb low roof van as my swb mk6 is just not big enough.

Gavin.

 

And with french electrics, how long do you think those things will last ? lol

 

Or another Transit.

With the french and italian stuff, it's only a matter of time before it drops horribly apart around you! You get the odd one that is ok but the vast majority are shite..

 

A friend of mine has 4 citroen relays, and apart from the side doors being a cunt and seizing up on the sliders, they have been ok. The built in so called "smart nav" is absolute dogshit though.
I wouldnt buy one myself as i have never liked the citoen/fiat big vans. But they certainly are no where near as bad as they used to be it would seem.
As long as my mate gets 3 years out of them he will be happy.

 

as said the vw is prob the best van out the lot but for the same money you'll be getting a basic spec higher mileage then you would if you get vivaro/ traffic (I think you mean) every van does have its problems, we do get a lot of vws in at work with eml's on, my dad just bought a 2.0 115 traffic LWB on a 57 plate with electic windows mirrors and air con in silver 60k mint condition.

 

A mate bought a 3 year old Vivaro from a dealer about 3 months ago. So far it's been back for a new steering rack, clutch, and then complete gearbox - and the problem (difficulty engaging gears) is still there. There have been host of other niggly electric problems too including the window switches packing up, and the speakers failing. The dealer has agreed to buy it back for about 1.5K less than he bought it for!!

 

i would tell them to fuck off

 

This is what most of them are like!!

 

They want to last fucking ages because I bought a relay!

To be fair it seems a real nice van. Comfy, nippy and it's doing 40mpg loaded.

Fingers crossed I did the right thing!

Gavin.

 

Ive been driving a 1.6 HDi Berlingo this past 2-3 weeks after some wank wrote my own van off.

I can honestly say, never ever will I buy such a van. It's uncomfortable, and generally crap.

Although the engine itself, for only a 1.6 is nippy enough at lower speeds. Isnt too bad on fuel, but not great either.
But not a good van at all. Actually feels dangerous on the road, and there is less than 60k on it !!