Which van would you buy?

[Kett]

I'm thinking about buying a van for work & recreational use...

As long as the van qualifies on HMRC rules (1,000kg payload after seats included).

I have no price limit (higher the better!).
Best 'top end' that I've seen so far:
VW Amarok Highline DSG
VW Transporter T32 Sportline SWB 4motion DSG

I have no experience with vans or pick-ups... and knowledgeable members out there?

 

[Williams]

Would love the transporter!! Yumm.. I have new Caddy for my daily, and live it. Only reason for not having the Transporter is parking at home.

Other suggestions.. Mercedes Vito Brabus (Usef to be an option but not upto speed with their current line up) or possibly the fully loaded Land Rover Defender Commercial. Again, not up to speed on them either.

 

[Kett]

Thanks for the suggestions Shaun - I'll take a peek...

 

[rustedandrotten]

Hi Kett

We run commercials basically for tax purposes and living on a farm.
Citoen Berlingo 900 Enterprise with all the toys
Defender 110 Commercial XS Twisted Upgrades to engine, steering wheel, lights changed to HIDs and LEDs etc etc
Berlingo BRILLIANT
Landrover very disappointing but does the job, had a new 8 speed 255 Discovery 4 before which drove me crackers, ditched after less than a year. 110 wont be far behind if LR dont sort panel fit, leaks, rust (Yes RUST on an alloy body!! rivets and chassis, bulkhead, started before 6 months old, blew gearbox at 3000 miles! Did do Montlhery with trailer and Vee last month no bother, kept up with all the rest!
We have gone through plenty of pick ups, beware if you put a back on most of then they fail to be a commercial in the eyes of the revenue as the weight of the canopy drops payload below 1000kg, Mazda and Ranger as well as Isuzu were ok others no nos.
Looked at Amrok, not impressed that much, new Ranger Wildtrack 3.2 litre 5 potter is brilliant and meets all the needs for tax purposes as well as a great driver (will be next vehicle to replace LR, given one for a 7 day test and couldnt fault.
Transporter great as well as Merc Vito brother in law runs both and rates very highly even using as buses for shooters cross country as well as loads of motorway work.
Other option is a Disco 255 commercial, expensive, good residuals and full write off, you might like it but too soft for me!!

Give me shout if you want a chat!

Simon

 

[Kett]

Simon - you're a star!

Thank you for that gem of a post!

: )

 

[Brett]

VW are at the minute the Rolls Royce of comercial vans. Although older, i have a T4 Transporter with the 2.5 5 pot turbo diesel. Its a superb van and does 65mpg everywhere. Its no slouch either. The new ones are epic. Bill-i-am has a T5 Sportline and says its one of the best vehicles he has ever had. We had a Caddy with the DSG box. Must have been about one of the fastest van available. Got a VW, nothing comes close. Oh and they hold their money well too!

 

[EEE007]

Agree with above, I have a vw T4 with 2.4 non turbo and holds 80mph all day and carries 1200kg, does about 32-40mpg. Newer ones are faster and more efficient and more comfortable..

 

[Chris V6 255]

My uncle has a 2012 Transporter Sportline & it is stunning! Better equipped inside than my GTi. Hoping he will sell it to me for family rates

 

[Spike]

Kett, Get a Transit, dont waste your time with anything else, these seem to live forever, comfy as, and drive as long as you want. reasonable on gas, and will really load up with all your shite! best selling van! i wonder why?
P.S. Avoid any van vith a pk6 gearbox as they are crap, they dont last in the cars, so in a van no chance!
p.p.s. Mines a transit, been to Greece and back a dozen times and regular trips to europe without problems.

 

[mick.harris]

kett,
a good selection at a garage up my road !! (if you like vw's)
www.imperialcarcentre.co.uk

 

[Brett]

Best selling van! i wonder why?

90% of all fleet runners want cheap no frills. Same reason the 1.4 Ford Focus outsells the RangeRover Sport. Mind you, all credit where its due, it has won Caravan puller of the year for the last 25 years running! Lmao

 

[Kett]

Thank you for all the additional replies - particularly Mick, Chris & Brett - who've swayed me further towards the 'transporter with all the trimmings' option.

I'm off to check out the contract/lease situation...

: )

 

[Williams]

Transporter gets my vote.. We ran a low spec 104ps form new between 08 and 2012, it didn't miss a beat!! We replaced it with a Caddy Maxi, purely for budgeting reasons and not finding the size a critical factor.

Looking at replacing both Cady's with Transpirters next time though. One thing Kett, I'd recommend the tail gate rear door, rather than barn doors. Acts as a canopy when raining, and residuals are better on the tailgate, as surfers much prefer them on their Transporters apparently.

 

[Brett]

Spoke to a chap at work who has a top of the range caddy. He looked all over the country for his particular spec'd van. He said the Northampton dealer bent over backwards to give him a good price. A lot more so than others.

 

[Brett]

. One thing Kett, I'd recommend the tail gate rear door, rather than barn doors. Acts as a canopy when raining, and residuals are better on the tailgate, as surfers much prefer them on their Transporters apparently.

THIS!! They look better too!

 

[Kett]

One thing Kett, I'd recommend the tail gate rear door, rather than barn doors. Acts as a canopy when raining, and residuals are better on the tailgate, as surfers much prefer them on their Transporters apparently.

Hadn't thought of that Shaun!

Thanks for the head-up! : )

 

[Kett]

Just an update on this folks:

I ordered my 'SWB Transporter Kombi T32 BiTdi 4motion DSG Highline' last week.

I think I'll call it 'Bob' for short.

There wasn't a 4motion option on the Sportline range - so I ordered a Highline and specced it as a Sportline (plus a few choice extras).
16 week build wait now.

I'll post some pics of the when it arrives...

 

[matt.v10]

We have a Land Rover 110 commercial XS
New style Caddy Sportline LWB
Transit
Sprinters
and Transporters

I would take the landy as it doesnt look like a van but by far the better car is the caddy/transporter sport line, they are great, enjoy it, I'm sure it will exceed your expectations.

:approve:

 

[Brett]

Feck me Kett! Thats an amazing spec!

 

[Brett]

Feck me Kett! Thats an amazing spec!