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Bike Van Advice Thread!

36 posts & 20 voices | Started 1 year ago by groundskeeperwilly | Latest reply from oink

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bongo van

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groundskeeperwilly - Member

Hey STW

I have been looking at getting a van which would be the main transport for biking trips.

Considering VW Transporter T5, Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Traffic size vans, probably in a combi style.

VW I think looks the nicest and seems to have a good rep, solid resale value and there are loads of options for conversions and interior/exterior restyling. Expensive to buy though!

Vivaro/Traffic etc seem better value for money but I have heard a few stories about them being unreliable which is putting me off a bit.

So can I ask if you do have a bike van-what is it? How do you find it? How practical is it? How many bikes/bodies can you have in there? Any reccomendations or avoidance warnings? And especially important-show your pictures!

Cheers

Will

Posted 1 year ago #
grantway - Member

If its a factory made van I would go with the VW costs a bit mind
But I have had a Vauxhall Vivaro for Three years and many trips to Wales
and back n fourth to work with zero issues.

So if you was to convert a van I would go with ether the Vauxhall, Renault, Nissin
all use the same van but change interiors etc.

Its the older ones that are unreliable with the gear boxes was going wrong over
75000 miles.

I have seen some good seats on ebay uk brand new with gas lifts so when you
dont want to use them they stand upright 90 degrees each one is £ 195 not including fitting[url=http://javascript:;]null

Posted 1 year ago #
flatfish - Member

I'm on about 65,000ish miles with my Trafic, '04 plate and no issues engine/chassis wise. Few minor warranty jobs like radio/interior lights, nothing that would put me off buying another. Never broken down on me yet.
Only things I would like in the cab would be a LHS arm rest for the driver and cruise control which i believe both can be retro fitted, otherwise a more affordable version of the overpriced VW.

Posted 1 year ago #
groundskeeperwilly - Member

Good to hear positive reports on those 2.

Certainly seem easier to buy than the VW initially and would leave some money to fit it out how I would like.

Posted 1 year ago #
flowmtbguy - Member

the VW is a bit narrower and more car like in it's dimensions than the other two.

I've got a LWB T5. I very much doubt a Traffic would feel as solid as a T5 does after 180,000km on the clock.

There's a reason they cost more

Posted 1 year ago #
piha - Member

I have a VW T5 Kombi with five seats and I'm very impressed with it. I can easily get 3 bikes in the back without taking the wheels off and with all the gear you'll need for a long weekend. I came from an Audi A6 and I don't miss the comfort of the Audi at all.

There are plenty of threads discussing vans on here, especially VW's. If you're buying new then there are discounts to be had if you talk to the right garage. HTH

Posted 1 year ago #
jeff - Member

T4 kombi here - 5 people, 5 bikes no problem, even got 6 of us in it all the way back from the alps. Very practical, car-like to drive.

You pay more for the VW, but you should get it back when you sell. Strong demand for good vans. Lots of advice, parts, conversion kits available.

I would definitely look for something with cruise control - can't live without it now and it makes autoroute driving a pleasure.

The traffic/vivaro is a good van too.

Posted 1 year ago #
thomthumb - Member

i've got a swb t5. when i was looking around i looked at some alternatives but decided that as i would probably keep the van for 5+ years the VW was the one to have.

so far has been brilliant. i've insulated, lined the back and am halfway through building a bed frame for it. hapilly takes 3 people, 4 bikes + kit. are you buying new/ second hand. aftermarket accessories seem to be better easier to get hold of for the vw. if buying new speccing a vivaro traffic with lots of kit would probably be better value.

2nd hand combis (in all types) seem to be harder to come by.

if you are near bracknell, mike at popeswood garage had a good choice of vans with lots of interior options available.

Posted 1 year ago #
VanMan - Member

Merc Vito Dualiner here. On my second one now, first one was still driving like new after 163k (4 year old), sold on for 4.5k though so not cheap second hand. New one is the long version as I found the compact too small for work, couldn't get servers in with the bikes in!

If you need camper conversion try everything grp, he's happy to fit it to any van as well not just T4's.

The Merc and VW both drive like a car, never got on with the Nissan/Vauxhall vans.

Don't discount Transits either.

Posted 1 year ago #
groundskeeperwilly - Member

Good to hear how much gear that you can get in the VW's thomthumb/jeff/piha.

I was worried about getting bikes in 'whole' with the passenger seats in there. Are people able to get the bikes in without removing wheels?

I do think the VW is the most refined and the best replacement for a car.

Posted 1 year ago #
thomthumb - Member

my bikes go in whole but i only have 1 row of seats. with a swb / 2nd row of seats they wouldn't go behind the seats.

but you can get 2 or 3 seat second rows, they might go along side a 2 seater.

Posted 1 year ago #
Hob Nob - Member

LWB T5 here.

We have a removable second bench. In theory you can get 6 people in it and 6 bikes. Doesn't leave much space for stuff though.

Regulary have 6 bikes in the sectioned off 'boot'. It is a lot easier with pedals off, you could maybe squash a couple more in if you took front wheels off.

Posted 1 year ago #
BeardedDave - Member

Out of interest, what MPG do people get from their Transporters, Vivaros, Trafics, etc?

Thinking of getting something like this, in the not to distant future, but it would be my only vehicle, so would have to get me to work and back on a regular basis. Interested to know how the MPG would compare to what I have now.

Posted 1 year ago #
groundskeeperwilly - Member

HobNob-are you getting the full bikes in diagonally or semi upright or just flat across the back?

Mine would also be used for going to work etc and MPG would have to be considered-I hear 35-38mpg mentioned regularly?

Also wondered if Insurance is majorly expensive?

Posted 1 year ago #
a11y - Member

T5 LWB 2.5 130bhp version (with the 6-spd box) = ~33mpg average. That's with a reasonable right foot and a camper conversion that increased the kerbweight from ~1850kg to ~2550kg. My understanding is the 1.9's (90 or 104bhp) are only marginally better due to lacking a 6th gear plus folk tend to work them harder.

VW T5s are stupidly expensive compared to other vans, not sure they can justify the extra but they are nice to drive (nicer than a Transit or Vivaro IMO - the only others that I've driven). More important was the greater availability of conversion stuff/options compared to other vans. Genuine replacement for a car too: the "footprint" on the road isn't much bigger than a large family car, overall dimensions not far removed from a BIG people carrier or 4x4. My LWB doesn't quite fit lengthways in a standard carpark space although width is fine - it just sticks out at the end a bit.

Pics HERE.

Posted 1 year ago #
a11y - Member

Also wondered if Insurance is majorly expensive?

Ours was around £500 when insured as a van (with a couple of years mirrored NCB from my wife's policy). Dropped to £350 with a different company post-conversion as rated as a lower risk, despite a tripling of value and covering 12k p.a. Around the same as I pay for my car (high-ish gp18 in the old insurance groupings).

Posted 1 year ago #
rapiddescent - Member

If you're looking for something a little cheaper then this is a great van:

It's a Ford Freda (aka Mazda Bongo) - it has a popup roof, internal sleeping and is basically a mini-camper van. Quite popular at the races - it's a diesel 4wd - japanese import so they can be had for as low as 3k - but you must be careful buying them - more info at http://www.bongofury.co.uk

My pal bought a T5 and converted it into a beautiful campervan, it cost him best part of £25k for the van base and the conversion - they use it a lot and will easily get the value from it. Mine cost me 5500 bought from a bongofury.co.uk member and I've spent another 1700 on it.

Posted 1 year ago #
thomthumb - Member

my t5 1.9 84ps returns 37-41 mpg. apparently the 110ps is more economic too.

Posted 1 year ago #
davidtaylforth - Member

Vans are inherently dull vehicles. Therefore I think the Vivaro is a better option than a VW as it will cost you alot less (unless you like spending lots of money on dull vehicles)

Posted 1 year ago #
steveh - Member

Budget on 40mpg at most from either a transporter t5 (the 1.9 104/102 and 2.5 130's I've had would all do the same) or a vivaro, 35mpg tops from a vito.
I've owned several vans over the years and the T5 is definitely the nicest to drive and be in, the vivaro/trafic fairly close behind and the vito way way back in third. If money was no object then i'd go t5 all the way but as it is my current vivaro was a relative steel and does everything you could want happily. I had a swb t5 kombi for a while and 3 bikes in the rear whole was fine, they fit diagonally beind the seats but any more required some stripping down.
T5's have a big price premium and genuine kombi's are very rare and go quickly. Consider buying a panel van and getting the bits done yourself.

Posted 1 year ago #
VanMan - Member

I'm averaging 38 to 40 mpg on my Vito 116 (163ps) according to Allstar. Fleet is well happy as the last one did 33mpg at best.

Posted 1 year ago #
a11y - Member

My pal bought a T5 and converted it into a beautiful campervan, it cost him best part of £25k for the van base and the conversion - they use it a lot and will easily get the value from it.

Look above your post

Unless it's someone else you're talking about! Soooo worth the money for us as we really do use it very often, but it has killed my TVR dream...

Posted 1 year ago #
Hob Nob - Member

HobNob-are you getting the full bikes in diagonally or semi upright or just flat across the back?

Mine would also be used for going to work etc and MPG would have to be considered-I hear 35-38mpg mentioned regularly?

Also wondered if Insurance is majorly expensive?

Posted 1 hour ago # Report-Post

Straight in the back, back end in first, front wheels at a slight angle.

MPG on our 1.9 is ~39mpg on average over the past 12 months (girlfriend is an Excel geek so we have a spreadsheet for it).

Insurance is £300 FC on an '06 van.

Posted 1 year ago #
rapiddescent - Member

@a11y

hehehe didn't know that was you! - your van is great. both my bongo (pictured above) and a11y's white modd'd t5 will be enroute to ireland for the sswc this summer!

Insurance is MUCH cheaper if you change the V5 to say it's a campervan.

Posted 1 year ago #
thomthumb - Member

Insurance is £300 FC on an '06 van.

i need to tell my layabout student girlfriend to get a job. i pay over £800.

Posted 1 year ago #
wbss - Member

I've got a T4 Transporter.
Its rad and definitely makes me more attractive to girls.

hth.

Posted 1 year ago #
jeff - Member

wbss - that's so true

I get about 35mpg with 5 in.

Can get 2 complete bikes in upright standing diagonally behind second row of seats, or 4-5 behind the seats stacking them width ways with front wheels out.

Posted 1 year ago #
Deveron53 - Member

2 previous vehicles I've owned, both seat 4 people with 4 bikes inside, wheels on. Also sleep 2 people with 2 bikes inside with them (front wheels off, seatposts out). Easy to drive, comfortable. Fast cruiser. One very economical, one horrendous thirst but huge fun!
1. Mitsubishi Delica LWB. 25mpg, full 'proper' 4x4 system from a Pajero.
2. Chrysler Grand Voyager (the longer version). 42mpg from a 2.5 diesel manual. Extremely comfortable on long runs, fantastic sound system, aircon etc. Get the front captain's seats for ultimate camperdom.
I made a bed and kitchen system that could be dismounted in minutes. The rear windows can be tinted to avoid prying eyes but the Delica was too high for all but the tallest nosey parkers!
When family finances improve I'll be re-equipping myself with a Grand Voyager. A cheap one can be had for less than a grand.

Posted 1 year ago #
7hz - Member

I have got a secret longing for a Delica, think they look ace when kitted out properly. Or a Landcruser! Got a Toyota Surf at the moment, which is a great vehicle, can carry 5 people + bikes, I have a towball 3 bike rack. It isn't tall enough to get bikes in with wheels on standing up in the back, I guess you could get 3 or more bikes in the back with wheels off.

Have to say I think the VW vans are boring as heck, got no idea why anyone would get the hots for one, never mind about spending silly money on it!

Posted 1 year ago #
Deveron53 - Member

If money was no object I'd get a Delica again.
Here it is at Cannock. The truck is long gone (sniff) but the 575 is for sale to fund a Mega...
BTW, those forks were pretty to look at but cr@p to ride!

Posted 1 year ago #
rapiddescent - Member

there's a new Mitsubishi Delicia D5 out in japan - but it has not been imported into the UK yet - basically a van shell on top of a Shogun chassis.

Posted 1 year ago #
Deveron53 - Member

That's D E L I C A
It's a contraction of 'Delivery Car'. Delicia sounds like a porn name.
The standard wheelbase Delica is too short. If anyone's looking for one, make sure it's the LWB. The side door has a bit more metal between it and the rear arch. The rear window is longer as well. There's about 18 inches more deck space in it.

Posted 1 year ago #
fannybaws - Member

piha, what sort of discount from list could you roughly expect from the 'right' garage on a new kombi?

i have been looking at used but if the price was good then maybe new would be the way forward.

Cheers

Posted 1 year ago #
McHamish - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
jeff - Member

Forgot to say, mine is insulated, carpet lined and has a removable folding bed that fits to the back of the second row of seats, so ideal day van / basic camper. No cupboards and removable bed+seats = loads of room for bikes

Posted 1 year ago #