Which van

I've got a Connect van. It's been brilliant, dead reliable upto 145k miles now and nice to drive. I think a 6 seater would be 3 rows so not enough luggage space for a bike. You'd likely need the LWB version of the Custom if you need 6 seats and luggage space TBH. 

Van speed limits make no practical difference to journey time when you are in mixed traffic and with an awful lot of A roads limited to less than 60 anyway. 

We have a Tourneo Custom LWB and Tourneo Connect.

Can't fault them if I'd to pick between them it would be the Custom as we can fit four bikes in with wheels on and four adults.

It's very versatile. Daughter has used it for Alps trips with seats out and a double mattress in 

Slightly left field, I have a Stelantis people carrier van, the Vivaro Life. Gone for a high specced one with 7 seats and table system. All seats come out easily and they can be slid to different positions. Also have a bed system from van gear in the boot

I have a SWB Transit Custom Doublecab. It’s been great. If I was buying again I’d get the LWB to make life a bit easier to fit bikes in straight, currently we mount 2 e-bikes at an angle, which works fine, but I do like the look of those pull out trays.

Mine is like this (without the shelf as i havent fitted one yet).

I’ve had vans for years so have got used to the slower speed limits and it never really bothers me.  The thing I prefer over the Tourneo is that no one can see in the back, so as long as you don’t cover your van in Fox or bike stickers you just look like someone who bought the van as an oversized family wagon.

If you are looking at new vans the Transit and VW T7 are the same van with the VW being a bit cheaper

Recommend what you own,

I have a xlwb viano 2.2 auto (posh Vito factory model) 2014 so last of facelift  

It’s excellent, repairs etc aren’t stupid money from a brand specialist, mileage is good, loads of flexibility in the seats as they’re on rails and are removeable. 

Galvanised chassis as well so no rust like eveyone says they suffer from, not sure when they started doing this but believe it was with the facelift.

plus biggest bonus is it’s minus the vw tax.

Fits 5 in my setup 2 + 2+1 on rails, could keep the bench from the rear as this was an 8 seater. I have several xl 29ers that fit in line with front wheel off on fork mounts and rear row with plenty of legroom. Could fit entire bike with wheels if put diagonally. 

I've owned a t5, great vehicle but had that scene tax, not sure if the transits suffer that too. More of a concern would be the wet belt I’ve heard issues about but never had any experience of the van other than driving a few at work. 

Will six of you plus luggage and bike(s) be going away together? If so, you'll probably need the Custom.

Will you benefit from the ability to hide bikes in the van version? Can you afford the premium for the Tourneo?

The Custom size is fine for day-to-day use FWIW, but if you're doing a lot of miles unladen the lower economy might become annoying/costly.

with the VW being a bit cheaper

Wow, I never thought we'd see the day.

Any thoughts on these 3 vehicles?

I believe all 3 have wet belt engines, that would  put me off personally 

My 180bhp Vivaro is more economical than my old petrol saloon overall. Get's near 40 mpg on hilly runs into Wales, and is mid 30's around town, which is way better than the car did.

The 2.0 Stelantis vans are a dry belt (reason I picked it). 

Went through the same choice between Tourneo Custom, double cab and straight van. Decided on the Tourneo in the end as the double cab’s rear seats are fixed so that limited flexibility. Really glad I did as it’s perfect for what I want. It’s a 9 seater but I usually remove the rear three and in this configuration I can carry a couple of modern 29” full suss without removing anything on them. It’s great for carting the kids, the dog, their mates and assorted bikes, scooters, etc without worrying about running out of space.

My wife was worried about the size but now loves it too. Yes, it’s bigger than a car but not by much and they are easy to drive. Going for Titanium spec should give you sensors all round and a reversing camera too. On that, another reason I’m glad I went for the Tourneo Custom is it’s just a bit nicer finished compared to the Transit. Little things like lined wheel arches and decent rear speakers really make a difference day to day. The rear ventilation is ace too which rear passengers and the dog have really appreciated this summer. Oh, and the log book say’s it is a car so you can take it to the tip! With all the seats out you can fit a couple of bikes and a single mattress in easily enough which is much more comfortable than a tent imo!

If you don’t plan on turning it into a camper the full size Tourneo is a no brainer. We love ours, it’s a great vehicle.

Of your 3 I would go for the bigger 2 if it's for family use, biking and towing. Yeah they are a bit bigger, but if SWB then they are about the same as a large estate car footprint and if LWB you typically only add about 400mm. They will tow more, and just be a far more usable space inside. We had a swb T5 kombi until recently and it was perfect for years of family and bike hauling use. Comfy over long distances too. If a swb, I would probably go without a bulkhead or fixed rear seats to give the option of a full panel van sized space from time to time, so probably the Tourneo Custom out of your 3 then. But I would also check the other offerings from Renault/Nissan and Stellantis. 

With the 'car' versions you get a lot more in the vehicle. Pre-insulated - useful if you plan to sleep in it, moveable seating, comfier, better audio.  I still get stopped at the tip, then they notice the windows and the seats !  Rear a/c is a big plus - mine has an 'aircraft style' central pod in the roof with ventilation and a double 'sun roof'. Low down vents too. Another big plus is the extra diesel heater, which is a bonus on cold days as you have heat within a minute or so of starting the van.

Down side is the price premium.

For the tourneo/ other manufacturers car-type vans with windows all the way to the rear, how do you protect those windows from kit/ handlebars, other stuff if you load it to the top? 

On ours the bars don't reach the windows and a tennis ball with a hole the size of the grips put on the end stops any damage to the trim where the one bar touches.

Posted by: pothead

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I believe all 3 have wet belt engines, that would  put me off personally 

The 1.5 diesel in the Connect doesn't. Don't think the 1.6 petrol that you can get in the Tournao does either. 

But it'll still be too small for the OP's requirements most likely. 

With the 'car' versions you get a lot more in the vehicle. Pre-insulated - useful if you plan to sleep in it,

They might be trimmed and a bit of sound proofing, but they're not insulated.

Still a much nicer place to sit than some crew-cabs though. 

We used to have an insulated, lined and carpeted (floor and walls) transit, no idea what it cost to do though.

Currently not managed to stack the van that high yet to worry about the windows - there is the other advantage over a car, I can still see out all sides despite 2-3 adults and a whole load of camping gear and inflatable paddle board and kayak. When I took the CX bike, I popped the front wheel off, and had the bike vertical, with the forks on the 'protected' rear seat, and used one of the mid pillar seatbelts wrapped round the seat post to stop movement.

Ok, all sounds good. The tennis ball protection especially. We are without a van currently, but before it was a ply-lined kombi so stacking it to the roof or having bars anywhere wasn't an issue. We will get a van again at some point and a car-type window van appeals, but I had visions of making some removable ply type window protection, but it sounds unnecessary. 

Can't comment on the van choice but as regards lower speed limits we tow dinghies quite a lot and broadly speaking we are on most of the same limits as vans when doing so (except we can't do 70 or use the outside lane on a Motorway).  

If you're in that keep it legal mindset and have a decent stereo and Aircon it's amazing how with the right mental approach not hurrying reduces your fatigue on a long trip and on short ones the difference in journey time is often small.  

Drove 300 miles on Friday in the car.  The only bit that was consistently clear (M6 above the toll) a van would do 70 on legally anyway.  The rest was a congested horror show.  Wouldn't have made any real difference to journey times being in a van.  

VED on a new Tourneo might be a bit steep if it's over £40,000

Yes, the VED is steep. Although if planning to keep it, it drops to car prices after 6 years. £600 plus for my Vivaro currently.

Current tourneo 1.5 diesel is a wet belt and 7mm timing chain catastrophe 

the 1.5 petrol ecoboost is a drybelt. 

The wet belt has been a problem and if you look on the Internet or social media it will seem terrible, but there are 2 options to avoid this. 1 - buy it and sell it before 60k (which has taken me 4 years of daily use to nearly reach). Or

2- Get it regularly serviced using the correct oil and then get the cambelt changed every 60k (around £1,000 depending on where you go).

I know people who’s weren’t customs are pushing 180k and they drive it hard like a work van, but service it properly. I’m hoping mine will be the same (only I treat it much better). 

They are really nice to drive and look way less fugly than the new VW T7 

i have a wet belt and chose option 2 . but change on time OR milage...... i changed mine at 30k / 6 years.  

the puretech Was actually a fairly easy job on the drive- hardest part was getting the inlet manifold off because the fittings are on the back of the block so you need to work via feel and a mirror to ensure they are all off. 

Ours is a wet belt and was changed after 6 years. No signs of deteriation

The Connect is a 1.6 petrol and has a normal belt

Firstly - yes, you are going to need a Transit Custom sized van.

The smaller options, connects, berlingos etc even in lwb format just won't be big enough and as someone who finally went down the van route after years of estate cars, if your gonna do it, do it properly. 

Your options therefore are basically :

Transit / Tourneo Custom

Mercedes Vito / Viano/ V-Class

Volkswagen Transporter / Caravelle

The Stellantis Trio / their MPV version's 

All of the bold options are MPVs on the V5 so car tax , car insurance, car speed limits and you can take them to the tip.

(Some other variants are too like Transporter shuttles and dualiners but it's complex)

All of these are usable as daily drives, will fit into an underground car park easier than a full fat range rover, and feel properly spacious, capable and durable.

Dont let anyone ever try and tell you their van drives like a car because its nonsense (they must have only driven properly crap cars) but they are perfectly pleasant to use everyday.

I will agree with a poster above - in your use case, get the 'posh' car version whatever you do. For all these options, it's a big difference, and no end of adding stick on carpet will ever bring a panel van to the same level of comfort. VW Kombis in particular arr absolutely minging in the back, a park bench, usually only one side door and a lovely plywood trim

 I'd take an older T5 caravelle over a T6 kombi for instance!

Theres reasons to choose each but like @Lummox I have a very late model Mercedes Viano - currently on a ferry and it's downstairs with 3 bikes in, 2 weeks of camping kit, 4 big comfy captains chairs on rails, electric and heated, separate front and rear climate control, self levelling air suspensions, double sunroofs, cruise, etc etc. 

TLDR - get Tourneo Custom, Viano or Caravelle, even if it means older. 

Haven’t worried about handle bars and windows tbh. For trips away I use a three bike floor rack in the middle of the van or in six seat mode I put the rear wheel towards the outside of the rear seats which means the front of the bike sits happily in the middle of the back end.

As for the wet belt, just get it serviced as per the plentiful information out there. Loads of horror stories but it’s one of the most popular engines and you only hear about the problems.

Another bit of "recommend what you own" but have you had a look at some of the 7/8 seater Japanese imports (Alphard, Vellfire, Elgrand etc)?

I've currently got a Toyota Vellfire G's (Gazoo) with the 3.5 V6 and it's honestly the best car I've ever owned. Bought it for the bikes and weekends away.  It's a bit thirsty but so smooth and effortless.

They're a proper tardis too! Narrow on the road so easy to place, but loads of space inside and tons of options with all the different specs available.

I got mine from a reputable dealer (BIMTA certificate and CarVx report for milage verification etc).

May want to check van heights if you're likely to go places with height limits or want to get on a ferry car deck. Most Transporters need lowering if you want to do this. My Vito fits under 2m easily, even with roofbars on, unlike parents T5.

I've a long Vito and it's only something like 40mm longer than a Mondeo estate I used to have. 

For me I chose the Vito as it's easy to find one with electric mirrors, cruise and aircon, the engines are good for big mileage, plenty of airport taxis and sprinters with 400k+ engines. Only downside is the facelifted previous version may be older than you want. Merc Commercial parts are considerably better priced than car equivalents and even pattern parts.

I will say that the seats in the back of a Custom DCIB are very comfy and the interior is very nice. Probably the best van I’ve ever driven (mine is the Active model so 170BHP and quite a high spec.  It doesn’t drive like a car, but personally I prefer a good van. My wife has a very nice car and it’s good to drive, but I like to be higher up and able to see better. 

Oh and they have a side door on each side which is great. 

Height wise my 2021 Transit Custom is 2.05m (with the standard bars on it) and I believe the newer ones are actually slightly lower. It fits in quite a lot of multi-storey car parks (but not all) and I’ve never scraped it on a pikey barrier either. 

Another advantage of the Vito is they all have twin sliding doors in RHD as it saved the production of a third body option with just left hand slider.

To get my confirmation bias out of the way, I have a VW T6 Kombi. But some general thoughts to help

- if the van complies with dual purpose vehicle rules, then you get normal car speed limits (my Kombi does)

- I do a car MOT but have commercial vehicle tax and insurance. Insurance is similar price to car insurance. Van is for personal use only

- I can do tip runs OK because it's a Kombi, for my first trip they just wanted to see that it had rear windows and seats

- high spec vans come with most of the toys (e.g. mine has cruise, AC, bluetooth, sat nav, heated windscreen etc)

- depending on what you're after, you might want something with more than one sliding door

- if you want to transport 'stuff', I personally wanted a Kombi with ply lining over a posh interior as it's much easier to clean out and chuck things in without damaging the interior

Mine is just under 2m height. Drives like a van, not a car. I love cars, have a fun car on the side, but I love driving the van. Comfy, good driving position, easy. Not fast (150 bhp), but fun keeping the speed up

Note: If you're buying a Tourneo Custom, you'll see a lot of ex-Motability vehicles listed, often with a wheelchair ramp still installed.

These can be well-priced, but I dunno how much of a ballache it is to get them useable for our purposes. Or what other modifications may have been done.

Have a  2005 Vito Dualiner no major issues apart from rust,🫢 bought it in 2008 should have waited until galvanised body was standard..As it never had and mechanical or electric issues bought a 2019 Dualiner , Drive is nice and tyre last as it's rear wheel drive .  5 or 6 seat options the new ones are 9s so better fuel consumption.

These can be well-priced, but I dunno how much of a ballache it is to get them useable for our purposes. Or what other modifications may have been done.

Obviously the usually adapt the rear of the van for a ramp, but to do this they may replace the fuel tank with a smaller one, and can have to have a custom exhaust fitted, to exit in a different location. Internally they may have added a winch and usually do not use the OEM rear seating, fitting smaller/narrower seats instead, to allow wheelchair access but still allow for extra passengers. That said, it depends on the van/requirement of the owner, so nothing is set in stone, but it put me off them

We were looking for similar recently, but without the requirement for 6 seats.

Van speed limits were a total no-go. 60mph duel carriageway, 50 on single carriageway, or 50 and 40mph when towing.

Wheelchair conversion Tourneos can't have towbars fitted after they cut the floor up.

If I were you, I'd be looking for a Tourneo, either older & an excuse not to visit cities, or budgeting regular belt changes.

We ended up with a pickup with a top on, 2 bikes go inside with front wheels off, or 4-5 with both wheels off. It's great for towing, but doesn't have enough seats for you.

I have a 21 plate tourneo custom titanium x swb. Short version is that I love it. Few points to consider:

- As above car versions much nicer. E.g. my one has two air con units (one in the back) and the rear has aircon controls. Great stereo as well.

- If you're doing long drives get one with adaptive cruise control - standard on the titanium x but seemed common as an option when i was looking on Titaniums.

- The seats are large and heavy, so have a plan for storing them if you're planning on taking them out. I very rarely take mine out as they do this flipping up thing which is quite handy and seems to provide us with more than enough space for our camping / bike crap.

- The length is fine (swb is basically the same as a mondeo), but I do notice the width*. Esp on narrow cornish lanes and such. I do have a little run about as well.

- Some carparks that say 2m mean that technically it won't fit (they're like 2.02 or something) in practice i've not hit any roofs yet!

- I factored in wetbelt changes when buying. It's the most popular van in the UK by loads so there are lots of horror stories. In general spares for fords are cheap at least and two year service wasn't much.

- VED is high as they're all over 40k. Think mine is like 600 quid or something silly.

- If I were looking again, i'd be seriously tempted by the new shape 2.5 PEH. Fuel economy of my 185ps one is not great (like 35mpg on a run).

- I looked at the stellantis options, but they seemed quite a bit smaller on the inside and even when looking at year old examples there was often rust on some bits (the dealer actually was like - yeah they do that!). Did drive a bit more like a car though.

- Very comfy for an adult to sit in between two kids even if they're in toddler seats.

- It still drives like a van. But I quite like that, it's relaxing over long distances and very comfy.

- Get a post 2018 one as the earlier ones have much worse spec / no android carplay etc.

* That's what she said.

I have had a Viano, then a transit crew cab and now back with a V Class, some thoughts from me.

The family all prefer the Viano/V Class, it's a much nicer drive and ride comfort is better - some of the vans are designed to have heavy loads in them and feel harsh with only a couple of people and 2 bikes.  

With the Car type vehicles, there are no restrictions where you can drive/park except height barriers and at 1.95m including roof bars it fits in most car parks.  With the transit (or any other "van") there are plenty of car parks that don't allow commercial vehicles to park in them - Quite a few airports don't.

Insurance is a lot cheaper on the car based vehicles, and when I had the van I couldn't add it to my multi-car policy, although that might have changed.

Anything that is Euro 6 and carries 8 people will be expensive, I bought my V Class 5 years ago and last year was offered what I paid for it, as anything that is used for airport runs to places like Heathrow has to be ULEZ compliant.  The V Class is fairly economical for a big vehicle as well, long trips with just me and I can see over 50mpg, last week with the family (4 adults) and 4 bikes and a weeks worth of luggage and we still saw over 45mpg.

Parts vary in price, they share most of the parts with the Vito van, so parts common to both vehicles are often interchangeable and relatively cheap, the V Class specific parts (like LED lights) are more money, but never silly prices.

Posted by: ceept

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Van speed limits were a total no-go. 60mph duel carriageway, 50 on single carriageway, or 50 and 40mph when towing.

Posted by: ceept

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We ended up with a pickup

You do realise that your pick up has the same speed limits as a van?

Nope, same as a car. The van ones are outdated as modern vans are at least as safe as pick ups, etc. 

Nope, same as a car. The van ones are outdated as modern vans are at least as safe as pick ups, etc. 

 I don't believe the problem is the vehicle, rather the 1.5 tons of unsecured (multi-drop) load in the back

You do realise that your pick up has the same speed limits as a van?

IIRC it depends on the unladen weight. If it's over 2 tonnes unladen, it's van speed limits.