MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I'm set on getting rid of my car. I do about 5000 miles a year, commute mostly by bike and use my car to do the usual supermarket stuff. I do use my car for transporting the MTB alot. With this in mind I want a van and have settled on one of the new Berlingos or Partners (same van). Going for a LWB with top spec. Also looked at tranist connect, but even the face lift ones are abit dated and quite pricy.
I don't have kids so there are just two of us.
If you go to the trouble of getting a "Van", get one you can do things in that you couldn't do in a car.
So, can you put a few bikes in it without taking the wheels off. Can you take a couple of mates away for a bike trip, plus bikes.
Can you sleep in it properly.
Some small vans are too small for these things. Some medium vans are very practical, cheap and drive like cars.
Test drive some first and think hard about using it as a bike transporter. Taking your wheel off sounds simple, but it's a faff compared to not taking it off. Sleeping in the back comfortably is way better than pitching a tent in the rain.
Any reason not to buy a new Berlingo/Partner Van?
The price of a new top-spec NV200. Car speed limits and a 5-year warranty
OK, so a high-spec older design isn't as high-spec as the newer PSA but it's worth a look
Also, isn't the new Vauxhall Combi the PSA one now they've been bought out? Might get a better deal on a Vx.
Oh, and as someone has said don't just buy a van that's the same as your car. If it really is just going to take you and the bike places then a Transporter sized van still fits in Tesco carpark spaces and when it's grotty you can dive in the back and get changed, just sling the bikes in, etc.
Ran one for 10 years. The older slightly smaller one.
Took 3 full large 29ers
I've slept along side two bikes at events for a few years.
Cheap as chips and relatively little issue in 140k(I owned from 30k)
If your going to buy a partner /Berlingo ....buy a car version. Bar the windowz the load space is the same. Get windows dark tinted.
There will be an odd occasion. You need back seats for and for that the movie wins. Plus no hassles at the dump , no pricier tolls and cheaper insurance and tax.
If going to a transporter might as well get a decent size van. An mwb relay or boxer will go in a Tesco parking space if you can drive and will be infinitely more useful for the things described that. The too big but still too small van.
We looked at the MPV version but on a long test drive found the front seats, particularly the passenger seat which lacks height adjust, uncomfortable. The seats are quite soft so felt great initially but lacked support after an hour or so; I would recommend a good length test drive before committing.
If you get along with the seats they seem like a great option. We are leaning towards the caddy, but that is more expensive and, other than the seats, not as nice as the PSA vans.
I would also suggest looking at the MPV version. I don't know the price difference for the berlingo van vs MPV, but for vw there is practically no price difference by the time you have a decent spec on the van. Which for something that is cheaper to insure, take on ferries and on toll roads starts to shouldnt take long to recoup. Only issue on the berlingo MPV is folding the back seats stops you getting the front ones back that far.
We have a partner outdoor. It has adjustable height front seat and the rear seats lift out quick release and singally ... The lower specs come with a 60/40 split that needs tools to remove.
I love it vast based partner based mpv. I'm really boring on the subject
Just a few thoughts on Vans. Check insurance costs when I had a van insurance could be PITA, no one really believed your but driving it for work. I think used Vans are different vat wise compared to cars
My wife tells me the bargains ones are wheel adapted to carry a wheel chair then sold after 3 years cheaply as the they no longer have the seats
5000 miles a year you need some V6 Elgrand goodness, £5k so mich cheaper than a van. Much faster, comfier and can carry 4 people and 4 bikes when needed. Can sit in back and use as a day van and also sleep in back and use as a camper
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Avoid converted ones like the plague.
They have the spare wheel on interior , loads of road noise, ramp rattles , can't have a tow bar fitted , need a custom exhaust that pokes out the side can't just have regular seats thrown in.
Insurance is higher as well
If you're only doing 5000 miles a year consider a petrol over a diesel.
Short runs will have your filter clogging with a diesel.
Nope no reason not to get one.
Van variant has 2.5 seats (3 if you aren't 'comfy') and space for 3 bikes and kit. Just you, you can sleep in it no bother.