[Closed] Dipping my toe in the van world.. Posh van rental content!

I've deliberately avoided testing a van.

Repeat after me - "an Octavia is enough"

I could see the advantage of a van for outdoors stuff, but as a daily driver?

For our family of six a van is the only way to ferry the whole family plus dogs and gear/cases around. Not sure which version you have but a friend of mine has just bought a VW camper T6 which has Sport and comfort suspension settings. The way he threw it round corners on our way to a 24 hour bike race with four people and bikes on the rack at the back was very impressive. Ours is a T5 Version ,which though isn’t quite up to my friend’s van’s performance, it’s no slouch either. You soon get to love being that bit higher than other cars which lets you react that much quicker to situations up ahead. Personally though I think we’ll be looking at the Merc van in the future which are cheaper than the VW and look better, too.

Other manufacturers make vans besides Volkswagen, or so I've heard.

Some of these may not have such a premium....maybe.

I love my van. I've got a Toyota Hiace, but then I don't GAS about performance. It's a tool.

Well a van is a compromise just like any car is. You can sort out wallow suspension. I got a suspension upgrade on mine...lowered by 40mm (nowhere near slammed...just normal car ride height) and stiffened so felt like a big car/SUV to drive and didn't wallow at all.

As for DSG...the hesitation is a perception. The reality is it is changing alot quicker than you do in a manual it's just that you're waiting for it rather than faffing about with a clutch and stirring a gearstick so feels like you're waiting an age...in reality you're not and the changes are quicker than you would do in a manual. Obviously in sport mode things are sharpened up a bit. But any auto box doesn't like hesitation...if you're more positive with your throttle inputs then the box has a better chance of interpreting what you actually want to do.

Just be honest with yourself and ask yourself how many time you've fluffed up a gear change...found your self in the wrong gear, tried to set off at the lights in 2nd rather than 1st etc. If you're really honest with yourself your answer would be a hell of alot more times a DSG would fluff up a gear change. No such thing as driving gods out there...just people who conveniently forget all their mistakes and in all cases an automatic gearbox would do better.

Just recently sold my van on...just not going to use it as much over the next few years so no point in keeping it. Nice to be back in a car to be fair though missing the space for tip runs and the like.

A few friends have them instead of cars. Yes expensive to buy but look at the resales on the owners club, they bottom out after 5 years. I follow the forums and feel like have owned one.

If i got one I would get one of the pre high road tax ones, think it's april 17. I reckon they will hold their value as the road tax is half.

Forums are brilliant, like here, watch some of the extras and colours.

I say this on most threads like this but look at what you can import from Japan. They do big comfy family vans brilliantly but don’t sell them anywhere but their domestic market.

If you want clever folding/sliding seats (that actually get out of the way to put bikes in), a decent power petrol engine and autobox, electric sliding doors, windows that open properly etc they make the European van based stuff look a bit silly, particularly if you don’t have £40k+ to spend on a Caravelle.

Residuals on my T5 were great. Not quite paid for itself, but lost very little in the 3 years of ownership. If you're financing the vehicle then makes sense to pay the VW premium...you'll always pay the finance off at a quicker rate than the depreciation so you can bail out at any time knowing you'll cover your finance costs and have something left over towards your next vehicle. So the VW premium pays for itself and is a red herring in these arguments - you pay it upfront, but you get it back further down the line.

If you buy a cheaper alternative van it will be worthless further down the line...not an issue if you're paying cash for it...you just write that cash off and be done with it and whatever you get for the sale down the line is all good. Also I sold my T5 in 4 days...I had so much interest in it from the moment I put it up. Thinking I couldn't have asked more for it now, but I priced it on the upper band of the asking prices of similar vans, so who knows. I was wanting a quick sale anyway so suited me even if I could have held on for a few more weeks or months and squeezed anther £500 for it.

Also the Transporter is unlike most other vans in that it can drive like a car. I've driven Transits, Vivaro's etc. and though they drive well they still drive like a van, so if it's your daily drive then a Transporter will be easier to get along with. Though you don't get as much space in the back was they more utilitarian vans.

We bought a 17 plate Caravelle 6 months ago and love it!

Family of 4 and my wife uses it as her daily drive for ferrying the kids about.
The raised seating position is great, doesn't seem too wallowy and is great for weekend use transporting masses of camping kit and/or 4 bikes on the towball mounted rack.

With the middle seats removed and the 3 seat bench slid forward we've shifted some significant furniture with the 4 of us onboard.

+1 to look at the Japanese imports- the kit they have is mind boggling. I’m tempted as I’ve seen some with seats that extend out to make it easier for those with disabilities to get in and out.

Still own a T5.1 Kombi, just traded in Transit custom dciv for a wildtrak. All of them autos. Wouldnt go back to a manual now. Make sure you get oil service done on the DSG every 40k and itll see you right. Not felt any hesitation on mine (perceptible anyway), although it does like to change down as you go down steep hills and the engine can scream a bit. I just knock it over into "manual" now and flick it back and forth as needs be.
Have used vans as my daily driver for last 4 years. The ONLY downside I have found is getting into multi story car parks.

Have used vans as my daily driver for last 4 years. The ONLY downside I have found is getting into multi story car parks.

I had a Transit Custom double cab, now a Trafic LWB (came as double cab but had bulkhead removed and 3 removable seats put in). Trafic is under 2m, which comes in handy and being LWB fit loads in.

I jumped in a couple weeks ago.

A Berlingo Enterprise XL pre-reg <15k£ for <10 miles on the clock. Essential brand new (but registered 7-8 months ago).

It’s a panel van with a steel bulkhead and only really fit for 1 passenger but it suits me. Bikes fit in the back, and it’s ‘just’ long enough to laid out in. If I end up sleeping in it it’ll need a window and roof vent.

Alternatives to VW are available...

I loved my T5, really happy with it but sold it a few years ago when we bought our caravan as I thought it wasn’t as useful. Although I’d clearly paid a lot more for it than equivalent other manufacturers van I only lost about £2k over the 3 years of ownership, despite having had an new turbo, intercooler etc...
I regretted it pretty quickly, should have just removed the r&r bed and sold it on.
I now have a SWB Trafic though & I actually prefer the way it drives to the VW. It was also about 2/3 of the price of the equivalent age/mileage/spec VW, although I’m fully aware I won’t have the same residual value I do intend to keep this one.

I bought my Transit Custom with about 12k miles on it for £16k. It was immaculate and basically like new. I test drove all the alternatives, Merc, VW, Renault etc etc. The Transit drove the nicest and was by far the best value for money.

Drive a few before you buy.

Custom definately a better drive.
T5 is built better (IMO) just feels more sturdier. Do miss the double rear doors (side) on the custom though, and it just feels roomier in the cabin too. Has the bulkhead as standard which made it a PITA to carry anything over about 2.2m (LWB). Could carry doors etc on their sides at an angle

As for DSG…the hesitation is a perception. The reality is it is changing alot quicker than you do in a manual it’s just that you’re waiting for it rather than faffing about with a clutch and stirring a gearstick so feels like you’re waiting an age…in reality you’re not and the changes are quicker than you would do in a manual. Obviously in sport mode things are sharpened up a bit. But any auto box doesn’t like hesitation…if you’re more positive with your throttle inputs then the box has a better chance of interpreting what you actually want to do.

Just be honest with yourself and ask yourself how many time you’ve fluffed up a gear change…found your self in the wrong gear, tried to set off at the lights in 2nd rather than 1st etc. If you’re really honest with yourself your answer would be a hell of alot more times a DSG would fluff up a gear change. No such thing as driving gods out there…just people who conveniently forget all their mistakes and in all cases an automatic gearbox would do better

Sorry, most of this is bollocks. I own a golf gti with the dsg box, and it is excellent, however it is a dominating characteristic of the vehicle. Get it wrong, and instead of a 2-300ms shift, it'll be nearer a second, and if you've got it that wrong, it'll be an uncomfortable shift at that. Once you know how it behaves however, it's brilliant.
Also 'it drives like a car'. No it f***ING doesn't. Or at best, it drives like a really shit car. It's a van, it's heavier and taller than a car.

I used to say my T5 was ‘car like’ to drive. But then again my previous vehicle history was Landrover S3, 90, then Discovery. The Trafic is very much like our current car to drive too but that’s a Berlingo! 🤣

Basically, the small commercials are nearer to a car from a driving pint of view than the likes of Boxer, Sprinter etc but they are definitely not cars. Nice to drive, in my opinion yes but nothing like a proper car type car...

Also ‘it drives like a car’. No it f***ING doesn’t. Or at best, it drives like a really shit car. It’s a van, it’s heavier and taller than a car.

Yes if f'ing does. I said like...not the same...in that it isn't the same, but more similar than how you might expect a van to drive. The reality is that the kerb weight of a T5 is about the same as the SMax I used to have and only 40mm longer - and a damn sight lighter than big SUV's. Probably a lower CofG too in empty van form. Wasn't as refined as my Smax of course (noisier, rattlier etc), but drove just as well in terms of how it took corners, the available grip and general handling...especially after I changed the suspension to something more suitable for road driving rather than big jacked up van suspension. SMax did drive better of course, but the T5 was not unlike the SMax in the way it handled and it's capabilities, and wasn't at all unpleasant to drive - and before you say I don't consider the sMax to be a poor driving car...it was actually pretty good so not even comparing the T5 to crap cars. I've also been in Merc vans, but the ones that are done up as posh people carriers...can't remember the model name, plush leather, comfy seats, sound deadening, decent engine etc. And they drove brilliantly. Easily as well as something like a mid sized SUV like an X3/Q5/Trouan etc. Probably better actually.

Sorry, most of this is bollocks. I own a golf gti with the dsg box, and it is excellent, however it is a dominating characteristic of the vehicle. Get it wrong, and instead of a 2-300ms shift, it’ll be nearer a second, and if you’ve got it that wrong, it’ll be an uncomfortable shift at that. Once you know how it behaves however, it’s brilliant.

Mostly bollocks? But you're agreeing with me in that you say the DSG is excellent once you're used to it, which was basically what I said.

Just hired a T6 with the 7 speed DSG box, I've always driven manual cars and It was brilliant for 1300 miles. It's a van; trying to make it drive like a car is a futile exercise. Drive it for what it is and it's superb...

Sorry, most of this is bollocks. I own a golf gti with the dsg box, and it is excellent, however it is a dominating characteristic of the vehicle. Get it wrong, and instead of a 2-300ms shift, it’ll be nearer a second, and if you’ve got it that wrong, it’ll be an uncomfortable shift at that

I assume you are referring to changing gears “manually” using the flappy paddles ?

the changes are quicker

This is 'generally' true, 'if' the vehicle is driven correctly.
The rest is bollocks. Sorry.
Btw, it's not strictly an auto in the traditional sense.

Revs - no. If you're trickling about the vehicle will tend to upshift unless you're in sport mode. Because the dsg box queues up the next gear, if you decide to do something different, instead of the nice quick shift in to the next gear, it has to queue up the alternative, then shift, which of course takes longer.
I love dsg, but it's taken a while to understand how to best use it.

Had 5 VW’s with dsg and all can hesitate when pulling off, most noticeable out of junctions but you get used to it.
The last VW was a new T5 in 2014 a 180, the third in a row and after 2 great vans it was nothing but trouble. Gearbox, leaky windows, driveshafts and other stuff. After 10+ visits to the dealer in 12mths I got rid. I lost £7k in the year which percentage wise is less than we lose on our works vans but cash wise is more. I replaced it with a Japanese import Elgrand for £5k. I still have it 5 years later and it’s lost less than £1k in value. Good job as it only does 25mpg. But for £5k it’s been more reliable than a £40k VW. It’s quicker and comfier too. At work we have a new transit custom and that is a much nicer place to be than the VW, heated seats touchscreen etc and enough room for 3 proper sized people. So far in 30k miles it’s been reliable.
Vans are great, big people carriers even better, Japanese big people carriers better still 😀

Hey DrP, so you found one then? Think you were contemplating this when mine was on order. Awesome.

Sadly the adjustable suspension (DCC) is no longer available on the T6. Not sure about a 6.1. Yep I reckon mine is much more wallowy than my t5.1 was. It pitches and lurches when I try and press on a bit. But then it does weigh 2442kg empty!

Know what you mean about the DSG. Initial pickup is crap. That’s definitely been changed from the 5.1 which was very predictable. Now it seems to deliberately ride the clutches when you set off and then bang them shut once it’s moving. Mines going in to get this looked at. Hill starts and reversing are abysmal. I wonder if they’ve switched to dry clutches from the previous wet multi plate units? Pulling out onto roundabouts can be hit and miss sometimes.

Also my t5.1 had the haldex 4, 4motion system. New one is haldex 5 and that is way more dopey to put power down through the back wheels.

Technology wise the T6 misses out quite a bit. They’re fixing this with the 6.1, but I reckon fundamentally it’s still a 20 year old van design with a newish interior. Still the best way to cross a continent, 7 up in proper comfort (ok a v-class is far better but I don’t have £100k to spend on a van!)

Enjoy your journey. Efteling is lush. The velle will probably suck you in.

Really like the look of those Nissan Elgrand. Got me thinking that one could be a replacement for my old Disco seeing as they're 4x4. So long as I can get a tow bar.

You can get a tow bar for an elgrand but they’re not plated for it. Plenty of owners use them and tow with them but it was a Japanese market thing not to have them plated with a tow weight in them. I haven’t towed with this one but did with my previous and it was great. £5k is starting point up to £10k. They’re bulletproof as they are very simple things.

Omg.... I think I'm in love!

The drive through the UK and France to Holland was sublime!

2 adults, 4 kids, loads of stuff... Felt like the most luxurious trip!
Lovely seating position, nice and clear views!

Still don't like the dsg for pulling away (either crawls, or I spin the wheels... Think that's driver error though). But when accelerating it just pulls and pulls....

Anyone wanna buy a kidney?

DrP

Just watch the issues on the CFCA engine (180bhp models). If you thought the VW emissions scandal was bad check this engine out. Away to sell our T5.1 as its starting going through oil at about 1l for 1000km. It's going to pop soon 🙁

How much was the rental for a week? Pricing up a caravelle or kombi. Car and rental is the other consideration.

Problem is I need a petrol engined one as I do lots of short, local trips

Cali Beach FTW

can genuinely see myself getting a van for family /biking… But darn they are £££££!!!

dont buy a VW then! cheaper alternatives are out there if you dont mind not having the badge.

we have a LWB vivaro - yes its not as posh on the drive but its still great. (I`ve done the VW thing - well still are - but its a 1972 so not practical for bombing to the alps!)

Thinking of a Cali Beach next year. Currently on a T5 Caravelle with about 200k on it - served us well but really need a second bed now and any form of modification (pop top, etc) is difficult to get through homologation here (Spain).

My rental was £750 for 10 days with a mileage allowance of 160 a day, so 1600 miles. Needed a security deposit of £750 which i got back with no issues.

I did 1300 miles, and had to buy a new gas refill and £8s worth of Ad-blue.

We changed from a 2004 VW T5 full camper conversion to a 2017 Transit Custom DCIV (aka Kombi - 2 rows of seats). Transit is nicer to drive than the old T5, although I've no experience of a newer T6 to compare.

Works great for us as a family/bike/towing/everyday vehicle, although it doesn't get used every day.

At the time we bought (new via a broker), it cost us less than two-thirds the best price I could get on a more basically-equipped new T6. Residuals, etc yeah, but starting with far less to lose.

My rental was about £450 for the week... But £100 of that was the foreign travel fee....

This is for a 69 plate t6 caravelle.
No mileage limit, no ad blue need.. Just to bring back with the same level of fuel..

DrP