[Closed] VW campervans and alternatives

What sort of budget?

first thing to decide is your budget and requirements, do you want a self convert, ready to go, factory done, project etc...

Winter is a good time to buy as prices tend to be lower. Be careful, there are a lot of dogs out there. Some of the stuff on Ebay that's listed as a campervan is comical at best and plain deadly at worst.

Doing a self convert is very rewarding and can save a fortune but does take a lot longer than you think. Some jobs are very easy, some are very tricky. If you have the skills/time a panel van to camper is normally the best way forward as you can pick the best base van you can afford and take it from there.

We went from this...
[IMG] [/IMG]

To this....
[IMG] [/IMG]

Some interior shots mid build....
[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]

No specific budget to be honest, want to get an idea of where to aim be it a cheaper initial purchase with work to do or pay a higher amount and hopefully have less to go wrong 🙂

Ah, nice! Hadnt considered going the whole hog and converting one myself. Now that really would be a great project to undertake. Theres a fair bit of milage in our current car, at least 12-18months I would guess so time isnt a problem.

I do really like the shape of the old VW's though.

my favourite website for this is www.campervanlife.com

There is so much info on there ref conversions.

Enjoy

Well I hope I didnt intend to achieve much today 🙂 cheers mactheknife

you dont want one of those new rubbish ones.

get a proper van or dont bother. i own a type 4. i did used to own a 1969 bay. its was the [b]best vehicle ever[/b] i only got rid as i was on a pretty poor wage at the time. i`d happily have another. used as a daily driver. only properly broke down (unfixable where i was) once in 3.5 years which isnt bad for a 41yr old vehicle.

this wasnt mine but you get the idea.
[IMG] [/IMG]

Blazin saddles: That is lovely...

Am I right to understand you did it yourself? How long did it take & was it all done in one go?

Were there any issues between changing number of seats for the registration documents?

Yeah agreed Van Halen. Definitely swaying towards the early types.

I'm interested to see a bit of a breakdown of figures and labour timings for that Blazin.

If you want it as an "only" car, it has to be a T5 - most car-like van to drive by miles. Excellent gear box helps, and they handle well for a van. Bigger engines pokey.

Old campers look great but are a complete PITA to own. Constant maintenance, hideous mpg and so slow that they are dangerous.

Bro in law has done a 2/3 conversion on his T5 130- so it's almost a camper but not 100% - all done professionally. Looks pretty good.

What ISN'T good is the stupid alloys many stick on them - saw 22 inch ones at the weekend. Ruins a good van.

VWs are definitely in a class of their own looks-wise and for holding their resale value. I'd love one.

But I've never had enough money to get one that I'd feel confident with on long trips.

So I've owned a '95 Hiace Jumbo (no poptop but the bed was big enough for 2 adults and a child). It saw us do 10,000km over 6 months in New Zealand.

Now I've got a Mazda Bongo. They look rough, but I absolutely honestly love it. It's completely car-like, reliable and practical. Not quite as wide as a VW or Hiace and the engine is under the front seats which means you can't have captains seats or a walkthrough.

My in-laws offered me money to buy a new car a year ago and we spent ages looking at what to buy before deciding that the Bongo was still the car for us.

I'm going to interrupt this thread with a partial rant. Please see beyond Volkswagon, the blinkered fanbois and the unreasonable hype.

The older VW in particular are underpowered, polluting, tiny tinny boxes were you sit in the crumple zone. The T5's are good but the price premium is high. Unless you've got a lot of disposable keep the saving for bikes I say, and buy a van where the market value actually reflects the material value.

All replies will be ignored. Especially from VW driving, iPhone owning fashionistas with no imagination. As you were 😀

Hmm too van like really, how slow is dangerous? I had a 1 litre Nova saloon back when I was a teenager which surely must have been slower. 🙂

We are not in a hurry to get to places, so I still think an early VW is preferable to a van conversion. Any old car is going to be more "dangerous" than a modern vehicle surely?

Wade - TBH I agree about the older ones. They look cool and that's about it. T25s were a bit better (my dad has one) but still average. T4 slightly better again but still not great. Only the T5 is genuinely a cut above the rest although a Vito and some other similar competition run them very close.

From what I've seen Vito conversions are rare & even more expensive (but I live in another country so perhaps it's a different situation)

My pick for a van conversion would be the latest style Fiat Ducato/Citroen Relay. 6 foot wide inside for a sideways bed, straight walls that don't lean in making for a very spacious van with plenty of room for high level cupboards, low floor, smart and cheap.

Though I did see this beauty in Brighton yesterday afternoon, lovely and had a nice big V8 or similar as well 🙂

[url= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1143/5139415840_2933a9dfd6_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1143/5139415840_2933a9dfd6_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ojr/5139415840/ ]IMAG0128[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/ojr/ ]Ollie and Sally[/url], on Flickr

Parking that on our road would be a nightmare! 🙂

first up, decide what you actually need. Do you need a camper van or a van with a bed? Campervans are expensive, and often carry lots of equipment that you might not really need?

I bought an empty panel van, fitted a rock n roll bed, kitchen unit with cooker and plenty of storage and this meets all my needs. Its easier than you'd expect (if i can do it...)

As for VW vans:

Splitscreens are overpriced and definitely a classic car
Bays: look cute but see above.
T3: oldest ones are 30 years old, some good ones out there, good entry into classics and cheap to buy, but rust and low MPG is an issue
T4: Some good ones, lots of rough ones. Lots reaching the age where things start going wrong
T5: Nice, but a bit smaller i think? Still pricey.

I had a type 2 and it took every penny I had, plus some. A nightmare of a vehicle, it would have been cheaper to stay in smart hotels or on campsites where tents are already erected eg Eurocamp. Stay well clear of the early ones unless you have a bottomless pit of ££££s.

you dont buy an old van for MPG or motorway speed or safety. you buy them because they are a hobby, FUN and to top it off ,bloody lovely

practicality wise the only thing my watercooled VW has that my old aircooled didnt is a heater( which was killer in mid winter granted but it was fixable i just couldnt afford to at the time) the T4 doesnt bring the same smile to my face to see it or drive it or hear it or even fix it as my old van did.

the old van was more expensive to run but its a 40 year old van, of course its going to be more expensive and temperamental!

van tinkering is a hobby that may old van haters seem to forget or dont appreciate is necessary. if you dont like getting our hands dirty then look elsewhere. they also dont like being sat for months and months. use them daily and maintain them and they keep working.

for me the choice is what makes you smile against what is most practical. id go for the smile factor every time.

i could buy a road bike for my commute it would be faster and more practical but then my commute would be boring. i ride a smaller xc frame so i can razz the bmx track on my way in. its less efficient, takes me longer, its harder work but at least its fun.

If you want something practical don't get an old one, they are just rubbish... If you want to gaze at it lovingly then spend thousands and thousands on fixing it up so you can flash about pretending to be oh so quaint and lovely then fine, go for it 🙂 It all depends on whether you want something for holidaying, or an automotive restoration project.

Saw a nicely restored one in a camper van shop the other day - £18k! 😯

To be honest though, all campervans are cripplingly expensive. Anything affordable is almost always sh*t ime. Mostly I see old L or M reg rusty vans with rotting accomodation on the back going for £6k which is an outrage.

Converting yourself is far better, but plenty of work. Have considered it myself, but then I got a nice caravan for £1k 🙂

I think I have a similar way of thinking to you Van Halen to be honest.

I can see the practicalities of modern vehicles etc but am up for the challenge/hobby element of it too, I had been thinking of getting a VW Karmann coupe but it was the show of interest from the little un that started me looking at the T1s and 2s.

TBH the Defender we have on the way (being delivered next week) is sort of similar - noisy, slow, bad on fuel, hideous emissions, etc but does the job it's meant for very well.

In the case of a Dub, that's pootling around very slowly looking cooool maaaaan 😉

i dont understand where people can spend thousands and thousands of pounds?

i guess if you buy a shitheap or just take it straight to a garage maybe?

old vans are very very simple. easy to fix and work on as there is so little to actually go wrong. the only things i didnt do myself was brakes (just in case i did it wrong) and welding (no welder or garage). parts are cheap and easy to get hold of.

i do however, totally agree that most vans are overpriced and full of rotting crap interior (and extrior) - a t25 with rust and crap interior for £4500? you are taking hte piss - no thanks. you have to weed the good from the chaff. see alot. go to a few shows. look online at whats available on the various forums for sale. underneath is key to an older van. if you cant get to see the chassis rails walk away. be suspect of a recent respray (the chances are it will be done on the cheap). lift up the carpets and cab mats. drive the van. listen to the engine (well listen to alot so you know what you are listening for. ask questions of owners of both good and bad vans) etc. the more research you do and the more you look about the more chance you have of finding a good one.

accept that if you own it or a long while something teminal (engine, gearbox, front beam) will happen. (mine was gearbox) but all these parts are available for fairly cheap if you look about and are all pretty straightforward to fit.

its a minefield but if you get a good one it will be almost as rewarding as riding the bike.

it will be almost as rewarding as riding the bike

That's a matter of taste isn't it? You're talking about your particular hobby of restoring vans, which isn't a universally accepted route to fun and good times 🙂

the restoring part is crap. buy something that works first. dont buy a shed with dreams of show winning glory. thats for those without children/wifes/bike habits and a large bank balance. you buy a van to use it not stick it in a shed and wheel it out on dry days. my van was nowhere near as bling as the one i posted but it was the secone best toy i`ve ever had (the bike comes first)

but owning an old van thats not falling apart too much. starts every time, looks nice, is usable and universally loved by pretty much all is great. there is a great scene, everyove is friendly to you and random people from all walks of life will come up and chat to you and help you if you need it. i made some great friends having an old van and had some completely random strangers drive 30 miles out of their way to get me a magazine and munchies on hte m5 when my t25 engine expired in a puff of blue smoke and engine bits.

you dont get that from a modern van.

*takes off rose tinted glasses and goes back to work*

but owning an old van thats not falling apart too much. starts every time, looks nice, is usable and universally loved by pretty much all is great

To you 🙂

Modern van every time for me.

Dad's 1.9 T25 actually blew up - proper Hollywood style "leaping from the fireballed van" style and somehow photographed and in the local paper!

His 2.1 T25 has been okay so far...!

Nice, Mat. Did you find out why it blew up? I suppose would be one advantage of not wearing a seatbelt (hypothetically.. not saying he wasn't or anything)

For those that asked about ours....

Bare van T5 130LWB, aircon, cruise etc 17k miles on '08 plate was £11,500.
Reimo Elevating roof with bed was £3500 fitted.
Windows etc. were £250.
Lining carpet and glue etc £120.
Eberspacher D2 heater £500.
Bed is a Bluebird Customs rock and roll £350.
Smev hob/sink and oven/grill £500.
Fridge is an IndelB top loader compressor £400.
Furniture is all Blazin-saddles bespoke and cost around £450 in materials
Electrical system around £500-600 all components.
Then outside styling parts, wheels, sidebars etc £1500.
Uprated stereo kit in double din sat/nav headunit etc £700.

Total spend is around £21k so far and once the leather upholstery is done will be around £22,500.

The Camper could obviously be done a few thousand cheaper without all the toys and some refining on design.

All in I had a spare 6 weeks at the start of the year and got most of it done then. The roof I subbed out as the price difference between DIY and fitted wasn't great enough for me to risk cutting a sodding great hole in my roof in the wrong place!

Marge- Yes, all done by my own fairish hands. did most of it as a mock up 1st and then used it a couple of times to see if there was anything that needed changing before chopping up the £120 a sheet wood.

Changing number of seats was no problem, neither was reclassifying from van to motorhome. just changed it on the logbook with DVLA.

I had a 79 VW Moonraker conversion. Loved it to bits, sold it at a profit and I still can't work out if I'm happy or sad that its gone.

Great fun, you can fix the engines with a hammer but I swear you can sit and watch them rust.

Interesting thread. I've wanted a van for some time now but have struggled with what to get when considering that it will be used daily, what I need it for, reliability, MPG, driveability etc.

Current thinking is that of the VWs the T4 was/is probably the most reliable in 1.9TD form; no dual mass flywheel (DMF), simple and robust mechanics. They are capable of interplanetary mileages but are known to be rust-prone. The later T4s and all models onwards went down the DMF (or should that be DNF?) route and started to get more 'advanced' in their mechanics, likely driven by such foolish predicates as comfort, safety etc. From what I have read this has made them more expensive to maintain and more prone to breakdown. In general T4 1.9TDs return mid to high 30s MPG if driven with a light foot.

Otherwise Toyota Hiace van is widely seen as the most reliable thing in the world, ever. The van is pretty ugly, even in its latest guise, and the Jap import Granvia campers are saddled with a 3000cc diesel unit that has a drink problem, but if you want reliability they seem to be unbeatable.

Currently got my eye on a LWB T4 on ebay that has been converted professionally from panel van to camper. 5ish days to go and one £5k bid.

[i]Not quite as wide as a VW or Hiace and the engine is under the front seats which means you can't have captains seats or a walkthrough.[/i]

...but it does mean you have an excellent storage heater directly underneath the living space after a long drive!

I had to write off my camper plans on cost- insurance mainly- but maybe next year. The main thing I found, though, is that there's basically nobody out there who's bought a Bongo/Freda and isn't completely in love with the things. Expensive to run, sure, but cheap to buy as these things go, available with a factory poptop, and very flexible- be a camper, a van or a people carrier. And seemingly good owners' clubs support etc.

Van Halen wrote,

"and had some completely random strangers drive 30 miles out of their way to get me a magazine and munchies on hte m5 when my t25 engine expired in a puff of blue smoke and engine bits.

you dont get that from a modern van."

Sounds brilliant I'd be gutted if I bought a van and it failed to explode now.

Old vans are rubbish 😀
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/5129930956_7a9a2136ec.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/5129930956_7a9a2136ec.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/5129930956/ ]VW Camping[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr

Nice, Mat. Did you find out why it blew up? I suppose would be one advantage of not wearing a seatbelt (hypothetically.. not saying he wasn't or anything)

I think it had been serviced by a blind chimp or something. Fuel appeared to leak onto a hot engine and blew up. Doh!

Mate's T4 2.5TDI also caught fire - again I think it was poor servicing.

Rich - while I don't "get" old vans, I do appreciate beauty and that van is stunning.

yup that looks ace. Did you do much of the work on your yourself postierich?

No work of any worth! I have a chap local that does it for a living at reasonable prices, changed bits and pieces myself all superficial stuff had it 4 years now and give it a couple more years and i will probably update!
Autumanal Shot last week decided to Camp for the night spur of the moment with my daughter!
[url= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/5129321001_cfcd13c6fe.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/5129321001_cfcd13c6fe.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/5129321001/ ]Camping Oct 2010[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr

Nice view postie, shame about the crappy old van spoiling it 🙂

1.9 td t4 is ok at best. its what i have. i get about 35mpg.

not heard about them being rust prone?? certainly not compared to teh competition (vito, etc) they do go on for ever mind which is one reason i bought one.

its functional but doesnt stir the loins like a nice t2.

I can see the appeal if you're a hardcore racer and you need transport/accommodation all in one, and maybe the same for surfers. But seriously has no one ever heard of a bed and breakfast?

I can't stand B&B/Hotels. Driving away from the site where I need to be, booking in advance, pissing about trying to get an early breakfast if you have to be out early etc. No thanks. I like camping, but I don't like sleeping on the floor so much in the cold, so I have a campervan. My hotel room then has a view, is the same every night, the bed is comfy and can be where ever it needs to be....

I don't like B&Bs either. Having to kip in some batty old lady's house with her crap decor everywhere, a naff bed - you never really feel comfortable.

I agree with Blazin saddles apart from the campervan bit - caravans for me 🙂

Where are all the bikes?

another + for Bongo.

My wife and I wanted a campervan for years, but couldnt bring myself to pay £15k for a 15 year old T3/T4 with 100k miles + with a shabby interior. We went for a Bongo from [url= http://www.wellhouseleisure.com/ ]Wellhouse Leisure[/url]. Ok, its R reg, but arrived with 35,000 miles, a BRAND NEW interior, fabulous kit aswell such as Weaco fridge for £14k.

Looks like now 2000 ones, fully converted are going for £15.5 on there web page.

Also, take a look at the other imports that are available such as Granvia, Regius etc.

If you do look seriously at Bongos drop me a PM and I can give you some pointers.

My Bongo
[img] [/img]

VW is so over, pimped Jap is the new scene, maaaaaaan.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

I can beat those vans for comedy value
I was just taking a look at the website mentioned a couple of posts earlier & found this (sorry for any eye damage)
[img] [/img]

It's a Toyota Hiace.....

😆

[IMG] [/IMG]

I've looked at buying a van, but for now decided against it for another 12 months. Need to get my money worth out of my rad £60 tent 😆

Regarding the Bongos mentioned above, doesn't 15k get you a half decent T5 though? I also got the impression they are smaller inside? Feel free to put me right.

VW t25 (t3) 1.6td Holdsworth villa. 35 mpg round town,more on a run,can run happily on SVO @ 66p a liter.will sit at 65-75 on motorway.
Also got a t25 DOKA (twincab )pick up as runaround/bike transporter.had a few,love em,did a 4000 mile trip round Europe in my last one,4 weeks,11 countries,never missed a beat,came back full to the roof with duty free beer and wine.

yep,old VW's sure are rubbish. 😉

converted an ex-aa t4,
great on fuel 33mpg town, 40+mpg mway
1.9td's need thrashing.
petrols = regular fill ups.
2.4d = SLOW (better with a 1.9td)
2.5td both tunes v.good
watch for clutch / dmf on 2.5's (£400 to fix)
cambelts at 60k for 2.5's (£400 - £600)
avoid already converted vans on ebay (as prev poster, many unsafe & being sold at vastly inflated prices).
T5's, avoid first few years (electrics & gbox issues)
T5's (130bhp +) driveshaft & gearbox / DMF issues not uncommon.
T5 1.9td - camshaft failures.
Bongos - watch for expensive cooling issues.
If you can't convert yourself - be very carefull what your buying..
Alloys on T4/T5's many with car spec wheel's and tyres that are not rated for the weight of the van, potential saftey & definite legal issue.
Best of luck.
PS theirs only room for 2 in a van..
Poptops = £3k tent stuck on your van.

Regarding the Bongos mentioned above, doesn't 15k get you a half decent T5 though?

Nope... not even close for a converted van... Take a look on ebay at moment,
[url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170552956368&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT ]T4 1996 conversion - £12750[/url]
[url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390254521497 ]J reg Reimo T4 conversion - 150k miles - £9900[/url]
[url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260680938555 ]2004 T4 - 71,000miles - £13,750[/url]

I suppose the dream camper at present is a [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260680673158 ]T5 California[/url].. if you have £38k spare...

Poptops = very small £3k tent stuck on top of your van. Never appealed to me.

xc keith. i really want a double cab pickup. the missus just looks puzzled when i mention it. there is a super loverly early bay twin cab in brighton that is amazing.

practical and impractical in one package - whats there not to like?

this one a syncroo (4x4) *drool*

[IMG] [/IMG]

All campers are a compromise. To the OP how about hiring one first to see how you get on?I have hired a few in varying sizes over the years

I like big comfy ones myself. Small ones like the VW based ones you don't get a khazi, you have to fold the bed away to drive it, its hard to for one person to sit while the other is in bed, no indoor storage for bikes, too compromised.

Of course the big ones have other compromise. a pain to drive on small roads / in towns. Its nice to have a full size fridge, decent cooker, hundreds of litres of water onboard, flush toilet etc etc

This was the best I have used. £70 000 worth of supercamper
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3567105672_df9c1ac074.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3567105672_df9c1ac074.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25846484@N04/3567105672/ ]All of us [/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25846484@N04/ ]TandemJeremy[/url], on Flickr

Mind you - my parents ( when I was small) drove a bedford ca from India back to teh Uk - and they are smaller than the vws. the one they had did not even have a poptop

[img] [/img]

I'm mid-(semi)conversion of a T5. No cupboards etc but with enough functionality for me to be comfy for weeks abroad or in the 'Puffer.
SO far insulation and ply/carpeting, leisure battery, leds, second ipod compatable stereo. sleeping platform across between the re-inforced wheelarch boxes(at last being a shortarse pays off) which can act as a cooking platform when standing under the tailgate and storage underneath. Electrics will allow me to run a 12v fridge and a couple of other things. I can also get three bikes and all the kit needed in it. Always a two man tent there for use as well.

Cost so far of conversion is still sub £1k but it is taking a lot of inventions of new swear words.

Get 45mpg on a good steady drive.

So .. what are these Brazilian VW campers then? Seems ideal if I couldnt find a decent original, the styling of the original but built recently...

Whole family is well signed up to the VW camper plan so I reckon some in depth research needed to work out the best plan.

Postierich does your local guy do specifically work on VWs as am reasonably close to Cannock being in Moseley in Birmingham.

I'm also a semi conversion. Have a t4 with

leisure battery
LED lights
Rock and roll bed
Full insulated, ply lined
2 Swivel front seats (best thing ever)

[img] [/img]

Getting big kitchen cube fitted soon (didn't really want the wardrobe)

[img] [/img]

I like TJ's van the best 🙂

I've had 2 vans, a converted vito and a brand new T5 hi-top lwb & try as i might i just couldn't get into it, confined damp uncomfortable misery is the best description of campervans i can muster. Tried very hard but just couldn't find the fun in it.

If you want me, i'll be in the hotel bar next to the fire in future.

I'm not a materialistic bloke but the one thing I am afflicted with is serious van envy. I'd love to convert a LWB T5 but hateful lack of resources at the minute prevents this from happening.

van envy

😀

better then peni envy i guess.

I would also love to convert a nice big van. Not really got time for a good job tho.

I get afflicted with van envy everytime i see a van nicer than mine (which is alot) i ought to pull my finger out and sort mine out. only it means riding less.

loving the doors on disco`s conversion above!

Disco - is that bottom photo from when you forgot to lock the doors down on a windy journey?

Er.. that's the pic from the company that are installing it. Push button catches i'm told

Actually this guy has just got an install in VW camper and Commercial

there was me thinking it was a DIY job. not so impressive now. still it looks nice but i bet it is costing you.

Van Halen,
rest assured my DOKA isn't gonna be in better nick than your bus,unless you like 'rat'look !
it's an '87 1.6dt 5spd rhd,black leather seats,chequer plated bed,lowered 60mm on black empi 5's
very rusty on the body,but underneath is very good.

fast it aint !

How about a Mitsubishi Delica - 7 or 8 seater, both configs fold down for bed space. Could probably run a rear quarter kitchen set up if you wanted but I just rig up a drive away awning, put everything in that and kip in the van.

Bit thirsty on the motion lotion due to a 2.8 derv engine but they are 4wd
[IMG] [/IMG]

I saw a Deli 400 with a poptop a while back, fab... I love those thing Got absolutely no use for one mind but that's by the by.

You will need space, get what the French drive a lot.
[img] [/img]

Medium Wheelbase Sprinter is where its at. Small enough to be nippy and go where a car is. Large enough to have room to move around in. Y reg, 26k miles, £11k

[img] [/img]

Kitchen you can walk around in (and make a mess 😀 )

[img] [/img]

Comfy Saloon (no dissing my fleecy seat covers please - a fiver from TKmax 😆 )

[img] [/img]

Medium Wheelbase Sprinter is where its at. Small enough to be nippy and go where a car is. Large enough to have room to move around in.

Rust like an old boat, can't get into carparks, with the HGV's on Eurotunnel....

You will need space, get what the French drive a lot.

They bloody wouldn't if they lived in the UK! I'd have a motorhome if I lived in Europe too, driving them is a damn site easier there IMO.

@Andy

I'm liking that Sprinter and it's price. Any places that specialise in that type of van?

BG

Mine was done by AVA leisure on a new Van. I believe they have moved onto Bongos. I think I was lucky with the price. I bought it just after christmas which is when the prices are most depressed. Wanted a T5, but they are silly expensive. It was going to cost me the same for the pre converted van.

If I was to do it again I would get a Vivarro/Traffic and get someone to do a simple conversion.

EDIT: I had a bongo before. Great little van with so much character, but realy quite cramped. I do still yell "BONGO" whenever I see one which does get strange looks from passers by and friends.

I actually meant to put a 😉 at the end of my post, that Sprinter is a lot of van for the money if it was ready converted.

I'd agree with earlier comments about older vans - they look nice but are a hobby rather than viable daily transport, particularly if you are doing lots of mileage.

Poptops = very small £3k tent stuck on top of your van. Never appealed to me.

Each to his own but I would consider Increased headroom when camping whilst still being able to get into any car park to be a big advantage.

When you are struggling out of a wetsuit / wet riding gear in a bitter northerly gale in an exposed carpark, the ability to stand up in the van is also very welcome.

Also provides bedroom for our son and storage for bags etc when camping.

Wouldn't be without ours personally.

I know of very few rust issues with T4s which have been looked after - they are pretty bomb proof. Admittedly the T5 is a better drive, but I think the T4 is still pretty good too. Avoid the 2.4D and normally aspirated 1.9. Get a TDI if you can afford it, but the 1.9TD is fine if you're not expecting a racing car.

We have a '95 1.9TD Westy California. Fantastic van. We paid 11.5K for it 2 years ago, but I know I could get the same back if I sold at the right time.

Blazin-saddles - Member
I actually meant to put a at the end of my post

I know but I did think I might have offended, given the amount you have spent on yours! 😉

Tis lovely though... and thanks for the honest breakdown of cost. I've emailed that to my sister to give her food for thought.

And I'm watching for the inevitable rust like a hawk...