I've been running a 2.5 diesel lwb transit (R reg) for four years now, its mileage is 165k (65k by me) and its been great, the running costs have been good(exhaust, servicing,tyres, replaced the locks and a water pump,£200 insurance) but fast enough comfortable enough, huge – I drove it to the Algarve and back no problems, loads of second hand parts if the worst happens.
ok the body work got rusty (which attracts a lot of attention in Spain and Portugal!) but who cares its a van!
My tip for a DIY bike rack is second hand Tubeclamp its great for building loads of things and can be dismantled in minutes with one Allen key.