What are they like as a weekend or day to day van?, Can you get bikes in the back ok? I am thinking of downsizing from a from a Mercedes Vito

I am looking into a tailgate version 2ltr LWB but not too bothered about having rear seats. thanks for any replies

Bedford Rascal is what you need!

😉
Then you could do some work on it:

😀

I have one as a company car. 2.0 engine diesel. For me it works well, the rear is 180cm from bulk head to back door so I have a bench running that length, with storage under, which serves as a bed if needed. Bikes would easily fit in next to that, but I tend to put bikes on the roof as I have dogs in the back.

Day to day drive is fine. I do 40k per year. Not as luxurious as a car, but perfectly comfortable, for a short arse. The bulk head limits leg space up front. However I have been caught out by the van speeding limits when travelling on A roads.

Not sure that this helps. Mine is a company car / occasional camper / hiking and dog van. But I’d get another when it’s due for renewal (previous cars were freelancer van / A3 / yeti. The caddy is the best space so far).

Have a look through the members gallery on caddy2k forum, quite a few folk use their caddys as mtb weekend vans and they can be suitably fitted out for mini camper use.

I have a 2013 1.6tdi highline (swb) and can get my scott e-genuis in the back no problem, nice to drive (compared to my previous 2003 ford connect) and decent enough acceleration in the standard 104bhp engine tune but i’ve have a remap/rolling road tune done by superchips so it’s now a pretty healthy 148bhp/300nm which has actually decreased fuel consumption due to a very decent torque curve so i don’t have to downshift when overtaking or “making progress”. 😉

Would you be looking at a new MK4 version?

I’ve had 8 bikes in the back of my Caddy Maxi, bars were all turned & one across the back, goes fine, 2.0 tdi happily averaged 55mpg so far, mainly Mway & A roads.

Best be aware that there’s an injector issue on the 1.6tdi (damhikt) – mentioned on the caddy2k.com forum, seem to be more than a few its happened to (note- you’ll need to make a small no of posts before you see most of the forum outside general chat). Not sure how many years it affects, but one on my 2012 maxilife failed recently. Basically the insulation gives up, often about 30k+, supposedly newer replacement injectors use a better material. Probably gonna have to replace all 4 cos I need to trust it on long trips (most of my mileage, do very little daily stuff). Loads of room, I get a 6ft recumbent in one side just removing the rear bench and flipping up 1/3 of the middle row.

They are great vans, I would go for a higher power model as the standard are a bit gutless. They are under 2 tonnes so have the same speed limits as cars.

@flowerpower – Without doing any research at all I had presumed they were similar/same up front to a mk5 Golf (talking 2008 sort of thing here) so does the bulkhead stop the seat going back as far as in a hatch? What about ones without a bulkhead?

Been vaguely thinking of looking at one myself or a little transit connect which having recently sold a Focus, I again presumed that would give me the same room up front (I’m 6’3), perhaps I need to actually sit in one! I know Berlingos etc my knees are on the dash and so no good

mikedabear – Member
They are great vans, I would go for a higher power model as the standard are a bit gutless. They are under 2 tonnes so have the same speed limits as cars.

Woah there! You’ve got round the wrong way. They are over 2t GVW so are limited (in theory at least) to the same speeds are larger vans

dlr – Member

@flowerpower – Without doing any research at all I had presumed they were similar/same up front to a mk5 Golf (talking 2008 sort of thing here) so does the bulkhead stop the seat going back as far as in a hatch? What about ones without a bulkhead?

I’m 5ft 9 and had the seat back as far as it would go. You can remove the bulkhead but it’ll be a lot louder up front if you do (the bulkhead is/was only half solid so most actually bodge it to blank off the top part

ta Legend, having driven the odd van before I think I would want a bulkhead as it would probably be my only vehicle for a while, they don’t sound big enough but I will go sit in one before making a plan B 🙂

Yeah mine was a daily too, wouldn’t have wanted it any louder inside. As you say, jump in one and have a play to see if you can fit. From memory the seats were quite adjustable so raising it might give you a bit more room to play with (maybe).

Also worth noting that if you put 20″ rimz from a Bentley on, there’s a good chance the sliding door will smash into them when you open it 🙂 (see people in tears on Caddy2k for details)

VolkswagEn. 👿

They are DEFINITELY limited to van speed limits (caddy maxi van, highline, 2 ltr)

I have the points to prove it 😳

@dlr the bulk head does limit it. If you have the seat back vertical then you may get it as far back as a golf – but any recline on the seat back means the seat Base has to move forwards, so it depends on driving position as well as leg length.

I’m 5’6″ so have no problem, but a 6’2″ mate hates driving it 😐

Nice vans. I’ve got a mk4 SWB and removed the bulkhead for extra legroom and so I can lay out in the back (I’m 6’2). I’ve also carpetted it out to reduce the noise which helps a lot.

Bikes fit in fine with the front wheel on an angle.

I’m 6’1″ and have no problems with the driving position on my SWB. They’re a much more sit-up-and-beg driving position than a golf – more like a 4×4.

I got some perspex panels (off Caddy2k forum) that seal off the mesh bulkhead… Best 40 quid I ever spent! Reduces cab noise to car-like levels and it warms up much quicker.

Farts seem to smell a lot worse though… 😕

Sorry chaps you are correct about the weight. It’s only just over which sucks for a car derived van.

Didn’t realise there was a weight issue, so that covers ones with the extra row of seats in the back? What about a Life (?) which has the rear windows, does that get classed as a car (mpv) so normal car speed limits?

Yeah Kombis will still be over. Life is a car though so ok (99% certain, sure someone will correct me of wrong)

It’s a trade off really. Caddys tend to be more powerful than the likes of Berlingos, but then that’s because they’re built to haul more, which means you fall into the speed limit trap. OTOH, mine was never seen pootling around the country…..

Yeah I have a Maxi Life and it’s the same as a car on speed limits and things like bridge tolls.

It’s also great.

Yep, another one with the clear bulkhead perspex panels from tommyzoom on caddy2k, they make a significant difference to cabin temperatures and road noise.

As far as i have been able to make out the 1.6tdi injector failure is on pre 2013 models (one of the reasons i bought a 2013), VW refuse to admit there is a problem regarding the breakdown on insulation despite practically every pre 2013 needing new injectors, sometimes as early as 20k mileage – they’re not cheap at £500+ each plus the necessary coding to ensure they work.

For other caddy users on here – If you suffer from condensation on the inside on very wet mornings check the rubber washers under your roof mount bolts.

My thread on caddy2k here

As the OP is looking at buying a 2ltr caddy then the issues regarding injectors will not apply but it may be of use to others

In theory you can have the car speed limits for a crew van if seats in the back and small side and rear windows. But it has to be registered as a dual purpose vehicle on the V5 (and most won’t come registered as one- even new out of the factory)

Which Vito are you downsizing from? I was looking at getting one but ended up with a T5 as they are only 100mm longer & about the same width (to mirrors).

I hope these vans are nice and healthy petrol engines…… 😀

If i remove the TDI badge on the rear that would convert it to a petrol engine 😀

“Which Vito are you downsizing from?”

Its a LWB Vito sport 115 so it has plenty of go and I think I would miss the engine, Its been a great bit of kit but has cost a few quid over the years but looking at the VW T5 forums is no worse than any other out there with the exception of a bit of corrosion here and there grrrr.

I originally bought the van as a great social tool for mtb road trips and it has served me well, however all my mates have now discovered vans and bought there own!! no need for five extra seats now then 🙄

Thanks for the replies folks some interesting info on the injectors, I recently had the Heater plugs replaced using a specialist removal firm, they said the 1.6 caddys were prone to the injector problem and the bigger 2 ltd engine was the better model reliability wise.

Caddy + remap will sort any power shortfalls right out!