OK, so looking for:

– Used van
– 6 seats
– space in the back for bikes, preferably with sealed bulkhead between seats and cargo area

Ideally would like a Transporter:

http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/transporter-range/transporter-kombi/overview

but they’re a bit pricy, even second hand – pay for quality I suppose?

Other option is the Vauxhall Vivaro/Renault Trafic/Nissan Primastar (these are all the same):

http://www.bestvansale.co.uk/van_deal_details.asp?nVanDealID=171

I have heard however about many issues with buggered gearboxes on earlier models. Does anyone know if these are fixed now? Shame if not as these are a good bit cheaper than the Transporter.

Any advice or other options/opinions appreciated!

I’d wait and look at a T4 or T5 Kombi or van. The conversions are quite reasonable.

If I could choose I’d have a Renault Traffic. Everyone I know who has one goes on about how great it is.

I currently have a Transorter.

SB

Love my T5 – converted panel van seems to work out cheaper than buying a factory combi, as they go for a premium…

T5 by oxym0r0n, on Flickr

But there is a hefty VW tax on all of them 😥

I have a T5. My Mk1 Golf was more reliable. I don’t think i’d get another, especially given the price.

T5 bulkheads are behind the drivers seats and Kombis don’t have one. In a SWB behind the rear seats the space isn’t that long, both wheels off to get a bike in straight. One wheel off in a LWB.

The Vivaro etc combis all have the bulkhead behind the 2nd row AFAIK.

The T5 Kombi is more versatile as you can unclip the seats easily then you have a panel van.

VW look good, but expensive, go with the Rono

Thanks for the tips guys – keep it coming!

Currently leaning towards the non-transporter option, though I would love one!

Bikes do go in a Kombi with the back seats in, end on with the front wheel off. There is room to stack 6 across the width of the van.

I know, I have one.

Picking up a Trafic Sport tomorrow

<img src=”http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5555957567_7ddea34aca.jpg&#8221; width=”500″ height=”375″ alt=”traf” />" alt="" title="" class="bbcode-image" />

Not sure how to get to get it pimped in the rear yet though 😕

French wine, German cars… never the other way around !

Cant see the pic of the Renault Sport….

Bulk head removed in mine – 3 seats in front and rear seats fold forward. Any more than 3 and its wheels off, but just me and I tip one seat forward and bike goes in straight and secure (SWB). I’ve got seats from a Fiat Scudo…

I have an 03 Vivaro, just done over 105,000 miles which is below the average.

Aside from the usual servicing costs I’ve had:
drive belt replaced as a precaution, alternator break, track rods replaced, gear box leak, the vauxhall dealer had the van for two weeks with that one, something happened to the gearbox as they were removing it and they had to send it off to a gearbox specialist. What was odd is that they were coy as to what had happened and they didn’t charge me anymore than what they quoted for replacing the gearbox seal.

One of the bolts on the track rods(the one connecting the rod to the wheel) popped off while I was driving along which meant I was only steering one wheel and finally a bloody irritating problem with an the airbag fault warning light going on and off. Vauxhall can’t seem to find out whats wrong.

The gear box problems have supposed to have been sorted on models from 06, but as always they are commercial vehicles and do largely have a hard life. I still like driving it.

I have a Transporter Kombi and I’m rather impressed with it. I can get 2 bikes in the back without taking the wheels off plus loads of gear. Drives very well and I am getting around 38 mpg on mixed driving, although it does drink a bit when stuck in traffic. I got the upgraded interior which is nice but pricey, if you go for a Tranny you wont be disappointed. IMO

Hah ask Rou Chater of IMBike mag what he thinks of that ghey vivaro heap of junk.

There is only 1 Van.

And if I have to tell you what it is, then perhaps you’d be better off with a Vivaro..

Must be nearly your bedtime 🙄

Your budget has a fair input in to this one. I’ve owned both types of van more than once. The T5 is nice to drive and should give you 40mpg, the vivaro/trafic is nice to drive and should give you 40mpg if you get a 2.0 115bhp version. The t5 feels slightly better made but i don’t think you’d be disappointed with either. Gear box problems are more common on vivaro/trafic especially older models but transporters have them too. Be picky, take your time and walk away from any that don’t feel quite right.

2 fine examples of veedubs here

I’m saving up for one.

Possible help – have sold all three Vaux/Nissan/Renault versions all the same van as stated. But the Nissan used to come with more toys/equipment as std. Each Manufacturer would specify different equipment levels to stand out from each other. The Nissan also had a better warranty as std.

Bought 54 plate Vw T5 2.5tdi .. after 66 miles of motoring it died with a worn cam .. 77k miles on the clock!!

Cost me £7500 plus vat .. luckily I got my money back

Bought a Vivaro 54 plate for £2500

Vw definately felt better quality but worth over £5000 more ?? no chance.

Vivaro better driving position.. 40 mpg.. bigger internally than VW..

Every car has horror stories .. in my experience i’m happier with Vivaro.

Interesting – cheers for that shredder. I suspected as much but good to hear from the horse’s mouth so to speak.

paul – that’s what I’m thinking – I can live without a ‘feeling of quality’ for a five grand saving!

I’ve got both, T5 converted camper and a Vivaro which is/was used for work.

VW has only got 30k miles on it and touch wood, nothing has malfunctioned so far, the Vivaro on the other hand has 60k on it and has so far had 3 ECU’s, 1 turbo, 1 intercooler, 1 exhaust, 4 tyres and various plastic parts as they have fallen off! ECU’s done under warranty as they happened in the 1st year, turbo went bang 2 months ago and took intercooler with it, £1500 bill.

VW is an ’08 130bhp LWB and was bought 1 year old with 15k on it for £11,000 although research would tell me this was cheap compared to the prices they fetch now…

Vauxhall was £9995+ Vat brand new.

The VW is a much nicer place to be and a much nicer drive. for my money I’d have another VW in a shot, I’d never buy another Vivaro.

Another snippet for you I have a friend who is a DP @ a VW commercial site currently. He used to work alongside me selling the three I mentioned and still says if it was his money it wouldn’t go on the VW.

Im not a VW hater have had lots of VW product as comp cars and like the brand but all things are not equal.

oxymOrOn got any pics of your interior set up/seats?

when I have been mulling over getting a van I have thought about removing the driver side rear seat (or not having one installed if a panel conversion) to leave a longer spacce for bikes sliding in there?

Any good or a no go?

I use the Trafic for my guiding business. 190k on the clock now and still going strong. Up to 3 bikes in the back with both wheels on, up to 7 with front wheel off. All with seating for 6 at the same time!

Hope I haven’t jinxed it now!

oxymOrOn got any pics of your interior set up/seats?

when I have been mulling over getting a van I have thought about removing the driver side rear seat (or not having one installed if a panel conversion) to leave a longer spacce for bikes sliding in there?

Any good or a no go?

It’s the driver-side seat I have that rocks forward because the Fiat is a twin-slider. I’ll try to get some pics sorted for you tomorrow 🙂

dont discount the good old transit, had 3 never let me down, good solid vans as opposed to overpriced unreliable “surfer buses”

transporters are like macs
They don’t really do anything that the cheaper alternatives won’t, they just have a hefty price tag and a fanatical following for a few fancy finishing touches and a bit of brand snobbery.

Most reliable van (and fastest) I’ve used is probably the one that seemed the flimsiest, an Iveco Daily.

i had a movano swb low top. 1.9cdti

i used it hard with work for 3 years and only ever serviced it and it never missed a beat. highly missed van (and job)

the toyota hi ace is also a reliable van but i was never a fan of the driving position. very transporter ish. and the 2.5 is good on fuel and nippy for a van. (its what they wanted to replace my movano with)

not sure if that helps at all 🙂

I like the Mac analogy about the Transporter! – Nobody here has mentioned the Vito – the Dualiner is top drawer and you might pick one up for less than a Transporter – compare the prices here Vitos vs Transporters
Three pointed star for me any day, (if not then buy a Transit!)

A Transit?
Are you mad?
I had one in my last job and it was bloody awful. The cab was ok, comfort wise but reliability was terrible.