Bmw estate with roof bars for me.

I put my bikes inside with the wheels off for 15 years. my son’s car seat is a pain to take out so I put the bikes on the outside. It’s much less faffy.

I was given one bike carrier, the roof bars came off here and a second bike carrier off eBay.

If I had a ton of free money I’d have converted it for a tow bar and got a tow bar bike rack.it cost about £150 for the kit for two bikes on the roof. I stopped counting at £1000 for getting a tow bar and tow bar rack.

When I had a van the insurance was pricey. I guess it depends on your area if there is an insurance difference for you.

My brother and sister in law have an old VW diesel camper van and are on the edge of the Manchester clean area. It will cost them £15 a day to move the van.despite loving the camber van/ day van life they are thinking about selling it.

Mine is euro 6 Diesel ok in the clean air schemes so far. Will it be forever- seems unlikely.

Strongly suggest looking up a Mercedes viano xlwb with the 2.2 engine post facelift.

economys ok 36-38 with my auto, really great interior trim and flexibility with the seats etc. All the mod convieniences mine is air con, cruise control, full leather etc etc etc.

sliding seats allow comfy seating when not carrying bikes and with an xl am9 bird without front wheel there is still reasonable 2nd row leg room.

compared to my t5 it is light years ahead.

Vans also have the security of not being able to see inside unlike those horrid half car van things

till someone peels your van side door down to take a look.

Van prices are ridiculous it seems.

Looks like I could also get a similar age / mileage in an A4 as the Octavia –

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206056497163

I’d love a van, but the used prices are ridiculous, especially for a Euro 6 diesel (ULEZ) compliant.

Unless you need a van for work, you can get a much nicer car, for much less money.

A4 estates are not very big

How about something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205266203425?make=Ford&model=Mondeo&sort=year-desc&postcode=hx11aa&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&price-to=15000&include-delivery-option=on&year-to=2022&fuel-type=Petrol&fuel-type=Petrol%20Hybrid&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2015&body-type=Estate&page=1

I’d like something I can carry my bike easily in.

BMW 3 series saloon, even on my long Cotic it’s just a front wheel out and for when I don’t need the ‘security’, I’ve also a towbar and rack.

A4 estates are not very big

How about something like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205266203425?make=Ford&model=Mondeo&sort=year-desc&postcode=hx11aa&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&price-to=15000&include-delivery-option=on&year-to=2022&fuel-type=Petrol&fuel-type=Petrol%20Hybrid&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2015&body-type=Estate&page=1

That would be great but the Cat S puts me off

If I was looking for a petrol van/bike lugger I’d be getting one of these
https://www.justjapanese.co.uk/used-toyota-alphard-wigan-greater-manchester-4223493

those japanese things are terrible value for money. A galaxy for that money would be half the age, more economical, have more easily available parts and be cheaper to run. On the other hand, you don’t get a cool “scene” to be part of.

BMW 3 series saloon,

afaik most 3 series saloons have fixed rear seats, so make sure you check when buying.

if we’re going down silly options, I can get a long, large 29er in the back of my gt86 with only the front wheel off 😀

Citan drivers, would a bike with wheels on fit in the back of the LWB? Or is the XLWB needed?