van advise

[rocket]

looking to upgrade my van. i don't have a big budget. I have some experience with transits but like the look of a vitos but have little knowledge on them. Anyone got any recommendations it will be for shifting bikes / family around

[duke63]

No personal experience but a client of mine wont have anything other than a Mercedes when it comes to vans and they have always worked out well for him.

[Blade]

Mercedes diesel engines are bullet proof mate.

[Deegee]

The Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro is reputedly heavy on gearboxes and in my personal experience unreliable, the very early Vito's (pre '06) are supposed to be far more prone to corrosion than the 06 onward models, Volkswagen Transporters of all ages and types have the best depreciation, but are horrifyingly expensive when used compared to other brands.

The early Transit Connects are bloody uncomfortable to drive more than 100 miles in, but are pretty reliable, normal size Transits are fairly bulletproof and there are umpteen Transit specialists littered around the country that'll repair most faults dead cheaply. If you are thinking about a new-ish Transit be aware that they are very easily broken into (2 x 4mm holes in drivers door), but an aftermarket kit is available for around £150.

I think that covers most of the popular vans, but if you're buying, remember the used prices are going to fluctuate massively due to the issue with Diesel engines, the only advice is to buy as clean an engine as possible. Hth, DG.

[StMarks]

Fwiw I've got an '07 vito, and despite having had to address quite a number of the "known issues" that are reported, I do like mine.

Actually my decision to buy a Vito to ferry my 675 about in was directly attributable to "a certain wise old sage" who used a Vito to ferry his 675 around.

[Binno]

I've got a Renault trafic. best van I've ever had. Yes....I had the gearbox reconditioned......but you can find plenty with that already done. comfy and powerful in the 2.0d

[rocket]

Bought a Vito :-) needs a service and an mot but should go through :-)

[StMarks]

I actually drove past a Vito on a 58 plate parked at the side of the road on Sunday morning, and thought of you because it had a "For Sale £ 2395" plastered over the windscreen.

[rocket]

Pleased with what ive bought. I got an earlier one a 55 plate but i made sure i checked for any signs of rot before i bought it. Its in really good condition and for the price i could not turn it down. There is a slight down side its an old funeral directors van.... It still had all the wood in the back for the trays/ coffins. I took it out today half expecting something to be left behind under the wood however all that was there was a mint floor that's never seen any action.

[StMarks]

Pleased with what ive bought. I got an earlier one a 55 plate but i made sure i checked for any signs of rot before i bought it. Its in really good condition and for the price i could not turn it down. There is a slight down side its an old funeral directors van.... It still had all the wood in the back for the trays/ coffins. I took it out today half expecting something to be left behind under the wood however all that was there was a mint floor that's never seen any action.

Fwiw I nearly brought a Vito that had been a "Private ambulance" (transports corpses around the country) just before I got mine. It had 160k on the clock but that had mainly been long journeys up & down motorways, so like yours it was in fantastic condition.
It was gazumped from under me.

If you feel I may be able to offer any advice (based on my accumulated grief from my own Vito maintenance) please don't hesitate to ask mate.?

Tailgate or Barn Doors.?

[rocket]

barn doors, There is a window in the bulk head :-O guessing if they picked you up and you were only having a nap you could let them know .
only got a 100k on it 111 cdi. Bodys in great condition but I guessing it got washed a lot.

[rocket]

After some decent seat covers if you know of any the drivers has the worn bolster.

[StMarks]

111 is a nicer option, some of us have to put up with the Billy Basics 109
I specifically wanted a tailgate when I was looking, but with hindsuite I actually think that Barn Doors could actually be a more flexible option.

After some decent seat covers if you know of any the drivers has the worn bolster.

They all do that. I tried seat covers, and they were all pretty cr@p IMHO. The OEM black waterproof ones are the probably the best covers, but it's a bit like sitting on wellies.
Fwiw I got a passenger seat from a scrapyard, skinned it & used that to make a new cover for my driver's seat.
Getting a decent drivers seat second-hand will probably cost you as much as another Vito.