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Which van? Transit Custom, VW Transporter or…?
Hi all,
We need to buy a new/used van and I am looking for thoughts.
So far I looked at Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter, both will fit our needs.
Budget is 18-24k, whether that’s for an used van or a new van.
Anyone can make some pros and cons, suggestions etc? I wonder about maintenance costs, consumption, tax, reliability, anything to consider before purchase.Thanks you
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38 Replies
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George, I’ve had both, give me a call. 07881627231
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quote Iain Pearson:George, I’ve had both, give me a call. 07881627231Wouldn’t be an option to make few quick points here?
I am thinking, other may find this post useful.Thanks
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I currently have a T5 transporter Kombi. 5 seats which imho is perfect, seats remove in seconds. 42+ mpg and higher, quality build, can’t fault it.
Used to have a Transit custom – nice looking, good rear load area, nice driving position – not as refined as VW, interior very flimsy and plastic, poor residual value.
In my opinion, you can’t buy better than a transporter
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Got a VW Caddy van, build quality of the VW is top notch, only had one problem. Running & maintenance costs are OK too, it’s great for us going doing site surveys, and delivering print jobs. Useless for anything sign related.
Got a Transit Custom Trend on order, should be with us in a few weeks. Looked at second hand ones, but found it cheaper to lease a new one, with a 3yr warranty, that being said our vehicles don’t get hammered, so we know the mileage will be reasonable, and they’ll be looked after.
Not test driven the transit, so will let you know how we get on with it…
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I’d be interested if anyone had any opinions/experience with the Mercedes Vito (post rust). All the benefits of the transporters but better value.
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I’ve had experience with the vito and its big brother the sprinter, which is why I now have a transporter.
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quote Iain Pearson:I’ve had experience with the vito and its big brother the sprinter, which is why I now have a transporter.
No good Iain?
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Had gearbox and linkage problems on them both James, also the servicing/Parts were more expensive.
If you are doing a lot of miles I’d go with a VW – the residual value alone is better than any other van in its class -
quote Iain Pearson:If you are doing a lot of miles I’d go with a VW – the residual value alone is better than any other van in its classAnd everybody else who has one waves at you as you go past!
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We have always had Mercedes Sprinters…
the thing is, as sign makers, we never carry heavy loads like a builder does. so the van is never pushed to the max.
we have national contracts, yet seldom does the van do a lot of miles. the vans are great work horses. the key is to make sure you can get a 10ft x 5ft sheet of whatever in it. make sure you can get 10ft trestles and catwalks in it. the rest is a bonus. we have old vans, the engine works a treat, low miles and in great condition. only downside is they are old models and showing a bit of wear a tear. however, we own the vans and they just keep running…
that said, we will be looking to add new vans shortly, but these are 06 plates and still run sweet. -
I have lusted over the Transit custom ever since they first came out, it would be a front runner for me if I was in the market for a new van. I’ve signed quite a few so have had a good opportunity to have a good look at them. The VW transporters are well regarded by all the trades people I know that have them so they must be good. Mercedes seem to have a poor reputation for rust in recent years so I would be wary. My own van is a Nissan NV200 cheap and cheerful as well as reliable and easy to park. But it doesn’t excite me at all, and I still last over a Custom Transit.
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I’ve got the NV200 as well Phil. Good enough wee van but as you say, dull as dishwater. A quick point if you’re looking at the bigger VW or Merc. The Merc engine has a timing chain whereas the VW uses the same 2.0l engine that’s in their cars with a timing belt which is prone to snapping. Regards the OP, I used to drive a transporter in a former life and loved it. Would have another in a second.
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quote Simon Worrall:And everybody else who has one waves at you as you go past!
Simon, I am confused. Is this how they do it?
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I tell you what you want, what you really really want…..
One of these Mutha’s (Transit M Sport)
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Phill,
I hear you with the Transit M sport,
I’ve liked them since seeing one on Fifth Gear a while back.
Will have to wait for the lotto to come through before I get one. -
How about the new sprinter?
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quote Lee Reeves:How about the new sprinter
Too expensive for a van without doors.
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Transit Custom all the way, had T4 whilst waiting for Transit to arrive, uncomfortable and too small inside compared.
Have had a Vivaro, Trafic, Vito and T3 and the Transit is by far the best. We have a LWB, 8×4 sheets go in flat with loads to spare against very tight fit in plylined T4, triple extension ladders go in corner to corner and so much more comfortable. Did a 9 hr round trip last week in Transit , was a breeze. -
Can anyone suggest how much the insurance cost you for a standard transit van?
I am being told by directors that I cannot have a van because the insurance is over £3k per year and it’s cheaper if I hire one every time I need it. But this is a real pain for me, I can’t work like that, I waste so much time.
How comes that so many small business a lot smaller than us can afford a bloody van and we don’t? We are meant to be top end printing company.
Please advise.
Thank you
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We’re paying £3k (ish) for a combined policy including, public liability, employers liability, our premises insurance, the 2 vans, and cover to drive customers vehicles, insured for working at height up to 10m, anything above that we just call and have an additional excess to cover us for specific jobs.
We’ve also take delivery of our Transit to accompany our Caddy, it’s a nice van, but it’s nowhere near VW build quality, but it’s a works van, it’s cheap as chips, and drives nice, it’s actually quieter than our Caddy, but that may because the Transit has a solid bulkhead, where the Caddy doesn’t.
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Which insurance company do you use for that policy?
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A guy called Dan at spencer hayes insurance. Non of this off the shelf one size fits all stuff. A tailored policy for us.
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Transporter all the way George. This is my horse, had it since 2008 & only major cost was dual mass flywheel & clutch. It’s just over 180k miles now & looking like it needs a new or recon turbo, otherwise it’s been a peach. Good for work or leisure :thumbsup:
George, don’t forget to mention to the directors that advertising the business on a van is probably one of the most cost effective forms of advertising & would probably pay for the insurance!! :thumbsup:
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My insurance is less than a fifth of that George, I think maybe you are being mugged off
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Does anybody on the forum use a 4wd twin cab hilux or similar pickup truck for their sign business?
Is this a practical option? -
I had a twin cab hilux Simon. Cracking vehicle but totally impractical. The back would only take 1.5m. Anything longer I had a 10ft trailer. Was 22ft long in total. Ended up selling it and getting a van. Loved it to drive though
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yup thought as much Ewan. :rollseyes:
I will soon be in need of a 4 seat 4wd and a new work vehicle, and I am trying to avoid forking out for two… -
I was the same but it just didn’t work.
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We’ve had our Transit Custom for just coming up to 3 months.
Drives nice, fits the scaffold tower in comfortably and most of the signs we’ve done, we do get trays manufacturered so they fit in the van.
If it would fit in the drive a LWB, higher roof would be perfect, but we don’t do enough to warrant that.
The Ford isn’t built anywhere near VW’s standard, the finish just isn’t there, but it’s a belting work van, seems OK on fuel too.
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I’ve had a few customers that have owned transits all their working life & regret buying the latest Transit custom. They have all said the same thing & that was that the build quality had gone right down hill with the new transits, all of them said that the front doors had to be watched because if the door swung to far forward it creased the wing as the door supports seem to be flimsy. I know at least 2 of them have sold the vans
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Is the short wheelbaseVW transporter big enough for an 8×4 or do you need the LWB?
Simon -
I quite like the VW Swb Crafter. I’ve signed three if them for a local customer. You can get a 8ft by 4ft signboard up the side and a 10ft by 5ft signboard in at an angle. Yeah again all comes down to the price.
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Our Ford Transit, is now in the dealership as it’s overcharging the battery.
Only discovered this when it wouldn’t start at work, showing symptoms of a flat battery, so jump started it, get home same thing.
Ford assist get a call, who send the AA, who diagnose the problem, who’ve followed my down to Ford to get it fixed on the 4th Jan. Now sat waiting for a courtesy van from Enterprise, who luckily only had the same size van, as ford will only provide a van 1 size down from what you have, and we’ve an early morning install on the 3rd.
To be fair Ford have dealt with it swiftly. But not what you’d expect from a van that’s less than 3months old, and with less than 2.5K miles on the clock. :shocked:
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Going out tomorrow to test drive a VW transporter. :smiles:
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Hey Simon,
I bought my Kombi in June 2015. I chose the Kombi so I had the choice of van and extra seating when needed.
Has done just over 42k miles so far and not missed a beat.
Mine is the swb version, so an 8×4 has to be loaded corner to corner but as I don’t carry that many large panels in it, it suits my needs perfectly. I had an additional sliding door added as an extra when I ordered too, which has now proven to be a smart move.
All in all, I can’t fault my little work horse. Equipped like a car, drives like a car, good mpg (average 40-45) and looks nice too. [emoji106]
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Thanks Iain
That is exactly the model I have decided on for the same reasons as you after a lovely smooth test drive today.
It is really a car inside a van, and drives beautifully. -
Well I got this one yesterday, its the 4 wheel drive 180hp VW Kombi.
It is really nice to drive, and comfortable for 5 people with the seats in.
I am super pleased so far :smiles:
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Good choice Simon [emoji106]
If I had known your location I could have lent you mine for the day to test before buying.
Nice colour too, don’t see many red Kombi’s [emoji6]
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