carpmart
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| posted on 12/3/08 at 12:58 PM |
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I need a van guru!
Hi Chaps
I need some advice as I need to buy a van.
Basically, I need either a box/luton van with tail lift or a 'regular' long wheelbase high roof van. The latter appeals more as it would
be more stable when towing but it won't be as easy to find one which will accept a buggy at 1850mm wide. I will also be towing either a caravan
or trailer to race meetings
So, my questions are
1. Luton or box van over a regular Sprinter or Transit lwb?
2. What are the door sizes (rear opening dimensions) of different vans?
3. What van do I need to give me a bit of grunt when towing?
4. Are luton's unstable?
5. I have a maximum of £5k to spend, what will I get and anyone know of one for sale?
Lots of questions but I would welcome everyones input, recommendations and advice.
Harvey
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack 
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 12/3/08 at 01:12 PM |
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In a previous life I use to be a van courier so have driven quite a few different vans.
The sprinter sucks due to its heavy reliance in the turbo so needs plenty of revs to get going and I use to stall at lights all the time.
Luton’s are terrifying in strong winds especially the LWB ones, still remember Edinburgh bridge white knuckle ride  , even worse than driving the
double decker buses in the wind.
The LWB flatbed transit was lovely to drive, loads of torque and power slides round corners very safe handling.
I'm saving up for a transit tipper at the mo
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ernie
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| posted on 12/3/08 at 01:35 PM |
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Lets hope you don't have a rocker break in your transit. I have been waiting 3weeks for a new cam and even Ford of Europe don't have one
until 19th march, probably!! All of which doesnt help me get to Snetterton On Saturday
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joneh
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| posted on 12/3/08 at 05:20 PM |
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I drove a LDV Maxus to London. Lovely van to drive - even compared to my Caddy TDI. They also have much better brakes than the transit as I found
out when some tit ran up the back of me on the M4! 
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dhutch
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| posted on 12/3/08 at 11:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ernie
Lets hope you don't have a rocker break in your transit. I have been waiting 3weeks for a new cam and even Ford of Europe don't have one
until 19th march, probably!! All of which doesnt help me get to Snetterton On Saturday
Are you going to be at snetterton on sunday?
- Im watching/helping my uncal and cousin during there first saxmax event there. Arriving saturday night.
Daniel
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richardR1
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| posted on 13/3/08 at 05:16 PM |
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Luton vans are appalling, all over the place and painfully slow if it is the slightest bit windy. Have driven all sorts of vans all over the country
for various contracts but personally have a 51 plate Iveco 35S11 and wouldn't ever buy anything else. Not as fast as a Sprinter but way more
comfortable over a distance and will still cruise at 80mph all day long whether empty of full with rally car and trailer on the back. They also
don't rust like a Sprinter and are mega reliable, engines good for 500,000 with regular oil changes. You also get far more van for your money
than you do with a Sprinter because they haven't got the same image. Bought mine at just on 3 years old for £4100+VAT and at the same time a
mate bought his Sprinter which was a year older and done 60,000 more miles and paid £2k more. The Iveco still looks as good as the day I bought it
and his Sprinter has a bad case of the tin worm.
If you can find a 35S12 for your budget these have the newer generation 2.3 HPi engine which is supposed to better on fuel and 10bhp more than the
older 2.8 35S11 but having said that I still get about 22mpg towing the rally car fully laden and not hanging about.
MK Owners Club Member 1015
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carpmart
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| posted on 13/3/08 at 09:38 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by richardR1
Luton vans are appalling, all over the place and painfully slow if it is the slightest bit windy. Have driven all sorts of vans all over the country
for various contracts but personally have a 51 plate Iveco 35S11 and wouldn't ever buy anything else. Not as fast as a Sprinter but way more
comfortable over a distance and will still cruise at 80mph all day long whether empty of full with rally car and trailer on the back. They also
don't rust like a Sprinter and are mega reliable, engines good for 500,000 with regular oil changes. You also get far more van for your money
than you do with a Sprinter because they haven't got the same image. Bought mine at just on 3 years old for £4100+VAT and at the same time a
mate bought his Sprinter which was a year older and done 60,000 more miles and paid £2k more. The Iveco still looks as good as the day I bought it
and his Sprinter has a bad case of the tin worm.
If you can find a 35S12 for your budget these have the newer generation 2.3 HPi engine which is supposed to better on fuel and 10bhp more than the
older 2.8 35S11 but having said that I still get about 22mpg towing the rally car fully laden and not hanging about.
Thank you for the advice!
Harvey
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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