Way OT: Vans - opinions please..

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M

Matthew Maddock

Guest
I'm looking at getting another van. I've had a couple of Transits and
a new-ish VW LT28 in the past. Transits are OK, but fancy something
different!

Can anyone tell me why the LDV Pilot/Convoy (what's the difference
BTW?!) is sooo cheap! I mean, a 1999 with 61k for £1000 is a fairly
typical price - OK it is probably ex RM, but I can't imagine that it
would be treat any worse than a builder treats a van!

Should I just stick with what I know? (i.e. Transit!) I don't really
want to spend more than about £1500, but would go to £2k for a really
good one. I'll be transporting antique furniture in it up and down
the motorways, so nothing that heavy - I want a van under 3T so I can
get a regular MOT. What about the Pug/Renault/Citroen stuff?

Any opinions gratefully received on anything Transit (pref LWB) sized.

Cheers,

Matt
 
Matthew Maddock wrote:
> I'm looking at getting another van. I've had a couple of Transits and
> a new-ish VW LT28 in the past. Transits are OK, but fancy something
> different!
>
> Can anyone tell me why the LDV Pilot/Convoy (what's the difference
> BTW?!) is sooo cheap! I mean, a 1999 with 61k for £1000 is a fairly
> typical price - OK it is probably ex RM, but I can't imagine that it
> would be treat any worse than a builder treats a van!

the reason they are cheap is because they are "cheap"
the convoy uses transit engine /gearbox so fairly reliable in that department
front axles need kingpins greasing very regular otherwise it's new stub axles
but the interior build quality does leave a lot to be desired
but I think they are worth it if it breaks down throw it away and buy another

>
> Should I just stick with what I know? (i.e. Transit!) I don't really
> want to spend more than about £1500, but would go to £2k for a really
> good one. I'll be transporting antique furniture in it up and down
> the motorways, so nothing that heavy - I want a van under 3T so I can
> get a regular MOT. What about the Pug/Renault/Citroen stuff?
>
> Any opinions gratefully received on anything Transit (pref LWB) sized.
>
convoys tend to be 3-3.5T but transit size whereas pilots are under 3T but
not the same carrying capacity


--
Andy

SWB Series 2a ( dressed as a 3) "Bruce"
It's big, it's mean it's really, really green


 
Matthew Maddock wrote:
> I'm looking at getting another van. I've had a couple of Transits and
> a new-ish VW LT28 in the past. Transits are OK, but fancy something
> different!
>
> Can anyone tell me why the LDV Pilot/Convoy (what's the difference
> BTW?!) is sooo cheap! I mean, a 1999 with 61k for £1000 is a fairly
> typical price - OK it is probably ex RM, but I can't imagine that it
> would be treat any worse than a builder treats a van!
>
> Should I just stick with what I know? (i.e. Transit!) I don't really
> want to spend more than about £1500, but would go to £2k for a really
> good one. I'll be transporting antique furniture in it up and down
> the motorways, so nothing that heavy - I want a van under 3T so I can
> get a regular MOT. What about the Pug/Renault/Citroen stuff?
>
> Any opinions gratefully received on anything Transit (pref LWB) sized.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Matt

Personally, I wouldn't touch a Pilot or Convoy with a VERY long pole.
They're extremely basic in design with nowhere near the comfort or
sophistication of the Transit. In the ones I've driven (2000MY onwards)
the drivers position is very cramped with limited fore/aft adjustment on
the seat and no vertical adjustment at all. An hour in one of those and
I have trouble standing up straight again for several minutes - an
arthritic problem made worse by the lousy driving position.

The current Citroen is very nice although I've only driven 2005/6 models.

--
Regards

Steve G
 
On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:39:49 +0100, Matthew Maddock
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I'm looking at getting another van. I've had a couple of Transits and
> a new-ish VW LT28 in the past. Transits are OK, but fancy something
> different! ...

ok - I've held off till you got some sensible replies - I suspect this
isn't gonna help you at all, but when I was looking for a van I chose the
110. Does everything I ask of it.

--
William Tasso

110 V8
 
> ok - I've held off till you got some sensible replies - I suspect this
> isn't gonna help you at all, but when I was looking for a van I chose
> the 110. Does everything I ask of it.

I suspect you may be right - I've had 2 in the past. The only thing
that is putting me off is the fact that on many of the hills I
seem to come across in France they are *very* hard work - like 2nd
gear screaming all the way to the top just to keep it going. The old
2.5Di engine might be reliable, but it isn't exactly powerful! The
turbo models seem to be pretty rare (at least in the price range I
am considering!)

Matt
 
Matthew Maddock wrote:
>> ok - I've held off till you got some sensible replies - I suspect this
>> isn't gonna help you at all, but when I was looking for a van I chose
>> the 110. Does everything I ask of it.
>
> I suspect you may be right - I've had 2 in the past. The only thing
> that is putting me off is the fact that on many of the hills I
> seem to come across in France they are *very* hard work - like 2nd
> gear screaming all the way to the top just to keep it going. The old
> 2.5Di engine might be reliable, but it isn't exactly powerful! The
> turbo models seem to be pretty rare (at least in the price range I
> am considering!)

Sorry - getting confused now - for whatever reason for 110 I read
LWB (i.e. Transit LWB!) ????! I'd love to be able to use a 110, but
it just isn't big enough for what I need - it might *just* do
internally, but the rear door opening is nowhere near wide enough.
I often used to struggle with the P38 for width with some items!

Matt
 
On or around Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:39:49 +0100, Matthew Maddock
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>I'm looking at getting another van. I've had a couple of Transits and
>a new-ish VW LT28 in the past. Transits are OK, but fancy something
>different!
>
>Can anyone tell me why the LDV Pilot/Convoy (what's the difference
>BTW?!) is sooo cheap! I mean, a 1999 with 61k for £1000 is a fairly
>typical price - OK it is probably ex RM, but I can't imagine that it
>would be treat any worse than a builder treats a van!

The pilot is small and has the peugeot 1.9 diesel which is not really suited
to a van. The Convoy is a lot bigger (but SWB ones are same wheelbase as
the pilot) and uses transit DI engine and box (later ones have the
duratorq). Good sound van, harsher ride and noisier when compared with
transit.

bigger Convoys are twin-wheel. I'm just selling a minibus... had it for a
year and it's nice and easy to drive, likesay a bit noisy and harsh compared
to the tranny but not unbearably so. There are a few convoys around with
air suspension on the back end.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose"
Alphonse Karr (1808 - 1890) Les Guêpes, Jan 1849
 
Matthew Maddock wrote:
> Matthew Maddock wrote:
>>> ok - I've held off till you got some sensible replies - I suspect
>>> this isn't gonna help you at all, but when I was looking for a
>>> van I chose the 110. Does everything I ask of it.
>>
>> I suspect you may be right - I've had 2 in the past. The only
>> thing that is putting me off is the fact that on many of the hills
>> I seem to come across in France they are *very* hard work - like 2nd
>> gear screaming all the way to the top just to keep it going. The
>> old 2.5Di engine might be reliable, but it isn't exactly powerful! The
>> turbo models seem to be pretty rare (at least in the price range I
>> am considering!)
>
> Sorry - getting confused now - for whatever reason for 110 I read
> LWB (i.e. Transit LWB!) ????! I'd love to be able to use a 110, but
> it just isn't big enough for what I need - it might *just* do
> internally, but the rear door opening is nowhere near wide enough.
> I often used to struggle with the P38 for width with some items!
>
> Matt


Keep the P38 mate!!!

Dont leave us now.....

--

Subaru WRX
Range Rover 4.6 HSE (The Tank!)
200cc Dirt Bike (Dirtbag)

We might be going on a summer holiday, the Greece Ball rally!!!!


 
Matthew Maddock wrote:
> Matthew Maddock wrote:
>>> ok - I've held off till you got some sensible replies - I suspect
>>> this isn't gonna help you at all, but when I was looking for a
>>> van I chose the 110. Does everything I ask of it.
>>
>> I suspect you may be right - I've had 2 in the past. The only
>> thing that is putting me off is the fact that on many of the hills
>> I seem to come across in France they are *very* hard work - like 2nd
>> gear screaming all the way to the top just to keep it going. The
>> old 2.5Di engine might be reliable, but it isn't exactly powerful! The
>> turbo models seem to be pretty rare (at least in the price range I
>> am considering!)
>
> Sorry - getting confused now - for whatever reason for 110 I read
> LWB (i.e. Transit LWB!) ????! I'd love to be able to use a 110, but
> it just isn't big enough for what I need - it might *just* do
> internally, but the rear door opening is nowhere near wide enough.
> I often used to struggle with the P38 for width with some items!
>
> Matt


BTW, i just got a 200cc dirtbike home in the back of mine!! No front wheel & i had to take the bars off,
but it did fit!!!

nige

--

Subaru WRX
Range Rover 4.6 HSE (The Tank!)
200cc Dirt Bike (Dirtbag)

We might be going on a summer holiday, the Greece Ball rally!!!!


 
> Keep the P38 mate!!!
>
> Dont leave us now.....

P38 is already sadly departed :( 1000 miles a week soon got the mileage
to over 200k, and I decided at that point that it was time to part
company before something serious broke!

Just waiting for things to settle down with house (& country!) move
before figuring out how much money is left to buy a nice LR play
thing. For whatever reason I've got a hankering for a Series III
109.

Matt
 
On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:59:39 +0100, Nige
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Matthew Maddock wrote:
>> ...
>> I often used to struggle with the P38 for width with some items!
>
> BTW, i just got a 200cc dirtbike home in the back of mine!! No front
> wheel & i had to take the bars off,
> but it did fit!!!

cool - I have to go collect a bonnie in a few weeks - front wheel and bars
off, that's my strategy too.

--
William Tasso

110 V8
 
William Tasso wrote:
> On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:59:39 +0100, Nige
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Matthew Maddock wrote:
>>
>>> ...
>>> I often used to struggle with the P38 for width with some items!
>>
>>
>> BTW, i just got a 200cc dirtbike home in the back of mine!! No front
>> wheel & i had to take the bars off,
>> but it did fit!!!
>
>
> cool - I have to go collect a bonnie in a few weeks - front wheel and
> bars off, that's my strategy too.
>
A real one, or a new one? I have to say, I've always hanlered after a
classic Trumpet, even now.

Stuart
 

"Matthew Maddock" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking at getting another van. I've had a couple of Transits and
> a new-ish VW LT28 in the past. Transits are OK, but fancy something
> different!
>
> Can anyone tell me why the LDV Pilot/Convoy (what's the difference
> BTW?!) is sooo cheap! I mean, a 1999 with 61k for £1000 is a fairly
> typical price - OK it is probably ex RM, but I can't imagine that it
> would be treat any worse than a builder treats a van!
>
> Should I just stick with what I know? (i.e. Transit!) I don't really
> want to spend more than about £1500, but would go to £2k for a really
> good one. I'll be transporting antique furniture in it up and down
> the motorways, so nothing that heavy - I want a van under 3T so I can
> get a regular MOT. What about the Pug/Renault/Citroen stuff?
>
> Any opinions gratefully received on anything Transit (pref LWB) sized.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Matt

A lot of the self employed couriers working for our lot ( DHL) have gone for
the Vauxhall Movano they reckon its a whole lot more civilised and Vauxhall
are giving them good deals I wouldn't mind a couple of weeks out of the Merc
the novelty of Tacho's wore out about 15 years ago
Derek


 
On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 23:34:05 +0100, Srtgray <[email protected]> wrote:

> William Tasso wrote:
>> On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:59:39 +0100, Nige
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Matthew Maddock wrote:
>>>
>>>> ...
>>>> I often used to struggle with the P38 for width with some items!
>>>
>>>
>>> BTW, i just got a 200cc dirtbike home in the back of mine!! No front
>>> wheel & i had to take the bars off,
>>> but it did fit!!!
>> cool - I have to go collect a bonnie in a few weeks - front wheel and
>> bars off, that's my strategy too.
>>
> A real one, or a new one?

Middlin' - '79 - unit 750, MKII Amals &c.

> I have to say, I've always hanlered after a classic Trumpet, even now.

After having riden Harleys for a few years I'd forgotten how much fun the
Triumph twins are - so light in comparison.

Sadly - this bonnie needs a bottom up refurb - hubs to head-stock - I
think every part needs attention or replacing.

so, my shopping list now includes one o them blaster thingies - damnitt I
need a bigger shed - anyone got a heavy duty canvas gazebo? :)
--
William Tasso

110 V8
 
Derek wrote:

> A lot of the self employed couriers working for our lot ( DHL) have gone for
> the Vauxhall Movano they reckon its a whole lot more civilised and Vauxhall
> are giving them good deals I wouldn't mind a couple of weeks out of the Merc
> the novelty of Tacho's wore out about 15 years ago
> Derek
>

One of the traders on the market I work at has one. Says it's
reliable, but has the worst steering lock of any of the vans that
attend here. He has to do multiple point turns where other vehicles
get round in one.


--
Regards, Danny

http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/EU ordering for Malabar Gold blend)

 
Danny wrote:
> Derek wrote:
>
>> A lot of the self employed couriers working for our lot ( DHL) have
>> gone for the Vauxhall Movano they reckon its a whole lot more
>> civilised and Vauxhall are giving them good deals I wouldn't mind a
>> couple of weeks out of the Merc the novelty of Tacho's wore out about
>> 15 years ago
>> Derek
>
> One of the traders on the market I work at has one. Says it's reliable,
> but has the worst steering lock of any of the vans that attend here. He
> has to do multiple point turns where other vehicles get round in one.

Also slightly out of reach of my £1500 budget! :)
 
On or around Wed, 28 Jun 2006 20:23:10 GMT, SteveG <_@_._> enlightened us
thusly:

>
>Personally, I wouldn't touch a Pilot or Convoy with a VERY long pole.
>They're extremely basic in design with nowhere near the comfort or
>sophistication of the Transit. In the ones I've driven (2000MY onwards)
>the drivers position is very cramped with limited fore/aft adjustment on
>the seat and no vertical adjustment at all. An hour in one of those and
>I have trouble standing up straight again for several minutes - an
>arthritic problem made worse by the lousy driving position.

have to admit, I modified mine by fitting a sierra seat - the additional
side support makes it a different van altogether.

Then again, transit drivers seats are only good when new as well, they
suffer the same collapsing at the edge as the LDV ones.

My transit also has a sierra seat in the driver's position, although it does
gain height adjustment compared to the LDV. Mind, you could nick a tranny
seat complete with the height-adjust frame and bolt that into the LDV.

main advantage in the LDV is the obvious one you've pointed out, you get
about 100000 fewer miles and about 4 years less aging for yer money. Also
the Convoy/Pilot are way better than the older 400/200 models in terms of
dash and suchlike.

but the same applies to LR 110s - the standard seat is crap. You'll no
doubt guess what I fitted to mine :)

but seriously, the sierra seat, minus the underpinnings (4 bolts and they
all come off) is far and a away the best seat I've found in anything
recently, and available from yer local breakers for about a fiver. Passenger
ones are often less worn, and the more "sporty" looking one with the obvious
side-bolsters is the best. Much better lateral support and adjustable
lumbar support as well.

The seat itself is not all that deep and thus easy to mount on most things.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
If all be true that I do think, There are five reasons we should drink;
Good wine, a friend, or being dry, Or lest we should be by and by;
Or any other reason why. - Henry Aldrich (1647 - 1710)
 
"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> The seat itself is not all that deep and thus easy to mount on most
> things.

We had an R reg Convoy at work which had height adjustable doofer on it. I
don't know if it was an option extra.

I avoided driving it as it's when they swapped from V8 to the Diesels ... at
least for our purposes anyway.

Lee D


 
Anyone had any experience with a Merc Vito? I've read some
dreadful reviews on 'tinternet and a only few good ones.
Mostly the bad ones are based around how unreliable they are.
Surely they can't be that bad?!

Have seen a nice 2000 110CDi (ok, yes - way above my original
budget, but I did say I would go more if I found the right
one!)

Matt
 
On or around Fri, 30 Jun 2006 20:57:05 +0100, Matthew Maddock
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>Anyone had any experience with a Merc Vito? I've read some
>dreadful reviews on 'tinternet and a only few good ones.
>Mostly the bad ones are based around how unreliable they are.
>Surely they can't be that bad?!
>
>Have seen a nice 2000 110CDi (ok, yes - way above my original
>budget, but I did say I would go more if I found the right
>one!)

thought they were mostly smaller than you were looking for? The sprinter is
the van-of-choice, it seems, for them as can afford it.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"It is a characteristic of the human mind to hate the man one has injured"
Tacitus (c.55 - c.117) Agricola, 45
 
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