Looking for van recommendations

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Tue Jul 02, 2024 9:38 am

I'm currently in the market for a van. I'm using it for my handyman business so I'll be carrying tools mostly for joinery and plumbing. Occasionally I'll have some gardening tools in there.

I think I'll need the longer Transit wheelbase type (L2).

My budgets about 10k.

I did have a Peugeot Partner van a few years ago that served me well but no good now as it can't take an 8x4 sheet.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Jul 02, 2024 9:49 am

Good vans are at a premium, the Transit is a good one to go for. For the Transit the 130ps Diesel is a good option as the better fuel economy makes up for power difference to the thirsty 170ps engine.

DWD

fin · Post by **fin** » Wed Jul 03, 2024 7:53 pm

ive got a renault master. had it for 7 years. engine wise its been sound save for the turbo going a while back. Its almost forever needing brakes attention though. they arent all that good on those vans with the back brakes.

its had the front suspension set ups pretty much fully replaced also. but then again it is basically forever going over speed bumps in this town.

bought at 105k and its at almost 165k now.

i was looking at replacing it with either a vw crafter or man tge. those transits maybe popular but the older type all rot away really badly and i dunno about the newer type. like all of them though it depends how well theyre looked after

fin · Post by **fin** » Wed Jul 03, 2024 7:55 pm

ive also noticed that when my van was new there was the renault, vauxhall and nissan vans were the same van. the citroen fiat and peugeot vans were all the same van.

now the vauxhall is the same as the citroen.

Bob225 · Post by **Bob225** » Thu Jul 04, 2024 6:27 pm

what sort of age ? i know the newer transits have the dreaded wet belt engine iirc thats 2016 onwards, otherwise you are into one of the many PSA rebadged vans (Citroën jumpy base)

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Fri Jul 05, 2024 9:29 am

Bob225 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 6:27 pmi know the newer transits have the dreaded wet belt engine iirc thats 2016 onwards,

Dreadful idea, rubber running inside engine with oil around, my neighbour just had her Ford car wet belt changed and cost a mint, as at least 8hrs work and due failures recommended by 80,000mls, but even the rubber belts that run in an housing outside the main block need changing; my old Nissan Sunny 1.5 was such and the mechanic managed to mess up, started engine without pulley nut and holed 2 pistons etc and then claimed it came in like that; took some sorting before they admitted liability.
My CRV and Mini are chains.

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Fri Jul 05, 2024 6:54 pm

Wasnt someone here getting rid of a van because of ulez? You dont want to be too picky. Whatever the best van that fits your needs at the time you see it. One of these diesels coming out of the big smoke due to silly taxes

fin · Post by **fin** » Sat Jul 06, 2024 12:09 am

that wet belt carry on sounds a right pain in the arse like.

Bob225 · Post by **Bob225** » Sun Jul 07, 2024 9:43 am

They have a reputation, the petrol eco boost is call the eco boom - either the belts snaps or the belt breaks down and the rubber gets sucked up but the oil pump

its even worse on the diesel as with the dpf you end up with oil dilution (diesel in the oil) and with the increase in biofuel it just compounds matters

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Jul 07, 2024 12:03 pm

Looks like the transit is one t swerve A

DWD

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Fri Jul 12, 2024 4:41 pm

When you say 'Transit' I assume you mean the Ford Transit?

Some people here use Transit as a generic term for any big van.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Fri Jul 12, 2024 4:43 pm

I watched a YouTube video about the wee Ford Fiesta's breaking down with the wet belt system. I also read Ford have now accepted there's a problem but not sure whats happening with them.

I didn't realise they were in the Ford Transits as well. I'll be avoiding them.