Hi my boss needs a van for multidrop work. At the moment we're using a Fiat like the one in the picture. We are looking for another van to go along side it of similar size/economy etc. I don't really know anything about vans, I just drive them . Can anyone recommend anything?

VW Crafter?

Only a one off anecdotal but my neighbor works for DHL and they have a fleet of VWs, batterys, turbos, dmfs failing/failed in many as well as many other issues, they are all 61plate and above.

Only a one off anecdotal but my neighbor works for DHL and they have a fleet of VWs, batterys, turbos, dmfs failing/failed in many as well as many other issues, they are all 61plate and above.

Sounds like the VX Combo tbh my current has shredded 2 DMFS before my ownership and probably needs another soon. It's done 185k

I suppose the DMF won't really get a chance to clear in anything because the van is constantly getting turned on and off. Is the crafter especially good at anything (fuel economy etc? ). I have noticed that yodel use mostly Mercedes sprinters, I'm not really sure if there's a reason for it or if it was just cheapest to buy them in a huge bunch.

I suppose the DMF won't really get a chance to clear in anything because the van is constantly getting turned on and off. Is the crafter especially good at anything (fuel economy etc? ). I have noticed that yodel use mostly Mercedes sprinters, I'm not really sure if there's a reason for it or if it was just cheapest to buy them in a huge bunch.

Ahh you're thinking of DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) we were on about DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel)

Iveco?

My brother used to do multi drop work for City link/DHL and he said the best ones were the Transits. Of course he just got them from Northgate or similar, so I don't know how they'd work on a TCO basis.

This bloke will be able to recommend you a good one I'm sure.

VW crafter and Mercedes Sprinter are essentially the same van. All my DHL, Yodel, interlink guys use them round here. Even UPS are using sprinters too.

Ahh you're thinking of DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) we were on about DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel)

 

Whoops! My mistake . Yeah it would be a fairly big blow if the flywheel went. This was the only thing that put me off diesel accords :(

My brother used to do multi drop work for City link/DHL and he said the best ones were the Transits. Of course he just got them from Northgate or similar, so I don't know how they'd work on a TCO basis.

Yeah he is considering the transit at the moment I think. I suppose Ford do probably know what they're doing when it comes to vans by now . Funny you should say that because a Merc we have is from Northgate and he wants his own van to replace it. Did your brother find it alot cheaper to lease?

 

Iveco?

These are all just names to me .

Whoops! My mistake . Yeah it would be a fairly big blow if the flywheel went. This was the only thing that put me off diesel accords :(

Yeah he is considering the transit at the moment I think. I suppose Ford do probably know what they're doing when it comes to vans by now . Funny you should say that because a Merc we have is from Northgate and he wants his own van to replace it. Did your brother find it alot cheaper to lease?

These are all just names to me .

On these runs you blow a flywheel every 100k because of the type of usage. It's a fairly standard replacement, how about a Renault Master

VW crafter and Mercedes Sprinter are essentially the same van. All my DHL, Yodel, interlink guys use them round here. Even UPS are using sprinters too.

Are the short wheel base considerably different to the long wheel base in terms of fuel economy? I think that's his biggest gripe with the Merc.

 

On these runs you blow a flywheel every 100k because of the type of usage. It's a fairly standard replacement, how about a Renault Master

How much does it cost to change a vans one? I think the Honda accord car was quite scary money, going into 3 figures iirc

Did your brother find it alot cheaper to lease?

 

It was always a temporary job, so never made sense to buy. I think he had 2-3 years of lease vans, and a few years of vans provided by the firm until he finally gave it up.

Are the short wheel base considerably different to the long wheel base in terms of fuel economy? I think that's his biggest gripe with the Merc.

How much does it cost to change a vans one? I think the Honda accord car was quite scary money, going into 3 figures iirc

My last Vauxhall Combo one was £700 and its blown again since after being given to a courier

Iveco?

Gesundheit! 

Not a Peugeot Expert 1.6HDi, we have one at work and as far as I know it has gone thru 2 turbos and 2 clutches plus other things that I cant remember in 140k miles lol

The environments vans operate in and by their very nature means they have a tough time.

 

DMF's, batteries, clutches etc. are all more a reflection of the driver's ability's and mechanical sympathy than of the durability of the van itself.

 

Small budget? Transit.

 

Higher budget? Mercedes Sprinter / VW Crafter.

dont the sprinter have trouble with rusting? Or has that been fixed recently. Transits are a good all rounder tbf. Fleet of them at work 2011s- lwb crew cabs and a few swb 4x4s for specific tasks. They dont like carp fuel, but overall no complaints, and they get ragged tbh, with heavy loads, and trailers everyday on 5hitty backroads.

dont the sprinter have trouble with rusting? Or has that been fixed recently.

The old ones do, yeah. But its apparently sorted on the newer ones.

Transits are okay, but they arent put together anywhere near as well as a VW.

I used to drive my old bosses 11 plate 140bhp sport and we've got a 56 plate vw transporter now.

Transit was a Nice enough van, but wasnt put together all that well compared to a vw transporter or crafter.

Vw and Merc are by far the best put together but you pay a premium for it when buying new.

My brother used to have a Vauxhall Vivaro (until he blew it up lol). Was scary fast with him at the wheel. I remember being a passenger when he had abit of a 'play' with a black mk1 Fabia vRS. He didn't stand much hope in a straight line but around the twistes and roundabouts he was mullering the Furby haha!

My brother used to have a Vauxhall Vivaro (until he blew it up lol). Was scary fast with him at the wheel. I remember being a passenger when he had abit of a 'play' with a black mk1 Fabia vRS. He didn't stand much hope in a straight line but around the twistes and roundabouts he was mullering the Furby haha!

Haa I've had similar experiences. Vans are surprisingly good in bends now, especially if youve got some weight in the back.

That transit sport used to roll around, but i overtook many a car in it. Stuck to the road well.

First boss had Vivaros. Thrashed the life out of that. Was a great laugh.

Gearboxes are prone to going in vivaro's/traffic's. I wouldnt buy one myself. Cheaply put together. It did have go put up with some abuse though...

Haa I've had similar experiences. Vans are surprisingly good in bends now, especially if youve got some weight in the back.

That transit sport used to roll around, but i overtook many a car in it. Stuck to the road well.

First boss had Vivaros. Thrashed the life out of that. Was a great laugh.

Gearboxes are prone to going in vivaro's/traffic's. I wouldnt buy one myself. Cheaply put together. It did have go put up with some abuse though...

Haha yeah the rear springs are so stiff (to cope with the loaded weight I presume) that they can corner pretty hard. This vivaro had some upgraded sticky tyres on too so was abit of a weapon with a 'no fear' driver at the helm lol.

Agree with the poor build quality!

Haha yeah the rear springs are so stiff (to cope with the loaded weight I presume) that they can corner pretty hard. This vivaro had some upgraded sticky tyres on too so was abit of a weapon with a 'no fear' driver at the helm lol.

Agree with the poor build quality!

Yeah! Haha. Great fun. Just got to ignore the body roll and give it the beans. It feels fast too, cos you know it shouldn't be happening haha.

Its all fun and games until you get to the job and all the back of the van looks like a bombs hit it lol.

Transits on leaf springs. Difficult to say if that was better. It was always the front that went first. Especially with 140bhp and all the weight over the back lol