LWB panel van recommendations

katy2

Looking to buy a lwb van, around '08 plate , choices are renault master, citreon relay or ford transit, inclined to a renault as have a renault garage local, should it need to go to a main dealer for anything, but don't want to go down that route then find out later I'd have been better staying clear and going for either of the other options.

Any thoughts appreciated

pizzahutdave

Have you looked at buying a new van on a finance package? this will give you a warranty of between 1-3 years piece of mind and spread the cost over a period rather then spending 8k outright on a secondhand van without any warranty. An Iveco Daily 35s12 will start around £17k +vat,
try http://web.iveco.com/uk/Pages/homepage.aspx

forgotmyname

Gotta be a transit for running costs. Sprinter if your a courier in a rush.

RichGold

forgotmyname wrote: »

Gotta be a transit for running costs. Sprinter if your a courier in a rush.

I hate to say it (as a Sprinter owner) but the new Transit 140's are faster than most Sprinters. I've rented a couple (on 08 & 58 plates) and they are like lightening.

One things is for sure though, the Renault you're looking at wont last like either the Transit or the Sprinter. (We had one new on a 51 plate, never again!) The interior started to fall apart circa 30k, by 40k the drivers seat was coming apart and it just started to look tatty after that despite it always being looked after.

Delivery_Driver

The Renault is basicly the same van as a Vauxhall Movano.We have them at work and they are pretty reliable mechanicly though the seats do fall apart at low mileage if you are in and out a lot.
The LWB turning circle is also huge, bigger than the Sprinters despite being shorter overall.
Fuel economy is decent too,can see 45mpg+ if driven steadily.

katy2

Thanks for the feedback.

Hadn't actually thought of the finanace option, just spend the 7-8K, but will look into it.

patman99

The Transit will have a Dual Mass Flywheel that needs replacing every 35k (my mechanic is ex-Ford main dealer mechanic). You can, however, replace them with a solid flywheel instead.
Have you considered an LDV Maxus ?. If the build quality is anything like my old '97 Convoy, it will out-last a Transit by years.

When I was looking for a large van when doing some shifting of junk, I looked at a load of Iveco's and Transits and they had all had new wings or welding or had rust issues. My Convoy has very little rust for it's age.

katy2

Hi Pat, did wonder about a maxus, was looking through for sale ads last night and they seem considerably cheaper than same age/mileage equivalent renault/fords etc, wasn't sure if that was because they are not up to the mark or just folks don't like the badge ?