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Looking for a 2nd hand MWB hi-top van to convert, want something affordable reliable and long lived. Not considering Transits because rust (shame as apparently they're otherwise reliable), sprinters and VWs because expensive (and crafters are either too short or long and supposedly thirsty).
What has the edge over the Fiat and the Renault, in terms of reliability and not rusting?
Also what sort of mpg can I expect from a mwb hi top van (I know you can google mpg but they never seem to quote different figures for the hi top... which seems... unrealistic...)
Bought a 2006 Master (actually a vauxhall movano, nissan nv400 also the same) 18 months ago for £900. Was very badly presented, filthy inside and out, wing mirror hanging off, warning lights on dash. 100k, no history.
Cleaned it up, zero rust, topped up brake fluid which solved the warning light. Spent another grand tidying up, cambelt, insulation, lining, floor, IKEA folding sofa/bed.
Has been totally reliable and not too bad to drive. Very usable space compared to smaller vans (transporter) even though it's a swb / low roof. Done 10k so far no issues.
Advice seems to be check gearbox before and change oil regularly, local mechanics swear by non supermarket fuel to save injectors. Bit sceptical of the latter but that's 2 common/expensive faults.
No experience of the Fiat but camper parts such as swivel seat bases easier to come by for the Fiat/Citroen/Peugeot. I've heard the Fiat with an Iveco enigine/gearbox is the one to have but don't know how true that is.
Had a Hiace before that is supposedly the most reliable but had an injector go and rust.
Would get another master or try the Fiat next time.
Sorry forgot, I get about 33mpg crusing at 70 odd. Doesn't seem bad on short runs either.
I've got a Fiat Ducato 2011. Its a 2.3 with 180k miles, 50k are by me. It was cheap due to body damage with a couple of bumps that have lifted the paint to reveal the galvanising. In 6 years I've not sorted the touch up paint and its still not rusted. The only rust is from a tiny puncture in the side.
The engine hasn't missed a beat mechanically, but it does have a fuelling issue. I think its a sticky injector, but its intermittent and can be fixed by booting it. Other than that its just had rear brakes and some oil seals for the turbo.
Its an XLWB extra high roof with 150bhp pulls like a train and seems reasonable for a large shed on wheels.
Cheers guys, I should have added, are there any vans I'm not considering that I should be?
The worst senario on mpg is 30, my A class MH on a Fiat chassis weighs 3500kg OTR is 2.9metres high and over thousands of miles driving at times some steep terrain that's what it's returned. Others I know with long wheelbase high top panel vans 30-33mpg.
My iveco daily has been down to 14mpg.
Although this was on outer Hebrides constantly stopping and starting on single track roads.
28-30mpg is normal on a run.
The 2.3fiat/iveco engine is a goodun.
My old man has an nv400 /master with the 2.3 engine it is also good. Similar mpg on a run. Does to/from middle of France /Aberdeen a few times a year and is easy to work on.
We have a much abused Ducato at work in the maintenance department and it's been good. It's on an 11plate and was bumped in the first week down to the metal, full of dents and scrapes - no sign of rust anywhere. The load area trim and door handles etc are a bit flimsy/fragile but mechanically it's been fine.
Nice square shape and plenty of camper conversion bits for them. On my shortlist for replacing my Transhit