Van advice

Anything with a wet belt - avoid.

Thanks Wally. Which ones have wet belts?

I’d look at something like this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202501248377594?advertising-location=at_vans

I think the CDTi engines have an OK reputation. We have an Astra with a 2.0 CDTi and it hasn’t been much bother and isn’t a wet belt so I assume the 2.3 isn’t either but could be wrong.

Currently have a 2022 Peugeot Partner crew van, thinking of trading in for something to use for weekends away.

Weirdly we were thinking of a Berlingo/Partner for just that, but solving the accomodation conundrum with a roof tent so downstairs could just be a 'van'.

That or a Vivaro/Expert/Dispatch.

I think the CDTi engines have an OK reputation. We have an Astra with a 2.0 CDTi and it hasn’t been much bother and isn’t a wet belt so I assume the 2.3 isn’t either but could be wrong.

I think they are entirely different engines. That generation of Movano is a rebadged Renault. Vauxhall put 'CDTI' on the back of all their vehicles with diesel engines no matter what engine is actually in it -  but there isnt  a 2.3 in the CDTI engine range )which so the  2.3 in a Movano is actually a renault DCI engine. The 2.0 in an astra is a General Motors 'Ecotech family B' engine

After 2022 Movanos are actually rebadged Boxers (Vauxhall joined the Stelantis group), prior to 2022 they're rebadged Renault Masters.

For a short while Boxers / Relays switched from 2.2 engines to 2.0, then switched back to 2.2 again and I think the 2.0s aren't has relaible

Just got a Vivaro Life Elite. Blooming great (van with seats and stuff).  It's fast as I went for the 180 bhp 8 speed auto.

Just got a Vivaro Life Elite. Blooming great (van with seats and stuff).  It’s fast as I went for the 180 bhp 8 speed auto.

Thanks but not quite what I’m after.

The Boxers etc have a good reputation, and are galvanised, so don't rust like Fords, and the engines are reliable - listening to loads of camper van people....

Just bought a transit custom myself. Wet belt is first on the list for peace of mind at the horrifying price of £960 ?

horrifying price of £960 ?

If that 's from a main dealer with a warranty and includes vat bite their hand off!

So Boxer a good bet then.  Anyone done a basic conversation and can offer advice?

Converted my LWB H3 Ducato.

Fiat engines said to be a bit more refined and torquey than the PSA engines.

Wet belt is first on the list for peace of mind at the horrifying price of £960 ?

I doubt that includes the oil pump belt? Similar to that quoted to a friend, but + another £400 for the oil pump belt. I did it for him for considerably less including the oil pump belt, accessory drive belt, coolant pump and coolant pump belt.

FYI. Interval is now 100k or 6 years. Friends Van was at 60k/8 years. Both belts were in good condition.

Fiat engines said to be a bit more refined and torquey than the PSA engines.

a few years ago they dropped the fiat / iveco engine for the Ducato so all the boxer-alikes are now using the same engine

FYI. Interval is now 100k or 6 years. Friends Van was at 60k/8 years. Both belts were in good condition

Checked this with dealer and thankfully it was changed at 90k (it’s on 96k now so should be ok for a good while. Phew)

Currently have a 2022 Peugeot Partner crew van,

What's wrong with the partner? That's the kind of thing I'm looking at. I really don't 'want' a van anymore, I'm happy being a one car family but I really, really want a trials bike and you can't really do one without the other.

I had a Boxer for just over a year. I only drove it 4 or 5 times because of work and kids and it was loud, slow, thirsty. After having a long line of vans something in me died while I had this one and I just couldn't be bothered with it. Can't remember if this was a 2.0 or 2.2 but it was the 110bhp model.

I cleaned it out, added £200 worth of Dodo Mat, fitted the side windows and some BMW seats using a single passenger base. I had some very expensive removable rear seats from a Transit to go in but I sold those separately. Then for some reason I was just sick of looking at it and didn't enjoy driving it so I sold it.

The body was good even though the paint wasn't. Absolutely no rust anywhere, even where the previous owner had drilled holes in it, which I've never experienced before.

Now that I'm getting van-curious again I wouldn't mind driving the newer model with a bit more power. I keep looking at wheelchair vans because they already have windows, roof linings, floors and usually a Webasto diesel heater. This is the biggest van that fits on my drive without poking out in to the pavement but for what I need I could look at Vivaros/Trafics.

@alpin

What are external & internal heights of your Ducato?

I'm Contemplating one to replace my SWB Trafic.

Cheers M

 I keep looking at wheelchair vans

Are you aware some of them have smaller fuel tanks, and the exhausts re-routed (non-standard), to make room for the ramps. A friend had one for a short time, it had terrible sealing around the bumper fold down section. Put me right off looking into them

Very much smaller fuel tank, where the needle is not proportional to fuel in tank.

I didn't know about the smaller fuel tank but I did know that some conversions are much better than others. Lots of visible corrosion on most of them. I'd remove as much of that stuff as I could. I don't need the ramps, lifts, straps etc. It was all the stuff you can't buy like the extra trim and plastic that covers all the metalwork that make them look much nicer in the back.

Also most of the window vans I've checked are exempt from the local clean air charges where the equivalent panel vans aren't, so I wouldn't have to pay a tenner every time I left the house.

This wouldn't be a camper for me. It would be for pushing muddy motorbikes into.

As I said, I was curious,  I haven't committed to anything yet.

I might just buy an MX5!

What’s wrong with the partner? That’s the kind of thing I’m looking at. I really don’t ‘want’ a van anymore, I’m happy being a one car family but I really, really want a trials bike and you can’t really do one without the other.

We would like somewhere we could sleep, simple as that.

I converted a Citroen relay (boxer) a few years back on the pluses it is galvanised and if you can fit in a normal bed then you can put a mattress sideways, I went for an H2 L2 (you can stand up inside it.

Just going through the same thought process. Undecided on L2 or L3. Am going to use for some very long trips away. Likely to go with a Stelantis variant (ducato, Boxer etc). Fancied a Sprinter but apart from the ex-Amazon ones they all seem RWD & had a RWD Sprinter in past and really didnt like it. Crafters seem underpowered. Planning to own it for 10-15 years.

Going to do a very basic conversion first; front seats, floor, windows, maxxair vents, insulation, webasto, and start using it with camping furniture and do the rest between trips

Loads of people want vans that do a high mileage but if its not your only vehicle chances are you will not do that many miles (mine was about 75000 miles 7 years ago and now 91000 miles) so the rust should kill a sprinter /transit before the mileage will kill the citroen/peugeot in a camper.

I wont be going anywhere near a transit ha ha.

Have been looking at Factory converted vans for £45-£50k but they are nice but all old tech so gas, lead acid & limited solar where I think its easy now to do full electric solar & lithium (Diesel heater) & I think I can do a much nicer van with known insulation and a proper utilities install for £15-20k less.

Also as you say, 75k on a van is nothing. People look at vans with car eyes. I am more concerned about type & number of owners and any evidence of any prangs as that undermines the galvanised body