[Closed] Van buying, sensible van or daft JDM option?

Unimog.

You know it makes sense.

Off to search for crew cab Unimogs...

Stepwagon?

https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/fresh-goods-friday-478-coffee-jdm-and-wing/

Yep. I was considering Alphard and Elgrand but ended up getting a Honda Stepwgn. 2l petrol instead, bit cheaper for a good one, and a bit better on fuel, bit more compact for city use but still a huge amount of room inside, particularly with the rearmost row of seats unbolted. Love it.

They’re all good options though compared to a diesel builders van with seats fitted.

I imported myself via a broker (a fairly easy process if you have time, and can get exactly what you want) but there are plenty of these things coming in or for sale at various dealers here.

Just bought XLWB Merc Citan for those very duties, suitably impressed.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bosozoku+van&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMg4XV-oPrAhWNecAKHef9DhcQ_AUoAXoECBAQAw&biw=1600&bih=757

Is the answer, surely.

but still a huge amount of room inside, particularly

Compared to an as you put it "diesel builders van with seats" I'd say no they are tiny by comparison. Quite a bit narrower - seeing as largely Japanese vehicles are taxed on width and volumetric space

Looked at them the exterior width on an Alphard is similar to the interior width on a custom....and that's the narrower option in builders vans.

Will have a look at the Honda, looks a little bit on the sensible side of things.

Looked at them the exterior width on an Alphard is similar to the interior width on a custom….and that’s the narrower option in builders vans.

Thats a good thing, local lanes are pretty narrow - if I can get my bike in with the wheels on and without removing child seats I'm happy.

I'd buy a T5

I’d buy a T5

Over priced and unreliable - what's not to like...

I kind of desperately want an Elgrand E51, they are just wonderfully stupid. The grills! I know it's not really a Skyline minibus but it's close enough. (in the same way as the Stagea isn't really a skyline wagon)

Why not go all out....(Toyota Deliboy if I've cocked up the copy/paste)
http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=158372&country=uk

I've got a 56 plate Elgrand and I love it. However it's not as big as a transit/transporter, the exterior dimensions are actually smaller than a BMW 5 series estate.

Very relaxing to drive and comfy for passengers although the suspension is a bit soft when you push it hard into corners. Mine is the 3.5 and best case is 25MPG on a long run being careful, round the doors it's more like 19. Sounds lovely though and plenty of grunt.

The interior space is very adaptable, all the seats and the little table thing slide forwards and back. The middle set rotate 180 and the back set fold up in a few seconds to the side of the van. With myself, the wife and the 2 kids in the back seats you can get one full size bike in with wheels on and then others would need the wheels off. I also have a rack for the back when we are fully loaded. Bonus is you can carry up to 6 people in total comfort or 8 at a push.

For the money I think they are a better option than a tirwd T5 but can't carry quite as much and as long as you don't do big miles. Mine looks amazing inside and out for a 15 year old van and has only 54K miles. Cost me £8K from a specialist dealer.

Import it yourself and you can get them really cheap but it's a bit more risky than buying from a UK dealer. No issue getting parts or support in the country as enough of them about to support some specialist parts dealers and a community for help.

Nissan i800, big, comfy, easy to drive and untrendy with the urban surf crowd, so I’d guess much cheaper than a T4/5.
Look for ex-Enterprise vans, there’s loads about, if you’d like to go for a minibus version, ex-Motability ones with seats and windows might be worth a look.

I've been wanting an Elgrand for about 6 years and it's never the right time! I've got my current lease for 2 years now, so next time.....

I might even look into getting one imported, or even look into the Toyota/Honda alternatives. Love my Japanese cars too!

Was comparing to most car MPVs. An smax owning mate is looking at trailers for their family camping stuff, we fit more in easily. Narrowness is a huge benefit on little lanes and city carparks, our Stepwgn is as wide as a Fiesta and as long as a Focus estate. The low floor and high roof makes swallowing bikes inside very easy.

Even little things like proper opening windows for rear passengers (you know, like a car) or ac vents, or just places to put things, seems to be missing on very expensive van-based things.

We have just bought an RK5 stepwagon from auction at USS Tokyo - very excited for it to arrive! As usual with most things, the purchase was partly informed by information from this forum!

Nissan i800

Assume that should be a Hyundai i800. Had one for a few days, was nice, definitely roomier than a JDM Vanning model which compares to a large MPV at best. Another thing to watch for is undersealing , JDM stuff tends not to get it so you need to get on top of that early on if you don't want it dissolving.

Just looking at 5th gen Stepwgns, much want!

Squirrelling is on the money. Jap spec cars tend to be lower spec than European spec.

Hyundai i800..... Are you deaf countzero.

I've had the use of three through work from new the three of them had the most horribly whiny gearbox and or diff and been woefully under geared to compensate with the lack of power- which probably accounted for the noise ......note my comments are based on them having an adult in ever seat not moving them unloaded from a-b.

Hyundai i800….. Are you deaf countzero.

I must be. But then with the stupid whirly vent along with the numerous rattles and squeaks of my bus anything is quieter than that heap. Never shifted more than us 3 in the i800.

i am selling a toyota granvia right now
i can honestly say its the best van , i have had a t5 and a t4, a vito , and a transit , the granvia beats them all hands down , automatic diesel , Toyota engine that never lets you down

We had a Toyota Lucida on another job at work. It was good .

Took a real beating. 300k miles pounding through the desert.....wouldn't have like to put it though an MOT but it coped better than the hiluxes with the same roads for some reason ....I guess it's because folk slowed down for the holes in the road for fear of their spines

The jap people carrier wagons are ugly as sin but they're very useful. I find the interior also looks really dated, but they're really cleverly designed

I did look into them but couldn't get past the looks. I had a 5 series and then an e class. More height would have helped. I now have a T6, i like the builders van look!

Jesus - just done some googling.

You guys like your vans ugly for sure. I hope you have better taste in women 😳

TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR
Subscriber

You guys like your vans ugly for sure

I think this is why I like the JDM ones, they sort of go through ugly and out the other side into absurd.

Yup, Spadas have those funky barn door/tailgate hybrid backs as well. Plus Magic Seats. What's not to like?

Over priced and unreliable – what’s not to like…

I kind of desperately want an Elgrand E51, they are just wonderfully stupid. The grills! I know it’s not really a Skyline minibus but it’s close enough. (in the same way as the Stagea isn’t really a skyline wagon)

The Rider spec front end goes so far beyond ugly it somehow works - who doesn't want to drive around in something that looks like a rapper's face?! Is it the same 3.5 lump out of the 350z?

I’ve got a 56 plate Elgrand and I love it.

Thanks for the writeup from an owner, out of interest what spec/model do you have? I'd be interested to hear what you think are the extras you think are worth holding out for and what you can live without?

jamesfts
Member

Is it the same 3.5 lump out of the 350z?

Same basic vq35de but I don't know if it's identical

I've got a 2WD 3.5 Highway Star.

I got a 3.5 because fuel consumption wise there is hardly any difference to the 2.5 and it's faster. Yes it's a 350Z engine but running lower compression, different inlet manifold I think.

I got Highway Star as these ones have black half leather interior which is the hardest wearing and looks best. They also have 2nd highest level of equipment. Most other trim levels you see will have grey velour or awful cream leather.

There are some lower specs that that rarely get imported but you will normally see Rider/rider Autech which are the sporty looking ones with grey velour. Then HWS with higher spec. Then XL which have the highest spec level bit only 6 seats.

4WD would have been nice but they are a bit rarer and hard to come by.

Colour wise it black, silver or white although there is a very rare chromaflair kicking around.

Spec wise the things I really like are the power side door from remote, mine is only on one side but some have it on both. The twin sunroofs are a nice feature. Keyless entry also very handy. Very comfy for passengers with there own air vents, very ish seats and very quiet inside. Mines also got a mains supply inverter built in but I've never used it and a flip down TV which doesn't work. There are also remote controls for the rear passengers that control Aircon, sunroof, TV, kids love fiddling with them! The power curtains are handy too not just for passengers but to hide bikes.

Radio wise if you get a series 1 or 2 2003-2007 ish, it's a piece of cake to change out the factory system for a double DIN unit. Mine came with a minidisc changer! Series 3 2007 onwards have a more complex system using a hard drive and it's trickier to upgrade.

Few other quirky things like mystery Japanese buttons. The clock is satellite synchronised but you can't change it from Japanese time. The main screen when on map mode can only ever show Japanese maps but it's quite interesting to see.

They do have some weaknesses though, like any car/van. As someone said above you have to get them undersealed and renew it every couple of years, only £100 ish though. The other issue can be more serious. They have 4 cats, a front and a rear for each bank of 3 cylinders. The fronts can break down and then block up the rears which then causes bits to get sucked back into the engine destroying it. A UK importers decide the rear cats so all the crap can get out but it may not completely protect you. Seems very low occurrence but serious consequences and no pattern. Some can do 200,000 KMs without issue while some get it earlier. It's a big discussion point on the forums and Facebook groups.

Honda Elysion can be had with a 2.4, 3.0 v6 that shuts a bank of cylinders off when cruising or a 3.5 v6. To me it looks the best of the JDM offerings. The drawback is the rear row of seats just fold up and forward instead of up and to the sides like the stepwagon, alphard etc.

There's also the Honda Odyssey which is a longer accord estate with an extra row of seats and they all have the 2.4 engine. Mk2 Honda stream is a small MPV based on the civic but the Mk1 is fugly.

Most of the JDM vehicles are designed to carry people in luxury so are more comfortable and have adjustable seats but are smaller. UKDM vans are vans that have been leased to tradesmen, moved on when the lease runs out then someone puts seats in the back and bodges some side windows.

UKDM vans will likely be diesel with all the nice little issues such as faulty EGR vales, DPFs, DMFs and injectors. JDM are all petrol so more thirsty and come with CVT transmissions or traditional autos for the v6 engines or when they have AWD.

Need a change myself but can't decide if I want a bigger vehicle or just an estate. Won't be an ex builders diesel van though.

. An smax owning mate is looking at trailers for their family camping stuff, we fit more in easily.

Either we know each other or your mate and I are living parallel lives!

You guys like your vans ugly for sure. I hope you have better taste in women 😳

Post up a pic of your missus....

My uncle has a Honda Stepwagon... Brilliant little motor. Seats 7 or 2. Load space is good. Good engine with parts available. Only problem is replacement windscreen.

If they came in LHD I would consider one.

I have a T5 and wouldn't buy another.

The drawback is the rear row of seats just fold up and forward instead of up and to the sides like the stepwagon, alphard etc.

Mk.5 (2015>) Stepwgn folds into the boot well leaving a flat floor, seems much more sensible. It also comes with a 1.5 turbo or hybrid (2017>).

Mk2 Honda stream is a small MPV based on the civic but the Mk1 is fugly.

Oh god yes, used to be one round my way, looked like someone has taken my 5 door and inflated it. Hideous thing.

The 2009/10 stepwagon has the seats that fold into the floor and due to the ten year rule are easier to import.

The mk2 stream looks OK from the front and has Hondas "magic seats". Probably too small though.

Ah, good to know, much to learn.

I'm still waiting for some feedback from Andi on his!

Any photos of a nice long modern 29er in one of the Stepwagons or Nissan Serenas?

I’ve got a 2WD 3.5 Highway Star...

Thanks for all that, plenty of useful info in there.

Had a look at the Honda and Toyota alternatives but still think the Elgrand is probably the one I'd go for mostly due to it being the most bonkers looking and it being rwd or switchable 4x4 rather than fwd - yeah, I know it's a 2000kg van with an auto box but still.

Off to look at some at the weekend and will see if an XL Megatower will slot in without removing anything from the van or bike.

Lots of different wacky car/van thingies being posted here, which, if any, have full sets of rear seats that fold into the floor?

Mitsubishi Delica could be worth a look. A friend of mine has one. It is good on unmade and very uneven roads and off road. It also seems to be very reliable.

Lots of different wacky car/van thingies being posted here, which, if any, have full sets of rear seats that fold into the floor?

Some Hondas seem to fold into the floor, Nissans and Toyotas fold up and against the side.

It is good on unmade and very uneven roads and off road. It also seems to be very reliable.

Luckily we have a pickup for that so the van will probably end up on stupid wheels and either lowered or air ride.

I’ve had our 03 3.5 elgrand for 5 years now, done over 45k miles in it and it’s just clocked 110k miles. Very reliable and very adaptable. Fuel average is low 20’s. Paid £5k and it’s depreciated very little in the 5 years which helps offset the fuel. Lots more knowledge and support for them now. Highly recommended as a comfy fast bus, plus it’s great fun wasting slow wheezy T5’s from the lights, although it’s not as good as a T5 at impressing middle aged men in animal t shirts 😁

Any photos of a nice long modern 29er in one of the Stepwagons or Nissan Serenas?

http://stepwgn.uk/2019/12/13/how-practical-is-a-stepwagon/

A long 29er might just squeeze in diagonally or with a bit of bar-turning.

I worked out how to unbolt the rear seats for the camping trip we’re on now, easy once you know where the two 14mm bolts are and frees up loads of room. Reckon I can get them in and out in about 5 mins now.

Lots of different wacky car/van thingies being posted here, which, if any, have full sets of rear seats that fold into the floor?

Mercedes citan XLWB, I'd imagine Kangoo maxi too, as they're pretty much the same.

Has anyone got an Elgrand camper? I’m
looking at them as an option for me, but inside bike storage is a must, both when travelling and parking. Can it be done easily and safely?

Has anyone got an Elgrand camper? I’m
looking at them as an option for me, but inside bike storage is a must, both when travelling and parking. Can it be done easily and safely?

If only 2 people traveling you have a small chance but it's narrowness coupled with a camper facility's will really count against you especially to do it without damaging the interior

Even in the larger T5 variant you'll struggle

Thanks. I was considering front wheel off when travelling, possibly with a floor mount for the fork. Parked up, slung across the front seats. The one I’m looking at has a pop top (part of a standard build) so that could possibly be my parking garage too.

Even in the larger T5 variant you’ll struggle

I can get 2 bikes inside my camper converted T5 (full run of units and pull out bed) whilst travelling and sleeping. Bit of a squeeze but its possible without popping the roof. With the roof up its easy.

How’s everyone getting bikes in a t5 camper with only front wheels off? At the risk of derailing the thread I can get a 1 full sus broken down into my California under the rear bed bit with the seat pulled well forward. I’m certainly not risking it out of a bag in the main cabin even if it would fit, which it doesn’t. I can get a (clean) road bike in the main cabin with the wheels on if I need a secure overnight. But if I’m using the van to stay in any bike lives under the bed/ seat in a bag with wheels off.

Down at the coast today and its rammed full of vw t5s like there's a tradesman convention going on. A black Elgrand with a chrome gril turned up looking like Darth Vader owns it.

If you can afford the fuel get an elgrand.

I can get 2 bikes inside my camper converted T5 (full run of units and pull out bed) whilst travelling and sleeping. B

Where ? Every one I've seen with the bed out has about 6 inches interior space. But I was never any good at Tetris.

Managed Toby be a look at a few Elgrands - think we could be onto a winner.

A bit less space than a builders van but way nicer to drive and live with. Think I can fit my bike in with wheels on and and all the seats in. Also possibly an option of building a sliding rack using the rails for the middle seats - needs looking into.

Hopefully update next week if a deal can be struck on a nice black 3.5 Highway Star over the weekend.

I had a look at an Elgrand it was great, menus and voice controls still in Japanese. 'Sat nav' running off a disc with sensors on the wheels to measure direction/distance, Japan only.

Where ? Every one I’ve seen with the bed out has about 6 inches interior space. But I was never any good at Tetris.

Wheels off them both. Front seats swivelled around, one frame over the front seats, one between the front seats and wheels under the bed/behind the seats between the seat back and the dashboard. Allows the bed to be pulled out and used still. Not ideal but for a night or two it works. Much better when I'm solo - gives a bit more room.

Otherwise with the roof popped, 2 can sleep up there and the bikes (both with front wheels removed and on my bodged together front wheel rack thing that fits to the rock and roll bed) stay downstairs. Again, its not perfect but its doable.

I have driven an i800 as a hire vehicle - hateful thing. soft wallowy undergeared with a awful auto box and thisty as anything it was a few years ago

I have also hired an Elgrand camper - similar issues to the i800 and while I could get a bike in it no one could sit in the back with a bike in it. Nice conversion but too compromised for me

Love the Elgrand, there was a club stand with around 6-7 on display at last weekends Go Japan show at Brands Hatch. The MPG is savage though, fuel prices and tax on vehicles that consume that much are only going to get worse, any big road trip will cost twice as much as a modern diesel unit in a Transit/VW etc.

I had a look at an Elgrand it was great, menus and voice controls still in Japanese.

This one has a UK stereo with sat nav etc that links to both screens, menus and buttons still all in Japanese though - there's a company that can convert it all to UK spec or get handy with Google translate.

I have also hired an Elgrand camper – similar issues to the i800

Should be able to fit 2 adults plus bikes (wheels on) easily without removing anything which is my only requirement. MPG is similar or better than my current car, suspension was surprisingly good - suspect it may not be stock as handles better than others I've driven. Auto box is grim but no worse than any other auto, sort of suits the big lazy barge but would prefer manual if it was available.

Should be able to fit 2 adults plus bikes (wheels on) easily without removing anything which is my only requirement.

Not a chance with the camper conversion I had. Maybe with a different layout.

The autobox was like something from the 70s. 3speed plus overdrive. Loads worse than modern autos I have driven and even in overdrive you felt the need for another gear

Not a chance with the camper conversion I had. Maybe with a different layout.

Have no interest in converting it to a camper so shouldn't be an issue. Rear row can be folded away, middle row all spit/rotate and centre seat can slide between front seats giving a 2m long load space which is big enough for an XL 29er with the wheels on.

The autobox was like something from the 70s. 3speed plus overdrive. Loads worse than modern autos I have driven and even in overdrive you felt the need for another gear

Sounds like you might have borrowed the earlier E50 model then, the E51 has a proper 5 speed auto box - does the job fine.

Our 03 elgrand has a 5 speed auto and it works fine. With 3rd row of seats up at the sides I can get 4 people and 2 full size bikes wheels on in or 4 bikes front wheels out. Road tax is import tax so £240 as it isn’t done on emissions. Mpg 20-27 depending. Depreciation has been zero in 5 years. We also have a transit custom that averages 33mpg. Over 12k miles a year the elgrand costs £11 a week more in fuel than the transit custom. The transit depreciates more than that and costs more to maintain, there’s also the chance of problems being a modern diesel and of course the transit costs more. But if you worry about mpg instead of depreciation an elgrand isn’t for you. The middle seats spin to make a lounge and use as a day van, a camp bed and portable stove make it a camper. For £5k ish there’s no better vehicle.

So this happened...

It’s bloody great, just need to figure out a good way of transporting bikes as it’s a bit too nice to just chuck them in as planned.

That is an absolutely tremendous vehicle! Looks very clean 👌

Awesome!!

Good skills! Piece of wood wigb a front axle stand attached to it and a rubber mat?

My daily car has evidence of a knackered head gasket so it's given me the excuse to seriously look myself.

At the moment I think an RK model Stepwagon will do. Not big as or as luxurious as an Elgrand but I'm comparing it to VW Caddy Maxis etc. Against those it's stacks up well as it's wider, taller, has more toys and usable at car speed limits. Also have no plans on converting it and will fit a bike with the single middle seat folded.

Did browse Transporters but they are too much money. Do fancy a 3.5 Gr2fe engined alphard tho....

just need to figure out a good way of transporting bikes as it’s a bit too nice to just chuck them in as planned.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WESTLIGHT-Outside-Stretchy-Protection-Mountain/dp/B085TDF4SK/ref=asc_df_B085TDF4SK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=430875813083&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6079293693519937074&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046879&hvtargid=pla-908660266530&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=101484058073&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=430875813083&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6079293693519937074&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046879&hvtargid=pla-908660266530

That's proper pimp! I wouldn't want to fill it with grubby bikes either!

@andrewh just remember to have the Benny Hill Theme tune playing while you fight to fit it.

Looks superb

GRILL

Does anyone know how easy it is to remove the rear row of seats completely?

Really nice, congrats. I think those facelift E51s are best looking of the lot.

Does anyone know how easy it is to remove the rear row of seats completely?

In my Stepwgn it's two bolts for each hidden behind some trim. 5 mins to take out or put in. I only leave them in because they take up garage space otherwise!

On the newer Stepwgns the rear seats fold into the floor so only need to remove them if you need the underfloor space as well.

Removing the rear seats completely is a piece of cake.

Lift off the piece of trim between theseat and the vehicle side. Undo the 2 nuts and the seat will lift out as long as you have released the feet from the floor rail. There is also a bolt to remove for the seatbelt.

You will be left with the sliding rail but I find it useful for bungees to keep bikes secure. You can remove the sliding rail but it then requires the riskier job of removing the large interior trim piece.

Turns out an XL Megatower will fit (wheels on) with the rear seats folded up and centre row middle seat pushed forward which is ideal as it means no faffing around with the kids seats. That being said, I wouldn't like to do it with a muddy bike.

Good skills! Piece of wood wigb a front axle stand attached to it and a rubber mat?

Just bought a bunch of ply and some of these Blok Products fork mounts so hopefully have some sort of rack up and running in time for Caersws at the weekend. Will report back...

Did browse Transporters but they are too much money. Do fancy a 3.5 Gr2fe engined alphard tho….

I looked at most things, decided against the Alphard on looks and being FWD. Anything with a VW badge seemed expensive for what they are, Vito was probably the only other thing in the running.

Got the bike rack fitted, it’s technically for a Caddy from the guys at Blokpod. Will take my XL Megatower straight down the middle or 2 bikes if I move a seat forward.

Just need to get a load liner made up to keep things clean now.

Is it just me or have elgrand prices plummeted? I've got a few wee classifieds saved searches for petrol E51s and there seems to be a lot more cheaper ones around than there were a couple of years ago. Makes me want to clear a space on the drive...

there seems to be a lot more cheaper ones around than there were a couple of years ago.

They are now a couple of years older.