To buy or to build?

If you find a decent one to start with and keep up to it there is no reason why it shouldn't stay that way but that's a different issue, I'd not touch a Merc, wrong shape I think, nothing to do with the build or the quality, I built mine using some used and some new appliances, I used lightweight ply, and the industry standard joints, I used wood where strength was needed, I used Seitz windows and Heki roof lights, there were no silly flashing or coloured lights, it took well over a year as I had no clue so had to study and ask questions at each step as I wanted to do it all myself which I did, it cost about £12k to build inc the van, and I sold it for £16k two years later with 180k on the clock as Liz was getting nervous about the mileage, then I had the opportunity to buy it back again as my buyer lived in London and it was compliant anymore so I bought it back for £6k (I'd agreed £10k) but as it was in a hell of a state, needed a new clutch and flywheel and a few other jobs, nothing internal other than it needed a really good clean and the toilet resealing to the wall, I sold it for £15,500.

So do it right and they will sell, they will make a profit and they will last, I built it in 2010/11 I sold it again in 2021.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
If you find a decent one to start with and keep up to it there is no reason why it shouldn't stay that way but that's a different issue, I'd not touch a Merc, wrong shape I think, nothing to do with the build or the quality, I built mine using some used and some new appliances, I used lightweight ply, and the industry standard joints, I used wood where strength was needed, I used Seitz windows and Heki roof lights, there were no silly flashing or coloured lights, it took well over a year as I had no clue so had to study and ask questions at each step as I wanted to do it all myself which I did, it cost about £12k to build inc the van, and I sold it for £16k two years later with 180k on the clock as Liz was getting nervous about the mileage, then I had the opportunity to buy it back again as my buyer lived in London and it was compliant anymore so I bought it back for £6k (I'd agreed £10k) but as it was in a hell of a state, needed a new clutch and flywheel and a few other jobs, nothing internal other than it needed a really good clean and the toilet resealing to the wall, I sold it for £15,500.

So do it right and they will sell, they will make a profit and they will last, I built it in 2010/11 I sold it again in 2021.
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Wrong shape? It's van shaped :p :)
 
length is good on the XLWB Sprinters but width suffers, Sevel group vans are best for width and the sides are more squarer too, I don't think any of the converters use sprinters vans for PVCs only chassis cabs/cowls
 
See this, 3 ft longer than mine, they make a great job for conversion.
bus camper.png
 
Pudsey Bear said:
length is good on the XLWB Sprinters but width suffers, Sevel group vans are best for width and the sides are more squarer too, I don't think any of the converters use sprinters vans for PVCs only chassis cabs/cowls
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I would tend to agree with the above for sure.
The Sprinters/Crafters both start off narrow and then the sides start to curve in midway up quite significantly. I don't think the latest shapes of either van is any different in that respect.
The current Transit van however is worth checking out I think. That is also pretty wide and square. If I were doing a camperbuild on a new PVC, it would be between a Sevel or a Transit I think as the base.
I have had 3 VW vans, but I would not choose another for a 'proper' Conversion.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
length is good on the XLWB Sprinters but width suffers, Sevel group vans are best for width and the sides are more squarer too, I don't think any of the converters use sprinters vans for PVCs only chassis cabs/cowls
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A few do. Compared to the Sevel vans not many use the Crafter or Master or their other branded variants either.

What does that tell you? 😂
 
mark61 said:
A few do. Compared to the Sevel vans not many use the Crafter or Master or their other branded variants either.

What does that tell you? 😂
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I think the Renault Master is quite popular these days, might be the base vehicle price, I've never seen a PVC Master or Sprinter only coach builds
 
Pudsey Bear said:
I think the Renault Master is quite popular these days, might be the base vehicle price, I've never seen a PVC Master or Sprinter only coach builds
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Devon conversions used to do one on a Master panel van, think they may have gone over to Sevels though, no idea why.

The Master is a blooming good van, probably a bit more truck like than a Sevel, and Renault dealers are probably less likely to chuck them at you just so you go away. :p :ROFLMAO:

Think Devon conversions also do a Sprinter PVC, as do a few others including Hymer.
 
OMG!! bleedin pendant :D I was looking for Mercs, forgot about Renaults, don't like em anyway too slab sided looking.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
I like Transits, nice looking vans and generally parts are not too silly but security is pants.


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The truly massive problems with Transits are:-

1. Every spikey in the country wants to nick them

2. Even now their body shells still have a terrible habit of dissolving into a pile of bright orange ferrous oxide!! And that for me is why I have always ruled them out!!!
 
Pudsey Bear said:
OMG!! bleedin pendant :D I was looking for Mercs, forgot about Renaults, don't like em anyway too slab sided looking.
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I like Masters. Preferred the one I had for driving over the various VWs or the Ducato. If I could stick any Motorhome hab body on top of any chassis cab, that cab would be a Master (or Vauxhall Vivaro). I wouldn't select one for a PVC conversion for the width reasons already given.


(oddly enough, the very first van I bought was a Master and is newer - even now - to any of the 4 vans I have had since).
 
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