Panel van conversion

[caledonia]

Some t5 prices,matbe not worth as much as some folk think.
Loads of them here at auction but not many buy them,i always thought them ok.

They are cheaper over there Trev that’s why a lot of converters import Irish vans.

 

[trevskoda]

They are cheaper over there Trev that’s why a lot of converters import Irish vans.

Yep i see loads leaving on transporters,thing is folk here dont want to be seen in anything over 4 years old ,cause the neighbours would talk,have to keep up with the jones.
Biggest car retailer here is hurst motors and they send all cars/vans at over 3 years to auction with no reserve,this is due to them requiring a mot and if they had sold them and the brain went they would be out a fortune,plus maybe not able to fix like the old type cars/vans.
Hence my last car at 7 years cost me £10,no one wanted it.

 

[Fisherman]

Six years after the Sevel vans were manufactured in this way!

I would not know.
I only knew about Mercedes as I have been driving them for over 20 years now.

 

[RichardHelen262]

German built quality - don't get me started lol. I bought a 6 month old Crafter with low miles which rotted away in front of my eyes. What a heap of junk. it was only used privately to go to motocross. The plastic rubbing panels vibrate and break the paint causing lot of rust and the rear doors rusted. I look after my motors and when I looked at other rusty German heaps (didn't make me feel better) I realised I was in the same boat. The turbo, alternator and prop shaft bearing carriers had to be replaced under warranty, The only way out, sort of, is to get a metallic one, at least the paint is more than a few microns thick. I spoke to a couple of guys with new Sprinter day vans and they had actually removed the rubbing strips, to be replaced at sale time. The only reason they appear to hold their value is the Main dealers are so greedy. The PSA group vans are way better in my humble opinion. I sold my Relay with over 100,000 miles on it and only had to replace the alternator which was gummed up with stour, probs from dusty mx paddocks. Bob

I used sprinters for many years doing European courier work I would buy them new and keep them for 3years as they come with 3 years unlimited mileage warranty and on every one of them I have put around 500,000 miles with very little or no problems, the last one I kept for 7 years as I stopped doing European courier work when it was three years old and that had just over 922,000 miles on it when I sold it, none of them rusted as I used to look after them and polish them on a regular basis.
I have hired a vw crafter once and found it very underpowered and sluggish compared to the sprinter

 

[trevskoda]

I used sprinters for many years doing European courier work I would buy them new and keep them for 3years as they come with 3 years unlimited mileage warranty and on every one of them I have put around 500,000 miles with very little or no problems, the last one I kept for 7 years as I stopped doing European courier work when it was three years old and that had just over 922,000 miles on it when I sold it, none of them rusted as I used to look after them and polish them on a regular basis.
I have hired a vw crafter once and found it very underpowered and sluggish compared to the sprinter

Big prob with the mercs is the particulate filter if doing short drop local work,they require changing at over a grand a pop,this is from the horses mouth as i know the lads in the shop.

 

[mark61]

I used sprinters for many years doing European courier work I would buy them new and keep them for 3years as they come with 3 years unlimited mileage warranty and on every one of them I have put around 500,000 miles with very little or no problems, the last one I kept for 7 years as I stopped doing European courier work when it was three years old and that had just over 922,000 miles on it when I sold it, none of them rusted as I used to look after them and polish them on a regular basis.
I have hired a vw crafter once and found it very underpowered and sluggish compared to the sprinter

I used to buy similar high mileage Mercs and then put them to work for another 4 or 5 years, and they weren't looked after, just maintained. Luckily I don't have to rely in google etc for info, otherwise I'd believe,
Merc's were great until the late 90's when they stopped galvanising. No
Merc's started galvanising in 2002. What? No Merc's were galvanised before 2002, and then all of them were? No
I've also read that people believe the Crafter is galvanised, but the Sprinter wasn't . No

 

[Fisherman]

I have been driving mercs for 23 years now.
I have never once had a mechanical issue.
apart from a gas mass sensor which I replaced myself after 130,000 miles.
And that is a consumable part which won’t last the lifetime of the engine.

But the earlier models built before 2003 suffered from rust.
but since galvanising them that issue has been resolved.
they come with 30 year antI perforation warranties now.

 

[GreggBear]

You still see 3yr old sprinters with sills & doors & bodywork hanging off em tho.....

 

[Fisherman]

You still see 3yr old sprinters with sills & doors & bodywork hanging off em tho.....

Never driven a sprinter Gregg. I was referring to c class estates.
I take it they don’t galvanise them then, surprised to hear that.

 

[Markd]

You may not be able to do a conversion on a small van anymore,have a look on motorhome builder,the regulations have been changes,it must be high roof 2 windows on one side,sep entrance door ,and awning & rail fitted,it must also look like a camper from outside,ie all dicked up.
So in short the log book may not be changed but only to a van with windows which will have a insurance hike,and boat or channel trip may cost you same as com van.

You can do the work but DVLA just won't reclassify if it doesn't meet the 5 criteria.

 

[hextal]

I used to buy similar high mileage Mercs and then put them to work for another 4 or 5 years, and they weren't looked after, just maintained. Luckily I don't have to rely in google etc for info, otherwise I'd believe,
Merc's were great until the late 90's when they stopped galvanising. No
Merc's started galvanising in 2002. What? No Merc's were galvanised before 2002, and then all of them were? No
I've also read that people believe the Crafter is galvanised, but the Sprinter wasn't . No

Must be the Yorkshire weather then, cos they rust like mad around here. Our contractors have stopped using them as they rust so badly.

 

[wildebus]

Ah, if it's no door at all, then you could just permanently fix the side door. Sprinters are a little narrower than our Ducato, but we have no problem moving from front ot rear, often times we get in SLD to enter cab.

I probably get in and out the sliding door more than the cab door when going to drive off or after parking