Choice of base vans Forums

Westbay

Given the choice, what would you choose for a selfbuild PVC. A one year old
Sprinter MWB
Transit LWB
Crafter MWB

and what would influence your choice?

Hope to take this route in the next year, so need to start the hard thinking soon !!

rowley

I may surprise you by saying the Fiat Ducato/Boxer/Citroen Relay. It has a squarer shape which is beneficial for top lockers. It is slightly wider in width and track which gives it less roll than a Sprinter. Apart from the niggle of Scuttlegate I find it an excellent vehicle.

Westbay

Thanks Rowley. I'd thought about the Boxer. What about the gearbox problems (reversing up steep hill) I keep hearing about on the Fiat Ducato?
Must admit I do like the Pug engine I've got at the moment.

MikeyB

Hello, did a similar exercise myself when I wanted a replacement for our VW T25 home build. I decided upon a Transit LWB High-top, 1996 and again for my latest conversion, a 2002,LWB T350 model. Transits are nice to drive (my brother-in -law has a Sprinter, and it bounces around all over the place, and the dash mounted gear lever is the worst that I have ever used in any vehicle...same year, less miles than my Transit, hate it!) Transits are simple to repair,and parts are reasonable. Also check interior height, I believe the headroom in the VW and the Sprinter is limited when you add insulation top and bottom.
Someone mentioned the Boxer,Ducato etc. Yes, popular with professional converters, but apparently this is due to the huge discounts they get on the base vehicle, so I shouldn't be swayed by the numbers argument. Earlier models were plagued by faults....read the press. Doors bowed outwards at speed, clutch replacements were an extortionate cost, water
could leak onto the batteries, cross members rusted out etc. etc. There have also been comments about the drivers seat being quite high and tall drivers having to peer under the top of the screen.
FWD or RWD is another consideration. RWD is simpler, usually means tighter turning circle and tyres last longer. FWD means lower floor height but consequently less ground clearance for underslung tanks etc and also less grip on wet grass campsites. Hope this helps, above all try to drive an example of the year you can afford, not a new one, they can be quite different, and may give the wrong impression. Good luck, Mike.

MikeyB

Forgot to mention, I believe the Transit range was voted European Van of the Year last year. Mike.

witch

maddie

Hi exact opposite to mike -sprinter v tranny- mate has a new tranny and a 4 yr old sprinter as well as the old model ducato he prefers the 120,000 mls sprinter and so do I. Laughing

But for a diy both the ducato and tranny are wider so as to give more options on layout.The Ducato is widest so you can get away with a traverse bed- tranny pushing it - merc a deffo NO.
VW & MERC are same body van so pick which engine you like but a merc is going to be worth more.
If I was doing one I would be looking more at the relay / ducato simply for the width.Having said that your van is going to cost more or less the same to convert which ever you pick so buy the cheapest same yr van you can afford or if money no object go for longtitude layout merc provided you can do a good job you will get more for it. Wink

terry

Exustrek

teemyob

Hello,

MB Sprinter, virtualy bullet proof.

RWD, better for grip, towing, tyres and stability with....
Adaptive ESP
Engines good for at least 1/4 million miles if cared for
Spares availabilty
Technical Information Availability
Truning Circle
Aftermarket or retrofit kit & parts

Recently drove 1000 miles around northern France and Belgium, Sprinters vans everywhere, only just needed two hands to count Ducatos. Lots of Renaults in France mind.