Bigger van who has a lwb work van

[shropschris]

Hi folks we are looking for another work van a mwb sprinter ,Man,Crafter or a Ducato ext.
Clearly Mercs and VW are more expensive we were thinking of a second hand sprinter or Man however Ducato vans are mega value you can buy a new a high speck l2 for £25 grand ish .
So who drives one and what are your options, please put aside the badge and give me your experience.
Thanks folks

 

[JDC]

I've had a few over the years as work vans. I had no major problems on any of them apart from wear and tear. I've had a variety of sizes but these were the bigger ones I had for work purposes. Bear in mind these big vans always have the door dent where you lean on them to close the big side door.
11 reg Transit, gave me a sore knee and haven't driven one since.
68 reg Vauxhall Movano, good van no problems in 3 yrs but had a terrible turning circle. Quite stable at speed and loads of space.
71 reg Vauxhall Movano, (facelifted) Terrible. Driving position was awkward and still poor turning circle. Appeared and felt cheap compared to previous generation. I think they based it on Fiat/Citroën vans.
21 reg Sprinter, brilliant drive and brilliant van. Had a rear brake siezed but nothing major.
My eldest lad drives a company Iveco van which no one in the company enjoys and says its a massive downgrade from his previous Sprinter.
My choice if I was spending my money would be a Sprinter.

 

[Cornish Boy]

Owned a 2016 Ducato with the 3.0l engine upgrade coupled to the 6 speed semi-auto gearbox from new, no issues bar once with a fault code throwing it into limp mode, other than that it was faultless. Bought the 3.0l upgrade as at the time it was fitted with a cam chain. Sold after 6 years and other than tyres and brake pads, flew through MOT’s with no issues.
My brother had a 2012 model, but with the 2.3l engine which at around 4 years old had the cam belt jump a tooth when starting from cold, no damage but got rid shortly after as the mechanic said he had done a few.
The latest versions have a new engine and (I think) an option of an ZF fully automatic gearbox, have no experience of them, but based on my experience I wouldn’t discount owning a Ducato again if the need for a bigger van arose.

 

[shropschris]

I've had a few over the years as work vans. I had no major problems on any of them apart from wear and tear. I've had a variety of sizes but these were the bigger ones I had for work purposes. Bear in mind these big vans always have the door dent where you lean on them to close the big side door.
11 reg Transit, gave me a sore knee and haven't driven one since.
68 reg Vauxhall Movano, good van no problems in 3 yrs but had a terrible turning circle. Quite stable at speed and loads of space.
71 reg Vauxhall Movano, (facelifted) Terrible. Driving position was awkward and still poor turning circle. Appeared and felt cheap compared to previous generation. I think they based it on Fiat/Citroën vans.
21 reg Sprinter, brilliant drive and brilliant van. Had a rear brake siezed but nothing major.
My eldest lad drives a company Iveco van which no one in the company enjoys and says its a massive downgrade from his previous Sprinter.
My choice if I was spending my money would be a Sprinter.

Ace thanks for that , your right Vauxhaull Fiat ext are pretty much the same van , I was looking at Sprinters like all big vans they have dropped in value,you can pick up a low miles 21 for 18k .
The new fiats seem incredible value.
I need to drive them I guess. Thanks for your input

 

[shropschris]

Owned a 2016 Ducato with the 3.0l engine upgrade coupled to the 6 speed semi-auto gearbox from new, no issues bar once with a fault code throwing it into limp mode, other than that it was faultless. Bought the 3.0l upgrade as at the time it was fitted with a cam chain. Sold after 6 years and other than tyres and brake pads, flew through MOT’s with no issues.
My brother had a 2012 model, but with the 2.3l engine which at around 4 years old had the cam belt jump a tooth when starting from cold, no damage but got rid shortly after as the mechanic said he had done a few.
The latest versions have a new engine and (I think) an option of an ZF fully automatic gearbox, have no experience of them, but based on my experience I wouldn’t discount owning a Ducato again if the need for a bigger van arose.

Top stuff thank you

 

[JDC]

Ace thanks for that , your right Vauxhaull Fiat ext are pretty much the same van , I was looking at Sprinters like all big vans they have dropped in value,you can pick up a low miles 21 for 18k .
The new fiats seem incredible value.
I need to drive them I guess. Thanks for your input

I just think the Sprinter is a nicer place to be and drive compared to the Fiat/Citroën/Peugeot vans. Im sure you'll notice the difference in the plastics and the dash. I think the new shape Movano didn't even DAB!! Not sure if it was because it was a poverty spec lease van but worth checking. Apple/Android on the Merc. One of the lads did rate the newer shape Crafter very highly after having it for 4 months. Good luck.