Van recommendations please

[RobertLow]

Hi everyone, I'm currently using a 2012 Renault Kangoo that has seen better days and its like a game of tetris when I'm loading and unloading the van with the lack of space. I want to upgrade to something like a 2020 Ford Transit custom, Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic, Citroen Dispatch, or a Peugeot expert. I think they're all basically the same size and not much between them, however i'm wondering if you guys can tell me from experience if you prefer one over the other if any of you happen to have tried a few of these.
Thanks all

 

[Risteard]

Hi everyone, I'm currently using a 2012 Renault Kangoo that has seen better days and its like a game of tetris when I'm loading and unloading the van with the lack of space. I want to upgrade to something like a 2020 Ford Transit custom, Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic, Citroen Dispatch, or a Peugeot expert. I think they're all basically the same size and not much between them, however i'm wondering if you guys can tell me from experience if you prefer one over the other if any of you happen to have tried a few of these.
Thanks all

Vauxhall Vivaro, Citroën Dispatch and Peugeot Expert are essentially variants of the same van (Stellantis platform). The others are not. I had an old Citroën Dispatch and have a new (2023) one now - actually Citroën ë-Dispatch. I like it. Has sliding doors on both sides.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Hi everyone, I'm currently using a 2012 Renault Kangoo that has seen better days and its like a game of tetris when I'm loading and unloading the van with the lack of space. I want to upgrade to something like a 2020 Ford Transit custom, Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic, Citroen Dispatch, or a Peugeot expert. I think they're all basically the same size and not much between them, however i'm wondering if you guys can tell me from experience if you prefer one over the other if any of you happen to have tried a few of these.
Thanks all

Just be aware that you are likely going to be paying 50% for diesel, as the mpg will bve significantly more (probably).

My renault trafic (which I loved, and hardly ever went wrong, but I did look after it) did around 27mpg (combined). My Citreon Berlingo (LWB) does 42mpg (combined).

I realise the Berlingo is quite a bit smaller than the traffic, probably very similar to your Kangoo. However, I think It is about utilising every drop of space. I had lots of excess space in the Traffic, whereas with the Berlingo, i raised the floor level and put in shelving where both side doors are. I find I have enough space, plus I save a fortune on diesel.

 

[Moley]

I've had Transits and Vivaros over the years. Currently got the new shape Transit and compared to my previous '19 plate it's crap. Build quality is much poorer. The '19 plate did 100k plus with next to no problems. It had the initial injector problem when it was new and lost a rear brake pad. Comfy ride, good controls and 30+ mpg but I do mainly motorway trips. Try and get a highish spec so that you get the hands free, DAB and the big screen with Android auto/Carplay for maps.

 

[littlespark]

Ive had 2 berlingos in the past but now use a vw transporter which I think is too big for what you’re looking for.

The berlingo was ok…. But just like the sister van, the nearly identical Peugeot partner, the cup holders were useless. (Circled)

 

[Moley]

One of our guys used to have one of them. I did wonder about those. No use for cups and just as useless for storing odd and ends in.

 

[mickegh]

I've had Transits and Vivaros over the years. Currently got the new shape Transit and compared to my previous '19 plate it's crap. Build quality is much poorer. The '19 plate did 100k plus with next to no problems. It had the initial injector problem when it was new and lost a rear brake pad. Comfy ride, good controls and 30+ mpg but I do mainly motorway trips. Try and get a highish spec so that you get the hands free, DAB and the big screen with Android auto/Carplay for maps.

Those big screens are a problem supposedly

Taking attention away from the road

 

[Moley]

The current Transit is a pain with the screen as all the controls have been transfered to the screen and you have to stare at the screen to work out where things are. The previous was much better as you still had manual controls for the heater, stop/start disable etc.

 

[westward10]

The reason I didn't buy a new Focus ST there seems to be a fad of moving nearly every control to the touchscreen. Manual controls you can normally use without particularly looking but everything thing on a screen is an accident waiting to happen.

 

[DPG]

The reason I didn't buy a new Focus ST there seems to be a fad of moving nearly every control to the touchscreen. Manual controls you can normally use without particularly looking but everything thing on a screen is an accident waiting to happen.

I'm surprised, especially in this day and age, that there aren't requirements for certain controls to be easily reachable physical ones. Even the budget Dacia Stepway I've just bought has physical controls for the heating - no need to use the touch screen.

 

[mickegh]

I'm surprised, especially in this day and age, that there aren't requirements for certain controls to be easily reachable physical ones. Even the budget Dacia Stepway I've just bought has physical controls for the heating - no need to use the touch screen.

Well generally speaking you can depend on manufacturers to make stuff and business to sell stuff

Regulation can happen afterwards

 

[RobertLow]

Vauxhall Vivaro, Citroën Dispatch and Peugeot Expert are essentially variants of the same van (Stellantis platform). The others are not. I had an old Citroën Dispatch and have a new (2023) one now - actually Citroën ë-Dispatch. I like it. Has sliding doors on both sides.

Ah ok, i thought they looked almost identical right enough so that explains it!

 

[RobertLow]

Just be aware that you are likely going to be paying 50% for diesel, as the mpg will bve significantly more (probably).

My renault trafic (which I loved, and hardly ever went wrong, but I did look after it) did around 27mpg (combined). My Citreon Berlingo (LWB) does 42mpg (combined).

I realise the Berlingo is quite a bit smaller than the traffic, probably very similar to your Kangoo. However, I think It is about utilising every drop of space. I had lots of excess space in the Traffic, whereas with the Berlingo, i raised the floor level and put in shelving where both side doors are. I find I have enough space, plus I save a fortune on diesel.

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Thanks for the info, and the pictures bud. Nice set up you have there. definitely thinking of doing something similar with raised floor and shelving myself

 

[RobertLow]

I've had Transits and Vivaros over the years. Currently got the new shape Transit and compared to my previous '19 plate it's crap. Build quality is much poorer. The '19 plate did 100k plus with next to no problems. It had the initial injector problem when it was new and lost a rear brake pad. Comfy ride, good controls and 30+ mpg but I do mainly motorway trips. Try and get a highish spec so that you get the hands free, DAB and the big screen with Android auto/Carplay for maps.

Cool, i'd like to get one with some of the decent extras you mentioned for sure. Sorry to hear your new van isn't very good! I think the newer vehicles are all getting like that - too much computer involvement. Not sure i like the idea of in built 5G modem in the new transit potentially cooking my brain either (if you believe 5G is bad!)

 

[mickegh]

Well generally speaking you can depend on manufacturers to make stuff and business to sell stuff

Regulation can happen afterwards

Oops that may have seemed smart alecy. I meant to say in my opinion manufacturers can get it wrong and regulation catches up.

 

[sparksfly]

Just be aware that you are likely going to be paying 50% for diesel, as the mpg will bve significantly more (probably).

My renault trafic (which I loved, and hardly ever went wrong, but I did look after it) did around 27mpg (combined). My Citreon Berlingo (LWB) does 42mpg (combined).

I realise the Berlingo is quite a bit smaller than the traffic, probably very similar to your Kangoo. However, I think It is about utilising every drop of space. I had lots of excess space in the Traffic, whereas with the Berlingo, i raised the floor level and put in shelving where both side doors are. I find I have enough space, plus I save a fortune on diesel.

You have kitted that van out well indeed, fabulous.
When I had a VW caddy I cut down some plastic garage shelving until I could work out the best configuration.

VW Caddy - great to drive.
T5 more volume both reliable.

 

[audiongraeme]

The one thing everyone seems to be forgetting here is the engine on the new vans.. I had a transit mk7 minibus which i had fitted out and even had a fold down bed in the back for when i was working away. It had a chain driven cambelt.. Ok I had some issues with a dual mass flywheel and made the mistake of having it converted to a single mass, but that pales into insignificance when I compare that to a 2015 transit custom minibus I bought to replace it.. Had it only 1 year and found out it has a wet cambelt when after a short while it started giving oil warnings.. I replaced the oil and filter and it was fine for a month or so, then on a long run, it finally failed, cambelt disintegrated and passed bits of rubber around the engine, blocking the oil flow and seized the engine..
£6000 and 2 months later the van was back on the road.. Now 14months on and 10,000 miles its done it again with the replacement engine.. I now need another new engine.

So the moral here seems to be do not get a van with a wetbelt cambelt..