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Post by tomsk on Apr 5, 2017 18:14:45 GMT
I am looking to buy a tidyish second hand van for a fledgling business venture.
Must be drivable on a car licence, the larger the better in terms of load area, the lower the loading floor the better in terms of practicality.
Budget 10K tops.
Thoughts?
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 5, 2017 18:28:11 GMT
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Post by Saltysplash on Apr 5, 2017 18:28:43 GMT
Theres plenty to choose from but when I was looking into possible Courier work the favourites appear to be long wheel base Merc Sprinters or LWB Transits. Both have wide opening doors to allow for wider loads to be loaded direct rather than being split.
Some also praise the Luton Style Van of whatever make but made the point that a tail lift is essential.
There are different thoughts on the vans as the Sprinter has good reliability but quite high service costs whereas the Ford is cheaper on service etc.
My choice wouldve been a Ford.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2017 18:40:46 GMT
Did you buy the 320cdi in the end? If so it would seem appropriate to buy another merc
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2017 18:42:31 GMT
And any clues about the business venture? Do realise that it may be top secret but uou could always give some Cluedo type information to make it more interesting
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Post by tonyqj on Apr 5, 2017 19:00:17 GMT
That one for ยฃ6k in that thread looks a good buy.
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Post by thebfg on Apr 5, 2017 19:12:15 GMT
What's this cross forum posting?
The mods will be along in a min.
6k for a decent sprinter seems a good buy they are very good vans.
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Post by peterboat on Apr 5, 2017 19:14:04 GMT
They do rust those sprinters though and chatting to some of the delivery lads gearboxes and back axles arnt bullet proof. I drive a merc convertible CLK 230K which is on LPG, nice car but its not that much better than the VW beetle convertible we are just getting rid of. I like the newish transits myself but knowing that diesel is now done for would be loath to buy anything with a diesel engine in it, which until the makers swing into gear producing other power sources is going to make life difficult
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 5, 2017 19:14:11 GMT
That one for ยฃ6k in that thread looks a good buy. Yes, "average mileage" for a 62 plate van will probably be around 350,000 though and it will be getting tired... when I sold my truck it had 950,000 km on the clock and although the engine and driveline were good, everything else was falling apart. I suppose a tired van would be ok on local work but I'd still factor in large maintenance bills.
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Post by tomsk on Apr 5, 2017 19:52:44 GMT
Sprinter or Tranny were my initial thoughts, I'm a bit concerned re; Parts/labour costs with the Merc though. My trusted spanner twirler would doubtless prefer the Tranny, which probably tells me all I need to know. Re: The C320, I thought I had posted but obvs not. Took it out for a spin, lovely drive, immaculate inside and out save for a few inevitable stone chips on the bonnet a weird spot on the rear seat (glue?). Huge wedge of mainly MB service history. Quite fast enough for me whilst nicely reserved in aspect. BUT Seemed to hang onto ratios ever so slightly, and whilst the 40,000 gearbox service had been done there was no evidence of any further service work gearbox-wise. I did a little research and opinion is split on whether further servicing is required (?), also there seems to be two trains of thought regarding the complexity of the gearbox service with the anorak owners insisting it is a two day main dealer only operation and the more gung-ho maintaining it is a bit fiddly but no more. Then all this diesel business blew up and I demurred. Also it was too small and she would have killed me. Still looking for something similar though Estate shaped if anyone has any bright ideas. I'm loath to get a newer Galaxy by default, help me here.
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Post by tomsk on Apr 5, 2017 19:59:49 GMT
And any clues about the business venture? Do realise that it may be top secret but uou could always give some Cluedo type information to make it more interesting No real secret, Property Management/Landlord Services.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2017 20:16:11 GMT
Sprinter or Tranny were my initial thoughts, I'm a bit concerned re; Parts/labour costs with the Merc though. My trusted spanner twirler would doubtless prefer the Tranny, which probably tells me all I need to know. Re: The C320, I thought I had posted but obvs not. Took it out for a spin, lovely drive, immaculate inside and out save for a few inevitable stone chips on the bonnet a weird spot on the rear seat (glue?). Huge wedge of mainly MB service history. Quite fast enough for me whilst nicely reserved in aspect. BUT Seemed to hang onto ratios ever so slightly, and whilst the 40,000 gearbox service had been done there was no evidence of any further service work gearbox-wise. I did a little research and opinion is split on whether further servicing is required (?), also there seems to be two trains of thought regarding the complexity of the gearbox service with the anorak owners insisting it is a two day main dealer only operation and the more gung-ho maintaining it is a bit fiddly but no more. Then all this diesel business blew up and I demurred. Also it was too small and she would have killed me. Still looking for something similar though Estate shaped if anyone has any bright ideas. I'm loath to get a newer Galaxy by default, help me here. Volvo V70R. Not a drop of Satan's fuel to be seen ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ
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Post by Mr Stabby on Apr 5, 2017 20:19:22 GMT
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Post by tomsk on Apr 5, 2017 22:01:10 GMT
Sprinter or Tranny were my initial thoughts, I'm a bit concerned re; Parts/labour costs with the Merc though. My trusted spanner twirler would doubtless prefer the Tranny, which probably tells me all I need to know. Re: The C320, I thought I had posted but obvs not. Took it out for a spin, lovely drive, immaculate inside and out save for a few inevitable stone chips on the bonnet a weird spot on the rear seat (glue?). Huge wedge of mainly MB service history. Quite fast enough for me whilst nicely reserved in aspect. BUT Seemed to hang onto ratios ever so slightly, and whilst the 40,000 gearbox service had been done there was no evidence of any further service work gearbox-wise. I did a little research and opinion is split on whether further servicing is required (?), also there seems to be two trains of thought regarding the complexity of the gearbox service with the anorak owners insisting it is a two day main dealer only operation and the more gung-ho maintaining it is a bit fiddly but no more. Then all this diesel business blew up and I demurred. Also it was too small and she would have killed me. Still looking for something similar though Estate shaped if anyone has any bright ideas. I'm loath to get a newer Galaxy by default, help me here. Volvo V70R. Not a drop of Satan's fuel to be seen ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ Fine suggestion.
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Post by tomsk on Apr 5, 2017 22:25:33 GMT
I certainly wouldn't be entering the BTL market now, but my potential client base is well established, diverse and in desperate need of sensible and straightforward Void management for starters. I was discussing turnaround times with a Client/mate recently and worked out if he halved the average void period over just one of his portfolios he could buy another terraced property a year. That caught his attention.
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