[Kev Martin]

As title really!  I have been looking at this and wondered if anyone has one and cares to share their thoughts / views?

Kev

[Mike Halliday]

I'm on my 3rd all 3 were bought from new and the first 2 changed as the 3yr warrantee ran out. the one I drive now is 6yrs old. I kept it due to the wrap I have on it, I didn't want to fork out for it again.

I would buy another one. The first 2 were extra long wheel high roof now I have a medium wheel base.

Over all they have been great never failed to start but you would expect that from the age of the vans. But they suffer from stupid electrical problems. The warning light on the dash have a life of there own  eg: the doors open but it isn't, the break pads are worn but they are new, there is a buld needs replacing but they are all perfect.  Every week a different light comes on.....then goes off,  The garage told me the wiring loom was faulty.

I cannot fault the engine, I would trust my van on any journey . The last 3 mots the van has only needed tires and a broken light cluster changing.

This opinion is based on a 6 yr old van the new ones might be better or worse

[Jonathan Evans]

I have an old one, I can see what Mike is saying and recognise those issues. Mine has reached the end of its road and had a hard life.
Bit like me the body is failing and the underneath needs too much attention now.
But the Engine is sound and never had a problem. Better go find some wood to touch lol.
Parts whilst more expensive than Ford's have never been hard to get. Mine is the MWB version and is cavernous I have my TM plus porty and Rotary and huge reel inside. Would recommend them.

[MarkSutcliffe]

Ive had an xlwb, the 4 meter back load one..

Loved it,

Fiat van basically, but built like a truck.. not the comfiest but easy to fix and decent load space,  mine was the old 2.3, i'd have another tomorrow !!

[Kev Martin]

I'm on my 3rd all 3 were bought from new and the first 2 changed as the 3yr warrantee ran out. the one I drive now is 6yrs old. I kept it due to the wrap I have on it, I didn't want to fork out for it again.

I would buy another one. The first 2 were extra long wheel high roof now I have a medium wheel base.

Over all they have been great never failed to start but you would expect that from the age of the vans. But they suffer from stupid electrical problems. The warning light on the dash have a life of there own  eg: the doors open but it isn't, the break pads are worn but they are new, there is a buld needs replacing but they are all perfect.  Every week a different light comes on.....then goes off,  The garage told me the wiring loom was faulty.

I cannot fault the engine, I would trust my van on any journey . The last 3 mots the van has only needed tires and a broken light cluster changing.

This opinion is based on a 6 yr old van the new ones might be better or worse

Mike

What are they like on Fuel economy?  I am looking at the MWB 8 Speed Auto.

Kev

[Mike Halliday]

Can't quote any actually figures but I would class them as good, the first 2 were the almost the biggest vans available but I never thought to myself that they were bad on fuel.

One thing I did think on the third was I  wish I had got the same as last time,  the extra long wheel base. going down to a MWB although slightly better for getting onto people's drives but I missed the extra room.

I also have a tow bar fitted and tow the maximum wieght allowed and it drives like the trailers not there, a really strong  engine.

[Kev Martin]

Can't quote any actually figures but I would class them as good, the first 2 were the almost the biggest vans available but I never thought to myself that they were bad on fuel.

One thing I did think on the third was I  wish I had got the same as last time,  the extra long wheel base. going down to a MWB although slightly better for getting onto people's drives but I missed the extra room.

I also have a tow bar fitted and tow the maximum wieght allowed and it drives like the trailers not there, a really strong  engine.

Mike

This is the main reason I am looking at it.  They have the best towing capacity of any van.   I need to move bigger floor machines around so, I looked at all angles and decided that any van I bought with a view to loading the machine on, the weight limit would be exceeded, so I went down the trailer route.  My current van has excellent towing capability in fact closest to the Daily but now I  could do with a larger van as well.

Kev

[jasonl]

I have had a couple, They are more like a truck downgraded to a van as opposed to most vans these days being a car upgraded to a van.

This means there is a paradox of them being tough and robust, yet are not as refined to drive.

[Kev Martin]

Interesting comments.  They are certainly expensive but everyone seems to like them

[Mike Halliday]

I really believe  when  My van gets scrapped it will have still a great engine, the body  will be rotten and the electrics will have a mind of their own but the engine will still be going  strong.

I think these are a perfect van for someone who is going to do 50k miles a year and will change it after 4 yrs, mine was perfect for 4 years then all the little niggles started to appear.  The engine will give you a reliable 200k but the rest of the van will give problems

[Kev Martin]

This is what I like about this forum.  Real people with genuine real advice based on experience.

Thank you all

Kevin