Smiley vs New Shape?

[duncan]

Hi, am looking for some advice.
I'm after a new Transit minibus, it was going to be a Tourneo (because of the luxury factor inside) but now i'm also considering transit minibus' up to 12-15 seaters.
I've got about £3000-£3500 to spend but i'm torn as to what represents the best value. Smiley or new shape?
I'm told that the smiley engines are very cheap if they need repairing but they all seem to have a horrible habit of needing vast amounts of welding done all the time and then i'm told the new shape Transits cost a fortune if the engine plays up.
What do you guys think is the better option to buy?
Also, are these RAC/Dekra van inspections worth paying for on vans? Do they check the engines over properly? I know they check underneath for corrosion but did'nt know anyone thats had one done to see if they represent good value for money for a couple of hundred quid.
Many thanks, Duncan.

[BigMonty]

I run a smiley because I like the shape and they are cheap to repair. Saying that I only do between 3-5 k a year in it. If I was doing any more miles I would go for a newer shape van, they do tend to be a bit more comfortable , quicker and more economical. The thought of a newer van breaking down would scare me somewhat.

[oldyellar]

Hi, am looking for some advice.
I'm after a new Transit minibus, it was going to be a Tourneo (because of the luxury factor inside) but now i'm also considering transit minibus' up to 12-15 seaters.
I've got about £3000-£3500 to spend but i'm torn as to what represents the best value. Smiley or new shape?
I'm told that the smiley engines are very cheap if they need repairing but they all seem to have a horrible habit of needing vast amounts of welding done all the time and then i'm told the new shape Transits cost a fortune if the engine plays up.
What do you guys think is the better option to buy?
Also, are these RAC/Dekra van inspections worth paying for on vans? Do they check the engines over properly? I know they check underneath for corrosion but did'nt know anyone thats had one done to see if they represent good value for money for a couple of hundred quid.
Many thanks, Duncan.

get a mk6 tddi not a tdci one

[mr mince]

Smiley can often be fixed with a hammer, a screwdiver and some sticky tape but water soluble.

Newer ones I've no real experience of but a lot less rust (mostly because of age I imagine) and in general commonrail engines are not as user friendly when they break.

If you're planning on going into the LEZ regularly then the answer is simple as the smiley isn't LEZ compliant.

[Altransit]

If you're planning on going into the LEZ regularly then the answer is simple as the smiley isn't LEZ compliant.

But the good news is that the 8 seater Tourneo smiley is compliant
Some folks have successfully re-registered de-seated minibuses as 8 seaters and these are now compliant; I'm about to try this with my bus

[darkbluevanman]

I run a smiley because I like the shape and they are cheap to repair. Saying that I only do between 3-5 k a year in it. If I was doing any more miles I would go for a newer shape van, they do tend to be a bit more comfortable , quicker and more economical. The thought of a newer van breaking down would scare me somewhat.

I do less than that in my smiley, it does irritate the tit's off me with it's gutless power, crap fuel economy and noise, but it doesn't fail to start and I guess it's fairly easy to fix.... anyhow, I once stopped to help some diddys in a mk6, with the parting thanks I got the thumbs up that the smiley was the best transit ever.... took it with a pinch of salt as most of them old gypo's dress like farmer giles...

[blue estate]

A smiley and mk6 have one thing in common , they both rust a goodun