Merc or Transit,which is the better van?

[baconsdozen]

I drive a Merc 307D as well as my Mk1 transit camper I love them both but to me there's a subtle difference,the Merc always gives the impression that wherever I'm going it will get me there,slowly true,noisily maybe and if its hot will it ensure I arrive complete with a faint diesel odour replacing my aftershave,but it will get me there.The transit even though its never actually broken down just doesn't inspire the same confidence.It's a bit quicker,thirstier and more comfortable and people even wave to me,but there's always this little niggling doubt that I'll actually arrive under my own steam without at least giving the tool box another public airing.The spares situation for both is dire,rocking horse poo and Shergar are seen more often than new bits for either and both seem to be determined to dissolve into piles of iron oxide despite the application of mig wire,waxoyl and old engine oil in equal measures.Despite all that and despite the fact I should logically get rid of one,or more sensibly both in favour of a souless,plastic and antiseptic euro box on wheels, I keep both,paying two lots of tax and insurance etc so keeping a call centre in India and a MP or two in the manner to which my taxes have made them accustomed.But to return to my original question Merc or Tranny which is the better van?.

[FredTransit]

BD, Doh! If you read the title of this forum, you know you are going to get a biased answer! Clue - it's not called the Mercedes Forum. So my obvious answer is Transits are better!!!

[madmark]

imo the better van to drive is the transit as such! but as you say parts are getting harder to get and normaly poeple take the mick on the price!

[Luke]

Mate i will give an honest unbiased opinion!

Hmmm....................let me think ....................Bin the Merc keep the Transit

[simgy]

ive had one of those mercs and must agree with what u say. very slow very noisy but must be the most reliable thing ever made. they are unstoppable unfortunately a true dog of a van to drive\look at so its gotta be the transit for me

[MrMPuk]

One thing with the Mercs is if you do more than 2 miles a week in the thing you'll be doing the anti-roll bar bushes for every MOT, trouble with the speed thing is that they are so low geared there is no point even using 1st gear 90% of the time!

[madmark]

yes mike you are write on that ,can remeber driveing them along wile ago,we had a 4 speed one and that was better than the 5 speed! we used to go allover the place in the merks ,but they dont stand upto hitting a dear at 80mph very well infact if i had of had my foot were it should of been off the clutch pedal and down the side of the engine cowling, i probly wouldnt of had a ankle so rideing the clutch pedal that day done me a big flavour!

[john leeman]

ALTHOUGH THE MERC IS A VERY GOOD TRUCK.IT WILL IN MY EYE'S NEVER BEAT A TRANNY, 35 YEARS OF BEING INVOLVED WITH THEM, AS A BUSINESS,THEY ARE THE BEST THERE IS. LOOK AFTER THEM AND THEY WILL LOOK AFTER YOU. J LEEMAN

[mk2panelvan]

I think the Merc is a lovely van but I can remember pulling up after 5 miles because my leg was killing me! it wa the same all the weekend whenever i drove it......never had this problem with the Transit!

[midniteclassix]

sell the merc buy a newer tranny keep it a tranny thing

[baconsdozen]

Buy a newer tranny? No thanks,I'd rather drive something made of more metal than plastic.As for the Merc we've been together so long I'd hate to part with it,trouble is you know they say owners start to look like their dogs? Well I think the same things happening with me and the Merc.........