Need a SWB - help deciding on what van to get.

[jaycey001]

Hi all

I currently have a 1989 transit motorhome with the 2.5Di which I drive across Europe in a few times a year, its been really reliable and despite some issues it has always got us all home. I am now selling my 90tdi defender to get a swb van so I can transport mine and the kids bike easily but I am really not sure if I buy a newer transit, find a half decent mk 3/4/5 or go for something completely different such as a Hiace.

With occasional trips across Europe with the whole family on board reliability is the most important factor to me with ease of repair being second.
There is a low mileage mk 4 transit near me which is in very good condition but the price is 4k, I could get a mk 6 for that and have a little more refinement on the long drives and
Ideally I would like to spend 3k Max on the van.

So, what engine would you guys go for, how reliable is the tdci or would I be better finding a TD engine or even another Banana?

Many Thanks
James

[Punto443]

Do not buy a mk6 tdci

They are fwd 125 and rwd 135, they have a terrible reputation for reliability!
Unless you know the motor and know it’s been meticulously maintained.

If a mk6 stick to tddi.
If fwd, which is most common on a swb, I’d go for a 100ps van

Rwd mk6 is also 4”less height in the rear as the floor is raised.

[bambi mk 1]

Are you going to fit seats in the back A lwb may be a better option I happen to know where there is a real nice clean one for less than you are intending to spend Its a mk 6

[ned]

I wouldn't spend 3k on a mk6, the youngest being 13 years old now, 3k would buy you a reasonable mk7, probably

[bambi mk 1]

I wouldn't spend 3k on a mk6, the youngest being 13 years old now, 3k would buy you a reasonable mk7, probably

Mk 7's are like wives Ned ,temperamental yes ,reasonable no

[andz327]

A banana is reliable and straight forwad to sort but bit noisy ,slow, and p!sh on fuel economy

Mk6 100ps tddi swb is reliable, sort of straightforward, better power available, much better fuel economy , and you can get swb with medium roof gives you more room without effecting fuel economy had a mwb medium roof mk6 100ps, it drove great and as long as drove at 60mph i could get 600+miles on a tank of fuel with over 340,000miles on the clock

Mk7 2.2 tdci , more refined than mk6, much quieter smoother drive, better fuel economy 700mls per tank , more extras can be added like cruise control, but if it's not been looked after can cost quite a bit of money on repairs but apart from needing computer to diagnose probs they're ok to work on

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