Hi, this is a bit of a long one, sorry it's my OCD, but I'd really appreciate any thoughts/opinions re my cry for help!
Background
I currently have a large estate car, it has served me very well over the years, however, I'm fast running out of space and so now looking for a van to replace it for carry my growing range of surf/kite/ foil boards and associated kit around. Also, for mountain bikes trips and regular runs to the local tip. I intend to fit racking for my boards, also some form of storage for various other bits of kit.
I do around 5k miles p.a., majority are short local journeys with maybe an occasional longer trip away - 1 or 2 times max p.a. It's doubtful I'll ever need to carry more than one passenger, but having the option is always useful - realistically it's just a nice to have as my wife's car could be used on such occasions.
I'll carry out the work on my van myself - I'm a retired engineer with time on my hands and capable most things electrical/mechanical + I can call on mates who have experience of doing van conversions if needed.
My requirements
Open Questions
1) I've seen a lot more panel vans available with 102bhp/110 bhp than 150bhp, also more with barn doors. While I've read the lower powered models can be reliably improved by being chipped, nevertheless I hear the 150bhp is far better to drive, including because it's 6 speed. I can't verify this for myself as its difficult to arrange a meaningful test drive. So my question is, I'm I missing out by discounting the 102/110 models in favour of ones with 150bhp?
2) Passenger seating,
4) Concerning barn doors/tailgate; given there are far more barn door models available, how easy would it be to convert one to a tailgate? I've seen videos showing this but has anyone here had any experience of doing this? How easy and practical is it to do? Also, where's the best place to get all the necessary parts?
5) If my budget gives access to a T6.1, is it a significant improvement over the T6? I admit to preferring the interior layout and look of the T6, I'm also not a fan of the trend for large displays and controls via them, but there again I've heard the T6.1 is a big improvement - notwithstanding complaints about lack of driver footrests
6) There's a wide range of prices seen, old and new, on different sites (Autotrader, AA, FB, eBay etc.) so it's quite difficult to benchmark prices vs spec. As I see it the options I have for my requirements and budget are,
Decisions, decisions......
In conclusion
I can see the advantages of buying a Kombi - it may already meet a large part of what I want in its standard spec., but equally a panel van is a blank canvas and so might be easier to modify to meet my exact needs - this also sounds attractive.
Out of interest my surfing mates have a mix of Kombis and panel vans. The ones with Kombis often have their seat(s) permanently removed for more space, they are only put in for family use. The ones with panel vans are often also used for work and a hell of a mess, others have fitted bespoke DIY shelving/storage and look great.
I can't make my mind up which is best....perhaps my OCD is running away with me, but as I don't chop and change my vehicles often - I've had my Honda for 13 years - I want to get it right before I make the change.
Any help/thoughts from you learned people would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Simon
Background
I currently have a large estate car, it has served me very well over the years, however, I'm fast running out of space and so now looking for a van to replace it for carry my growing range of surf/kite/ foil boards and associated kit around. Also, for mountain bikes trips and regular runs to the local tip. I intend to fit racking for my boards, also some form of storage for various other bits of kit.
I do around 5k miles p.a., majority are short local journeys with maybe an occasional longer trip away - 1 or 2 times max p.a. It's doubtful I'll ever need to carry more than one passenger, but having the option is always useful - realistically it's just a nice to have as my wife's car could be used on such occasions.
I'll carry out the work on my van myself - I'm a retired engineer with time on my hands and capable most things electrical/mechanical + I can call on mates who have experience of doing van conversions if needed.
- T6 or T6.1 Highline, 150bhp (I don't want/need higher), SWB
- Automatic would be nice as long as economy and reliability are not an issue, but happy to have a manual
- Tailgate is a must
- Rear windows wanted, incl. in tailgate
- Additional items to be considered if not suitable or in van when bought; durable waterproof/resistant flooring, decent heat/sound proofing + carpet lined, swivel passenger seat, internal lighting, racking/storage for boards and other kit - I'm thinking a bench seat fitted on one side with storage underneath would be useful + a small removable or folding table. A leisure battery capable of running a small fridge & lighting would be useful as well.
- As I see it the main pros for a Kombi as maybe already meeting a lot my above requirements as standard, but the rear seats would need to come out and I'd need to arrange storage somewhere (or sell them). The con for the Kombi is price and availability.
- The pros for a panel van are mainly lower cost and more availability, although importantly, 150bhp and tailgate are not as available as 102/110 and/or barn doors models. The cons are the extra work & investment needed to meet my requirements, i.e., fitting windows, and others possibly already included as standard in the Kombi, i.e. interior trim, sound proofing, lining & flooring - I'm not sure but I may need to do some of this in a Kombi anyway, in which case it's less of an issue going with a panel van.
Open Questions
1) I've seen a lot more panel vans available with 102bhp/110 bhp than 150bhp, also more with barn doors. While I've read the lower powered models can be reliably improved by being chipped, nevertheless I hear the 150bhp is far better to drive, including because it's 6 speed. I can't verify this for myself as its difficult to arrange a meaningful test drive. So my question is, I'm I missing out by discounting the 102/110 models in favour of ones with 150bhp?
2) Passenger seating,
- In the rear of a Kombi I've seen it where 2 of 3 the seats are left fitted, but is it possible to have it with just one seat fitted and mounted on the right behind the driver instead? If so, can this be made easily removable?
- I've read the front bench seat is very uncomfortable (and very cramped seating 2), especially on long journeys - are they really that bad?
4) Concerning barn doors/tailgate; given there are far more barn door models available, how easy would it be to convert one to a tailgate? I've seen videos showing this but has anyone here had any experience of doing this? How easy and practical is it to do? Also, where's the best place to get all the necessary parts?
5) If my budget gives access to a T6.1, is it a significant improvement over the T6? I admit to preferring the interior layout and look of the T6, I'm also not a fan of the trend for large displays and controls via them, but there again I've heard the T6.1 is a big improvement - notwithstanding complaints about lack of driver footrests
6) There's a wide range of prices seen, old and new, on different sites (Autotrader, AA, FB, eBay etc.) so it's quite difficult to benchmark prices vs spec. As I see it the options I have for my requirements and budget are,
- I could buy a late T6, possibly an early T6.1, but it would likely be a lower spec., so needing extra money / work done on it to meet my requirements. Also, any van here would very likely have a very high mileage (100k+), so I'd need to consider its impact on running costs/reliability etc.
- Or for the same money I could buy an older T6 with low mileage and high spec., therefore not needing as much work done to it or additional outlay.
- Lastly, reconsider my preference for 150bhp and look at 102/110 models - these are far more common, and I'd be able to get a newer model with relatively low mileage and one with a high spec.
Decisions, decisions......
In conclusion
I can see the advantages of buying a Kombi - it may already meet a large part of what I want in its standard spec., but equally a panel van is a blank canvas and so might be easier to modify to meet my exact needs - this also sounds attractive.
Out of interest my surfing mates have a mix of Kombis and panel vans. The ones with Kombis often have their seat(s) permanently removed for more space, they are only put in for family use. The ones with panel vans are often also used for work and a hell of a mess, others have fitted bespoke DIY shelving/storage and look great.
I can't make my mind up which is best....perhaps my OCD is running away with me, but as I don't chop and change my vehicles often - I've had my Honda for 13 years - I want to get it right before I make the change.
Any help/thoughts from you learned people would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Simon