Looking to Buy a V-Class - Any Advice?

[ribby]

The Kids getting bigger (12 yr old is 5' 5") - Need something to replace a Volvo 850 with seats in the boot...

too many of the MPV's don't have full size seats allround...

Please can you post me any advice on:-
- What to look for?
- What to avoid?
- Problem areas?
- ...

Am thinking of a late 90's Petrol one (maybe convert to lpg) )would love the 320CDI, but they never 'ported' it)

Thanks in anticipation
Peter

 

[Blobcat]

Air suspension can be somewhat troublesome. Conversion to the Vito springs is the standard fix. Pls have a search as it has come up quite a few times.

 

[type49]

As above, rear suspension is unreliable. Front suspension knocks, drives like a van because it is a van, just with windows, seats + rubbish rear suspension. We don't sell many due to the salesmen getting grief afterwards. Still want one??????????

 

[ribby]

Hmmm - You are really selling me on these...

Hmmmmm

BUT - they have 7 full size seats, a boot.
Alternatives all seem worse
- Grand Voyager - unreliable
- Galaxy/Sharan - no boot...
- 'Grand' Espace - Even the 2nd row of seats are only suitable for small children

I will have a good check on the suspension, and budget for replacing with springs (and LPG?) ... MAY be going to look at another later - the ones I have seen at the mo were VERY untidy inside...

Many Thanks
Peter

 

[ribby]

oh dear - seller was a liar

Let me tell you a sad story...

We went to look at the V280 today... I will NOT be buying it...

Stated it had a 'fmbsh' - but...
- shown as serviced at 77,xxx, 86,xxx, 23,xxx, 41,xxx
This is with a 9000 serice interval...
- 44,xxx on the clock
- has anyone heard of an 'internal number' being put in the odeometer section on the service history - this was the story.

the whole story of why selling etc did not ring true - "Bought it 18 months ago, done 3,000 miles, and now buying a new one"

They bought it 15 months ago according to the V5, why buy a new one when you only did 3,000 in '18 months' - also included a £500 bike rack - why, if buying another van the same...


It really does ring true that "People Buy from People" - I will not be buying from this man :-(

What it did show is that there are V2x0's with tidy interiors...

Cheers
Peter

 

[ribby]

Let me tell you a sad story...

We went to look at the V280 today... I will NOT be buying it...

Stated it had a 'fmbsh' - but...
- shown as serviced at 77,xxx, 86,xxx, 23,xxx, 41,xxx
This is with a 9000 serice interval...
- 44,xxx on the clock
- has anyone heard of an 'internal number' being put in the odeometer section on the service history - this was the story.

the whole story of why selling etc did not ring true - "Bought it 18 months ago, done 3,000 miles, and now buying a new one"

They bought it 15 months ago according to the V5, why buy a new one when you only did 3,000 in '18 months' - also included a £500 bike rack - why, if buying another van the same...


It really does ring true that "People Buy from People" - I will not be buying from this man :-(

What it did show is that there are V2x0's with tidy interiors...

Cheers
Peter

 

[ribby]

Gave UP!

Bought a 'mint' 94 Astro Day Van - as a fresh import from Japan.

No Rust, 26,000 Miles, 4.3 V6 4x4 - 2 layers of carpets, 4x captains seats.... and even came with a Kitchen Sink!

One slight issue - may need to invest in LPG Conversion

 

[Hibbo]

Gave UP!

Bought a 'mint' 94 Astro Day Van - as a fresh import from Japan.

No Rust, 26,000 Miles, 4.3 V6 4x4 - 2 layers of carpets, 4x captains seats.... and even came with a Kitchen Sink!

One slight issue - may need to invest in LPG Conversion

I've no idea what you're talking about! Sounds interesting though, how about some pictures?

 

[Blobcat]

I've no idea what you're talking about! Sounds interesting though, how about some pictures?

Try this one for size http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ASTRO-SAFARI-...7QQihZ015QQcategoryZ18301QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[ribby]

I've no idea what you're talking about! Sounds interesting though, how about some pictures?

Here's mine -