Advice on a possible van please

[Firkin]

Hi Funsters

I wonder if those brainier than me might have a look at this van I'm interested in. Any advice, opinions, questions to ask the seller much appreciado!!

It's a Peugeot Boxer, 2016 Euro 6, 2.2, 160K miles. Ex 7 seater patient transport ambo - serviced 6 monthly with a FSH. Current owner is the 2nd (1st was ambo service) and he's had it for a year to convert and sell. Ambo service have uprated it to 4005kg. It's not been weighed since conversion. He's sent me a recent receipt of a new EGR valve and the DPF clean as it was blocked. Kind of puts me off a bit as I've had a DPF on a car go and I think it ruined the whole engine - but also wonder if someone had fiddled the computer to not recognise the DPF as it failed catastrophically on M25 with no warning lights.

I've had a little video tour and I really like what he's done with it. No EHU though, but has large solar panel. I don't know much about electrics, but a quick google seemed to suggest he's got a juicy enough set up to power the fridge and lights. No shower but could possibly add one if I want to in the future. Small water containers under the kitchen, so I'd want to eventually put a larger water tank in the garage area and maybe a grey water tank under it. I could maybe add the EHU if I felt I needed it.

It has aircon in the rear as well as cab. I assume this is on the original ambo circuit - so I wonder if it has a timer relay thingy that switches it off after 2 hours. Don't know.

He's on holiday at the mo, but I'm hoping to go up there on Sat to have a look. I will pay Carexamer to do the premium pre-purchase inspection. Unsure whether I go see it in the morning and then get the mechanic to look over it that day and maybe drive it home if all goes well, to save 2 trips from Brighton to Birmingham. Or maybe I should get the mechanic to look friday and then go up Saturday if there's no major issues. Its already at the total top of my max budget.

Looking forward to your wise replies, and your not so wise ones

Cheers

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16738102...pid=5339023013&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[Firkin]

PS - I know it says the sale has ended. He's away and we've been talking about me going up there at the weekend.

 

[Dutch 68]

If the quality of the joinery is an indication of the rest of the conversion ( which it usually is) then I would leave it well alone, there are way better DIY conversions out there

 

[Brains]

160k miles is high.
There are many 20+ year old motorhomes out there with less than half the milage.

Also the transverse bed.
I dont know how tall you and your partner are, but I suspect much over 5'6" you will be touching the walls on both sides.
Most PVC's with transverse beds have special replacement window panels that are proud of the body for exactly that reason.

 

[Firkin]

If the quality of the joinery is an indication of the rest of the conversion ( which it usually is) then I would leave it well alone, there are way better DIY conversions out there

Thanks for replying! Are you saying you think he's done a crap job? Is the joinery that bad from the pics?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Guessing its gone? Ebay show listing ended....Might be a good thing for you?

Kev

 

[oldiesontour]

Not worth the asking price in my view,and why would any spend money converting a van of that age and mileage it's more a day van it's finish is poor the van will be a bottomless money pit it is coming to the end of its design life and in my opinion it looks hideous from the outside...apart from the above it's fine
Run Run Run !

 

[Firkin]

160k miles is high.
There are many 20+ year old motorhomes out there with less than half the milage.

Also the transverse bed.
I dont know how tall you and your partner are, but I suspect much over 5'6" you will be touching the walls on both sides.
Most PVC's with transverse beds have special replacement window panels that are proud of the body for exactly that reason.

He's said it's standard double bed length (we're 5'5 and 5'11 - but also I'm thinking to maybe build a pull out bed in place of the travelling seats so we can have a bed each and no clambering in the night!). Yes, mileage is high, but at my budget (£15K) it does seem to go from hardly any miles - which is bad for the vehicle as it means they've spent most of their lives not moving, to over 150K which can be bad, but can also be fine if regularly serviced according to who you talk to

 

[Firkin]

Not worth the asking price in my view,and why would any spend money converting a van of that age and mileage it's more a day van it's finish is poor the van will be a bottomless money pit it is coming to the end of its design life and in my opinion it looks hideous from the outside...apart from the above it's fine
Run Run Run !

'apart from the above it's fine'

So far so good then from the opinions so far!!! That's what I'm here for though....keep 'em coming y'all!!

 

[oldiesontour]

He's said it's standard double bed length (we're 5'5 and 5'11 - but also I'm thinking to maybe build a pull out bed in place of the travelling seats so we can have a bed each and no clambering in the night!). Yes, mileage is high, but at my budget (£15K) it does seem to go from hardly any miles - which is bad for the vehicle as it means they've spent most of their lives not moving, to over 150K which can be bad, but can also be fine if regularly serviced according to who you talk to

You're thinking of adding a shower,altering the bed before you've seen it by the time your done nearly as quick to do a self conversion ..
As a guide my 2020 boxer with 22k bought 2 yrs ago and fully converted Inc TV,fridge freezer solar,night heater,lipo4,WiFi,shower swivel toilet , microwave,etc stands me around 22k.
The one you are looking at the van is worth around £2k 3 on a good day the conversion ???

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

I'd avoid it.
Yes, I think, there has been thought put into it.
As seen in the open-door shot, he's used foam boards for the floor instead of slotting foam between the ribs of the floor. But I'd still walk away.

Reasoning:

1. Hob unit behind sink would drive me mad. I'd need to stretch more than normal to lift a pan full of hot water and potentially strain my back, scald meself. Or worse, it could happen to my SO.
2. I'd have a word with his spirit level if the place between worktop and bed are anything to go by. lol
3. Woodwork seems more, em, DIY, than properly done. Not an issue in itself but it would lower the value imo.
4. All else I can deduce would be subjective and therefore shouldn't really be mentioned in criticism. Eg, it would be too small for us.

 

[Firkin]

You're thinking of adding a shower,altering the bed before you've seen it by the time your done nearly as quick to do a self conversion ..
As a guide my 2020 boxer with 22k bought 2 yrs ago and fully converted Inc TV,fridge freezer solar,night heater,lipo4,WiFi,shower swivel toilet , microwave,etc stands me around 22k.
The one you are looking at the van is worth around £2k 3 on a good day the conversion ???

Wow sounds like you got a good deal! Lucky maybe too! I'm not seeing anything like that but I'm not putting in a £22K upper price limit. So maybe that's it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Only looking on my phone but with all that timber in there I'd say it's going to have naff all payload if not already overweight.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Have you looked at the Motorhomes and Camper vans for sale in the classified section that is in the menu ? they may be a bit older but are mainly factory conversions.

 

[oldiesontour]

Wow sounds like you got a good deal! Lucky maybe too! I'm not seeing anything like that but I'm not putting in a £22K upper price limit. So maybe that's it.

I did the conversion so obviously keeps the cost down..but stay away from these vans with high ( especially local) mileage..just look at the same vans on eBay plenty being sold for spares/repairs with less years and miles,you may be lucky,but can you afford it if you are unlucky.. someone on here said just cost him £500 to have a new alternator at a local independent garage

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

someone on here said just cost him £500 to have a new alternator at a local independent garage

And if you need a new engine you could be looking at £10k.

 

[Dutch 68]

Thanks for replying! Are you saying you think he's done a crap job? Is the joinery that bad from the pics?

You can’t really see a lot but what you can see is very telling I am afraid, and if you can’t be bothered with the detail in plain view then you know what happened with the bits you can’t see, good luck in your search

 

[oldiesontour]

And if you need a new engine you could be looking at £10k.

That's why there's plenty on eBay for spare/repairs often around 90 to 130 k miles...starts runs bottom end knock,runs but noisy and smokes etc,others all good engine replaced at 110k miles

 

[oldiesontour]

Others may know different but I was advised pre 2018 sprinter the best easily capable of 3 to 400k miles ..but post 2018 terrible...he was transport manager of DHL branch

 

[oldiesontour]

I can add to the above a few weeks ago I was talking to a guy at Newhaven who was on his way back from Morocco where he goes every winter in his rough looking 2010 Sprinter he said he'd bought it at 180 k and it's just over 250k now he's done nothing but routine service and new brakes

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Brains]

Take a look at this one as a comparison, factory built VW base Calypso 1997 with only 80k miles asking £12k

I appreciate yours is far newer with a Euro 6 engine, but I think given your budget you need an older but better vehicle.
(Unless you live in a ULEZ area, or an area likely to become ULEZ soon, in which case don't look at anything older than 2014!)

 

[Ernesto]

Negatives - No EHU, no hot water (?), no grey water tank, a DIY build, a transverse bed, no shower and 160k miles....
Positives - 2 owners, air suspension so assume payload is ok but will need to check that

Still seems pricey to me, given the mileage.

 

[Firkin]

Thanks so far everyone. Back to the drawing board then

 

[MisterB]

Thanks so far everyone. Back to the drawing board then

Fiat Ducato Adria Twin PVC

The layout is Front dining area with 2 front facing seat belts ,Drivers and Passenger front seats swivel , Centre bathroom and kitchen opposite ,fixed bed that lift up to one side enabling walking through front to back and transporting large items All...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

worth a look?

 

[Dutch 68]

Fiat Ducato Adria Twin PVC

The layout is Front dining area with 2 front facing seat belts ,Drivers and Passenger front seats swivel , Centre bathroom and kitchen opposite ,fixed bed that lift up to one side enabling walking through front to back and transporting large items All...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

worth a look?

That’s a much better idea, will also hold its value much better

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[oldiesontour]

Fiat Ducato Adria Twin PVC

The layout is Front dining area with 2 front facing seat belts ,Drivers and Passenger front seats swivel , Centre bathroom and kitchen opposite ,fixed bed that lift up to one side enabling walking through front to back and transporting large items All...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

worth a look?

Well worth a look !

 

[Minxy]

There are lots of home conversions around and very few are done well, this isn't one of them I'm afraid. Certainly not worth anything like the asking price. Imagine the creaking from the wood cladding and I'd question the need for the vertical (or not!) timber uprights near the bed, perhaps a saggy bit of roof panelling?

 

[Firkin]

Fiat Ducato Adria Twin PVC

The layout is Front dining area with 2 front facing seat belts ,Drivers and Passenger front seats swivel , Centre bathroom and kitchen opposite ,fixed bed that lift up to one side enabling walking through front to back and transporting large items All...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

worth a look?

I did see that one, but seemed a bit cramped. Are those straight back seats ever comfy for sitting in? I will check it out though, maybe as a stop gap. I am thinking more and more about a longitudinal bed so no clambering over each other in the night but then the van will have to be that much longer. I've got the 'buy your 3rd van 1st' advice in my head .... which might mean it's a very long time before i can get chugging!

 

[Firkin]

There are lots of home conversions around and very few are done well, this isn't one of them I'm afraid. Certainly not worth anything like the asking price. Imagine the creaking from the wood cladding and I'd question the need for the vertical (or not!) timber uprights near the bed, perhaps a saggy bit of roof panelling?

Hadn't thought of saggy roof - i assumed he thought it looked nice, i was thinking to remove them... but, after everyones responses I'm not going to see it. I rather like a lot of the home conversions over the coachbuilt pvcs but like the services and practicalities of a coachbuilt pvc. Love a coahbuilt motorhome though. I suppose the size puts me off a bit for getting down wee cornish lanes and the like. Maybe i should think about being more flexible in the length.

 

[Minxy]

Many older coachbuilt MHs are narrower so no different to a PVC but with more space internally.