[dd]

Looking to change my van at some point. Likely to go for one of

Vauxhall Combo L2
Ford Connect L2
Fiat Doblo Maxi 1.6 multijet

Each have 1000kg payload and would put 500l tank in.

New Combo is the same as the new Partner and Berlingo.

Any recommendations, thoughts. Thanks.

[dd]

Just having a look and wondering if a swb doblo would work well with a 500l tank?

[Cookie]

Just having a look and wondering if a swb doblo would work well with a 500l tank?

Payload on my SWB Doblo is 750kg - so insufficient for 500L tank IMO. I only carry 350L.

I reckon you're likely to get the best deal on a Doblo since the Combo is a brand new model and the Transit Connect is just more expensive (for some reason). That doesn't necessarily mean the Doblo is the best van however....

[dd]

According to the fiat brochure the swb is available with a 1000kg payload. Although this could be an error in their brochure.

[dd]

According to vauxhall website the L1 combo has a 1020 kg payload.

 Annoying that you have to give them your details if you want to download a brochure. They even want you to apply for a £250 discount voucher just to access their brochure (pointless as I have no intention of paying the list price).

[p1w1]

Hi Dave
I have the l2 Doblo maxi cargo (1005kg payload) year old and can just about fit a 25ft pole comfortably so not sure if the l1 maybe on the small size. If your around Saffron anytime your welcome to have a look.
Paul

[dd]

Thanks Paul

Hoping to come across you one day. Possibly changing van either end of this year or next, just trying to take time to figure out best option so I know what I am doing when the time comes.

I thought with the L1 version going through the bulkhead would allow to fit a 25 ft pole?

[p1w1]

Thanks Paul

Hoping to come across you one day. Possibly changing van either end of this year or next, just trying to take time to figure out best option so I know what I am doing when the time comes.

I thought with the L1 version going through the bulkhead would allow to fit a 25 ft pole?

Yeah it would do but you would have to cut a bit of the bulkhead out..

[dazmond]

Cant comment on the doblo or combo but the connect L2 240 is great....payload isn't 1000kg...its slightly under at 936kg but still ok for 500l tank and all your other gear....

I can fit my 25 and 47ft poles in with ease without cutting into the bulkhead.....the connects have small 1.5 TDCI engines in them  for some reason but still pull well with a full tank....surprising really... .
Also the roofs lower than the old  connect T230s so easier to get the ladders off when needed

I like the look of them too...esp if u get the limited version with colour coded bumpers and alloy wheels.......and of course the extra fluff/luxury that makes for a more enjoyable/comfortable working day.....heated windscreen,air con,heated driver seat,reversing sensors  etc......

[dd]

Yes, I do like the look of the connect Daz. The doblo may be the cheaper option though, and I have not heard any bad reports about them.

Will get round to test driving them over the next few months.

[Stoots]

combo and doblo essentially same van are they not ?

connects look nice but the others will be cheaper

I drove a combo last week as a hire van, had some poke to it

[dd]

The combo and doblo used to be the same I think, but the new combo now shares its platform with the berlingo and partner.

Something to do with opel being bought by psa (if I understand correctly).

Was it the new combo you drove Gomo?

[Den68]

I have the combo l2 nice enough but slow it's the 1.3

[dd]

The new combo has a 1.6 diesel engine.

Yours must have been the previous model.

[Slash]

I have a Connect L2  which is the limited version and a long wheel base on a 66 plate,my other van is  Fiat Scudo  on a 15 plate which I bought for putting my mountain bikes in and for general run around.
I actually prefer using the Scudo for work as it is more practical with double sliding doors and more room in the back for poles.
I struggle to fit anything over a 25 foot gardiner pole in my Connect longways  unless I put it in at an angle,they are quite deceiving on the outside but the loading space is not as long as you think it is,the cabs is over the top,almost as long as the loading space as the parcel shelf is ridiculously long and the bulkhead that separates the cab from the loading space takes another  ten inches at the top,
The front bumper is quite low and catches on drives with an incline.
I use it more for quoting and a car rather than my work van,really nice to drive but in my opinion not the best for window cleaning, ah well you live and learn.

[dd]

Thanks Slash. Looking at prices the connect would cost me about £3k more than a doblo or combo. Hard to justify unless I thought it a much better van.

I have 2 sliding doors on my dispatch, but the new van will probably only have 1.

[KS Cleaning]

Thanks Slash. Looking at prices the connect would cost me about £3k more than a doblo or combo. Hard to justify unless I thought it a much better van.

I have 2 sliding doors on my dispatch, but the new van will probably only have 1.

Just to put another slant on it, a new connect would be around 16K, in 4 years it will be worth approx 7K, so 9K depreciation. A new Combo around 13K, in 4 years will probably be worth approx 5K so 8K depreciation, obviously these are rough figures but might be something to consider.

[P @ F]

This is why I never buy new , I would rather burn the money in my fire pit and warm up a bit !

[John Mart]

This is why I never buy new , I would rather burn the money in my fire pit and warm up a bit !

But you get 3 years warranty, mostly problem free motoring and no MOTs.

[dazmond]

I have a Connect L2  which is the limited version and a long wheel base on a 66 plate,my other van is  Fiat Scudo  on a 15 plate which I bought for putting my mountain bikes in and for general run around.
I actually prefer using the Scudo for work as it is more practical with double sliding doors and more room in the back for poles.
I struggle to fit anything over a 25 foot gardiner pole in my Connect longways  unless I put it in at an angle,they are quite deceiving on the outside but the loading space is not as long as you think it is,the cabs is over the top,almost as long as the loading space as the parcel shelf is ridiculously long and the bulkhead that separates the cab from the loading space takes another  ten inches at the top,
The front bumper is quite low and catches on drives with an incline.
I use it more for quoting and a car rather than my work van,really nice to drive but in my opinion not the best for window cleaning, ah well you live and learn.

both my 25 footer and 47 footer fit in my L2 fine straight(i have pole tubes fixed to inside roof).......what longer poles have you got?they must have a long closed length then.....

[Slash]

I suppose the alloy goodenecks don't help me.

[dd]

Depreciation is not a concern for me. I have had my dispatch from new and it is 13 years old. Would like to keep the next van around 10 years (although I may decide to retire before then).

No major repair bill for the dispatch until now - booked in for a new clutch next week. It still runs very well. Will probably change it next year, just planning ahead so when the time comes I know what I want and just get on with it.

[KS Cleaning]

Depreciation is not a concern for me. I have had my dispatch from new and it is 13 years old. Would like to keep the next van around 10 years (although I may decide to retire before then).

No major repair bill for the dispatch until now - booked in for a new clutch next week. It still runs very well. Will probably change it next year, just planning ahead so when the time comes I know what I want and just get on with it.

Sorry I’ve just read back my post...what I was meaning about the depreciation was , in real terms the Connect would only cost about a grand more than a Doblo for anyone keeping it 4 years taking depreciation into account.  I don’t bother too much about depreciation either, I bought my Custom limited new for just under 20K just over 4 years ago, I am getting 11 750 for it in 2 weeks time, so 8K depreciation but when you factor in the tax savings I’m quite happy with that. My new van will have a lot more depreciation as it’s a more expensive model, but you’re only here once eh!

[dd]

Yes, people have different attitudes to things. I prefer things in life to be simple and work well. But for some people heated seats, aircon and other luxuries are important. Doesn't make it right or wrong.

[dazmond]

Yes, people have different attitudes to things. I prefer things in life to be simple and work well. But for some people heated seats, aircon and other luxuries are important. Doesn't make it right or wrong.

ive had all sorts of old vans and cars for window cleaning over the years,never had any vehicles from new before and now i have two......(golf GTD and connect)...most of my previous vehicles were at least 9 or 10 years old before i bought them.....

i cant be arsed messing about with older vehicles anymore,the breakdowns and unexpected garage bills,etc.....i could write a book about the trouble ive had with them over the years!

[dd]

In the 13 years I have had the van it has never broken down. I am still using it, new clutch next week (worn clutch release bearing).

[dazmond]

In the 13 years I have had the van it has never broken down. I am still using it, new clutch next week (worn clutch release bearing).

thats great stuff mate....im planning on keeping mine for a long time too as i only do 3000-4000 miles per year....how many miles has yours got on the clock?

so apart from brakes,tyres and normal servicing you havent had anything major go on it before?

[dd]

113,000 on clock. I do no more than 9,000 miles a year. Only major expense previously was changing the timing belt (at 9 years, a year early).

A couple of sections on exhaust replaced, been through one set of discs, tyres and a battery. Apart from the cam belt, previously the most expensive thing has been replacing tyres, get them replaced in pairs.

[Plankton]

Old post but I was looking at the Combo L1 and an slx35 sticks out the back by over a foot! They are currently 10k + vat pre reg and the Vivaro is 15k + vat pre reg so a sizeable difference.
Has any got a photo of them fitted out?

[P @ F]

I can get an slx 27 into a Fiorino  straight so Doblo must take way bigger !

[dazmond]

Old post but I was looking at the Combo L1 and an slx35 sticks out the back by over a foot! They are currently 10k + vat pre reg and the Vivaro is 15k + vat pre reg so a sizeable difference.
Has any got a photo of them fitted out?

Not suitable for wfp then IMO....obviously you want to be able to fit your poles in straight without cutting into the bulkhead......

[Plankton]

P@F, seriously it was at least a foot out the back. The top of thebulkhead must be the shortest point, obviously they have the under the seat flap but that's no use to us.

[dd]

Why is drilling/cutting a hole in the bulkhead such a terrible thing to do?

[Plankton]

Damp from the back of the van makes the cab fusty, drips from the pole going down the back of your neck is what I remember.
Maybe if it was cut accurately for a black drainage pipe with a cap on the cab end and the hole finished with a trim round the edge it wouldn't look to bad. So I suppose for me it's down to aesthetics and not having a damp cab.

[dd]

My poles come over the top of the seats, I have never noticed drips coming from the base of the pole. Never thought about the other issues.

[dazmond]

Why is drilling/cutting a hole in the bulkhead such a terrible thing to do?

its not ideal though is it?

just buy/lease a van thats up to the job in the first place with plenty of space for poles....

[dazmond]

Damp from the back of the van makes the cab fusty, drips from the pole going down the back of your neck is what I remember.
Maybe if it was cut accurately for a black drainage pipe with a cap on the cab end and the hole finished with a trim round the edge it wouldn't look to bad. So I suppose for me it's down to aesthetics and not having a damp cab.

from my experience when you ve been doing this job for years(esp wfp!).you want the right van set up.completely separate cab being one of them with plenty of space for fitting poles in straight with no cutting into the bulkhead...

[p1w1]

Old post but I was looking at the Combo L1 and an slx35 sticks out the back by over a foot! They are currently 10k + vat pre reg and the Vivaro is 15k + vat pre reg so a sizeable difference.
Has any got a photo of them fitted out?

The L2 model would fit a 35ft pole, I have one in mine.

[JackieW]

''The L2 model would fit a 35ft pole, I have one in mine.''

Extended?