Turbocharger Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Since Mr Kelly seemed to incite violence but intended to generate debate, I'll have a go. You are going to buy three vehicles that you don't want to break down and strand you (ie you're going to the desert/mountains/Ipswich, or running a small fleet for a haulage company or something similar). The actual task is unimportant, but your use will be 100% duty (so running 24/7 at the full design speed/load/volume etc). The vehicles will be used hard, but you need to remain mobile. There are no local supplies (not even in Ipswich) and you have a workshop which could be days away. Question is - do you buy three the same, or three different vehicles? Top of the range, or basic model. Biggest or smallest engine? Turbo or NA? Give similies and draw parallels if you can, show your working, don't cross your hands on the steering wheel. (Slow day in work, again) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 1st year 3 different brands similar spec then operate for 12months Aftre the final cost analysis best VFM replaces the others one at a time dropping the one that has been: Expensive suffered lots of downtime Choices from day one: Mercedes Sprinter Fiat Ducato Vauxhall Vivaro(my 1st choice) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troddenmasses Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 3 different models, all with the simplest, lowest stressed parts availiable. If I could look at the past running history of similar vehicles to find the best, I would. Basic spec, so that there was less to go wrong - the base parts are the same anyway. Largest, simple (ie. non-turbo) engine possible, so that they have the largest excess of power and therefore hopefully are the least stressed. If a workshop was closer, I would go for 3 of the same model to reduce the volume of spares needed, therefore increasing profit (works for low cost airlines). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Look at what fleet companies provide as there maintaining them they will be the most reliable. that is why Land Rovers have only just become available on the fleet buyer market as ford has improved the build quality and reliability to a standard were the big firms will use them. Lombard do a stonking deal on a TDV6 RRS all in fuel ,insurance ,maintenance, tax everything all you need to worry about is driving it. My wife even thought it was a good idea but not long enough for me to get her to sign up for it (she gets discounted rates) VW LT range are very good my dad did 270 miles in three years up till last May with his completely trouble free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Since Mr Kelly seemed to incite violence but intended to generate debate, I'll have a go.......... (ie you're going to the desert/mountains/Ipswich,.... ...(not even in Ipswich) (Slow day in work, again) OI! what's wrong with Ipswich!!! And er , three vehicles all the same, greater knowledge of faults across the three, preventitve maintainance, pooling resources etc etc. Like Tony said, got to choose the right vehicle in the first place. Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkieB Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 rather than 3 inferior vehicles, get 6 rusty rangie classics on Lpg/ 200tdi discos according to your fuelling preference, the workshop works full time at first repairing the rust, then after 6 months sell as many as you don't need, for a profit Initially, put all the components in best condition on the 3 working vehicles, then simply observe stringent service/replacement schedules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JST Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 3 vehicles the same spec, as basic spec as possible (such as XD being tdi not td5s which thye coudl have waited for). therefore spares commonality and only specialist knowledge needed on one platform Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveG Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 my dad did 270 miles in three years up till last May with his completely trouble free Are we supposed to be impressed by that?? Most people do that in a week! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02GF74 Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Are we supposed to be impressed by that?? Most people do that in a week! Steve yes but don't forget most of us on here drive LRs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 yes but don't forget most of us on here drive LRs OOPs 270,000 miles in a 52 plate LT35 van which looked as good as the day it left VW till it was writen off by a 44t artic landing on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeagent Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 i'd go for three vehicles the same, common spares and only get to know one vehicle. it would be either japanese (honda, nissan or toyota) or german (VW or merc) and diesel. servicing is they key, halve the time between oil changes, weekly inspections of the underside of the vehicles, no expense spared maintenance. Jules' fathers experience is not uncommon, if a modern vehicle is maintained properly, as that van must have been, they should be capable of starship mileage. i'd have a good look at what people like BT, the post office, the motorway cops and TNT use... they all do high miles and need reliability. most new stuff thsesdays is super reliable, manufacturers wouldn't offer a 3 year warranty if they expected us to realy need it! The farmer next door to my folks has 4 VX Landcruisers, with mileage between 5K and 120k.... they Never go wrong, and the big 4.2 litre diesel is never stressed... even when towing a huge trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Are we supposed to be impressed by that?? Most people do that in a week! Steve You lot are slow , I do that one way when out to rallies 5/600 miles in a weekend are nuffink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Three identical bicycles! Any fool can fix one - and by the end of the year we'll all be as thin as Mr Turbocharger! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 by the end of the year we'll all be as thin as Mr Turbocharger ROFL! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeagent Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 late 1980's toyoya hilux might be a good bet, everytime i stick the channel 4 news on there seams to be one lurking in the background, behind the reporter, loaded to the max with twenty blokes, a dog and a couple of RPG launchers.... the Toyota Taliban... the go where you like, do what you like, take what you like vehicle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 I would opt for the Mercedes Sprinter and the lower tech current model VW LT - two of one one of the other? Both non-turbo options although turbos can get better MPG. Van wise I would not touch anything French/Italian I am afraid. If load carryting were not a requirement then something Japanese would be high on the list. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted April 28, 2006 Author Share Posted April 28, 2006 OK, some good answers and a mixture of choices. Now you're doing the same thing (long expedition, 6 months of fleet work or similar) and you have access to a field workshop but no parts AT ALL. How does that change things? as thin as Mr Turbocharger! ^^ just jealous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Simple van. AFAIK you can still get a mechanically injected LT van. Do Iveco still use mechanically injected engines? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkieB Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 no parts AT ALL. stick with the bicycle. with no parts at all you're surely f**ked sooner or later :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 OK, some good answers and a mixture of choices.Now you're doing the same thing (long expedition, 6 months of fleet work or similar) and you have access to a field workshop but no parts AT ALL. How does that change things? ^^ just jealous Simple jack and find another job that has some facilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 How about two vans and a tow truck. If one van breaks down, you can nick someone elses and do a cut-n-shut in your workshop. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeagent Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 i don't think that is a sensible proposition, no parts availability means you just end up bodging things, which will lead to more agro later on... but, as others have said, probably still look at simple Nissan or VW vans... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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