LMT UK

I know what you mean, modern turbo diesels have improved no end. Also the emissions thing is important for uk LEZ low emission zone. The little added value bit I meant if you get a ford transit and replace the DMF and fuel pump, both common faults, costing nearly all the value of an old vehicle, but it isn't worth much extra on resale value just like most repairs. For a small business doing mainly local deliveries, one expensive fault could negate all the year's mpg savings. For _Ethrty-Andy_ his old school petrol van might prove to be a cheap hack over the year. Mercedes sprinters and VW LT seem popular at the moment, both in uk and RHD export markets. What do you rate as the best modern vans for reliability?

In the Uk some of them rusted out badly others lasted well, I've had a few of the non xr3i variants and they were good cheap cars. Apparently there was a steel shortage at the time and ford cut corners using low grade steel, the earlier ones actually outlived the later ones, but sorry a longtime ago and I don't remember the exact years despite having had 4 of them. If you get stuck for parts and can find them in uk or want to bid on ebay uk pm me an I can help.

[quote name='_Ethrty-Andy_' date='Dec 19 2012, 0 Anyway, I changed the dizzy, rotor, leads and plugs for a $5 note (well it felt like that) certainly a LOT cheaper to maintain than any BMW new or old! Goes really well, but seems the economy isnt the best and never has been. ive just dealt with it because its a work vehicle, but seeing as i wont need it for several weeks when I close up shop, i might as well take it to bits lol. --- run on 91 gas, 1997 Ford Econovan/Mazda Bongo etc (boxy shape, not the newer rounder shape) I think a lot of diesel buyers get seduced by mpg figures, but forgetting the real cost of keeping it on the road. Modern dual mass flywheels and common rail injector pumps cost a packet when they go wrong and add very little value to the vehicle. Old school technology is usually so much cheaper and easier to fix.

Maybe look at your rear light chassis earthing points, bad earths can cause all sorts of weird and illogical happenings, on some cars and Transit vans sometimes you will see this as indicator bulbs glowing dimly as the brake lights are on - the circuit earths through the bulbs . Even if this isn't the problem, on an old vehicle you are usually rewarded by noticeably brighter lights.

Very true, TG has been dumbed down too much lately and is blatantly over scripted. I read a couple of motoring books by the TG team recently, one each by Clarkson and May. Jeremy Clarkson , he just tries too hard to be offensive and controversial, a bit of a buffoon really. He passed me in Oxford Uk a few years ago and trust me he doesn't fit well in a ferrari, he is 6'5 tall with hair like the jackson 5. James May on the other hand, razor sharp wit and a genuinely likeable chap, he even has a degree in music among his many talents. Richard Hammond though just seems a bit of a waste of space, just there to laugh at Clarkson's jokes. A mate of mine met him on a film shoot a coupe of years ago, he is pretty boring by all accounts. Before TG and the stig my Simpson bandit racing helmet had a lot more street cred

ROFL! yes British Leyland had some big industrial relations problems back in the 70's. I've had a couple of triumph STAG v8 and like minis rust / bodged repairs can be an issue. Apparently, not a penny was ever made on the mini, it was not well suited to mass production. I had a new mini cooper supercharged recently, that was a hoot to drive but the suspension too unforgiving for a daily driver imo.

VAT qualifying cars are in the minority here, vans and pickups more common but are a good buy when you can get them. For out of EU export it will be VAT free, but a lot of dealers are unfamiliar/unwilling to do this. For uk customers, they would need to be VAT registered to reclaim it. If you are looking for a uk car I'd definitely get a pre-shipping inspection and a history check. You really want any defects or servicing done before it is shipped, lotsof non main dealers will trade cars that don'rt sell within a couple of months so are reluctant to spend any money apart from a valet until it is sold. Beware, a lot of export BMW are stolen to order. packed into a container with cloned identity from an accident write- off or previously exported car. Car thieves know about security vulnerabilities on recent BMWs and some wise owners are now disconnecting the OBD ports. There is some nice high spec cars to be had here, also unlike the jap imports, with manual transmission and leather, also a favourable exchange rate plus high depreciation makes uk a good place to look right now. If you look at the buying tips on my website there are is some info that might be useful, also if you need help I can inspect, test drive, negotiate and arrange shipping www.londonmotortraders.com if you want some free uk vehicle export advice feel free to call me 10am-10pm uk time. If you want to book an inspection or shipping then I usually save more than I charge.