You are reading a single comment by @Emyr and its replies. Click here to read the full conversation.
  • Boxer findings:

    1. Fuel economy brim-to-brim: Old knackered van did 40-45mpg, best run was 53mpg diagonally from Carmarthen to Bolton in the dark, mostly A-roads. Best so far for the Boxer about 37mpg, mostly motorways and dual carriageways. This will get worse as I add weight, better as I learn not to use its 130bhp up hills, make do with truck speed.
    2. The sliding door's interior handle only releases the "fully open" catch, it isn't a proper door handle. Need to fit a proper handle so we can exit when parked up against something, or someone's been a twat.
    3. The roof sheetmetal looks like it has the pressing for a factory sunroof above where a second row of seats would be. I'd like to fit an insulated sunroof here, if one exists. I'm not keen on typical vent/skylights fitted to campers as they're tiny and stick up, interfering with airflow and reducing stealth.
    4. The double passenger seat is too upright and doesn't seem to be adjustable. When the bulkhead's gone I'd like the bench and driver's seat to spin so I might need to hunt out adjustable bench seats. Don't want to fit a normal single seat since I may want to use the van for polo trips (team of three) and plan to keep the van beyond when there's a third human in the household.
    5. No driver's side cupholders. Passenger side cupholder is too small for the containers we've tried to use so far. Same for the cupholders in the back of the bench's flip-down section.
    6. Rear parking sensors are great, but there's no integration into the dash's touchscreen, which is disappointing. Rear camera would be useful when reversing towards greenery.
    7. Front bumper has space for foglights. Want.
    8. Went shopping at sunset. The unusual lighting revealed where the van used to have "VAN HIRE" written in 6 inch letters on the side, up above head height. Not visible in bright daylight. Slightly disappointed my van's not been a one-company lease, rather it's had 3 years of drivers who may have been reckless or van-novices or both.
    9. Gear change can feel a little notchy/rough. Related to 8?

  • Most vans I've driven have had gear boxes made of gravel.

    Economy wise have found latest diesels (euro 5 and 6) are quote a lot worse than older version, figured you get more power and with diesel power = fuel, and emissions stuff sucks up the rest, use more fuel to burn hotter = more complete combustion so less nasty stuff.
    Also no van ever has a long enough top gear, always very revvy.
    Got any pics, sounds like a spacious beast

About

Avatar for Emyr @Emyr started