Hallo aus Großbritannien

[uechtel]

Zitat von DaveyLC

It wouldn't be much of an issue for me as I have the captain seats and I intend to slide the bed against the captain seats to complete the length

I don´t think that would be really a satisfying solution for you. Also if you do all this effort I wouldn´t do a half thing and make it without the bed extension.

Zitat von DaveyLC

The main thing I don't want to lose is a usable car, I.e I want to retain 6-7 useable seats and have no issues when it comes to insurance/MOT's..

For me having a fully fledge camper is not really a requirement my ideal solution would be a Viano Fun Westfalia (bed, standing room and possible roof bunk).

That are exactly the reasons why I searched for about half a year to find a suitable Fun model for me. If standing room is important for you then you need a push-up roof anyway, which automatically would mean you don´t need to worry about the bed "downstairs" any more!

Zitat von uechtel

To sleep on it I find it quite stiff and also the ridges at the end of the elements are not very comfortable. That is why I am so happy about the full size bed I have in the roof of my car (also because if I want to go to bed I just have to open the roof and not have to pack all the stuff from the rear department to the front seat first).

I noticed the back shelf was missing, buy my intention is to slide the seats forward up to the captain chairs to give a full length

I also crave a factory solution rather than a DIY one, I have slight Obsessive Compulsive Disorder so if its not perfect I will never be happy

The roof conversion was something I looked into but a Reimo roof is 3,000 Euros in the UK plus fitting and bed.. And my insurance would need to be modified to take into account the extra 'value'..

I WISH WISH WISH the Viano FUN Westfalia was available in the UK

Zitat von uechtel

I don´t think that would be really a satisfying solution for you. Also if you do all this effort I wouldn´t do a half thing and make it without the bed extension.

That are exactly the reasons why I searched for about half a year to find a suitable Fun model for me. If standing room is important for you then you need a push-up roof anyway, which automatically would mean you don´t need to worry about the bed "downstairs" any more!

True, the rear shelf/bed extension would be nice but at the same time that is one component that would be easy to build DIY to a good standard

As I just mentioned I'd love the roof but its seriously expensive and imposes insurance issues.

[uechtel]

Yeah, but if you buy a LHD Viano, transfer it to the UK, exchange the interieur and sell it back to the continent this may also lead to some expenses (insurance, ferry/train fee, loss of value - depending on how good a seller you are). And on the other hand the additional comfort you get in my opinion is only marginal, while a push-up roof gives your car indeed real more value. For example if you look for used Vianos with push-up roofs you will notice, that usual they are exactly 5,000 € more expensive than without. Means the roof is an investment that will not loose its value, while I am sure the additional costs fo insurance may be lass than the gain of comfort.

Zitat von DaveyLC

I noticed the back shelf was missing, buy my intention is to slide the seats forward up to the captain chairs to give a full length

I also crave a factory solution rather than a DIY one, I have slight Obsessive Compulsive Disorder so if its not perfect I will never be happy

Well, then I am not sure whether such a half "factory" solution can really satisfy you. "Factory solutions "do not always fulfill your expectations.

I would merely registered it in the UK, sit on it for a bit then sell it to someone who's leaving the UK to return to the EU

The aftermarket roof would increase the value of the Viano ever so slightly but not as much as the difference would be on a factory built one

[uechtel]

Just as a quick fact check: I did not find any Viano offers with "aftermarket" roofs, but a quick search on mobile.de gives the following overview:

Viano 2.2 from 2004/05, ca. 200,000 km
with push-up roof: ca. 17,000 to 18,000 € (2 offers)
without roof: majority of offers between 9,000 to 12,000 €
Price difference: 5,000 to 8,000 €

Viano 2,2 from 2006, 150,000 km
with roof: 27,000 € (1 offer)
without roof (only long "Fun" models): from 13,500 to 21,900 €
Price difference: 5,000 to 13,000 €

Also just for comparison the same with VW T5 models, as here you have usually a lot of cars with "aftermarket" roofs:

VW T5 Transporter (so no "factory roofs"): 2007 - 2009, 60,000 - 100,000 km, 100 hp:
with roof: 20,000 to 21,000 €
without roof: from 13,000 € to 17,000 €
Price difference: 4,000 to 7,000 €

VW T4 Multivan, 2000 to 2002, over 200,000 km:
with roof: 12,900 to 20,900 €
one offer with Reimo roof: 15,000 €)
without roof: 10,000 to ca. 17,500 €
Price difference: 3,000 to 4,000 €

Fazit: The "Multivan/Fun"-like models (= with roof but without kitchen etc.) are rare to get, which to my experience means, that they tend to keep their value more than the standard models. But of course I don´t know about the specilities of the British market.

People in the UK aren't really that aware of the whole 'day van' thing.. To the UK market a camper is a van with a bed, cooker and sink

You are very lucky in Germany!

[uechtel]

Well, I thought the Brits are open minded towards such kind of stuff

And don´t think I don´t have to defend the "Fun" concept against the mainstream opinion here as well...