Vauxhall Vivaro 1.6 L1H1 Sportive Ecoflex BiTurbo
This 2015 Vauxhall Vivaro was an ex-electricians van which has done motorway miles. 1 previous owner. 1.6L engine with twin turbos (small turbo at lower revs, larger turbo to boost at higher revs). The model includes and eco mode which on the motorway whilst using cruise control averages around 43MPG. 6 gears, but being a 1.6L the 6th gear doesn’t give much grunt, good for cruising.
Body work is generally good, it has had a replacement wingmirror and replacement rear bumper. There is a small crack in the rear right panel by the rear lights, the panel can easily be replaced at the cost of around £60, I just haven’t found a colour matched panel yet.
A lot of work has been done to the van to get it into tip top running condition:
– New gearbox
– Two new turbos – (£3000)
– New dashboard screen (apparently these go on the MK2 vivaros all the time – £300)
– New Windscreen
– New number plates
– Airmass flow sensor
– Turbo boost pressure sensor
– MAP sensor
Part service history with last major service at around 147000 miles.
MOT until Jan 2023.
Post replacing the turbos the van has run brilliantly for the last 700miles without issue.
Van is still being used so miles may be slightly higher than advertised.
Self built camper conversion with some experience but a gigantic attention to detail. I put my heart and soul into this and wanted to do it properly. Scandi-design with a well thought out layout. Soft olive green on the furniture with slightly warm white walls and ceilings give a very homely feeling with the exposed (varnished) wooden accents of the worktops, shelving units and drawer handles. Tongue and groove ceiling running from back to front give the van mixed with the routed plywood groove effect on the walls makes the van feel spacious. Carpet on the exposed metal not only reduces cold seepage but also again makes the van feel really homely.
Seating area with large fold up table and storage under the bench part of the seating area. Seating area slides out into small double bed which easily had enough room for myself (6ft) and my partner (5ft11) – I would add I am a bad sleeping normally and this bed was plenty big enough for a good nights sleep…
My favourite spot to sit in the van is on the bench area with the table folded up, gazing out onto a view with a cup of tea boiling on the stove and a book in hand.
Insulation:
– Floor = 25mm celotex with any gaps (for example around the doors) filled in with expanding foam
– Walls = recycled glass fibre insulation mixed with 25mm celotex sheets where possible. Hard to reach areas where filled with expanding foam
– Ceiling = 25mm celotex sheets. Hard to reach areas where filled with expanding foam and metal supports filled with recycled glass insulation.
– Vapour barrier across the whole of the van from floor to ceiling using predominantly reflextex over the insulation, secured with foil tape. Or in the case of the floor and ceiling foil tape between section of celotex (which has its own vapour barrier with the foil coating).
Build process:
Stripping out all builders plywood -> removing any rust (in my case there was basically zero rust anywhere in the van, only very small spots where plywood had been screwed into sheet metal. None on the floor or wheel arches etc) and coating with rust-proof paint -> creating floor supports, insulating floor -> installing plywood subfloor -> creating ceiling supports -> installing roof vent -> insulating the ceiling -> creating wall supports -> insulating wall -> making sure vapour barrier was complete -> fitting tounge and groove ceiling -> routing grooves into plywood walls -> installing plywood walls -> filling wood holes + sealing any knots with knotting solution -> painting wall and ceiling -> carpet exposed metal -> install domestic rated vinyl flooring -> creating the partial bulkhead -> fit solar panel -> install and test electrics -> build and paint bed -> build and paint front cabinet -> build and paint side cabinet -> install sink -> install fold-up table -> test weekend
Electrics:
– 12V system powered by a Renogy smart lithium ion 100AH battery runs:
> Fiamma 28″ roof fan (extractor + fan)
> Whale water pump
> 4x LED lights on a dimmer
> 22L Alpicool fridge with ice cube freezer (plugged into a cig lighter port if an extra one is ever needed)
> USB C + USB 3.0 quick charge ports (can charge a laptop or Nintendo switch through a usb c – usb c cable. Super fast charging for mobile)
> Cigarette outlet rated for 20amps.
– Renogy BT-2 monitor to check battery charge status via Renogy app (very average app but provides useful information)
– 175watt Renogy solar panel
– Renogy DCC30S 12V Dual Input DC-DC on-board battery charger with MPPT (controls the solar input and alternator input for most efficient charge. Has kept kept the battery charged really well and is meant to prolong the life of the battery).
– Total potential amperage of the system is around 28amps. I have sized the wire from the battery to the fuse box (and back) to take up to 70amps so there is room for expansion (more sockets, additional battery, diesel heater etc) if wanted.
– Current usage I have had the fridge on most of the day (switched off at night as it makes a noise when cooling – keeps the temp well overnight though), charged my laptop and phone, used the water pump and run the lights for a few hours a day with no issues what so ever.
Storage:
– bench storage on L part of the bed
– Passenger seats storage
– two drawer storage areas (one for the double ring burner and gas canister)
– large cupboard storage with access to electrical system
– Large undersink storage for water tanks + other sink/cleaning items
– Rear storage cupboard
– Large underbed storage (accessed from the back) with space for surfboards
– Shelf units for food/crockery
– Cabinet storage for fridge
L-shaped bench seating area converts into a small double bed. ~110cm wide and 178cm long. The bed fits my partner (5ft10) and I (6ft0) perfectly, I would probably say any taller and one would struggle to fit in the length when sharing the bed.
The contact details for this vehicle are no longer available because it has either sold or the listing has expired.
Quirky loves this style means that Quirky Campers would potentially approve this vehicle for hiring. However, Quirky have not approved a Gas Safe certificate, a Weighbridge certificate, or the vehicle's electrics. Buyers must check these themselves. For some tips on what to look out for read this. If the listing has no Gas Safe certificate, no unladen weight and no electrical sign-off please proceed with caution!
Insurance options are available through our partner, Ripe Insurance.
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