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[firemoth]

Hi. Were playing with various ideas for our holiday this year. We're going to Germany and we always drive as it's cheaper than flying and hiring a car, as well as being more flexible ie luggage etc. However between me the wife our kids and her (my step kids) there are 7 of us. In the past we've always had a 7 seater like galaxy etc, but we've always found them poorly built for their size, unreliable and in the end we'd had enough, so put the wife through her driving test and got her a Peugeot 306.

The problem now is she is dead against driving to Germany so we're looking at various options like 2 flying over (other family members are there with hired car so transport that end isn't a major problem) or either buying a galaxy etc for the holiday and selling after, or keeping it and selling her 306 as she likes galaxy's, as much a pain as they are.

This obviously puts justifying keeping the omega at risk, which I really don't want.

Anyway, the other idea I've just had is converting my omega to a 7 seater. I've heard people do it with Mondeo, vectra, Volvo and such like. Is it possible / pheasible with the omega? Obviously cost is the biggest influence. I'd like to say we could justify about £400 for it but ideally £200 ish.

Anyone know any detail about it or have any experience doing it?

[05omegav6]

Irmscher did a rear seat module for the Prefacelift, so the concept is viable... (it would also fit the facelift as they're structurally identical  )...

Good luck finding one though...

Mercedes still offer a seven seat version for the E Class estate, so don't rule one of them out if you must have a car...

Personally I would be reluctant to be putting kids in the boot, however tempting

Best bet... buy a cheap Transhit or LDV minibus, remove as many seats as your licence/needs require and go from there

[TheBoy]

Adding seats may require you to tell insurance...

[firemoth]

A minibus is no different (in fact a more expensive option) to getting a people carrier. I don't have the budget for a merc (nor want one to be honest) and yes insurance would of course be notified.

If e can't find a kit / a reasonable way of converting, then one of the people carrier (galaxy/espace etc) is probably the way we'll go. I'll have to crash it on the way back so don't have to get rid of my omega

[henryd]

Adding seats may require you to tell insurance...

I would speak to insurers before looking tbh,they could scupper it straight away if they feel like it.

[05omegav6]

A minibus is no different (in fact a more expensive option) to getting a people carrier. I don't have the budget for a merc (nor want one to be honest) and yes insurance would of course be notified.

If e can't find a kit / a reasonable way of converting, then one of the people carrier (galaxy/espace etc) is probably the way we'll go. I'll have to crash it on the way back so don't have to get rid of my omega

Was thinking 25 year old E Class rather than new

Besides, you still think a Transhit too expensive...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/transit-190-mini-bus-t-reg-2-5-diesel-lwb-11-seater-plus-driver/271517141222?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22472%26meid%3D7664967501443427607%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D9725%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D201107809381&rt=nc ?

A damnsite more comfy than squashing seven people and all their crap into a silly shaped mumsy bus, no roofbox or trailer needed either, even with bikes/luggage. Safer too

[henryd]

A minibus is no different (in fact a more expensive option) to getting a people carrier. I don't have the budget for a merc (nor want one to be honest) and yes insurance would of course be notified.

If e can't find a kit / a reasonable way of converting, then one of the people carrier (galaxy/espace etc) is probably the way we'll go. I'll have to crash it on the way back so don't have to get rid of my omega

Was thinking 25 year old E Class rather than new

Besides, you still think a Transhit too expensive...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/transit-190-mini-bus-t-reg-2-5-diesel-lwb-11-seater-plus-driver/271517141222?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22472%26meid%3D7664967501443427607%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D9725%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D201107809381&rt=nc ?

A damnsite more comfy than squashing seven people and all their crap into a silly shaped mumsy bus, no roofbox or trailer needed either, even with bikes/luggage. Safer too

That transit doesn't look too bad,even better if the floor can still support 11 people without doing Fred and Wilma impressions

[firemoth]

I  think you realise our budget. My omega was £675 ('01 2 2dti 135k 6mth t&t) which was a pretty good deal if I may say so myself, but anyway, this is us splashing out on a car. Also, anyone tried to insure a van/minibus? Normal car insurance won't do it

[05omegav6]

Generally cheaper

Could try tempory cover... relatively more expensive, but you only buy what you need

Also, if you take all but nine (eight passenger) seats out, then it becomes a car, driveable on a B1 licence 

So in this case, three seats in front, triple bench second row, with a twin seat and single third row

[Steve B]

Saw this and thought of you..

Here is your 7 seater

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Omega-Limousine-Hearse-with-private-plate-Very-good-condition-for-year-/261508130797?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3ce31967ed

[Steve B]

Think the plate is Asda funeral Services 

[firemoth]

Saw this and thought of you..

Here is your 7 seater

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Omega-Limousine-Hearse-with-private-plate-Very-good-condition-for-year-/261508130797?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3ce31967ed

I've seen a few of these and would be lying if I said I want tempted. Would have to drop a diesel lump and mental box in it though. Would be interesting with my 20 odd ft (26 I think but could be wrong) caravan hanging off the back!

[Kevin Wood]

I would imagine any 7 seat conversion would require type approval on a car as "new" as an Omega, which means that, unless there is a factory option, you might never legally be able to do it. Even if you got something that your insurance company said yes to, that doesn't mean that they wouldn't then "discover" the type approval issue should a claim arise.

Same issue as putting a towbar on a VXR8. There's no reason on earth why you couldn't tow with it, but it was never type approved, so you just can't.

There might be a route through the IVA process to approve such a modification, assessing the strength of the mounting points for seats and belts, the structure around the seats, contactable surfaces near the passengers, etc. but it then becomes a bit of an expensive faff compared to just stumping up for some flight tickets, IMHO.

I would buy a cheap Espace and enjoy better safety and comfort on the journey, then sell it upon my return.

[Lagondanet]

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. 

[05omegav6]

Presumably the Irmscher installation carries the relevant type approval hardest part will be finding one...

But if you're towing a caravan as well, then you would do alot worse than that Transit I linked to