Advice for buying T5 Multivan ~100,000-150,000km

[matandcath]

hi gang. we're have 3 car-seats to deal with, plus a dog, pram, bikes, surfboards, pop up caravan.....
We have had a reliable Soob Outback. Our mechanic seems to be rather adverse to the idea of the TDi Multivan. He reckons they are prone to leaks, and something about a really expensive fuel pump failure. Also maybe transmission overheating? Can anyone shed some light on all this? We'd love to know what "normally" goes wrong with them, and what "horribly" goes wrong!! Looking second hand in 100,000 - 150,000km range, 2005 onwards (for affordability). The plan would be for a van that we keep for at least 8-10yrs. We've looked at all sorts of options, but nothing seems as versatile for 3+ kids!
Thanks in advance!

[Transporter]

With what engine and transmission you looking at?

Generally 4 cylinder TDI with 5sp manual are more reliable than 5cyl. with automatic transmission. Also I would suggest the TDI before mid 2006, after that they have the DPF box, that can cost a fair bit to replace, and if it is 5cyl. before that date with AXD, AXE engine, these use a very expensive oil in engine (VW506.01 over $100 for 5L).

[Umai Naa!!]

Try and get a later one. The earlier ones were a bit iffy. 2007-onwards weren't too bad.

Bare in mind the higher costs of servicing, especially with brakes. Don't worry about a 4Motion (4WD) one, unless you absolutely feel you need one. They also chew tyres.

As for things that go wrong, sometimes they crack exhaust manifolds, EGR valves are known to play up.

Like any European car, find one that has a good maintainance record. Servicing on time, everytime, by a VW dealer, or reputable specialist will land you a decent bus.

[Transporter]

Bare in mind the higher costs of servicing, especially with brakes. Don't worry about a 4Motion (4WD) one, unless you absolutely feel you need one. They also chew tyres.

Hmm, I've done 43,000km on the Hankooks, ...otherwise I agree with you, the factory tyres - 17" Michelin didn't last.
Try to get T5 with the 16" wheels, they last much longer.

[Umai Naa!!]

Yes, the Michelins are quite soft. We had to prompt a customer to replace the full set after 15,000klms. Correction, 22,000klms. She was in for the 15K service!

Otherwise, with correct inflation pressures, they'll get past 30,000klms easy.

[brasstinman]

Originally we looked for a 2nd hand T5 and from everything I read people seemed to note that the auto gearbox either failed or needed some work at 120k or more but that wasn't for everyone but something go think about.
Manual in the multivan is harder to find but they're out the and get snapped up quick. We wanted the 4motion manual (only came in manual for T5) which is harder to get but not impossible. Here have been a few around now because people are moving to the T5.2.
I'd go a manual, much more simpler to maintain and cheaper if something goes wrong.
Plus the manual is supposed to be great fun the 5cyl version.

Oh and if you're coming from all wheel drive soob you'll want the 4motion in the multivan and from chatting to people who have the 4motiomn they love it, feels safe and corners very well in all conditions.

[matandcath]

We're looking at a 2005 with the 5cyl 2.5 6 speed semi-auto 150,000ish. Full up-to-date servicing at dealership.

[Cousin]

We're looking at a 2005 with the 5cyl 2.5 6 speed semi-auto 150,000ish. Full up-to-date servicing at dealership.

Hey mat (and cath?) something of that vintage definately pay no more than $30,000ish
If you can get hold of service details, see if the auto has been rebuilt or replaced
You would be lucky to get past 180,000ks out of the auto
So factor in about $5,000 for a rebuild
Also look for the exhaust manifold having been replaced
If it hasn't, that's another $2,000, but only if it goes, most don't
And then there's water pump, fuel pump and heaps of other things I don't want to know about
I picked up a Highline early in the year at 120,000ks
He wanted $41,000, got him to $36,000 so I'm happy
When the auto goes, it's sort of already paid for, sort of
I do around 70,000 ks a year and I love the auto, damn easier on the legs than the T4 manuals I've had in the past
So yes the Multis have their problems, but if you get one cheap enough, then it's worth it
And find yourself a very good Vee Dub mechanic, worth their weight in gold


M

[Seano]

Honestly....a used T5 or T4 van is asking for more than a little grief even compared to a Subaru. Parts and servicing costs are high and even the common failure items that others have already mentioned come at a premium. When you buy new, you have some idea of what you've got in for and how to best manage it. But you'll be buying into someone else's....it could be fine or it could lead to tears.

You really have to already be a VW fan to buy into a used VW.....rose coloured glasses and all!! I'll wager you guys aren't and I'll also wager that you don't have the time, money and energy to talk yourselves through a failure episode without grief.

If you want to tow, carry surfboards/dogs/prams/three kids in a bigger vehicle than an Outback and have AWD (overrated, even on a Subie - and we have a Forester and a 4Motion T4) then I would seriously look at a Holden Adventra or a Ford Territory. Admittedly the former is a dead model and the latter is a heavy fuel sucking pig especially in AWD....but they are cheapish. The rather fugly Subaru Tribeca might be worth a look too.

Alternatively (and better still), find a Ford Falcon wagon and then whack the suspension kit from the late Falcon RTV ute under it - an excellent compromise for the off road-ish stuff (I used to drive an RTV around western NSW). Yeah it's an auto but the Falcon wagon especially is cheap to buy and run, highly modifiable & upgradeable, cavernous and a good performer in town and on tour.

[matandcath]

Wow. Great feedback. You guys sound like my mechanic! Yeah - I am aware that the one we're eyeballing is up to 140,000 and has never had a gearbox oil change (although the manual doesn't specify one!! The owner is honest in saying that all servicing has been done to schedule). Water pump changed at 120,000. We can't afford much, so I'm getting cold feet. Happy to spend up to (but no more than) your recommended $30k-ish, but wouldn't be willing to cop a $5000 tranny in the next 40,000! We are also reluctant to use "dealership" servicing - always overprced in my book. When we got the Outback, it was $17,500 and our mechanic new we'd need a clutch soon-ish at $800 fitted. That happened about 2 yrs after we got it, so they were bang on. No big deal.
Why doesn't Toyota make a bus laid out like the Multivan with its unkillable turbo diesel? No one seems to come close to the versatility!!
We wouldn't get a Territory - I use them at work and you almost need to tow a petrol tanker to constantly fill it.
Don't really need 4WD these days (originally got the Soob with dual range manual as lived in country and did lots of dirt driving)
Soob Tribeca is (yep) fugly and no space
Toyota landcruiser costs fortunes and too much of a tank
Toyota kluger too small in back
Toyota Prado too small in back and too expensive
Maybe we should just drive the soob with everyone jammed in, the Thule roofbox, 2 bikes, and surfboard on roof, caravan in tow, until it dies (currently 180,000). My old Sube (1984) wagon got written off at 250,000 with absolutley nothing wrong with it...
Starting to think getting 3 of these new "skinny" car seats is cheaper than changing cars.
There seems to be a common theme with the Multivan. People (well funded), get them new, keep 'till 90000-140000, then swap for next model. The ones I've looked at are families onto their 3rd! Thing is, almost no cars have problems at k's around that. The trick for us (keeping in mind that the Soob was by far the fanciest and most expensive car we've owned, and it had 130000 on the clock when we got it) is finding a car to suit our many needs that won't kill the budget or have us up for $5000 transmissions!!
Whew! Keep the ideas coming. Thanks guys.