Multivan / Kombi Beach - How many KM's are too many?

[gordymatt]

Thanks very much Brian.

I'm going to tell you that the van has done 500,000kms.

Does this change your thinking at all? The price is very low considering what else is on offer but obviously other vans have done nowhere near this sort of k's.

I'm nervous and lots of intelligent people like Transporter have advised to give it a miss.....trouble is, I want one and have done for ages, love the look and functionality but dont have the 30k to 40k that would buy a low mileage version.

Is it worth checking on the history and maybe getting a mechanical check from Jmac or similar? Do the Inspections advise on all parts that are about to fail etc so I can factor in the cost etc??

Thanks for your help.

Matt

---------- Post added at 09:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 PM ----------

Hey Transporter.

Worst case scenario on cost?

[JP-009]

Matt, what I would recommend is that you have a look at what it costs to replace the engine. Find a good VW workshop and get a quote for supply and fit. The next step is to add this cost into your purchase price - is this more than you are willing to spend? (If it does break?)

I was looking at purchasing a 2005 Highline from the Gold Coast, which had over 300k on the clock. When I factored in a replacement engine, it was over my budget so I kept looking.

As far as I know, there are not too many T5s getting about with this kind of milage on them, so there is not too much info on the longevity of the engines. I would expect that a well cared for and serviced engine should be fine. However, the rest of the van might show significant signs of the high milage.

Good luck with your search!

[BrianJ]

That's higher than I was thinking, you've given me new perspective on how long mine should last!

I agree with what others have been saying in this thread, if its AUTO, has the gearbox already been replaced or may that need doing, Auto boxes appear to be worth around $5000-$7000 installed, but if its manual, then there is the problem of the dual mass flywheels falling apart. Steering suspension struts and all ball joints would need to be considered.

Because we cannot see whether all this has been addressed as the car aged or if there is dozens of component worn right out, it makes it difficult to make an assessment. Is there a receipt history showing what has been replaced already. It would seem like a perfect car for a VW hobbyist who can do repairs and enjoys it.

If you don't do car maintenance yourself then costly labour needs to be factored in. On the other hand if these vans are capable of doing a million kms then it is a youngster.

I think you would need to get it thoroughly checked over in fine detail to be sure.

Brian

[Transporter]

Thanks very much Brian.

I'm going to tell you that the van has done 500,000kms.

Does this change your thinking at all? The price is very low considering what else is on offer but obviously other vans have done nowhere near this sort of k's.

I'm nervous and lots of intelligent people like Transporter have advised to give it a miss.....trouble is, I want one and have done for ages, love the look and functionality but dont have the 30k to 40k that would buy a low mileage version.

Is it worth checking on the history and maybe getting a mechanical check from Jmac or similar? Do the Inspections advise on all parts that are about to fail etc so I can factor in the cost etc??

Thanks for your help.

Matt

---------- Post added at 09:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 PM ----------

Hey Transporter.

Worst case scenario on cost?

It's hard to know what will break down first. Just about all the components could be on the way out. The proper check up by Jmac could give you some info about mechanical condition, but nothing would be guaranteed, because of the 500,000km. I wouldn't buy it even if the mechanical report was OK.

You could tell me off for that, but here is how I'm thinking;
There is a special edition T5 for $29,990 brand new. I would get the upholstery for the rear and some seats, even if selected as an option it shouldn't cost more than $35,000. You could be spending a lot of money fixing the van that done 500,000km and regret your decision to buy it. The $10,000 goes a long way towards a new van and it is probably more than a year of monthly repayments.
I know, it wouldn’t buy you T5 Beach but close enough. Good luck with the decision.

[BrianJ]

Here's a few thoughts I had on the logistics:
500,000km / 6 years = 80,000km/year
This comes to over 1500/ week or 200-250km /day.

At the normal service interval of 15000km, that would be 5 or 6 services /year at about an average of $500
In theory it would have cost about the same in standard services as the car was worth if they were all done.
Out in the country there are very few proper VW service centres, and the original owner must have been almost continuously driving it for the last 6 years so very little time to stop and find a service centre.

These engines use fairly rare high grade specific spec oil that most inland service centre's don't even stock so the chances of it having the correct oil over the life are very small.

This would generally lead to excessive cam and follower wear, so I would expect to see a receipt for at least new cam and followers, but more likely at least one new complete head.

It seems likely to me that the required servicing would have been neglected and the car was most likely driven into the ground which is why it is being sold, because if it was still perfect then why get rid of it, unless the person was retiring and had no further use.

I agree with the others here and would proceed with caution.

Brian

[gordymatt]

Brian,

Thanks for your time and efforts......

I have been told that all mechanical work has been done by VW dealer on Gold Coast. They are going to email me details of all the work the vehicle has had......

I will proceed with caution and I am waiting to see how comprehensive the work has been.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

Matt

Here's a few thoughts I had on the logistics:
500,000km / 6 years = 80,000km/year
This comes to over 1500/ week or 200-250km /day.

At the normal service interval of 15000km, that would be 5 or 6 services /year at about an average of $500
In theory it would have cost about the same in standard services as the car was worth if they were all done.
Out in the country there are very few proper VW service centres, and the original owner must have been almost continuously driving it for the last 6 years so very little time to stop and find a service centre.

These engines use fairly rare high grade specific spec oil that most inland service centre's don't even stock so the chances of it having the correct oil over the life are very small.

This would generally lead to excessive cam and follower wear, so I would expect to see a receipt for at least new cam and followers, but more likely at least one new complete head.

It seems likely to me that the required servicing would have been neglected and the car was most likely driven into the ground which is why it is being sold, because if it was still perfect then why get rid of it, unless the person was retiring and had no further use.

I agree with the others here and would proceed with caution.

Brian

---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 PM ----------

Thanks for the Info.

Getting the special edition sounds ok and I will investigate......

Really want rear air con for my little girl though and don't think the T5 van will offer me this?

[gordymatt]

Brian and everyone,

Still waiting on the History and documentation.....I am told that they have it all but I'm yet to see it. I have Jmac lined up for an Inspection later this week and hopefully with both I can make my decision one way or the other. I genuinely appreciate everyone's concerns regarding the vehicle and I take it all on board. Having said all that I am a bit of a gambler and like to take a chance every now and then!

Also Brian, for Info the transmission is manual.

Thanks

Matt

Brian,

Thanks for your time and efforts......

I have been told that all mechanical work has been done by VW dealer on Gold Coast. They are going to email me details of all the work the vehicle has had......

I will proceed with caution and I am waiting to see how comprehensive the work has been.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

Matt




---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 PM ----------

Thanks for the Info.

Getting the special edition sounds ok and I will investigate......

Really want rear air con for my little girl though and don't think the T5 van will offer me this?

[gordymatt]

Decided to give this one a miss, the general feedback was against doing it and no history was forthcoming. The dealer has now wholesaled it to someone in NSW for around $8k.

Brian and everyone,

Still waiting on the History and documentation.....I am told that they have it all but I'm yet to see it. I have Jmac lined up for an Inspection later this week and hopefully with both I can make my decision one way or the other. I genuinely appreciate everyone's concerns regarding the vehicle and I take it all on board. Having said all that I am a bit of a gambler and like to take a chance every now and then!

Also Brian, for Info the transmission is manual.

Thanks

Matt