New member intro: Talk me into (our out of) a 2010 Transporter Biturbo

**Spooked** · 23-02-2024, 10:40 AM

Hi all. Allow me to introduce myself.

I am Spooked. A name chosen for good reason. I'm the kind of guy to read, read, read and search, search, search before making decisions. I don't love this about myself. Sometimes I take it too far

Recently, I've been thinking Transporter to use as a camper, not a daily drive. Found one. Beautiful paint, low mileage at almost 140,000, fairly okay service history, sold at a dealer so would have some consumer rights. Drives great.

Got the inspection done after agreeing to buy it at a price I thought was great, but did not sign a contract. Inspected by a mechanic and came up okay. A few things (might need clutch soon, slight oil weepage around oil cooler, a bit of a funny noise when the ignition is turned off but probably something to do with the AC), but he said it all checks out okay for a 14 year old bus. These things seem like usual wear and tear to be factored in.

The thing is: I had read about the big EGR issue first, and it was advertised as a single turbo. Only after seeing the 6 speed manual, did I realise it was the 132kw. The dealer had no idea the listing was wrong. But I took it for a drive and just loved it. Plus, it's a beautiful metallic green-grey instead of the usual white. A rare one!

Yesterday, I pulled out of the deal because of the engine. Did I make a good call here? Half thinking about changing my mind again.

**Spooked** · 23-02-2024, 10:45 AM

Picture from test drive. IMG-2202 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

**Syncrotek** · 23-02-2024, 05:19 PM

Hi,

Personally I think you made a sensible decision, the matter of these engine failures rolling around in the back of your mind during ownership would be enough to leave it alone.

"fairly okay service history" - not nearly good enough.
"bit of a funny noise when the ignition is turned off" - one red flag.
"advertised as a single turbo" - one GIANT Red Flag.

They are a lovely wagon, no doubt, but a bit too tarnished, it would take a lot of evidence & proof to be convincing.
In the case of these it has to be a head before heart decision, there is / has been enough discussion to go by.

**Sunny43.5** · 23-02-2024, 09:21 PM

The funny noise is referred to by those in the know as the "moo cow sound " ours which is single turbo makes that noise for around 8 years so nothing to worry about .

**Rebuild** · 24-02-2024, 11:36 AM

Unless the price is really good and its had/has the updated EGR cooler early in its life, i'd pass.

**Spooked** · 24-02-2024, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Syncrotek

Hi,

Personally I think you made a sensible decision, the matter of these engine failures rolling around in the back of your mind during ownership would be enough to leave it alone.

"fairly okay service history" - not nearly good enough.
"bit of a funny noise when the ignition is turned off" - one red flag.
"advertised as a single turbo" - one GIANT Red Flag.

They are a lovely wagon, no doubt, but a bit too tarnished, it would take a lot of evidence & proof to be convincing.
In the case of these it has to be a head before heart decision, there is / has been enough discussion to go by.

Thank you for putting it to me so clearly and eloquently.

100%. When I saw a six speed and confirmed it wasn't the 74kw as advertised, but the 134kw, and the dealer played a bit dumb about it. I was suspicious.

For some reason the service history was in two books. The first had all servicing up to 117,000k. And I verified this by calling the shops that worked on it (VW dealers, if they can be trusted). Then, for some reason there was an additional service at 136,000k in a second, cleaner book. I'm half thinking they pulled that one out of their butts. Either way, odd.

Thanks for confirming this for me. This morning I'm reading more about the issue and finding more and more clear, rational reasons to avoid this. As a Volks specialist said to me, "Leave it alone!" And he wasn't the first.

I'll have to save for post 2013, non-CFCA engine with the right oil cooler.

**Spooked** · 24-02-2024, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Sunny43.5

The funny noise is referred to by those in the know as the "moo cow sound " ours which is single turbo makes that noise for around 8 years so nothing to worry about .

Ha, interesting! Yeah, it was immediately after shutdown so I figured it was a quirk rather than a problem. Any idea what it is? To be honest, it sounded like the turbo farting.

**Spooked** · 24-02-2024, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Rebuild

Unless the price is really good and its had/has the updated EGR cooler early in its life, i'd pass.

No evidence of updated cooler. Stamped "A".

I feel a lot better about my decision now. Will save more for a later model with different cooler and/or evidence it has been addressed.

Thankfully, I have time on my side. So I'll sit and wait for the right one. That would be a post 2013, non-CFCA with the improved cooler.

**Spooked** · 24-02-2024, 04:54 PM

An update: I've just realised, thanks to photos taken by the mechanic that inspected it, that the EGR/oil cooler was changed out at some point. It's a 2010, but it now has a 2012 EGR. This makes me think something was going on with the EGR back then. And, it remains an 'A'.