New T5 on order

[hoddy]

I have asked for lots of things that Burwins say are not available on the Aussie models.
eg. blinds for sliding windows, extractor/ventilation fan, tinted glass ( so much better than tinting and available on multivan) swivel seat,
Unless I order a multivan it looks like most of the options for a standard transporter are limited.
In the end, I just want a powerful, economical 4WD van, but it would be nice to have all the trimmings too!

[Tornado T5]

I have asked for lots of things that Burwins say are not available on the Aussie models.
eg. blinds for sliding windows, extractor/ventilation fan, tinted glass ( so much better than tinting and available on multivan) swivel seat,
Unless I order a multivan it looks like most of the options for a standard transporter are limited.
In the end, I just want a powerful, economical 4WD van, but it would be nice to have all the trimmings too!

That's where I get annoyed. I can completely understand where an option might need adr compliance and hence is not offered if it won't be a popular option. However if VW Germany can run it down the line and add the option without drama's then I can't see the problem and it makes VW Aust more money. On my current T5, I would have liked the Crewvan with wing doors as I this would have provided a factory 2nd seat and air vents to the second row at near enough the same cost as the aftermarket seat. However VW Aust at the time only allowed the tailgate door.

[MultiplexMan]

Tornado,

I had a chat with a VWA staff member a couple years ago about exactly this. An issue for VWA is that someone has to actually enter the line items for each "option" - provided that option does not impact ADR or compliancing. This is not a simple "cut & paste".

There are added complications when a very limited number of options then have to be supported by the local techs.

For example, VWA tech support were not aware the second "a/c" unit in the Kombi Beach was in fact a Webasto ThermoTop C unit. They could not work out why it would not cool

Imagine what a wider range of short run options would do to the price of extended warranty? Need a new window on your T5 - oh, special order double glazed California spec glass - please wait...

Even entering retro-fit accessories into inventory, such as Park Distance Control, did not occur until well into the product life cycle and only after there was enough local demand.

Not what we want to hear, and I'd love access to some of the German options.

Cheers, MM

Edit - I guess that's why the Internet is the saving grace for those of us that like to install options like W8 interior lights, Velle headlights, factory fog lights,...

[Tornado T5]

Tornado,

I had a chat with a VWA staff member a couple years ago about exactly this. An issue for VWA is that someone has to actually enter the line items for each "option" - provided that option does not impact ADR or compliancing. This is not a simple "cut & paste".

There are added complications when a very limited number of options then have to be supported by the local techs.

For example, VWA tech support were not aware the second "a/c" unit in the Kombi Beach was in fact a Webasto ThermoTop C unit. They could not work out why it would not cool

Imagine what a wider range of short run options would do to the price of extended warranty? Need a new window on your T5 - oh, special order double glazed California spec glass - please wait...

Even entering retro-fit accessories into inventory, such as Park Distance Control, did not occur until well into the product life cycle and only after there was enough local demand.

Not what we want to hear, and I'd love access to some of the German options.

Cheers, MM

Edit - I guess that's why the Internet is the saving grace for those of us that like to install options like W8 interior lights, Velle headlights, factory fog lights,...

I understand your explanation however something like a lift tailgate vs barn doors wouldn't fall into this "issue". They are an option on all reg. vans already. Plus on the tech side hinges probably fall into the "low tech/maintenance" area, lol. What I'm really saying is if an option already exists locally on some vans then I can't see why it's not available more readily.

[gregozedobe]

I'm still waiting to see a believeable explanation for VAG Oz limiting the range of colours available here (actually T5s have a larger range of colours available in Oz than Golfs, and Skodas are quite limited too) . It's not like they stock a set of pre-painted panels as spares or anything, and the ADR and tech support arguments don't apply either.

If I'm willing to pay a substantial deposit and wait 4 or 5 months for delivery I should be able to get what I want.

[4wheels]

Not sure if I'm remembering correctly now, but I thought that was a possibility when I ordered from Trakka in 2007.

Brian.

[MultiplexMan]

Tornado,

I guess it can come down to too much product variety. This has often been a complaint about VW in general - too many engine/gearbox/configuration choices. You may see a future when only "commercial" vans have a barn door option (Transporters) and "consumer" vans (Multivan, California, Beach) don't.

The added "complication" (in variety not necessarily production) is LHD versus RHD. LHD Kombi Beach is based on the Multivan, RHD Kombi Beach is based on the Transporter... I look at the German Beach with the Multivan headlights and dashboard and ask the same question. The Multivan headlights (ADR approved) and dashboard are in Australia on other T5 models...



Greg,

Colour range I do not understand. Unless market research shows that there is an impact on demand, I personally would do like Henry Ford and limit colours. No need to have excessive variety if it does not impact sales/profit.

I can only think that perhaps VWA has a choice of surplus colour in order to reduce delivery periods? I mean, say VW has to run x vehicles per colour run. Surplus gets allocated to VWA because (I'm guessing) the Australian T5 market is more receptive to more colours?

More T5 colours than Golf colours Perhaps T5 owners are more flamboyant compared to the typical conservative Golf driver (joking)


I'm just thankful we can get the vehicles with some options.

[Tornado T5]

No set date promised
Have been told anywhere from April - June.
I think the standard / base models will appear feb / march

Hi Hoddy, Just wondering if you've been given an update on your delivery time?

[hoddy]

No such luck yet.
Have emailed the guy but have not heard back --> will check again this week.

The official price list has still not been released yet.

What are VAG up to I wonder??

[phaeton]

April 1st is official release day