New T5 on order

[hoddy]

I looked at the German VW website which has options for the new model. Most are the same.
Price wise, the dealer raised the old price by 5% and said that if the new model came in higher than that they would absorb the cost to them, otherwise they would refund the difference. I got a corporate discount (10% i think) so I think the overall price will be acceptable.
Of course as I had to enter contract by 31st December to get the 50% tax break I was in no position to bargain.

Transporter - I was planning to run cabling myself to second battery under drivers seat, Is this something that I should try to get factory fitted?

Tornado - My current T4 - rusty 97 LWB syncro on duel fuel has done 315,000 KM so in terms of trade in I don't expect much return (will probably sell private)

[Transporter]

Transporter - I was planning to run cabling myself to second battery under drivers seat, Is this something that I should try to get factory fitted?

The second battery was not an option when I was ordering mine, in 2004. It was on the options list later on; bargain really at only $350.00
Optima battery of that capacity would cost you that much or more, and even if you would take the standard battery out and use the Optima instead, the wiring and charge control relay is well worth the money. But hey, you can always ask the dealer if they could slip it in, somehow? And if not the solar charging from the roof panels sounds good too. I use the Thumper pack that is charged using CTEK charger only.

[Tornado T5]

I looked at the German VW website which has options for the new model. Most are the same.
Price wise, the dealer raised the old price by 5% and said that if the new model came in higher than that they would absorb the cost to them, otherwise they would refund the difference. I got a corporate discount (10% i think) so I think the overall price will be acceptable.
Of course as I had to enter contract by 31st December to get the 50% tax break I was in no position to bargain.

Transporter - I was planning to run cabling myself to second battery under drivers seat, Is this something that I should try to get factory fitted?

Tornado - My current T4 - rusty 97 LWB syncro on duel fuel has done 315,000 KM so in terms of trade in I don't expect much return (will probably sell private)

Ah, I take it you can read German, because I found a commercial vehilce site in english that didn't have anywhere near the level of detail compared to the German VW configuration site. Boy are there a massive number of options. If it's a help, my 1997 T4 LWB, 5sp pet/lpg with 298,000km was valued at $5000 back in '07 when I negotiated. It was however in mint condition. Actually if you got a 10% discount off full retail, which could be anywhere between $5000-$6000 I'd say you are more than OK pricewise, considering it's a new model. Love to hear how it goes down the track and I'll get in first by saying...we want photo's and lots when the beast arrives, lol.

[hoddy]

"DAS AUTO" is about all I know in German! I just get google to translate page or copy and paste relevant paragraphs into google translator.... gives a rough idea anyway.
Have requested the second batt option, apparently goes under passenger seat, but should be easy to relocate from there to under the drivers seat. (as opposed to running cabling all the way from engine compartment).
Still no word on pricing.

[Tornado T5]

"DAS AUTO" is about all I know in German! I just get google to translate page or copy and paste relevant paragraphs into google translator.... gives a rough idea anyway.
Have requested the second batt option, apparently goes under passenger seat, but should be easy to relocate from there to under the drivers seat. (as opposed to running cabling all the way from engine compartment).
Still no word on pricing.

Actually I tried that once and should have made a better formatting effort when I tried to paste it into excel. Considering the dsg/4motion models won't be released in Europe until later this year, if you discover an option that is available for Aust. deliveries I assume you can add it to your order before the build commences. From memory it doesn't seem like you have optioned anything that wasn't already a past T5 option. Did you ask for something that appears on the German site which the Burwin's dealer said won't be available? For example I'd like to order a factory reversing camera but don't necessarily want the factory Satnav which might be a mandatory option pairing on T5.2 (for Aus deliveries). Locally supplied 2-din units are cheaper and better featured, even high end brands.

[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,...