T4 Transporter buying tips

[Ades]

Hi all,

I am new to VW's but not German vehicles, with a Merc Vito and E34 BMW 535i under my belt. I am looking at acquiring a T4 transporter or Caravelle at the moment, one to fit the family into and two to get my bikes into. So far the ones I see under the 10k mark seem to have high k's on them, can this be an issue or looked after will they last for ages. I seem to see stories supporting and not supporting this. I was even considering a Syncro T4 but they seem rare and can be pricey to fix. I can live with a few K's on the clock as long as the car is looked after then all should be well. I have seen a few with rust around the windscreen, is this common occurance as well.

cheers

Adrian

[Sunny43.5]

Having owned two T4,s some years ago they were great vans both were 2.5 petrols one auto the other manual , I bought my son a 1997 T4 3 years ago as he was also into MX racing and needed the van for this purpose , it was a 2.4 diesel manual but after a while he tired of the sluggish diesel and we did a whole 2.5 petrol engine - gearbox transplant from a donor van . His van has over 280.000 kays but feels nice and tight still for the age . Timing belts are the most critical part to be considered if I am not mistaken they should be changed around the 100.000 km mark [T5,s are shorter km,s I believe] you need to do the water pump at the same time for peace of mind . Rust was no problem with my sons around windows were fine just a very tiny bit below the fuel filler part . Other members may have more info for you but I reckon VW T4,s were better than the T5,s in many ways .

[jets]

I have seen a few with rust around the windscreen, is this common occurance as well.

Like Sunny, I have owned two T4s & yes they can rust around the windscreen. My first was where two panels are joined. Our current one has a very small bubble starting under the windscreen rubber.They can also rust after a careless windscreen replacement where the paintwork has been chipped. The vans in Europe can rust in the fuel filler flap & in the wheel arches but in OZ they are normally rust free.
The engine of choice would be the 2.5TDI, powerful but economical. Avoid anything with auto trans. You are right about the Syncro & I wouldn't buy one unless you have a need for 4WD. As the mileage creeps up together with age, parts wear out & can break so try and establish whether it's had an easy life[highway at reasonable speeds] or lots of short runs, hauling heavy loads & generally working hard.
You will need a decent service history & probably an inspection by an independant who knows the T4 well.Take your time & don't rush in. Good luck in finding a good one.

[Ades]

I have seen a few but as my budget is pretty small I have to play with the high mileage and cheaper ones out there, it hasn't stopped me being selective though. I looked at one in a caryard in lansvale, it was dodgy to the max, rusty window surround, the rear seats weren't bolted in or engineer approved, interior all torn up, even 2 inch galvanised fence pipe as exhaust pipe, and this was from a large 9 yard car dealer. The search goes on, I was going to go a syncro as it would be handy when I go off road with my mountain bikes, but again I would be looking at one with some k's on the clock.

[Sunny43.5]

I know its not the best option but have you tried Fleabay oops Ebay , when we did the drive train transplant for my sons van we bought one off Ebay it cost $3800 1997 2.5 manual .After we did the change over and fitted the donor engine etc to his van I then fitted all the old diesel stuff into the donor van I polished it up cleaned up the interior and resold it on Ebay got $6500 for it figure that out it was a lot worse in body than my sons but it was full roadworthy when sold .

[Ades]

I am watching Ebay as I have started writing this, watching one or two, it is just the unknown that worries me but, will see what comes available. I saw a Trakkavelle, the owner tells me it is a 2 litre pertol motor, I thought all transporter petrols were 2.5 litre, 5 cylinders, or am I confused. It is a 8 seater, but The rear seats can always be ripped out down the track, high k's which worries me though...

[Sunny43.5]

The T4 apparently has a 1.8 lt 2.0 lt 2.5 lt and a 2.8 V6 in petrol , the T5 certainly has a 2.o petrol as I drive one . specs here Volkswagen Transporter (T4) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Ades]

Cheers, thanks for that, more wiser now, I have only come across the 2.5 5cyl versions so far, apart from the one 2 lt trakkavelle. It has a lot of K's on it though.