T5 Kombi Beach availability

[tapsy]

Hi all new to this site, my wife and i are thinking about getting a T5 kombi beach, and was wondering if 1) they are still going to be available in a couple of years, or get one now as we want to semi retire in about 4 years. 2) any bad reports about them?
3) any good reports about them.

we don't think we need a full blown camper, so what is the bed like in these?

[phaeton]

Hi all new to this site, my wife and i are thinking about getting a T5 kombi beach, and was wondering if 1) they are still going to be available in a couple of years, or get one now as we want to semi retire in about 4 years. 2) any bad reports about them?
3) any good reports about them.

we don't think we need a full blown camper, so what is the bed like in these?

Welcome to VWwA tapsy

Can't comment as I dont have a T5 but they will be phased out in 3 to 4 years when T6 arrives.

A facelift is also rumoured between now and then

[jets]

The Kombi Beach sells in very low nos. There would be no guarantee that VW would contiue to sell this model until the end of the T5.
Hopefully MultiplexMan will come along soon, he owns a Beach. If he doesn't send him a PM.

[WEDEL.1]

A Beach would certainly be an adequate replacement for the Green T4. All I need is $$$$$$$$.


Maris

[MultiplexMan]

Hi all new to this site, my wife and i are thinking about getting a T5 kombi beach, and was wondering if 1) they are still going to be available in a couple of years, or get one now as we want to semi retire in about 4 years. 2) any bad reports about them?
3) any good reports about them.

we don't think we need a full blown camper, so what is the bed like in these?

Hi,

The bed is great and roomy as there are no cupboards in the Beach. However the Beach is a SWB T5. This may be important if you cart heaps on your trips...

Positives - big discounts when buying one off the lot. I purchased a Beach because it worked out cheaper (at the time) than buying a stock Transporter and building it it up to the same spec. That is, dual battery, privacy glass windows all round, folding seat/bed, dual A/C, swivelling Captains seats, folding table, chairs,...

Negatives - VW T5 build quality. You can read my posts on this site and on the Brickyard. Lots of trim issues, pre-delivery "omissions", design... Note these are not Beach issues but VW issues.

My biggest agro is over the seat/bed. This is meant to be easily removable in order to suit the "dual purpose" nature of the vehicle. Well ask for a demonstration of the removal and installation of the seat/bed - take a video with you

Support - not an issue. Support will be no different than for any T5. The few "unique" pieces are not "show stoppers".

Anyhow - I found great prices in WA on demo Beaches (2WD and 4WD) but ended up buying in Sydney because I got a great all round deal.

It has been a great van (TDI auto) and I love driving it. It has been super reliable to date, easy to work with, lots of support (forums, spares, vendors) and I take it out bush (Cooper Basin) where only Toyotas dare to go

Cheers MM

[tapsy]

Thanks for your comments MM , what sort of $$ could i get one for i guess they are plated 06 so we may be able to get them down on price, One went a few months back for $42k on road with 7,000K, and is that bed comfortable? we have driven one and fell in LOVE with it..... but i will check out your posts on quality issues! Thanks, GT

[MultiplexMan]

Kombi Beach - 42K on road!!! That is a bargain.

[Lams]

The Caddy's bed is easily removable

[BrianJ]

One went a few months back for $42k on road with 7,000K, and is that bed comfortable? we have driven one and fell in LOVE with it.....

I bought a 2006 with 10k km for $47000 on the road 6 months ago, so $42k would be a real bargain.

This is mine, offroad gray and orange stripe, the brianj thread 3 images down from the top: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...?t=3785&page=7

We also did not want all the hard cupboards and sinks etc and this design has proven to be perfect for us. We have narrowed the bed a bit to fit a 32ltr engel fridge in on top of the wooden drawer just inside the sliding door.

The ability to eat up the kilometres in comfort is legendary, and lightyears ahead of the japanese commercial vans being sold in aussie. It has power to spare, has returned around 8 litres/100k on trips.

Its hard to know whether they will retain their proper value in australia unless VW starts to sell more cars overall and becomes a houshold name again, but with the price of japanese cars rising and european falling, that might just happen.

Brian

[Mischa]

just a thought; you could consider the new cadi maxi. then install your own bed and fridge and stuff. would be nicer to drive and still tonnes of room.