That's me, I'm done with Multivans

**Transporter** · 09-09-2012, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by bluefin321

I'll be thinking long and hard before handing over $ for another vw.

Just out of curiosity, what are the manual T5's like? I can't recall seeing any used examples when we were looking.

The 6 speed manuals are reliable. I don't think that we have one post here mentioning the replacement or reconditioning 6 speed manual.

It would be interesting to know what % of T5's outside of EU were made with auto?

For sure, there are probably enough spare parts for 6 speed AT or complete AT made that VW could afford to replace/repair the faulty units for the cost of labour only. Which would go a long way in preserving the reputation, but hey, maybe it is like that outside of Australia, who knows?

**Cousin** · 09-09-2012, 10:32 AM

INVWS, my expectations when I buy a Volkswagen are a quality product, reliable and comfortable to drive. My expectations when I bought this Multivan were of a high end product with a potential blemish, that being the auto.
My VW mech said autos can go at 150,000ks or 200,000 or who knows. So when mine did pop at 150,000 I figured I had been pre warned, that’s why I wasn’t totally surprised. That didn’t change my expectation of the vehicle. The previous owner had the van for 120,000ks and hadn’t changed the trannie oil, which was the first thing we did. So in some respects the previous owner and VW (together) hadn’t maintained that part of the van properly.
The re build bought in a new set of expectations. Spoke to the company at length re these autos, and the discussion went along the lines of they know the problems these boxes have, and we’ve made changes to increase their longevity. Larger American valving was one of those changes. I did have the hope that with servicing this auto every year, professionally rebuilt using better components, I should get around 200,00ks, at least, this time.
I’m easy on my vehicles without being a grannie, and I service them to death. Any problem gets fixed immediately. I spend a lot of time driving and I hate things not working properly with a passion. The past vans were all treated this way and were sold around 350,000ks both with brilliant reliability records. And they’re both still going today well over 400,000ks each.
So my expectations with this 2006 Highline Multivan was similar, with perhaps a speed hump in the middle that being the auto needing a rebuild. Twice, now I’m pissed off with it when I include all the other issues it’s had along the way such as replacement exhaust manifold, another known issue with these vans.
Bluefin, I did look around for a manual Multi, but sadly at the time no second hand ones seemed to be on the market around the time I was looking. I’d be happy to get into one of those, after replacing the dual mass flywheel, which, Transporter, has been a problem with the manuals. An easy fix for those that know, but dropping another dmf in at around 2.5g doesn’t solve the problem, only a solid flywheel does.
And the DSG boxes themselves are mostly reliable as they are an electronically shifted manual, it’s the electronics that generally cause the problems. And to make matters worse VW/Audi/Skoda now code all their electronics, so second hand parts such as control modules with all the sensors, now can’t be used to contain costs.
I think Subaru/Toyota are perhaps showing the way forward with the concept of the BRZ/86. Light, simple and easy to drive. Even Subaru’s CVT transmissions are an exercise in simplicity, and so far are proving to be extremely reliable, although it is early days for the current version.
Excuse the length of this post, a lot on my mind at the mo

M

**BrianJ** · 09-09-2012, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Transporter

The 6 speed manuals are reliable. I don't think that we have one post here mentioning the replacement or reconditioning 6 speed manual.

That may be so, but unfortunately most owners have had about 3 DMF flywheels replaced by 100,000km. A quick google search reveals that this is a real problem worldwide in all brands of cars that use diesel engines.

Brian

IN2VWS · 09-09-2012, 06:03 PM

Cousin - I totally agree with you. I would have expected better from VW. The longevity of the T5 trannies is piss poor.
It will be interesting to see what the DSG boxes are like once they get over 150,000km. So far, I love the DSG in my Transporter......but I am only at 50,000km.
Also, don't compare the Passenger car DSG boxes with the Transporter DSG boxes. They are not the same.

**Seano** · 10-09-2012, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by BrianJ

That may be so, but unfortunately most owners have had about 3 DMF flywheels replaced by 100,000km. A quick google search reveals that this is a real problem worldwide in all brands of cars that use diesel engines.

Brian

Not so fast. My 2001 T4 with AXV TDi engine has a dual mass flywheel, 185,000 km on the clock and the original clutch...no dramas as yet.

**Sunny43.5** · 10-09-2012, 05:24 PM

I would agree 100 % as my wife only has an auto license the auto is the only option for us ,me personally don;t care as my work T5 is the lowly 2.0 lt manual . But here is the rub you pay $50.000 plus for an empty box on wheels a transporter as the auto was only available in the 2.5 turbo .We cannot use a fitted out van as we have two disabled kids in wheel chairs so acustom fitout is required and it would be a waste to gut out a caravelle or the other models like it . So $50.000 for the auto and $30.000 for the manual one, which one has cost more for less kays you guessed it the auto model . Now it might be fine for all the purists that will shoot me down on reasons , but if you pay extra for all this technology then it should be more reliable . I can now say that from $50.000 I would have spent at least $1350 on a water pump/ fuel cooler probably $400 { did not get done just removed } Intercooler connection not sure but I would guess at least $600 to $800 /Air con compressor bearing failed $3000 with a service plus another $650 on transmission service which made it worse . Now if I had taken the service deptments advice when the auto first showed signs of problems another $8000plus 3 years ago . total if all done around $14000-$15000 . on a van that has ONLY done 130.000 kays , in my book thats not a very good track record for a $50k vehicle . As I said my $30.000 basic van with manual, timing belt water pump $650 clutch kit $650 so other than services that have been done only for oil filters etc around $1300 in general repairs and it has done 180.000 bloody hard kays as a work van around town and open highway .
So in all the simpler the technology the cheaper the service repair costs , and it would seem that VW have stumbled from one auto transmission disaster to another over the last 12 years , plus the DMF in the diesel models .WHY WHY WHY just to make themselves out to be smart engineers so that the motoring press tell the world how good these cars are ??? Its such common knowledge that the VW autos have a reputation and VW should stop and go back to basics , and in the meantime offer to sort out owners problems . Last thing someone will say oh Howards raving again yes and please don,t tell me so , its just that if you add up the number of people on this forum and see how many have had problems and then the ones who have not REMEMBER there are thousands of owners WHO ARE not on this forum and who probably have gone like lambs to the slaughter at their local VW dealer or to a tranny shop and just handed over their hard earned money because they don,t know of any other way out of their prediciment . Out of interest here is how the DMF works and I can see for myself that the design would have some failings as its just two springs which have to absorb the torque and vibration pulses that diesels are known for .3D animation of dual mass flywheel - YouTube

**Transporter** · 10-09-2012, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by BrianJ

That may be so, but unfortunately most owners have had about 3 DMF flywheels replaced by 100,000km. A quick google search reveals that this is a real problem worldwide in all brands of cars that use diesel engines.

Brian

I disagree Brian. Most T5 manual owners in this forum didn't have problem with the DMF.

**BrianJ** · 10-09-2012, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by Transporter

I disagree Brian. Most T5 manual owners in this forum didn't have problem with the DMF.

Fair enough, I don't have one myself, but a search of the brickyard will find lots of failures. Admittedly, there are many there who chip their engines for more power and probably like to beat others away from the lights, which may be a possible explanation for the high number of failures of DMFs and stripping of front axle splines.

To seano: I was only talking about T5 vans.

Brian