Which van to buy?

[woodworker]

Hi all, I am new to the forum and have started looking at buying a Transporter/Multivan etc. Ideally like to buy a long wheel base ('normal' height roof) with the view to adding a double bed in the rear to make a 'very' simple camper. Perhaps have 1 or 2 extra seats in the back (somehwere) for the possiblity of extra passenger/s. Would be for daily commute/ holiday trips. No great loads. Hopefully say approx 2005 onwards with less than 100,000 K's etc.
I have previously owned a 1980 LWB Hiace petrol/manual (in the 80's) with a similar conversion.

After reading some of the great info here I am wondering what is the best unit to look for, sounds like the auto units are a problem. A manual is not out the question but Auto's grow on you. I would prefer reliability and not expense $$. Petrol or diesel is OK

Which is the best ??

Any help would be appreciated.

[flyingfridge]

2.5L Turbo diesel 128kW (3 red TDI letters in the badge) is the best engine, just be aware there's a very major service at 180,000ks. The 6 speed manual is the most reliable and most fuel efficient and I think the nicest to drive. The Autos seem to be hit and miss. There are stories here and there of gearboxes going wrong but my girlfriend's old man has a 128kW 6auto with 215,000km on it and it's never missed a beat once except for a ****y EGT sensor a couple of months ago and he thrashes that thing so go figure.

I've seen a couple of guys set these up as basic campers and they come out great, best of luck with your search!

[woodworker]

Thanks for the quick repsonse. I think the manual is looking like the one, at this stage. However there seems to be a lot of autos out there. Are there any particular things to look out for and have serviced /replaced before any 'issues' happen?
Does anyone have the internal dimensions for the Short wheel base versus the long wheel base? from what I have seen driving around the short wheel base might be a bit small inside (perhaps) for a 'camper'
Unfortunately there aren't too many around to check out in person.

[Seano]

In that vintage, I'd actually seriously consider the smaller 103kW TDI or even the 2.0 litre petrol engine. Especially the latter. Yes the 132kW version is the ducks nuts but it is also in demand. Regardless of the engine I'd be prefering the manual gearbox.

The problem you face is that most of the basic Transporters have been commercially used so they've often been flogged by unsympathetic drivers. The diesels will cop a bigger flogging because they are typically unresponsive low down compared to a petrol engine.....

So if you can find a LWB with a 2 litre petrol engine and a manual g/box...at the very least don't dismiss it out of hand.

Also don't forget there is a 3.2L V6 petrol engine out there too
2007 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER LOW ROOF T5 MY07 Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au - carsales.com.au

[woodworker]

Seano, thanks for the info. Are there any great expenses with either engine? (other than extra fuel running cost with petrol, I am guessing)

Also
Does anyone have a 'rough' idea of costs relating to fitting an extra seat in the rear ( eg: to make it legal) assuming the van doesn't have any rear seats?

thanks

[tron]

Extra seat for T5 will be about 2K for a quality 3 seater fitted, with engineers cert, or if you can wait, prowl e-bay as there are often used seats there, then just the approx $250 for eng. cert

[Tornado T5]

This might help for ideas:
V-Gear - Seating

[Cousin]

You can get in contact with Trakka up your neck of the woods, woody!!
They're not cheap, but they do good work
I looked for second hand seats some years ago, good luck!


M

[woodworker]

Thanks guys, for the help thus far.