G'day all you VW admirers and enthusiasts.

I have been a Transpoter aficionado since 2003 when I was lucky enough to score an excellent 95 transporter 1.8lt Manual. It had a coat hanger crafted in shape of Australia as an antenna. At first she was part of an attempted business venture but soon after actually ended up being my home for months. I will alway remember "Ursula" with fondness.

My next experiene with a VW Transporter is one with a lot more heart ache.

I had sold my van and was using the company vehicle only. I was desperate to get back into a Transporter. I found a what seemed to be an excellent deal. A Transporter 2006 TDI with 100k on the clock for $17800. Went and inpected it had a test drive and thought right, SOLD!

To my horror on the first dirve back as I was pullin up a hill I sunddenly hear a big airy pop and about 90% loss of power. My heart sank as it dawned on to me I had just bought a lemon I pull over to investigate all the while praying to God for a miracle. My prayers were answered! an air intake hose had come loose because of a poorly fitted clip and put the hose back in place and tentatively got back on the road. All seemed ok ad we were back at %100 power.

The van served me well and was sucha pleasure to drive for about 4 months. When suddenly after a change of oil the oil light would go on after about 30min of driving. Took it to the mechaninc and he did all the checking and chenged the filter and oil but the light persisted. He said it must be a faulty solenoid or sensor and that it should be ok to continue driving. (not a vw sepcialist btw)

So i continued driving... until the engine ceased.

Took it straight to wolfsbergs in St. Peters because of some goo reviews on the net.

After months of it sitting there (they gave me a courtesy car after about a month) they called me to say its going to cost me $9000 to put a new engine in.

Everyone tells me this is pretty steep but Wolsberg explained that these engines are pretty rare and installation is complicated.

I still own about 15k on the vehicle and thats why im desperate for some VW advise.

I hold no grudges against anyone as I understand these things happen. Especially not VW as they are so functional and beautiful in there design.

I think I will always drive a TRANSPORTER no matter how econimically enticing those new HYUNDAI look alikes are.