[Closed] VW Transporters what do I need to know?

if only there was a magazine that did a review of the 3 most popular vans for the purpose you mentioned 😉

You'll get T5 owners saying how great they are....

...and everyone else will tell you to buy a Bongo/Transit/Vivaro/Traffic etc.

My T5 is converted to a full camper, so no room for bikes inside, I can carry 5 people with belts though.

As economical as our car, with lower VED thanks to some new Euro engine. Cheap insurance. Costs about £110 to fill the tank, I get about 550 miles with a heavy right foot.

Nice to drive, the kids love it, we have had some great times in it. Could no doubt get an equally good non VW van for loads cheaper, but after owning a Bay a few years ago, I wanted a T5.

The version with seats is called a Caravelle. I think you can take seats out to give you the large space in the back. You'd probably want the LWB version for 5 + kit.

I've got a 1.9tdi T5 (104HP version) and it does 35-40mpg if that gives you an idea. There are 85HP 1.9 versions and 2.5l versions also. So it's not cheap for doing high mileage but not ruinous either.

I can't be bothered to go on and on about how great my T5 is again.

But I can tell you that I do 60 miles a day for about 40-50 quid a week in diesel. This is in a 130bhp 2.5 turbo. Almost any other Transporter is less thirsty but the 6 speed box makes a massive difference at cruising speeds, with the option of quick and painless overtaking.

Nicer than a van = Caravelle / California
Van with 5 / 6 seats = Kombi

If you don't just want "a van" your options are to buy a 'velle (expensive) or buy a transporter and have it fitted out (marginally less expensive 🙂 )
If you want to sleep more than 2 you'll want a pop-top roof as well (or an awning / tent).

180 BiTDI gives me ~32 - 36 mpg on the motorway. 30 average.

140 / 114 are quite a bit more economical.

As for not worrying about racks, well I have a van with a rack. The rack just frees up more space to live / sleep in though there are some very good bike specific conversions out there.

fwiw If you're getting nearly new the Hyundai iLoad has a 5 yr warranty
I'm sure that is best in class
They do an i800 minibus style version too

You are after a combi (or Kombi for a vw).
This will have a 2nd row of seats with additional windows, and then the remainder is normal van. This will seat 5 or 6, depending on whether you have captain seats at the front or not. Its a perfectly nice place to be imo.

30something mpg depending on engine choice, your route and your right foot 😉

There is a vw t5 forum...

I miss my t5 a lot. Sold it to a family just like yours. It's an estate car with benefits. Check the t5 forums to wade through the many options

Sounds like a 5 seat Komi is where your heading but the combinations of seating, engines, gearboxes, doors can be a bit difficult to get through. Check the t5 forum, not here.

Good Grief! Issue 88! Van test! T5 Kombi, Vito Sport & Custom Transit.
No Really! 🙂

Mark - Resident Grumpy
Good Grief! Issue 88! Van test! T5 Kombi, Vito Sport & Custom Transit.
No Really!

If only someone had mentioned this earlier in the thread! (2nd post just in case you missed it....again) 😉

I have a T5. A others have said, if you want what is basically a massive estate car (5 seats and huuuge 'boot' area), Kombi is the way to go. Personally, mine's a camper conversion from Amdro which keeps a smaller boot area (but will still fit a couple of roady bikes or an MTB).

You can either get a VW-made Kombi or buy a panel van and have it converted to a Kombi my many after-market converters.

[i]Also, I will probably have to use it to drive to work a few times a week which is an 80 mile round trip, is it going to guzzle the fuel?[/i]

That's what I do in a 1.9 108bhp TDI, you're looking at around 37/38mpg assuming there's a fair amount of motorway/dual carriageway. If it's stop/start urbany type stuff then considerably worse (but then, it would be the same in a car).

If you're local-ish to Cirencester you're welcome to have a look at mine.

Ok you smart arses up there ^^^ 🙂 assuming the article in question covers the basics I was more after some real life experiences along with info on whether you can just buy off the shelf bike suitable or whether conversion is the way to go. Will check out issue 88 as well though thanks.

Cheers for all the other info, bit of a mix of opinions on mpg so will have a look at the T5 forum wherever that may sit.

Thanks for the offer IHN but in Hampshire unfortunately

Two things:

I'm very sceptical about the fuel consumptions being bandied about above. I get about 29mpg on a long run in my T5. It's a 2.5 56 reg LWB with a full conversion. Costs me about £160 to the gorms and back from Manc. Enough to put me off using it for that stuff.

Also insurance. If you buy a ready kitted out one it makes the insurance much cheaper/easier than getting one converted afterwards.

cheers

dont forget to consider a t4. i have a long wheel base, drives like a car, more than happy to cruise the length of france at 85. parking is fine unless its a real tiny carpark. The extra length inside makes a difference

the engines go on for a long time, 100,000 miles is fine on a second hand one

Inside wise, they are pretty flexible and it's reasonably easy to fit one out yourself with basic diy and plywood for camping. buy a second hand rear seat and fit it then sort the rest yourself.

of course depends how plush you want it to be. The caravelles and the factory camping ones are expensive and much less flexible for carrying stuff inside

ps insuarance wise, ive always found tesco pretty good, lots of firms dont believe you can have a commercial vehicle for non commercial use.

LWB won't fit in a 'normal' parking space whereas SWB will park anywhere expect John Lewis in Sheffield (cos of the small spaces and abundance of mumtrux) although sliding doors simplify the process.

Kombi is suitable 'off-the-shelf' and there's lots around to choose from.

Some folk have fancy ways of restraining bikes, but I just lob it all in and use some bungees to stop them moving around. Plenty of restraining loops on the floor.

You then have the engine choice, and I'm sure there's lots to say on the T5 forum about this. Having been frustrated in hire vans before with sluggish engines, I went for the 174ps 2.5tdi engine and its got reasonable poke, even when loaded. Think this engine has been replaced with the one Crell has now on the t5.1s.

[i]I'm very sceptical about the fuel consumptions being bandied about above. I get about 29mpg on a long run in my T5. It's a 2.5 56 reg LWB with a full conversion.[/i]

Every time I've done a fuel consumption calculation (tank fill to tank fill, so over about 600 miles) I've got between 36 and 38mpg. I've ot done it that often, mind, but often enough to get believably consistent figures.

[i]Also insurance. If you buy a ready kitted out one it makes the insurance much cheaper/easier than getting one converted afterwards.[/i]

There are plenty of brokers and companies who'll insure after-market and self-conversions. Adrian Flux is who I've used for years and they're reasonably priced.

If you're buying an off the shelf Kombi, I'd imagine you'll have your choice of price comparison sites.

[i]You then have the engine choice, and I'm sure there's lots to say on the T5 forum about this. [/i]

My 108bhp 1.9 has poke enough for me. It's not fast, but it's not sluggish either. It is (in most other respects too) like driving a pretty bog-standard car.

@scuttler

i dont agree, i've driven a LWB for 10 years and ive never failed to park it in a space, sometimes it does require a litlle bit of manouvering i grant you but not enough to put me off having one

We love our T5. Ours is a 2010 180BiTDi and as above get somewhere around mid 30's MPG cruising for most of its life. We took a standard panel van and fitted it out as a camper so no rear space for bikes, we use a towbar rack. Cabin wise, its the same as a mid-spec VW car really, nice place to be, not the nicest but at the end of the day its a van! If you can get a post 2010 then it has the newer Euro5 engines with better MPG and lower tax, and also 6sp is well worth it.

@ceepers

I stand corrected. Cali Beach owner here and it fits snugly (as in I wouldn't want it to be any bigger).

We have a fully converted facelift 2010 2.0 105hp tdi. Normal driving its 37-38 mpg, but being careful I've had 40 plus which equated to something silly like 700 miles plus to the tank. Insurance was less than our car which was nice and included unlimited mileage or time abroad. Quite nice and relaxing to drive out on the main roads, but it is still a van so a bit lumpy around town. Turning circle is better than my Passat Estate and the footprint seems no bigger.

I have a swb 1.9 84 hp with a full width r@r bed in the back. Bikes sit just behind the front seats held by bungee cord. Can get 4 bikes and people in it or of I use the rack on the tow bar 5 of each.
A full tank from light on costs me around £120 and I get 560-580 miles from that, mix of town and motorway. Not caning it but not driving like a nun either.
A shuttle or Cali with the removable rear seats would be ideal for you, seat 6 with a boot or take some/all back seats out to give a bigger load space for fewer people. Can get the multiplex board to convert rear seats into a bed too, whoch also gives you a 'parcel shelf' over load space behind seats.
Head to the T5 forum for biased but still useful info on all the different options.
I'm in Hants too if you want a nose at mine, although the layout may not be what you are after. X

@scuttler

to be fair, i dont live in a city, it's small town and rural driving mostly

Are you certain you want a Transporter?

I'd be considering the Hyundai van or the Vauxhall Vivaro.

I have a Vito Dualiner extra long 120CDi with the comfort pack, which gives you a nicely lined boot area etc. I can fit 7 fully built up bikes in the back stood up, just roll them straight in, 5 seats with loads of legroom, a coolbox between the front seats, auto box, cruise control, after an economy remap it does around 32mpg pretty much everywhere, but does 0-60 in around 8 secs if you need it to. Absolutely love it.
Will never go back to a car.

[b]IHN[/b] How do you like your Amdro conversion? I like the look of them and have been considering one myself. Did you do the conversion yourself? If so how easy was it? I take it only one mtb realistically fits in the SWB version?

there are some very good bike specific conversions out there

Only one I can think of is the Amdro. Anyone care to suggest any others?

I'm properly impressed with it. Did it myself, wasn't difficult, but took quite a while. I put the windows in myself too, which in hindsight I wouldn't do again as it was quite a level of faff.

It's really well put together, we spent 6 months living in it around Europe with no problems.

You'll only get one mtb in the boot if you just remove the front wheel, if you took both wheels off you might get two, I've never tried it. We tend to stock mine in the boot and hers in the back.

Again, if you're anywhere near Cirencester you're welcome to have a look.

Nothing to add about transporters but anyone saying to look at iload or i800 needs hearing checked,

What a noisy bucket.

johnj2000 - I'm near you (I think). You're welcome to come and have a look. Email in profile.

Thanks everyone, that's a lot to think about. The only negative so far is the mpg as I currently get 50+ from the car so quite an investment both in purchase and running costs.

Matt and Yak thanks for the offers and will drop you a line if the money adds up.

As a VW alternative, there's the Caddy Maxi - if you want a second row of seats, the Kombi or Window van, if you want 3 rows (7 seats) the Maxi Life - rear bench is removable, middle seats are 2+1, both fold. I think you need 2011 or later to get a removeable middle row - mine's 2012. Various enterprising souls on the caddy2k forum have added a second row to a standard maxi van, but that doesn't get you around the commercial limit (likewise a kombi *conversion* of a t4/t5 still has the commercial speed limit)

Think I'm getting 520-550 miles to £80 of diesel (tho' more of that is fast aroad), that's on the little 1.6tdi. Might benefit from being lowered a little, Maxi Life seems to ride somewhat higher than the bog standard maxis.

Main downside with the i800 AFAIA is you need to unbolt the seats, whereas the Maxi (and a factory/decent T* conversion they ought to come out easily) - it's midway between a SWB and LWB transporter by comparison.

There's a fair bit of discussion on the brick-yard forum about t5 fragility/issues, dunno how the lot on the t4/5forum find it.

My T5 is awesome and I wish I hadn't fannied around with getting an estate car. It gets similar mpg to the saab 1.9tid it replaces albeit with less power, not that I care. 5 seater kombi is nicer place to be than a full cramped car. Another thing to consider is that I bet a full van returns better mpg than a car with a rack on it. Spookily I get about 36-37 mpg and find t5 easier to fit into a space than the saab as its the same footprint but with massive mirrors and a better view out. I was going to get a runabout but the van isn't the hassle around town I expected.

I'm not ashamed to say that I picked up a hyundai brochure but really, it was never going to happen.

Here you go, get stuck in .....

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=147

Jond has it, caddy maxi Kombi for me next, that's coming from a 220 bhp swb Kombi which was absolutely brilliant.

As a former T5 & then 5.5 Kombi owner, vans certainly do have their uses. I did a lot of miles in our 5, and apart from routine maintenance it was solid as a rock. Had it for 4 years and it got taken all over Europe and the UK for riding and racing.

Same with the 5.5 - only ran it for just over 12 months, but it was again, reliable & it served a purpose.

However - despite being the most 'car like' van i've driven of its size, it's certainly not car like. The bench is unpleasant for passengers on long journeys, it's a lot noiser (Kombi was better - more soundproofing?) both rattled & squeeked, even with the a/c maxed out it struggles in the heat, etc etc.

A half decent estate is a much nicer place to be.

08 plate Kombi here. 104ps model re-mapped by Pendle to 138 & getting between 33-38mpg on a run with cruise set at 75. Could really do with a 6th gear, but it's really nice to drive & quick for a big metal box.

Lined & carpeted by me, lowered, alloys etc. You WILL want to do that 😀 Watch out for insurance if you do - the main providers won't touch it, but there's plenty of competitive specialist agents like Adrian Flux

Rear seats are easily removed, even with them in I can get 4 bikes & kit plus 4 people. (2+2). Love it.

[i]Lined & carpeted by me, lowered, alloys etc. You WILL want to do that[/i]

Or leave the original ride height, tyres and steel wheels and not care about potholes, knackered tracks to campsites/ride starts, kerbs... 😉

Hard to believe this is a STW van thread on page 2, without pictures...

For every well modified transporter theres at least 5 bad looking ones ,

I seem to collect photos of the bad ones on my phone , saw quite a few with bike racks on and british plates in alpe dhuez last year , i dare not post phots for fear of upsetting the locals but if your t4 is (mostly where it hasnt peeled off) nissan orange with lexus lights - you provided much needed entertainment at the top.

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There you go. Unmodified* and at last years Bonty24:12 up on the hill. Mostly obscured by our pit though - sorry 🙂 , but the only pic to hand.

* fitted a rear seat cover though. Saves the seat from getting ground-in mud from little urchins' shoes.

I am 2 weeks in to my T5.1 ownership, its a SWB 2011 140bhp which has plenty of poke to keep up with the traffic, not filled up yet, so no idea of MPG. It drives great and can chuck it round the twisty roads.
I am going for a Campervan Lite conversion, basically enough Camper parts to allow the change of class to a Motor Caravan, but leave a big enough boot to carry a couple of bikes.
So far I have fitted roof and side rails, removed bulkhead and ply lining, fitted side windows, insulated with thermoliner, and will be carpeting at the weekend, and fitting Rock and Roll bed on Monday.
Its my everyday transport, although we also have an estate car and a couple of other toys.

We're picking up our new van next week and I can't wait.

We had a T4 caravelle for a couple of years and loved the versatility but wanted to go back to just one car. We've really missed it so now we're getting ourselves a new one and this time know exactly what we want. It's to be a reasonably low mileage 130bhp, speed 2.5tdi T5 caravelle with some trimings, such as the multiflex boards that convert the rear bench into a bed.

This way it'll be the family car (7 seats with belts, air con, insulated and carpeted) when it needs to be and the camper (swivel seats, bed, awning, kitchen pod, bike rack and table) for the holidays. I'll post some photos once we've got it and have had the inaugural Easter trip!

LWB 2.5 TDI T4 owner here. IMO there's a big difference between the T4 and T5 having driven both. The T5 is a nicer cab to be in and drives more like a car. When I can change my work car I'll likely sell the car and the T4 and get a newer T5.

Back to the T4, it's now done 210,000 on the original engine and is going strong. I get about 500-600 miles to a tank depending on driving. Costs about £90 at the moment to fill. Not too fussed on exact mpg as I don't use it daily.

T4 or T5, they are very addictive.

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New t6 should be out soon

If only I had the budget for a new t6 I am guessing mpg will be greatly improved with a new engine

[url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/13607857564_b2f1ed6c0f.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/13607857564_b2f1ed6c0f.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/108266853@N07/13607857564/ ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/108266853@N07/ ]carbonfiend[/url], on Flickr

"..from my dead cold hands.." Or until next year when I get a new one 🙂

Just got a new T5, got a late low mileage panel van and got it converted, it was ply lined so i have what i want for my toys in the back and seats for the family with windows. Recently I've been through a 2006 90 hp which I foolishly sold (it didn't have A/C) and that gave me a 5-600 mile range on a full tank which cost about a hundred quid give or take then i had this LWB shuttle 2.5 which blew up but only gave me about 350 miles and was pretty knackered with 180k on the clock.

This new one is a 140 1.9 6 spd, they tell me it should give better consumption but I haven't done a tank full yet so I've no idea what I'm going to get, but there is a remap apparently you can get which improves it 20%.

They are the only van to have, there's a forum somewhere with loads of intel.

Kombi's are what to go for if you have a family, or just get a panel van and either convert it yourself or go to a specialist which will give you a near factory lookalike for a couple of grand.

T6......

Drool.

[img] [/img]

I bought Rickmeisters t5

Runs at 33mpg average (I've been a bit of an anorak)

Each Saturday it has a couple of mtb in the back, it will swallow all 5 of our bikes 3 bmx, 2 mtb ok (a wheel off sometimes) plus a big dog. Should have bought one years ago.

Rubber floor is awesome, ours is lined and insulated. It rocks

/me waves to Rick 😉

Hi Chris, pleased your happy with the van..... Hope it's still running well.

I really really miss it. Shoving bikes in a touran is a pita... Caddy next for us...

I'm a new owner of a t5 and after 3k miles I love it to bits! That new t6 tho... There's my next imaginary sorted 😉

New T6 looks like a fat Transit
Oh dear

Really hope that isn't the new T6 its minging, looks like something from the far east.

Before you make and decision on a new van take a look at these .

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This is the state of my two doors and sills on my 2007 174 kombi. The paint is falling off as well as rust on the back doors and around the sliding door handle. Vw aren't interested at all despite me being the original owner , always serviced by vw and its only done 42k. Its not an isolated issue either check out the brickyard site as well for a more realistic perspective on these vans.

When I bought it I thought the higher price was for a premium product, how wrong was I.

All that said I'd find it hard to change to another manufacture as they do look the best and with the 2.5 174 have the best engine.

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Hmmmm thought that they had a paint warranty that would cover that... but at least it wont get Vito Acne as the body is galvanised...

It's fascinating how people berate environment killing 4x4's that return low 30's mpg, yet embrace VW vans that return low 30's mpg.

I'd love a LWB Sportline Kombi to replace my Navara pick-up btw, but just can't justify the ridiculous price tag.

In tight urban areas its like having a neighbour with a large commercial van.

For me- if you need it for commuting too- actually how many days a year is it better than a estate-20 days over 365?

It's the bloody scene tax that puts me off.

And if those 20 days are 3 weeks of adventure around Europe?

Personally, I'd have no issue commuting the 50 miles in mine, and often do.

And if those 20 days are 3 weeks of adventure around Europe?

You can do that in an estate you know. If you want to sleep in it fine but camping in Europe is nice and you wont feel as claustrophobic. Unless you have the luxury of owning two cars in your household I couldn't commute daily in one.

I know the fanboi's will disagree but it is a compromise whichever way you look at it.

[i]In tight urban areas its like having a neighbour with a large [s]commercial van[/s][b]estate, chelsea tractor or MPV, as the footprint is about the same (assuming we're talking SWB)[/b]

[/i]

FTFY

[i] actually how many days a year is it better than a estate-20 days over 365? [/i]

Better? Maybe 20-30, for when you're chucking bikes in easily, getting changed in the warm and dry in the back, off camping in it etc etc. And that occasional move of big a load that an estate would struggle with (washing machines, furniture etc)

Worse? Probably occasionally (although I can't actually think of an example of when a comfy van is worse than an estate. There are times when the Mrs' little hatchback is more convenient for nipping about)

The same? The rest of the time.

Paint warranty is 6 years rickmiester and I'm 7 months out of that but was hoping for goodwill from them. Body corrosion is 12 years you'll have a fight on your hands to get them to pay out .

You are driving a commercial vehicle at the end of the day and estates aren't as tall and slab-sided as a van.

When people say 'its the most car-like'- its basically its not as good as a car to drive but its the nearest one.

And that occasional move of big a load that an estate would struggle with (washing machines, furniture etc)

If you've decked it out why would you want to damage your interior anymore than your pride and joy car?

Only on two cars I've owned have a struggled to get a white goods in.

My old Forester got a packed up double fridge freezer in no problems.

I too would like a van but it'd be my only vehicle so its a car every time.

Camping - you can get any camping kit into any car too.

Generally, the corrosion warranty is only valid if the main dealer has done the annual inspection AND stamped the book. This is usually done during the service at the main dealer, if they can be arsed sstamping that section.
So if like most people you go elsewhere once the mechanical warranty expires they've got you by the short and curlies. It happened to me with a Mitsubishi.
Good luck

[i]When people say 'its the most car-like'- its basically its not as good as a car to drive but its the nearest one.

[/i]

This is true, admittedly.

[i]If you've decked it out why would you want to damage your interior anymore than your pride and joy car?[/i]

If you deck it out with a bit of thought (decent floor etc), you can carry stuff like that without damaging the interior. And damage from carrying stuff (and to the stuff itself) is most often done getting the stuff in and out, and as this is much easier in a van the risk is much less.

[i]Camping - you can get any camping kit into any car too. [/i]

Yeah, true, but then you're into the whole tent vs. camper vs. caravan debate... My view is that a camper is a big solid metal tent that doesn't need putting up or taking down, but it's each to their own.

gbm1.. have you checked in the T5 forum... loads of experience there.

Love my t4. Bought as a panel van and got it converted

Pop top coming in the summer

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

hora - Member
You are driving a commercial vehicle at the end of the day and estates aren't as tall and slab-sided as a van.

When people say 'its the most car-like'- its basically its not as good as a car to drive but its the nearest one.

And that occasional move of big a load that an estate would struggle with (washing machines, furniture etc)
If you've decked it out why would you want to damage your interior anymore than your pride and joy car?

Only on two cars I've owned have a struggled to get a white goods in.

My old Forester got a packed up double fridge freezer in no problems.

I too would like a van but it'd be my only vehicle so its a car every time.

Camping - you can get any camping kit into any car too.

This is all true, however if you 'deck it out' to suit what you need, i.e. Ply Line the back so if like me you have to hump the occasional half a ton of hard core to fill pot holes, or chuck muddy bikes in the back, then the front bit stays OK and the back you swill out as per.. Honestly once you've lived with one, very difficult to use anything else, other than say a twin cab pick up, but T4/5's drive better and return more mpg.

Transporters may have the super-cool image BUT they are not without their issues. VW UK market themselves as a premium brand and that image has become firmly embedded in the minds of the public in this country. Go to Germany and VW do not have that same image - they are seen for what they are - just like your Ford or Vauxhall. In this area VW UK have been exceptionally clever in convincing people of the quality of the brand...

At this point I know many will be up in arms!

VW do have an on-going issue with rust, as one of the previous posters has shown. Their problem is that around 2003 they became obsessed with cost-cutting and they started to cheap-up in various areas - quality suffered and the Golf Mk5 heralded the start of this. I know all manufacturers are cutting costs everywhere they can, but they are not also constantly marketing reliability/quality/premium-image and charging more than the equivalent competition. VW also have on-going issues with their diesel engines. The PD engines (approx pre-2008) were the most reliable, but even then they had massive issues with failed injectors that VW UK refused to recognise until pressured by VOSA to do something (one injector failing led to engine shut down - irrespective of your speed). Again, the failed injectors were due to a switch from (expensive) Bosch injectors to (cheaper) Siemens injectors). The later Common rail diesels have ongoing issues with high-pressure fuel pump failures. The DSG boxes are far from perfect as well (the US and Chinese authorities have made VW extend warranties on the DSG boxes from 3 to 10years due to high failure rates).

So a Transporter may look cool BUT don't think it'll be anymore reliable/better built than a (new) Transit or Vivaro.

btw Mercedes have solved the rust issues on the Vito (from '58 plate they were triple-treated for anti-corrosion measures).

Everytime I see threads like this I fancy switching for a T5, would be handy for a motorbike as well. But the number of times I'd actually NEED it, compared with how much fun they are to drive compared with a car, and how much nicer it is to sit in a car that is well specced, means logically I end up saying the car (5 series E61 estate) is a better option, even though its old

Before I bought mine I wanted one for yrs an as the saying goes you only live once an you cant remember things you never had!!

Don't regret mine one bit 😉

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Estates might be nicer to drive but they're just not the same thing. If you want a van just get a van! If you buy a decent T5 it's not like you won't be able to sell it.

You can't get dried, changed, prepare food or lounge around in an estate. Plus if I'd bought the BMW estate I wanted my girlfriend would have peed her pants in Geneva city centre last year. And when we drove all day to a campsite that didn't exist anymore we just blew up the air bed and went to sleep.

Looking at the photo it appears that she wee'd in your shoes.
😉

Shark attack....

Your bike is upside down.... Have you been killed to death yet ?

For those questioning the merits over an estate car - i have an e320 cdi merc (rusting) in the driveway.

The merc is faster, smoother, more comfortable and relaxing to drive.
The kids prefer the van, I prefer the van - i can see further (ahead and into fields), and every time I go near the van then I smile.

It's useful every Saturday morning going for a bike ride as it carries 3 bikes easily, every Sunday taking the kids to / from Rugby with their muddy boots on, and every time the dog sits in the cargo area, soaking wet from lying down in a stream - part of her daily ritual.

Estates are faster point to point, the merc does 40 on a run, the VW does 38 if I'm steady.

Tomorrow we're off on a 250mile journey with the family - we're taking the van, the merc has hardly moved since we got the VW.

Should have bought one years ago, brilliant family vehicle.

I have a T5 it drives nothing like a car except maybe my mkII escort from 1980 something. But I wouldn't change it for anything. We have spent 70 plus nights in it so far, in just over a year. Just had cruise installed ready for this years Alps road trip can't wait for the next trip away.

Mines a 09 102 panel van converted to full camper not by me (not enough time to do it myself). It has also been pendled to 140. My only worry with it is rust. Im not convinced the conversion company sealed or treated the holes they drilled in it very well.

I've got a T5.1 - had it for 6 months, campervan 'lite' conversion. Absolutely love it, use it as my day to day vehicle, 20 mile each way commute and have no issues with it.

Slept in it for 3 weeks last summer (alps) and makes a great bike vehicle too.

Thinking of getting the lowered springs (the 30mm S-line ones) - anyone done this and regretted it?

Yep I've got the vw lowering springs on my t5.1. Definitely worth upgrading.

gbm1.. have you checked in the T5 forum... loads of experience there.

yeah been on there for a while and yeah there's plenty with the same issue's and more but I've jumped through all the hoops and Vw arn't interested. Its in next week for repairs at one of there body shops , £800 😯 .

Van update: this doesn't make pretty reading.
So I sat down with my wife and started to explain why this purchase was a good idea. All was going fine and she then asked to see a picture of one, this is where it all went wrong. I found a lovely lowered version about 4 yrs old and proudly displayed what we could soon own. The response? " it's a van, if you think I am driving a van you have another thing coming" I then showed the interior but was still met with "it's a van" I then brought in my sister and bro in law for support. There response was "yeah we see a few of those around here(Wilmslow) everyone thinks stalkers own them with their blacked out windows. Lots of room to keep people captive"

Let's just say the conversation didn't go my way 🙂