Those with swb kombis, can you get a bike in the back without taking it apart? Or do you need the lwb?
servicing on the 2010 on models are every 25K miles or 2 yrs, not sooner... and i was quoted a package price of £349 for 2 services bought upfront and that was from a vw dealer. thats for 4yrs of servicing and 50K miles. thats about 1/4 of the price it cost to service my freelander.
get on the t4/5 forum. i learnt enough on there to fully build a camper from an ex aa t4. i just costed doing another one on a t5 but went with a second hand california instead...
i wouldnt be without a vw van. the missus is happy to drive it as her main car but the parking sensors on the t5 help...
check out bca auctions for a t5. i bought my t4 at auction 6 yrs ago and saved a heap.
I have a SWB Kombi and with all the rear seats in there is plenty of space for bikes to go in diagonally.
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I take the single rear seat out and the bike will go sideways along the back the the double seat with the front wheel turned. and lashed to the headrest.
I am going to get it lined soon and get a load of lashing points put over the back to hold bikes etc. which should make it more practical.
Get some pics up then!!
What's a California?
California = top spec = top money
@chrispy. What model is that and does it come with pimply rubber as standard? Can the single of the three middle row seats be taken out on its own? Ta.
Hi boblo,
It's a T32 5.1 Kombi twin slider. I got it second hand so i'm not sure if the rubber floor is standard but its actually pretty good as it is like memory foam.. ie. stuff sinks into it a little bit so doesn't move around as much.
The single seat does come out and since taking that picture I only run the two rear seats as removing the single one makes the van more practical for me.
I have only had the van for a week and I love it already.
Because I was pretty sure of getting the lwb version but looking second hand they are much rarer! Still might get the lwb because it provides more options in the future.
California is a T5 based VW factory built camper with a pop top roof as opposed to a conversion. Comes in two versions - one with a kitchen and storage called the SE and one with more seats more like a people carrier called a Beach.
Tell me some more about your van as it looks quite ideal for me!
What age is it, miles and how much if you don't mind me asking?
Twin sliding doors? Is that rare?
Overall what do you think?
Sorry Renton, my interest has been piqued too....
What's the dimension between back of front seats and inside of rear door please. I.e. what's the longest thing you can get in on the floor of the loads space if the rear seats are out?
2353mm if it is tall and comes up the back seats if it is flat and slides under then 2570mm
See here under dimensions
https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/range/transporter/transporter-panel-van/
I think some of the MPGs quoted for T5s are wishful thinking/creative accounting. I get around 25-28 on mine, but it is the 130 LWB so that makes it a bit more costly.
I really can't see how you could get anywhere near 40mpg without driving like a nun.
Interesting thread... !
Mpg is a much talked topic and the word "depends" is used a lot...
I found that the wind is a big factor too, driving into it can muller your mpg ... so overall 30-35 is probably about right...
front wheels off and bikes top n tailed, its possible to fit 6 across the back of a swb... pimply rubber mat is a option to stop loads sliding around and is comfy to sleep on...
All dimensions are available from VW ccomercial as pdf's...
With nun-like driving on french autoroutes (cruise control set at 60mph, keep chuntering along for 4hrs at a time) I regularly get 39mpg (measured) and once got 40mpg.
Normal use is around 35mpg.
It rather depends on a) the way you drive and b) the engine configuration.
Mine is a very simple 88bhp TDi. I reckon chipped or higher powered variants are only more fuel efficient when you do a lot of accelerating/decelerating, not with cruising.
Just been on the t5 forum!! There are some very nice vans over on there!!
For those of you that have them how do your partners find driving them?
Is it worth fitting front and rear sensors to aid parking?
How big is the tank and what sort of range do you get from it?
Only worth fitting if your partner cant use mirrors......
Think its an 80 litre tank (save those 5p off Tesco or ASDA coupons) and range is 500 - 600 miles but see posts about mpg on the T4/5 forum, there is always something posted about this...
1.9 may be more frugal but may need to work harder, plus 5 spd box
2.5 may be more frugal but will accelerate harder and use more fuel, plus 6 spd box.
a dpf will also use more fuel than a catalytic converter.
I think there is something in the simple lo tech engine thing. These Euro 4/5 compliant vehicles are so full of sensors sometimes they do seem fragile.... sensors failing etc etc.
Heres mine:
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Mate that is very nice!
I noticed it has the side Windows that open, do they leak at all?
What model is it to get that much bhp?
Is that classed as a kombi then?
Looks good that!!
Can I ask how much it cost you?
Think we have the thread to ourself...
Side windows dont leak at all, but curiously the drivers footwell gets wet ?
Its a T5 T30 (refers to the vehicle weight.. T28 T30 T32) 174 mapped up and the dpf removed. It was dyno-ed after the dpf removal and it now makes all that lovely torque lower in the rev range. Plus the graph was rum after the first map when the van had less than 5k miles
Its a factory Kombi, with M1 chassis so car speed limits as opposed to N1 which is a van and often the base for conversions (and curiously the new 5.1)
Cost, got a deal off a STW regular who used to be on here and the VW commercial mgr in Carlisle... think with the spec I wanted it was £24k ish..
Keep going on the T5 forum, there are way more knowlagable and better spellers than me...
get a 85s and get it mapped,£130 rfl a year, good fuel consumption,all cars have there own problems my T5 has just done 62000 , if something gose tits up with it I shant worry to much, allways going to be hit and miss buying a used motor. service history Is a must tho.
http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=147
I made up som ebike supports that I will try and post up here if I can remember how to do it.
Renton, IIRC there were two issues with the VW sliding windows.
The VW sliding windows (ie Caravelle ones) do not fit the van bodyshell very well as the two vehicles are different. Also the sliding windows rely on a channel to get rid of the water. On the factory Kombis these channels were being inadvertently blocked by the bonding agent.
The aftermarket sliders are designed to fit the van bodyshell and therefore should not leak. But they vary in quality and much depends on how well they are fitted.
I have SDG ones which are a bit more expensive but very well made.
I have an 06 LWB T30 104bhp. Been using it as a daily commuter for last two years. Get something like 30-35mpg but its had a full conversion so a bit heavier than a Kombi.
Really comfortable driving position for longer journeys and i find the higher position is less tiring due to better forward visibility .
Find parking sensors useful for the LWB, in public car parks. Occasionally find its too long for normal carparks, but only maybe two or three times in last 3 years.
Bit underpowered when loaded, but ok for A roads, ie 60mph limits.
Ive had mine re-registered as a motorhome, so normal car speed limits apply.
Due to weight, i think wear and tear us a bit higher than a car.
I find extra length useful as we can seat five and carry five bikes, plus cooker, fridge etc.
Hi I am on my 2nd t5 after a t4 here's what I know
The first one we had was a 2.5 factory kombi. It was a 6 seated so had 3 up front. Anyo e in the back was a bit shut out. The 2.5 had a lot of power but was thirsty. There are known problems with injectors and heads vw no longer use this engine.
Was advised by a mate at vw to get a 104 tdi. Couldn't find a kombi for anything like sensible money so looked at shuttles. Found a tidy 8 seated shuttle and took out the back row of seats. It seats 5 now. It has opening side glass, we never open them. It also has front and rear air con and heating. Having 2 normal seats up front is more comfortable and stops the front / rear divide. Performance was fine but I had 15% more power re map and its nicer now.
Personally I would avoid a caravelle as the interior is too precious for bikes and dogs and they all use the 2.5 engine.
Kombi caravelle and shuttle all classed as car, so car speed lots applied.
Tailgate much more useful than 2 rear barn doors
Double sliding door ( one on each side) very handy with passengers / kids.
Wanted opening rear side glass but in reality don't use it.
Costs £100 to fill fuel tank will do 550 miles on a tank
Will take 4 men and bikes and gear for a week long road trip around Scotland with a bit of careful packing:-)
Thanks for all the replies!!
I will be chopping in a 60 plate Mazda 6 and will be adding a bit of cash to it so my budget it anywhere between 9 and 12 k.
I think I'm going to look for a converted combi or a shuttle and remove the rear seats.
Ideally I want captains seats upfront and then a row of three with one seat removable.
Will look at the 1.9 85bhp as I'v. Been told these remap to same Power as the 102 but cost less to buy.
Do you think I can get a half decent van for that money?
Should I be put off by high mailers?
Any recommendations on where to look for a decent one.
Each to their own, but i went for the twin doors, as you can still open them with bikes on a rack on the back. Plus easier to access in car parks etc, especially if LWB.
But the tailgate looks nicer.
We use our slider windows a lot.
Shuttle sounds ideal for what you want, ie more car like than converted van.
We went low mileage, ie sub 30k but had a load of issues at 60-70k, ie drive shaft, dmf etc. So if you go high mileage most of those things may have already been replaced.
First one
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Second one
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Third one
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And current one
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I don't think I'll ever go back to a car!
How much does re-mapping affect insurance prices??
not everyones choice of colour watch out for the VAT on vans!
not mine btw cant vouch for it just saw the ad
or this
But it's greeeeeeennnnnnn!! 😐
Anywhere to look at some nice converted vans on the net for sale?
fleabay always loads on there, I stalk regular (waiting for lotto win)
Top tips
1./ Get a lifting tailgate
2./ Find a caravelle if you can = no VAT + classed as a car for all things ferry/speed limits/VED
3./ Buy the VW 4 bike carrier = with 1./ above you can open it with bikes on.
4./ Twin Sliding doors if possible
5./ Go for a 2.5 130 if you can find one. Timing chain as opposed to belt
For bikes in the back get
[url= http://www.dungannonelectrical.co.uk/unistrut_bracket.html ]This unistrut[/url]
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and these
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fix the channel to a wide piece of wood fastened to the rear load anchorage points. Set the brackets to fork width and front wheel off and secure with QR.
Check out this vid demonstrating the clearance of the Atera rack if you have a tailgate and want a lower tow bar mounted rack.
http://k3yak.com/atera-strada-dl3-fitted-to-vw-t5-california/
Here's the strada on my T4, works brilliantly.
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https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QZp4kLc8Z7U/UHSRqzdG1HI/AAAAAAAADG8/u5YMNaJA1FQ/s640/IMAG0097.jp g"/> [/img]
Renton ...I would get a 85 hp t5 ....I did the same ...yes it re-maps to the same as the 104 can be remapped 138-140 hp..had my van done ...bloody brilliant now
Also the 85 has never been worked hard as its been restricted so another plus point
just to point out - timing chain instead of a belt is a moot point - i wouldnt buy the 2.5 over the 1.9 if thats yer only reason.
K.I.S.S the 1.9 is renound as a much better engine than the 2.5 - by everyone except 2.5 owners...... funny how that works .... bit like when horas current bike is the best bike he ever had.
Vans are the way forward, don't have a VW as I'm cheap 😳 Bought a trafic and converted it into a camper in the style of the T4s etc so its 2 berth but seats 4, the bikes go on the roof. It's awesome, carries 4 blokes all their gear and 4 bikes plus it's great for holidays with the wife.
[i]I will be chopping in a 60 plate Mazda 6 and will be adding a bit of cash to it so my budget it anywhere between 9 and 12 k. [/i]
Didn't you buy that quite recently?
Well, since this is turning into a minor 'van-off' here's mine.
SWB Kombi Sportline, pretty much standard with no camper bits as it's still under warranty and I like being able to mop it out after a muddy weekend.
Just come back from a week in the Forest of Dean with the missus and the nipper, happily carried 2 bikes, the chariot, travel cot, high chair and related baby paraphernalia, love it to bits.
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To answer questions above, it's 59 plate and I haven't had any leakage issues with the side windows, no major issues yet but a recent service identified slight seepage from the turbo, this is getting sorted under warranty and doesn't seem to have curbed its' usual enthusiasm.
I have no doubt that the 1.9 is the sensible engine to go for, the 2.5 however, is a right giggle, and I get about 35MPG when being sensible. That does go straight out the window the minute I really put my foot down though.
Rear rackwise the Thule Euroclassic G6 fits fine and clears the tail gate when tilted, the older G5 version sat the bikes a bit close the the rear window though.
I get classed as a car for the M6 toll, Severn bridge etc due to the windows.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about living with this.
That's a nice looking van!!
What does your wife think about driving it?
br,,, what's your point?
Just back from Fontainebleau, Out Friday, back Monday. 1400 miles, fortunately wind assisted both ways. Easy and comfy.
Mrs Rickmeister is van-happy, enough to drive it through Milan, so thats wrong side of the road, foreign signage, following sat nav... its got to be easier in the UK...
The 2.5 is a giggle, started to add a bit of 2 stroke oil in the tank and it does make a difference. Top tip off the T5 forum that does seem to work.
[i]br,,, what's your point? [/i]
Is that a yes then?
Just thought I'd seen a post about it in the past. And wondered what had changed so quickly, which may help others with advice on your next buy.
Ok.
We bought the mazda6 just over a year ago now and in that time it has been faultless.
I have two young lads (8 and 6) and also a large Springer who needs a cage.
When ever we go anywhere the boys want to take bikes camping gear etc and we always fill the estate to the brim.
There is also the chance that I am getting posted to north Scotland with my job, so when ever we travel down to the Midlands to visit grandparents and friends the 6 is going to be a squeeze.
I also want to start taking my bike away with me more so it will be more secure in the back of a van rather than on top of a car.
I just feel a kombi van will be more suited to us as an outdoorsy family.
HOpe that helps.
tbh I reckon one vehicle never usually covers all options. So if you aren't careful you end up driving 95% of the time in a big car/van with one person or 5 folk crammed into a little hatch.
I'd look at getting a small run-about as well as the van.
We've also a LWB Ducato, but its used maybe 1-2 a month. Brill when you need it, but a pain the rest of the time. Ours is a horsebox but used for tip runs, carry stuff and MTBing when we've a few - but you get the general idea.
