[Closed] What's the point of a T5 type van?

Aw...

Folk running t5 vans should get a proper wee van in a transit and enjoy some genuine space! Save the extra 5 grand on purchase and spend it on a shiny bike instead

Got a shiny T5 and shiny bikes. Whats your point caller?

If you had a bigger cheaper van you could have 2 shiny bikes and have room for the inside 😉 (can't be bothered to look up the what t5 bike rack threads)

Good point. Unfortunately I'm quite into the VW 'scene' (god I hate that term) and turning up at a show with Transit or something ain't going to cut it 😉

If you don't get the point of a van then they're not for you*, that's OK.

VWs aren't for me, but they seem nice and if some people get a sense of belonging or prestige from owning one then I won't judge them any more harshly than someone with a nice car.

(* but you're not a real MTBer**)

(** only joking)

T5 driver here, works van with as many private miles I can muster.
It's OK nothing special tbh. I have much more fun in my t2 continental westy.
If your looking for a new van the latest mercs drive well and look nice but are a tad smaller inside.

I have much more fun in my t2 continental westy

by fun, do you mean sitting by the side of the road waiting for the recovery truck?

No brand new gearbox and engine built by my own fair hands.
T5s don't brake down then? My work van has twice it's on 27thou and rattles like hell.

If you don't get the point of a van then they're not for you*, that's OK.

So - if you want to carry a lot of stuff around, you need a van.

Hardly a ground breaking revelation, is it? 🙂

Definitely not worthy of seven pages.

But I think it would have struggled to make two without the VW element TBH.

I may have helped pad the thread out, I admit 🙂

Spent a lot of the weekend in a 2014 T5 Highline and it really isn't as nice or quiet as a well spec'd Vito, they are definitely more "vanny" inside. The rattles would drive me nuts.
The only real benefit I can see of one is the residual values in comparison, and they look cooler.

There were a bunch of T5's of various styles and colours down at Weston-Super-Mare yesterday, all independent of one-another, and certainly nothing to do with any 'scene', it just happened it was the Weston Air Day. Loads of proper 'camper'-type vehicles as well, and given the choice, and the money, I'd have a T5 or earlier, like a T3 Kombi, with a reasonably tricked out rear. Reason being I'm a fussy git, and aesthetics mean a lot; I like the look of the VW's, I don't like the look of any other vans, except for the Mercs, and the new Transit Custom, which I reckon would make a great 'lifestyle' vehicle, especially if it was possible to get a Custom with four-wheel drive, and height adjustable suspension.
That's it, really, it comes down to how the damned thing looks, and I'll bet that's true for most T5 owners; it's just a much nicer looking vehicle than pretty much any other van derivative out there.
As for having a car and caravan, sorry Mol, but there's no chance! Been there, done that, although not actually towing myself; too young at the time.
I recently re-visited a part of the country where we used to go with the 'van; South Hams, in Devon. Driving round the exact same lanes in my Octy, I really could not believe we towed a 16' 'van behind a Ford Corsair, the lanes are so steep and narrow. I'm going back down there later this year, with a tent, but I'd love to be able to take a van down there, just as easy to manoeuvre around the lanes, and handier if the weather takes a turn for the worst, which it can easily do.
Maybe the lottery will cough up...

7 pages in so thought I'd add some fairly useless observations: They're about the same length as a ford galaxy - but bigger internally. That's all really. I have to take my bikes to pieces to get just one in mine. With the galaxy I just took a wheel off. But then again I'm a smug Cali owner and all that interior stuff (fridge cooker cupboards blah) takes up quite a bit of space.

I have a friend with i800 (don't choke on your coffee folks) that seems a brilliant t5 alternative, apart from the scene.
I am tempted (as I was when we bought the Galaxy).

i800 (don't choke on your coffee folks) that seems a brilliant t5 alternative, apart from the scene.

and the lack of LWB option (for those that want it).

The extra 400mm or so is the difference between bikes going in whole lengths ways behind second row seats or needing dismantling.

Just to push things out further - our T5 also has 4 motion, which was comically good this winter in the alps. I know it is a lifestyle choice, but it is just such a good van and family vehicle.

We did test a lot of alternatives, but none had the balance of flexibility, comfort and space. Diving position is awesome too.

I do think, after almost a year, that the T5’s suspension is pretty bad however. It rocks and rolls, crashes over things, judders, makes you seasick on the wrong surface. The Cali was even worse as it is even more top heavy.

Best ride was the new merc V-Klasse. It was amazingly competitively priced compared to T5, even as you 'spec-up', and it drove like a dream. But, no 4wd and an interior that was great for a posh airport transfer vehicle, less good for kids and mucky bikes, meant it was the T5 that won.

I had one. Great bit of kit, bike carrier, changing room, campervan etc etc.

However, in addition to the cost of interior conversion, the maintenance and repairs bills £4800 in 49 months of ownership meant that moving it on was the best financial decision I ever made!

Moving on....,

Had a drive in one at the w/e. Drove very well, but was the 2.0 180 bi-turbo 80

So, plenty more to argue about:-

- which motor?
- which colour?

I'd guess the 140PS is a good compromise between go and efficiency? Suspect I might get fed up putting diesel in the 180

On colours, I see a lot of white and silver conversions, but far less of the other colours. Quite like the look of the bright orange or the "blackberry"

Going back to my comment about aesthetics being important, I saw a van in our estate at work last week, not entirely sure of the make, but it was quite nicely turned out, all silver, nice alloys, may have been a Fiat, but somehow it just didn't have that little extra 'something that the VW's have.
The new Transit Customs, however, are very tasty looking vans, bloke over the road has a work one, and the whole think looks really sleek, lovely front-end and light cluster design, and there's a slight curve to the roof. Don't know what they're like to drive these days, or what engine options, but given enough money, I think I'd seriously look at the Transit Custom over a T5/6.
There's a slightly larger, passenger version, with a different name, which looks really nice too.
[img][URL= http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s86/markhayes_2007/B3047D11-8831-4281-A975-D2E999828638-6019-00000460CBC1FA50_zpsb935c93b.jp g" target="_blank">http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s86/markhayes_2007/B3047D11-8831-4281-A975-D2E999828638-6019-00000460CBC1FA50_zpsb935c93b.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]

[img] [/img]

hmm... looks like it was designed by Conor McKenzie....

Elevating roof on the Cali now starting to sag on the nearside. Will break the "good" news to the Dealer along with the 6300miles I've put on the vehicle.

On the plus side ours (correct spec) turns up on Wednesday.

Christ on a bike, you think that looks nice?

hmm... looks like it was designed by Conor McKenzie....

jaaaaaaaaaam - Member
Christ on a bike, you think that looks nice?

[img] [/img]

This is the longer passenger version, looked better when I saw it on the road than it does in the photo.

[img] ?1357723498[/img]

I think both look better in the flesh, rather in photos, the one opposite seems very much sleeker.
I like them, much nicer than anything else out there apart from the VW T's, apart, possibly, from the Merc Vitos, which seem to have some issues.
Just been giving the white one a closer study, the only mods are deeper front spoiler section, and deeper sills.
And the wheels. I stand by what I said, I think it's a nicely styled van, with plenty of customising potential; don't know about the engine, I'd guess there's a fair bit can be done. Other than sticking a Cosworth V8 in the back...

Who? Looks more like something Custom Car, might have had a hand in.

You know, this chap:

[img] [/img]

Buy one if you can afford it. Moan on here about them if you can't.
Thread finished really.

Buy one if you can afford it. Moan on here about them if you can't.

Or don't buy one even if you can afford it 🙂

Has anyone looked at the Ford Torneo connect?

[url= http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Tourneo-Connect/Overview#primaryTabs ]Torneo linky[/url]

Much better looking than the old version. A van based MPV thats smaller than a T5 or equiv but with a proper car like interior (they do a Titanium trim level with all the niceties). Seats removable, bikes in standing up. Better value than a VW caddy (and less agricultural rear suspension) though the engines look either underpowered or thirsty.

[img] http://www.ford.co.uk/cs/BlobServer?blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobcol=urldata&blobwhere=1214460788248&blobkey=id [/img]

proper car like interior

Defeats the purpose in my eyes. No point in having a van that you're not happy throwing really mingin kit into

Not sure about the luggage area but I more meant a decent level of cabin equipment and comfy seats. Back of our caddy maxi is mostly plastic and we have an OEM plastic floor over the carpet.

legend - Member

proper car like interior

Defeats the purpose in my eyes. No point in having a van that you're not happy throwing really mingin kit into

There are certainly 2 types of owners, one thinks like it's a car. Wants the fast engine, lowered, alloys and massive [s]chav[/s] respeckt points for having something a bit bling.
Others want something that has a massive practical load area, gets over bumps in the road and holds all the kit.

Got mine for free. Sorry, I meant to say i get 'occasional use' of our new company van and i definately don't have it as my own personal vehicle, oh no, absolutely not.

mikewsmith - Member

There are certainly 2 types of owners, one thinks like it's a car. Wants the fast engine, lowered, alloys and massive chav respeckt points for having something a bit bling.
Others want something that has a massive practical load area, gets over bumps in the road and holds all the kit.

3 Types of owners. It's my car, not fussed about speed or lowering but I do like the alloys and the fact it's finished like a (modern) car, not like a (basic) van with colour coded bumpers, comfy seats, carpets and insulation in the rear. I do however also want to get over speedbumps while carrying all my gear.

I put the big foam jigsaw puzzle mats in the back of mine.

So - anyone got the 140PS motor?

Found a nice Kombi Highline 140... Similar power to my current estate car, any good in the Transporter? Official figures suggest it's "reasonable" on fuel

Yeah we've got a 140 Kombi Highline, had a 140 Passat before it. Van is much slower as you'd imagine, can easily get it over 40mpg though

Thanks - I can live with that...

Figured that the 180 might be a bit thirsty (and unecessary)

So, what should a T5 Kombi be registered as? Always as a light goods?

mos - Member
Got mine for free. Sorry, I meant to say i get 'occasional use' of our new company van and i definately don't have it as my own personal vehicle, oh no, absolutely not.

Possible tax evasion/fraud is neither big nor socially responsible. Worry not though as thousands of honest people who do pay their taxes in full will chip in to save you a few bob.

Have got my 180 DSG Cali now. Chalk and cheese compared to the 140 manual.

Economy wise not a great difference. Maybe 1 to 2mpg. DSG is sweet and the "coasting" is a little odd to start with.

pjm84 - Member
Have got my 180 DSG Cali now. Chalk and cheese compared to the 140 manual.

Comfy driving!

No low first gear. The manual gearing is also a bit spaced out. DSG nips straight into second, smooth changes, great low down torque, better ratios more suited to the engine.

Don't get me wrong, I did 6500miles in the 140 manual and liked it. Then I drove the 180DSG.

So what's on the V5 for all these vans?

Mine's a 9 seater shuttle so it's classed as a car.

I've got a 180DSG, I can easily get 40+ mpg out of it, if I rag it, then it's more like 30mpg. Even managed 50mpg on a run down the M3 recently, the long stretch of 50mph roadworks helped no end.

It's a SWB kombi and classed as a light goods vehicle.

Got mine for free. Sorry, I meant to say i get 'occasional use' of our new company van and i definately don't have it as my own personal vehicle, oh no, absolutely not.

Ah, the Greek approach.
Would you also like us all to chip in for your [s]petrol [/s]diesel as well? 🙄