VW T5.1

Morning all

It appears that our local VW dealer has totally screwed up a cambelt change on out T4 camper, possibly writing it off. Am gutted, fuming, and experiencing radio silence from them.

After lots of looking it appears that the best replacement van is a T5.1. I’ve read lots of horror stories but I’m also aware that real world data suggests they are actually quite reliable (second best for reliability on one database).
Don’t care about speed too much, but want reliability. Am I right in thinking that the two lower powered engines are best from this point of view? Is the cambelt straightforward?
If I change my mind about speed and gave it chipped slightly do you have long term experience of doing it to either of these engines? Will most likely go for the 84 option.

Cheers

David

I’ve got a t5.2 (I think) with the lower powered 2.0tdi engine. As reliable as all the other vw cars that share the same engine. No reason why it should be any less reliable in a van vs. A golf/Leon/octavia etc. So yes, very reliable unless you buy a crap one but that applies to any vehicle.

Had the cam belt and water pump replaced on mine earlier this year. A bit disappoint with the interval but cost about £300 for my local mechanic to do it, so or for the course compared to other cars I’ve had.

It costs more. But by far the most reliable option in the T5.1 line up is the 140 hp motor with the 6 speed box. The lower powered engines have to work much harder to move the van around so most people will end up mapping them anyway, and then the 5 speed box is on borrowed time. Surprisingly few VW T5s come with Aircon and it is worth finding one with it if you can. Plenty about but you need to be patient sometimes.

We have one of the lower-power T5.1s with the 5-speed gearbox and no air con. A/c has been missed on a handful of occasions.

All T5.1s (there’s no 5.2) except the bi-turbo have the literally the same 2.0 engine, mapped to 84 / 105 / 140hp, which means a 165hp remap is just a temptation away on the lower power versions.

The 140hp does have the stronger 6-speed gearbox from the factory. However, most – including ours – will be fine with a remap and 5-speeds (3 years for us), as many of the maps are well developed around the 5-speed gearbox issues that were common in the past.

Any T5.1 is going to be between 4-9 years old, so will be at the age when maintenance rather than just basic servicing is required. Our 2013 model has needed a cam belt, a couple of bulbs and an exhaust temperature sensor from new. I think that’s ok really, especially as it’s had a camper conversion to lumber around.

I do a lot with transporters (and might be able to help you find a van for a good price, pm or email me to discuss if it does come to it) and would say the 102bhp is the best option. It’s the most fuel efficient version in the whole range and price impact over an 84bhp should be minimal.
Depending on budget don’t rule out a t6 as well (2015 65 on) as for the first year the engines did not change, mid 2016 they changed to euro 6 engines with ad blue with which every manufacturer including vw has had some problems, although many vans are fine. Cambelt is pretty easy 300-350 to sort out depending where you are etc.

The comment above regarding the 140 bhp 6 speed is often made but not really supported by facts. Everyone wants them but no one knows why based on the inquiries I get for vans I sell. 6 speed box does give lower rpm on motorway so it’s a bit quieter but that’s the only benefit. It may be a stronger box but unless you drive hard you’re not likely to come to that.

The aircon comment is an odd one, only you know if you want/need it. I have it in my own van and haven’t used it at any point.

No reason why the lower powered vans work harder. 100hp is 100hp irrespective of what the max power capacity is and the engine is the same as the higher powered ones – you only need the power you need to get the van moving…more power will give you more acceleration, but then if you use that additional performance you’re working the engine harder, not easier, so makes no sense to say the lower powered engines work harder. The 5 speed box is lower geared to counter the lower max power output

Mine isn’t fast by any stretch, but once upto speed can easily maintain it, so get upto normal motorway speeds, turn on the cruise control and it will maintain it no problem. this is why I decided not to map…I’d rather cash in on the better reliability of the ‘derated’ engine rather than squeeze out the extra 38bhp, which you’d ultimately use and push everything harder and ultimately wear it out more quickly.

I think the only benefit of the 140bhp engine is the 6 speed box and prospect of better fuel economy – though I get 35mpg no problems from mine…a few more more on a long motorway journey. I can’t imagine the extra 38bhp is going to transform the performance – it’s still a slow van. I have no problems keeping up with my mates T6 with the more powerful engine when away on MTB weekends. He can be a bit quicker from the lights if he wants to be, but it’s all a bit unnecessary…there is more than enough get up and go to pull out of a busy junction with the 102bhp engine even when the van is loaded up, the rest is just unnecessary willy waving.

Mines a Highline spec so comes with A/C and cruise control. I wouldn’t imagine why you wouldn’t want A/C if you can get it. I use mine all the time. Obviously on warm days in the summer – especially when holidaying in France – the kids in the back definitely appreciate it as it can get very hot in the back on a warm day and very little ventilation back there (converted campervan), but also great in the winter for speedier de-misting and in heavy traffic where if you use the recirculation mode the windows eventually steam up if its a bit damp outside, so recirc and A/C on in heavy traffic keeps the windows clear and keeps the nasty fumes out. I also use the cruise control alot, so for me the Highine spec is worth the additional premium…but they can be difficult to find. Would have liked to have had the DSG box though.

All T5.1s (there’s no 5.2)

Mine’s the face lifted later version which is why I guessed it was a 5.2 assuming the 5.1 was the initial non-facelift version as per the conventional nomenclature.

Many people refer to the T6 as the T5.2 as it was little more than a facelifted 5.1 (2010 onwards), which was itself a facelift to the T5 (2003? -2010).

6 speed box doesn’t give better economy. Lower rpm is such a small part of what fuel is used for especially at higher speeds that it’s a negligible difference. Air resistance and tyre drag play the lions part.

Your local VW dealer should have insurance to cover for such ineptitude. Can you use your house hold cover to get a letter written to push for some recompense to help you in this situation?

We’ve got a T5.1 with the 2.0 140 and the 7 speed DSG box. It’s got a Revo map on it and we have seen over 50mpg on a run. It’s a joy to drive and has been faultless for the past 8000 miles.

Great van and would recommend them. Oh and yes, air con is a must. Couldn’t live without it in ours.

Had a 2010 5.1 with the 102bhp engine. Owned it up to 80000 miles, and to be honest it was nowhere near as dependable as my previous T4s though a lot less rusty.
Was good on fuel but you really miss the 6th gear on the motorway.
Had a newer 140 whilst mine was being repaired, that was a nice vehicle but there is no way I would recommend the 5sp model unless your just pootling around lanes.
Bought a Transit Custom before a Alps trip as the thought of no aircon in 35c didn’t appeal. Would recommend a test drive of one having owned both.

Thanks for the feedback so far folks. Neighbour (who used to work for VW) says he thinks ours may just about ok and his reasoning seems logical. If we have to claim then I would expect the VW dealer’s insurers to cover things as its their cock up.

We have a specific van in mind, converted by the people who converted our current van, hence the questions. This one has a lot of (for us) good options. a/c would be nice, but not essential (we seldom used it on our van). I’m neutral over the engine power as the power and torque figures look similar to our van. However, knowing we could chip it slightly at a later date is useful.

Cheers

David

I have a T6 with the 140bhp engine. Whilst waiting for mine to be serviced at VW, I got chatting a one of the mechanics who said in his experience the 140 engine was the most reliable, but…..only in the last of the T5.1 and T6 has they had ironed out the faults.

What went wrong with the cambelt change on the T4?

We have a 102 LWB T5.1 converted van and the only time we find the power an issue is on long autoroute climbs where it drops back to 50 mph. It’s been fine in the Alps, the Vosges, the Cévennes, Belgium, the Dolomites and Tuscany (and smashing down and back). All it requires is a long run-up.
We have a rear suspension spring to replace but everything else has been good, and over 25k miles it’s averaging 33.5.

What t4 motor is it n what’s the issue l?

2.5tdi with AJT (I think) engine.

The dealer hasn’t come back to us yet, no contact/info since last Wednesday night.

And we have it back and, thankfully, it seems ok. They ‘had to get an expert in’ to sort it out. Am guessing that they didn’t set up the fuel pump correctly, hence the noise + lack of power + huge amounts of smoke (due to excess fuel).

Yeah they need dti setting up if your not careful.

You can sometimes adjust them on vagcom