102 With A Full Conversion .. Advice Please.
- Thread starter MatT6
- Start date
I have a 2016 140 bhp 6 speed and also drive a 14 plate 102 bhp at work. Both drive well the 102 is a well used and abused works van but it pulls well. After lots of looking and dismissing a brand new California due to the indifference and bad service received from 2 VW dealers I bought a conversion.
Found one 10 miles from home with a new conversion and love it, think I would love it no less if it was a 102.
Found one 10 miles from home with a new conversion and love it, think I would love it no less if it was a 102.
Should be picking said 102 up the week after next! Just waiting on all paperwork.
On a side note I’d be looking at getting a heater fitted as one of the first jobs/mods. Probably second to a remap at Pendle actually
I’m a pretty decent mechanic but fitting one on my driveway doesn’t really excite me.
Who are the companies who fit heaters? I see a lot of talk about fitting them but not actually many posts recommending companies who fit them.
Under 1k preferred so I know I may be looking at a cheaper alternative to Webasto etc.
Thanks all
On a side note I’d be looking at getting a heater fitted as one of the first jobs/mods. Probably second to a remap at Pendle actually
I’m a pretty decent mechanic but fitting one on my driveway doesn’t really excite me.
Who are the companies who fit heaters? I see a lot of talk about fitting them but not actually many posts recommending companies who fit them.
Under 1k preferred so I know I may be looking at a cheaper alternative to Webasto etc.
Thanks all
Look forward to the proud new owner photo, 
The adventure begins
The adventure beginsI'm a bit late to this thread - you've already decided to buy the 102. Having driven (and owned) T4, T5 and T6 campers with all levels of engine output, as part of our job as motorhome reviewers, I would say without hesitation that the one we love best is the 102, 5-speed. We drive briskly, but don't cane them - they are campervans, after all, and we don't want crockery flying all over the place round the bends!
The 102 seems to have the best balanced gearing for the job, it always pulls sweetly.
By contrast, I hated the gearing on the 140 T5.1 6-speeder, because the gearing was such that the engine wouldn't pull properly in 6th below 75mph - fine for the autobahn, but really frustrating in UK!
The 102 feels much more powerful (even unchipped) than it has any right to, and is also very much more economical than others we have tested (or owned). Last year we tested a Jerba Sanna 102 for a week, and that returned just under 40mpg. Our own 204 (which we love, but bought because it was the only T6 vehicle then available to us - had there been a 102, we would have bought that), is returning 32mpg, driven the same way.
So, I guess you've made the right move - and I would drive it for a while , get used to its characteristics, and then decide whether it's worth the expense of re-mapping it.
The 102 seems to have the best balanced gearing for the job, it always pulls sweetly.
By contrast, I hated the gearing on the 140 T5.1 6-speeder, because the gearing was such that the engine wouldn't pull properly in 6th below 75mph - fine for the autobahn, but really frustrating in UK!
The 102 feels much more powerful (even unchipped) than it has any right to, and is also very much more economical than others we have tested (or owned). Last year we tested a Jerba Sanna 102 for a week, and that returned just under 40mpg. Our own 204 (which we love, but bought because it was the only T6 vehicle then available to us - had there been a 102, we would have bought that), is returning 32mpg, driven the same way.
So, I guess you've made the right move - and I would drive it for a while , get used to its characteristics, and then decide whether it's worth the expense of re-mapping it.
Awesome thanks for the comment I don’t plan on any traffic light Grand Prix action in the van, they’re a van after all not a Ferrari. Plus I rarely break the speed limit anyway in my Golf. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t roll back down a hill that we were trying to drive up haha. Seems that it'll handle the basic duties of a van nicely.
I don’t plan on any traffic light Grand Prix action in the van, they’re a van after all not a Ferrari. Plus I rarely break the speed limit anyway in my Golf. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t roll back down a hill that we were trying to drive up haha. Seems that it'll handle the basic duties of a van nicely.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of the van,no have no doubts you will love it.
Well I have just bought one! A 2016 4Motion 6 speed. Not had it long but am very pleased with it, pulls like a train or at least in comparison to my 1.6TDi Passat Estate it does!
If it is a 2016 180 I think it will be the last of the EU5 engines which is the same as mine. I am happy not to have to bother about AdBlu, makes life simpler but the downside is slightly less power than the EU6 204 and slightly worse economy (offset by having to buy AdBlu).
The power I am not bothered about, the economy would be nice but unless I have to drive into one of the new stringent emission control zones in the future I can live with it.
I am getting about 35mpg average (calculated on receipts) in mixed commuting about 25 miles a day. You would be slightly better if you have a longer smoother commute I guess.
If its a Kombi with sliding windows check it for leaks, pretty easy to get replaced on VW warranty if you have it, not the end of the world otherwise unless it's not been noticed and has wrecked behind conversion furniture for example.
On the engine front I believe the earlier versions of this engine had a problem with corroding intercoolers that sent aluminum oxide into the engine air system and wrecked the engines big time. A 2016 should be OK and I was advised by VW that this was the case.
Others on here may know more about that.
The other thing I learned is that the standard H4 headlights are pretty crap but its midsummer in Scotland so its not actually going to get dark for another three months by which time I hope to have H7's.
When I did my research I found you could get a Warranty Direct policy for three years pretty cheap, might be worth it if you get a private sale, I think the engines are pretty expensive to fix.
I am really enjoying mine, it will be a camper when it grows up
I agree with all of this, I have a 2016 180 ps Euro 5 which got converted to a camper after I decided it was a keeper.
No Adblue, EGR issues or emulsified sludge in the oil system.
If you use the cruise control and keep to below 2000 RPM in 6th you’ll get about 36mpg. If you floor it then it gets thirsty, but you can’t get more out without putting more in.
The big benefit of the 180 ps 6 speed is there’s so much torque so you don’t need to change down very often.
In May I came out of a Merc CLS into a 102 camper, i currently still have both Merc due to go in July. I notice the difference in power, but they are two totally different animals, you don’t drive the van like a car, it’s got enough power to pull up hills you do have to change down its like old school driving, and sit at speed on the motorway, but then again I am never in a rush.
The van is amazing put a smile on my face every time I drive it, I prefer to drive It over the Merc I get the same mpg and the van is due to be my daily driver.
I am considering a Pendle remap for a
little more torque.
The van is amazing put a smile on my face every time I drive it, I prefer to drive It over the Merc I get the same mpg and the van is due to be my daily driver.
I am considering a Pendle remap for a
little more torque.
