Advice before I buy!

[StewC]

Hi
I am in the process of looking for a T6 Highline 150PS Kombi. What I don't know is this
Should I go for a T30 or T32?
Having read about the front headlight issue.
Do I just bite the bullet and buy what's out there of hold out for something that might (unlikely know) come up with up spec lights.
Having read some of the threads on lights I assume H4 is standard can these easily be changed for H7's just bulb or is it a new fitting too?
Sorry if this is covered elsewhere I'm just new and don't want to drop a clanger before I start.
Cheers
Stew

 

[Alan Walsh]

Depends on what you plan on carrying in the van(how heavy is the bike) If you have a T32 you are more limited on aftermarket wheel choice due to load rating.

 

[DaveyB]

Hi Stew, I bought mine as an ex-demo, and they do tend to have a good spec such as the LED lights. The current information across the threads is that the wiring loom for the H4's amd H7's are the same, but are not the same for LED's. I believe @Pauly is currently working on trying to upgrade H4's to 7's.
Good Luck.

 

[StewC]

Depends on what you plan on carrying in the van(how heavy is the bike) If you have a T32 you are more limited on aftermarket wheel choice due to load rating.

Alan
Thanks for more advice, the bikes nothing too heavy so load carrying not an issue, the issue really is the stock that is out there. I set our local VW commercial the task of finding me something and TBH he hasn't really come up with much!

 

[Alan Walsh]

As a general rule of thumb the dealers are quite lazy, they know they will sell the vans with minimum effort unfortunately. You may have to put in more leg work to find the van you want.

 

[StewC]

Hi Stew, I bought mine as an ex-demo, and they do tend to have a good spec such as the LED lights. The current information across the threads is that the wiring loom for the H4's amd H7's are the same, but are not the same for LED's. I believe @Pauly is currently working on trying to upgrade H4's to 7's.
Good Luck.

Thanks Davey
Was just getting a bit concerned that whatever I bought I might need to then spend more on uprating the lights, when you see figures of £1k plus for uprate seems scary but if the H7s is a reasonable middle ground that might have to be the option as funds are a bit limited and want to max out on the age / spec of the van
Thanks
Stew

 

[Alan Walsh]

The T32 is subject to a different MOT so I am led to believe, don't know the full implications yet as mine is still a while away but also worth considering.

 

[StewC]

Alan I've messaged a couple of dealers round the country tonight that have vans I'm interested in so we'll see...

 

[Alan Walsh]

There are people like swissvans (a couple off here have bought from them I believe) that sell new/nearly new vans with a few upgrades, might be worth looking into.

 

[StewC]

Thanks Alan appreciate the advice I'll give them a shout too.
Cheers☺

 

[Captain Mainwaring]

I was looking for a S/H Kombi last year and had to scour the whole country. As said above the dealers don't have to try because they know they will walk off the forecourt almost before they have been prepped. I just kept an eye on the VWCS used site and was prepared to go anywhere. It will be a case of just taking whatever spec you can get I reckon

 

[StewC]

I was looking for a S/H Kombi last year and had to scour the whole country. As said above the dealers don't have to try because they know they will walk off the forecourt almost before they have been prepped. I just kept an eye on the VWCS used site and was prepared to go anywhere. It will be a case of just taking whatever spec you can get I reckon

Thanks Captn.
Looks like I might just have to compromise of a few like to haves andaccept what I can get and get on with it!
Appreciate the advice
Stew

 

[HootingOwl]

The h4 and h7 headlamp units are completely different. It isn't just a case of changing the bulbs, you will need a pair of replacement headlamps. LED is the way to go, if you want to see clearly at night. VW dealers are useless in my experience of 12 years in transporters. Swiss vans and bognor motors have access to decent vans and both have good reputations. There are decent VW van centres but they are the exception to the rule. Try Liverpool VW van centre. Or try a broker for 18% off a factory order on a new one.

 

[Tombs]

I've found Swiss Vans so far to be pretty good, I don't have the Van as yet so can't give an honest opinion on delivery etc but they've been keen to keep my business. Speak to Alex there. As hooting Owl has pointed out, Swiss Vans (As some others) seem to have a few options that main dealers don't.

 

[StewC]

Thanks Hooting Owl and Tombs.
Lots more good information. I'll see what's available for those you recommend. Unfortunately I can't stretch to a new bus so will have to have a punt at a used one and see what I can get. Headlights might have to be the first mod me thinks
Cheers for the info
Stew

 

[Captain Mainwaring]

The h4 and h7 headlamp units are completely different. It isn't just a case of changing the bulbs, you will need a pair of replacement headlamps. LED is the way to go, if you want to see clearly at night. VW dealers are useless in my experience of 12 years in transporters. Swiss vans and bognor motors have access to decent vans and both have good reputations. There are decent VW van centres but they are the exception to the rule. Try Liverpool VW van centre. Or try a broker for 18% off a factory order on a new one.

As I have said before, you do not need to go to LED's to get decent lights. The LEDs are definitely the best, but the twin halogens in the Light and Vision Plus pack are perfectly OK.

I have just looked at the new VWCV price list and see that the LED option has gone up to a mind boggling £1344 for just the headlights, or £1662 for front and back. The Plus option has stayed the same at £456 so is only 1/3 the price of the LED's

 

[StewC]

Thanks Capt.
Not sure I'll be able to stretch to LEDS at that money!! Need to get to the road so I might just have to buy and see how bad the H4s are and make my decision once I've had chance to assess it.
Thanks for the help
Stew

 

[HootingOwl]

£456 To replace a pair of H4 bulbs with 4 H7 bulbs. Quite a gouge for two additional bulbs if you have already stumped up for Highline trim.

I asked the dealer about the H7 option and he said not much difference from the standard headlights.

The LEDs will be expensive to retrofit.

 

[former member]

H7s are fine. Even updated H4s are okay.
Don't worry; just see what's around and get excited; a big part of the buying process IMO.

 

[Captain Mainwaring]

£456 To replace a pair of H4 bulbs with 4 H7 bulbs. Quite a gouge for two additional bulbs if you have already stumped up for Highline trim.

I asked the dealer about the H7 option and he said not much difference from the standard headlights.

The LEDs will be expensive to retrofit.

Nope, its not just H7 bulbs. Even VW would not get away with £456 for two bulbs. It specifically says that it adds twin headlights, so basically instead of a single H4 on each side it has twin H7's. Everyone complains bitterly about the quality of the standard lights, whereas I am perfectly happy with mine, and my last vehicle was a Porsche Cayenne with Bi-Xenons so I am used to excellent lights. I also live in an area with very little street lighting so good lights are mandatory for me. The rep at the dealer you talked to has obviously never driven a van with that option and/or he is just a crap rep. Plenty of those around