Have I bought a banger?

[Lukeashley88]

Hey Hey. I need some help from the community to get out of panic mode!

I’ve paid the deposit on a conversion after many years of saving. It is an old van, but new conversion from a local conversion company. The spec is T6 SWB Startline T30 102, 5 speed. 75,000 miles, ex-EON trade van. Full service history, but shows EGR replacement 25k miles ago. Dealer is replacing cam belt and water pump before collection.

When I read these forums, a combination of the above facts is making me doubt myself now whether this is a good move or not.

The positive is that the dealer is providing a 12 month warranty on both base van and conversion, which gives me some confidence.

I’m a chronic overthinker and now slightly worried I’ve put my life savings (£35k) into something that is going to cause me no end of hassle.

I’d appreciate the value of the community!!

 

[T6ChrisO]

What makes you think you've bought a banger? I don't understand your concern. Is it the mileage that bothers you?

 

[Lukeashley88]

Thanks for your reply. In truth, probably just overthinking and a bit of buyers remorse with my largest purchase to date! I think just reading about EGR issues + ex-trade van. Mileage in itself not a concern, as I fully appreciate there are vans still out there with 200k on them!

 

[TrevorK]

Next “All In Plan” offer… Any idea?

I came across this today. https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/finance-offers-and-fleet/finance/service-plans.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoeemBhCfARIsADR2QCuNwN_ZOmYvSR_KYp3s9QF2x421nxyQ5nOnex8PmxSQLI3AwBEitKIaAgFkEALw_wcB 20% off All-In and Service Plans in August. It is a pity that you...

www.t6forum.com

Gives peace of mind if your van is in under 6 years old.

More info using the search function.

 

[T6ChrisO]

My T6 is ex trade (AA) and now on 145k miles and to my knowledge the EGR hasn't been replaced. Im not worried because EGR issues stem mainly from short journeys I believe so trade vans (depending on the trade) will do lots of long journeys/motorway miles where they can get it nice and hot

 

[JumpShip]

I think it doesnt matter how much you spend you never know what youve got until youve had it and used it for a couple of years .
I stress over any big purchase , dunno why ...i just do .
But from what youve told us though it sounds like you should be excited not stressing unnecessarily.
Vans are great , you wont regret the freedom that you get from owning a van.
Had ours 10 years and it still makes me smile when i look at it .

 

[Lukeashley88]

It’s made me feel much better reading these, thank you!

Seems like a great community that I’m looking forward to being part of.

 

[Dellmassive]

102 is low on engine power for a heavy rear conversion, but not totally useless.

The 102 comes with the 5speed box, which is not the best, versus the 6 speed box.

75k is low miles for the age so that's good.

Standard mechanical things that need doing you will have had done.(Most)

Ie

Cam belt and water pump.
EGR
DMF.... Not mentioned above.


So if you're a standard conversion, doing standard camping and not touring Europe for the next 5 years you should be good.


Post some pics of your van and document your journey.

 

[Sasquatch]

The 102 unit is fairly vice free as these things go.

The 5 speed box is adequate but the torque capacity is low so its easy to bork them with poor quality tuning, although I doubt Eon will have been mucking about with that sort of thing.

There are never any guarantees in life, but if its been looked after its probably a fairly safe bet.

If you're happy with the price then I can't see any reson to be unduly worried.

 

[DaveD]

Thanks for your reply. In truth, probably just overthinking and a bit of buyers remorse with my largest purchase to date! I think just reading about EGR issues + ex-trade van. Mileage in itself not a concern, as I fully appreciate there are vans still out there with 200k on them!

Forums are great, but please remember that they're often the first place people go when they have a problem so it's easy to read about problems and get the wrong impression, nobody starts a new thread with, "another year of trouble free motoring". There are many thousands of these vans out there running reliably day in, day out, but that's rarely mentioned.
Every vehicle purchase is a gamble but you're looking at a van with a 12 month warranty so you should get some peace of mind from that.
It's very natural to have doubts about spending such a chunk of money, I did too!

 

[JoshB_]

You never said how "old" it is? But being a T6 I assume about 17/18 plate?

Just enjoy it, I've seen people with brand new vans have issues so ultimately, its a motor vehicle, its not going to be problem free. But as aforementioned, all the big jobs have been done. A 12 month warranty is also a bonus so you've got nothing to worry about. Go out and enjoy it! I've a mate with a 1.9TDi T5 on nearly 300k and the only major job he's done is a new gearbox.

I also know a few people at EON and they're all pretty sensible. Not like its an ex-lease van of unknown origin, old builders van, or worse, a rental. It would have probably have had trackers and speed limiters fitted so its going to have been used pretty sensibly.

I must admit I think £35k is a lot, I'm a Yorkshireman so I'm tight, but the van is bottom spec, so £13k at most (+VAT), so you've paid nigh on £20k for a conversion... but thats what they are, and as long as you're happy then that's what matters. I've started with my own panel van and will be doing as much as myself as possible but even then I've already spent nearly £5k on simple stuff!

 

[MikeWillmott]

I bought a 2015 T6 DSG 140 159k 2 years ago!
From an engineering firm in Birmingham and they couldn’t find evidence of a cam belt change!
Hasn’t missed a beat - now 179k - With a new timing belt! They are work horses that do a job well and the people who have one that’s not gone wrong tend not to write about it so the forums can give a false impression of reliability/longevity.

 

[monkeybusiness]

I bought a 2015 T6 DSG 140 159k 2 years ago!
From an engineering firm in Birmingham and they couldn’t find evidence of a cam belt change!
Hasn’t missed a beat - now 179k - With a new timing belt! They are work horses that do a job well and the people who have one that’s not gone wrong tend not to write about it so the forums can give a false impression of reliability/longevity.

Thats very true.

 

[z1ts]

Thats very true.

Also, people are terrified of saying "I'm fine here with my T6" for fear of invoking the bad luck god(s)!!!!!!

 

[Paul Sussex]

I bought a van of similar price for my daily drive, px’d a relatively nice car + some (so the most I have spent except the house)

Had similar concerns.

It’s slower, noisier and rattles every now and again (mostly the crap in the cupboards) - I love it.

Every time I drive it it makes me smile - even stuck in traffic jams.

Also, nothing like a VW wave to lift the day and otherVW T5/T6 so friendly and happy to help.

It’s not just a vehicle, it’s a lifestyle.

7 months in and lots of trips away some just a day others a week.

It is the only vehicle that I lie in bed at night and think - I want to get up early and go somewhere in it - even if just down the road.

My advice is stop worrying, enjoy - I’ve taken the view if something breaks (or I break something) it will happen - if I worry about it then I will miss out on the enjoyment so will deal with it if it happens.

 

[JumpShip]

I drive to lidl and buy croissants, drive to Mcd's for coffee and then drive to the beach to sit and enjoy the view and my breakfast in my van .

 

[Paul Sussex]

I drive to lidl and buy croissants, drive to Mcd's for coffee and then drive to the beach to sit and enjoy the view and my breakfast in my van .

I sometimes just sit in the drive - perhaps I should get a screen cover with a fancy view

 

[JumpShip]

My van just makes me smile , its like my 'safe space' .
I lay in bed in my van snuggled at night watching telly , all cozy and thinking there aint many places i'm more fumfy and at home .

 

[Paul Sussex]

My van just makes me smile , its like my 'safe space' .
I lay in bed in my van snuggled at night watching telly , all cozy and thinking there aint many places i'm more fumfy and at home .

Stop it JumpShip - just gone to bed after a hard day in the office - so tempted to go out on the drive - the wife would kill me.

But know what you are saying

 

[icn05]

Mine’s an ex EON van, 2017 Startline, I love driving it. Apart from the current EGR issue which is to be expected age / mileage wise, no issues mechanically. Touch wood as it’s in for an mot this week. The only advisories previously were for tyres so everything crossed.