Potential New Owner - Advice Please!

[muddyboots]

Hi all

I'm considering moving from my existing car to a T6 Kombi.

Mainly to allow quicker/easier transport of bikes (I have a large MTB and both kids have ever-growing bikes - getting fedup with the faff of loading the bikes on roof and/or towbar carriers, and having them exposed) and holiday gear, camping gear etc. at the same time as transporting all of the family (2 adults 2 kids). Several of my riding friends have vans and I'm envious of their ability to quickly stick the bikes in the back and head off. The ability to get changed out of muddy gear in the back would also be quite handy.

I want something fairly quick, and am also hooked on 4wd, not just because it helps with my commute across the Peak District in winter, but just for general drama-free traction.

So I'm thinking a 204PS (diesel) 4motion Kombi would fit the bill nicely, probably LWB to fit the bikes in easily.

I have considered buying new via one of the various brokers, looks like ~20% off list price to be had - but I was told by one recently that orders for the 204ps 4motion are no longer being taken - does anyone know how true this is ?

So I may end up looking at used models.

I've seen some threads regarding conversions of panel vans to Kombi....and wondered what the pros/cons of doing this are ?
How would this affect resale value ?
Any other pitfalls I may not be aware of ?
What's the typical cost of all the parts required to safely convert a panel van with dual side doors into a Kombi spec ? (Bearing in mind the kids will be travelling in the back so it needs to be converted to the same standard of safety as a factory Kombi)

Apologies for the rambling first post. Any thoughts/guidance welcome

 

[Tourershine]

Hi all

I'm considering moving from my existing car to a T6 Kombi.

Mainly to allow quicker/easier transport of bikes (I have a large MTB and both kids have ever-growing bikes - getting fedup with the faff of loading the bikes on roof and/or towbar carriers, and having them exposed) and holiday gear, camping gear etc. at the same time as transporting all of the family (2 adults 2 kids). Several of my riding friends have vans and I'm envious of their ability to quickly stick the bikes in the back and head off. The ability to get changed out of muddy gear in the back would also be quite handy.

I want something fairly quick, and am also hooked on 4wd, not just because it helps with my commute across the Peak District in winter, but just for general drama-free traction.

So I'm thinking a 204PS (diesel) 4motion Kombi would fit the bill nicely, probably LWB to fit the bikes in easily.

I have considered buying new via one of the various brokers, looks like ~20% off list price to be had - but I was told by one recently that orders for the 204ps 4motion are no longer being taken - does anyone know how true this is ?

So I may end up looking at used models.

I've seen some threads regarding conversions of panel vans to Kombi....and wondered what the pros/cons of doing this are ?
How would this affect resale value ?
Any other pitfalls I may not be aware of ?
What's the typical cost of all the parts required to safely convert a panel van with dual side doors into a Kombi spec ? (Bearing in mind the kids will be travelling in the back so it needs to be converted to the same standard of safety as a factory Kombi)

Apologies for the rambling first post. Any thoughts/guidance welcome

By the looks of that amount of different questions, you might be quicker using the search box at the top of the page. This will give far more in-depth answers to most of what you're looking for.
I think it was mentioned that the 204 was being dropped to a 199hp in line with the new WLTP testing, and it should explain more if you go through the VW commercial configurator. I wouldn't expect a huge drop in real life power between the two engines.
As for 4motion and it's perceived advantages, don't disregard a 2wd and some nice all-season tyres. I ran winters on my 2wd and put them to some extreme testing recently in Scotland during a snow and ice period, and not once did it cause any issues with traction. Plus the saving from 4motion to 2wd is a huge lump towards a conversion, or what ever else this lot has you buying

Although many on here are bias, I genuinely feel a Transporter is the most versatile vehicle currently available. I use mine mainly for work, but if I didn't need one, i'd still want one. Plus they have a huge following, and some really good shows for all the family to enjoy

Welcome to the forum


Edit: I've just had a quick look at the configurator and the high hp is now not available in 2wd, which is nuts if that's the case.

 

[Oddman]

If you're buying new, I think the big and important difference between the 4motion models is that the 150ps can't be specced with DSG. DSG really suits the vehicle and engine but I didn't want/need 204ps so I have the manual 150ps. I didn't think I would want or need 204ps until I last weekend when I realised how long it takes to wind up to speed for an overtake.

I can get a road bike in my SWB easily. The LWB will swallow mountain bikes whole. You just need to consider a racking/strapping solution.

All weather tyres are a good option on 2wd if only requiring snow capability on UK roads. I use mine as a shooting/skiing truck so goes off road and challenging snow.

I bought with autoebid - very polite helpful and responsive - saved around £8000 on list. Waiting list about 6 months at the moment

 

[Gillon Johnstone]

We went to a dealer recently and I was told that any new order we would be looking at Sept delivery at the earliest so if it was me I would personally hang on till the 6.1 is released