Startline vs highline from day one

[Wayne01]

Hi

Looking to purchase a vw from a conversion firm and reading through the treads it looks like a highline maybe a good starting point however speaking to a firm they suggested a startline

Their view is a startline is cheaper, easy to get but they can add things to it. - rear camera, electric mirrors etc

Time lines are not important to us and I be happy to wait for a highline rather go down the add-on route

Min - cruise Control, electric mirrors, rear camera, front and back sensers, may AC

Any views?

Many thanks

 

[Bav]

Avoid vans without AC as it's difficult and costly to retro fit, This means you either need a Highline or a Startline with the added Business Pack.

 

[Wayne01]

Thanks, AC - thought so

What about the other items, to me I think the post purchase upgrade with the other bits is too much??

 

[cgtmiles]

My highline MY19 didn’t come with front parking sensors (rear only), rear camera or folding mirrors as standard. I had the rear camera fitted during the conversion as it’s difficult to retrofit after (although I did fit a rear dashcam after). Folding mirror upgrade is still in my wish list.

Does the start line have the same bumper? I seem to remember it’s a single piece colour coded version (talking T6 here not that young upstart the t6.1) so not as easy to customise the grills etc. otherwise I think there are a other creature comforts that make the highline worth going for

 

[Bav]

Personally, it was Highline all the way for me, but I was in the fortunate position of being able to spec a factory order.

Other than AC, I don't think the case is at all clear-cut - lots of people retro fit the other Highline niceties, so it's eminently doable, especially if done at conversion time.

What age of van are you're looking for and does your converter intend using OEM or aftermarket parts? I only ask as, whilst brand new OEM is optimum, the balance between aged OEM parts vs new aftermarket parts is more tricky to assess.

 

[Wayne01]

Max 4 years old I guess maybe 5

 

[DXX]

Looking to purchase a vw from a conversion firm and reading through the treads it looks like a highline maybe a good starting point however speaking to a firm they suggested a startline

That’s because there are quite a few conversion companies that buy used work vans which are generally lower powered and lower spec’. They then give it a quick 2 tone paint job, some fancy wheels and a cheap fit out. This generates the necessary ‘image’ to a eager customer and we then read about all the issues behind the ply and carpet on this Forum.

 

[Wayne01]

Thanks, we are looking at a few

Coast 2 coast, Spartan, platinum wave and Cambridge campervans

I'm aware of others not insulating or sound boarding

 

[Sackmycook]

Avoid vans without AC as it's difficult and costly to retro fit, This means you either need a Highline or a Startline with the added Business Pack.

Or a Trendline....

 

[Bav]

That’s because there are quite a few conversion companies that buy used work vans which are generally lower powered and lower spec’. They then give it a quick 2 tone paint job, some fancy wheels and a cheap fit out. This generates the necessary ‘image’ to a eager customer and we then read about all the issues behind the ply and carpet on this Forum.

True, but that's not a predetermined outcome just because the base van is a 102 Startline.

 

[Ayjay]

Sorry to contradict a more learned member on here (@cgtmiles) but I don't believe Absolut5 had any problems retrofitting my Kenwood reversing camera when they installed a new stereo. My van was a Highline from new and it didn't come with front parking sensors but did have folding mirrors although I'm not sure whether they were an add-on or not as I got it when it was about a year old (it was a demonstrater before the conversion company acquired it). I often wonder about how much people are prepared to pay for later updates to lower spec vans and whether it's a false economy in the long run.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks, AC - thought so

What about the other items, to me I think the post purchase upgrade with the other bits is too much??

Retro fitting is generally more expensive than factory fit, and not as integrated, things never quite work in harmony. A startline with bolt on goodies, will never be a Highline, no matter how much you throw at it. If you want Highline spec, the only way to get it is by buying a factory Highline.

 

[Bigsidavies]

I have a foot in each camp.
I’ve currently got a highline 4Mo biturbo with factory front parking sensors and reverse camera.
But trying to get a reasonably priced highline van for my next conversion is a shocker.
So I’m leaning towards a startline T6.1 with business pack. But choice is limited as I want a decent colour and a 6spd or dsg. But they are out there.
I don’t think it’s too expensive or difficult to retrofit a reverse camera annd powerfold mirrors and buy some highline bumpers and have them painted and fitted.
Other than not having a heated screen I don’t think there’s too much difference.

 

[roadtripper]

That’s because there are quite a few conversion companies that buy used work vans which are generally lower powered and lower spec’. They then give it a quick 2 tone paint job, some fancy wheels and a cheap fit out. This generates the necessary ‘image’ to a eager customer and we then read about all the issues behind the ply and carpet on this Forum.

Slightly tangential but really important along the same lines - make sure you know exactly what you are getting leisure electrics wise and that it suits your needs.

We see a lot of threads here with people having the ubiquitous all in one systems, a cheap lead acid battery and split charge relay and only realising how limited that is a couple of years in.

Nothing wrong with those systems if competently fitted and specced but they generally only suit a touring mentality of a bit of power on the road or a night away from EHU.

If you want more than that it's a heck of a lot easier to get something more capable put in at conversion time.

 

[cgtmiles]

Sorry to contradict a more learned member on here (@cgtmiles) but I don't believe Absolut5 had any problems retrofitting my Kenwood reversing camera when they installed a new stereo. My van was a Highline from new and it didn't come with front parking sensors but did have folding mirrors although I'm not sure whether they were an add-on or not as I got it when it was about a year old (it was a demonstrater before the conversion company acquired it). I often wonder about how much people are prepared to pay for later updates to lower spec vans and whether it's a false economy in the long run.

I’m not saying it’s not possible (as a said I fitted the rear dashcam) I’m just saying it makes more sense to do some upgrade before (or while) fitting a full camper conversion if you are going to do them anyway

 

[DXX]

Slightly tangential but really important along the same lines - make sure you know exactly what you are getting leisure electrics wise and that it suits your needs.

We see a lot of threads here with people having the ubiquitous all in one systems, a cheap lead acid battery and split charge relay and only realising how limited that is a couple of years in.

Nothing wrong with those systems if competently fitted and specced but they generally only suit a touring mentality of a bit of power on the road or a night away from EHU.

If you want more than that it's a heck of a lot easier to get something more capable put in at conversion time.

I agree it would seem like there is a shortage of skilled auto electricians and an abundance of carpet and ply to cover piss poor workmanship.

 

[JumpShip]

A/C and proper headlights would be first on my list .

 

[Salty Spuds]

I agree it would seem like there is a shortage of skilled auto electricians and an abundance of carpet and ply to cover piss poor workmanship.

That’s because most punters only see the bling. They have no idea what they’re buying, but it looks nice.

 

[drinfinity]

I started out thinking I would do Startline + add ons, then looked at business pack, then in the end went Highline. Aircon and adaptive cruise control I use all the time. Rear camera is easy enough to retrofit particularly as part of a conversion (as the cable runs are all exposed then).

 

[Green Giant]

I have a startline with business pack, which is normal cc, rear sensors and air con, I added a rear parking camera.
If I had gone for a highline spec van, at a higher cost, I would of made sure it had as many options fitted as possible, I.e. rear camera, heated seats, adaptive cruise control and heated Windscreen.
If I had my time again, I would definitely go Highline