T6 vs T6.1 decision dilemma?

If you were in my position would you:

  • 1 Keep the current T6 Base van and have it converted using the £17k

    Votes: 11 91.7%

  • 2 Source an already converted T6.1 from those available in the range of £40-45,000?

    Votes: 1 8.3%

  • 3 Alternative option I have not considered?

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    12
Jay Andrews

Jay Andrews

Member
Dear Deidre aka Forum Users ,

As a relative newbie to the scene, I hope you can impart your opinion, insights and wisdom to help inform my current decision dilemma.

I currently own a 2019, VW T6 (T32) DSG Highline 2.0 TDI with 24,000 miles on the clock, FSH which I have owned as a daily commute and weekend warrior for 5 years (i.e. I know its history and how its been driven) – therefore I consider this to be a relatively good base for a full camper conversion.

The dilemma is that I have:
  • Had a offer on my current van for £29,500 (seems reasonable?)
  • Recently test drove a friends T6.1 which seemed to drive much better and further ignited my desire to upgrade
  • I have ~£15-17,000 available for a basic conversion
Therefore if you were in my position would you
  1. Keep the current T6 Base van and have it converted using the £17k
  2. Source an already converted T6.1 from those available in the range of £40-45,000?
  3. Alternative option I have not considered?
Appreciate your inputs….

Cheers
Jase
 
Buy a T6.1 base van and convert it yourself?

If you choose wisely, you might get some features that your current T6 is missing that your would have upgraded, like LED headlights. Or things that aren't upgradeable, like LWB, or 4motion.
 
Lots of people who have moved from a T6 to a T6.1 comment that the drive is much better, but there's lots that also lament the drop in build quality (internal and external) of the T6.1 and don't like the newer dash layout. I only have experience of the T6,1, so can't offer my opinion on this, but I'd advise you to review the T6.1 thoroughly and ensure it really is a "better" van than your current T6. (You can't, for example, get a comfort dash on a T6.1 and I've heard others say the internal plastics are lower quality - things that might not be immediately obvious).

I'd also caution that it's often a case of 'better the devil you know' - your T6 is a known quantity and a pre-owned T6.1 won't be.

Finally, I'd say you can get a great a conversion if you pay someone 17k, but you could get a fabulous conversion if you spent 17k on a self-conversion (depending, of course, on your skillset and the confidence you have in your own abilities).
 
Your van is low mileage and, presumably, a good known quantity so the choice is probably binary.


Therefore...

Keep it and get a conversion done.

Or if you got plenty of spare lolly and you're happy to spend...

Get a 6.1 that's already been converted.


As Bav points out, model rationalisation means the 6.1 can miss out on some plusher trim items that were available on the 6 so like for like 6.1 might feel a little stark in some regards if yours is a good spec.

Similarly, some observers have commented on supposedly lower  quality in some areas of the 6.1 but I look at 14 vans before making my choice I found little actual substantive evidence of that, so it probably comes back to the binary choice again.

Best of luck whichever way you go, and we will need pics or it didn't happen!
 
I'm broadly with Bav here as a 6.1 Caravelle owner (though you can get a Comfort Dash as I allegedly have one but it's not a patch on the 6 version) and while I love the van I get a sense of built down to a price and a bit more fickleness with the electrics. And my brother in law has a late era T6 Caravelle of near identical spec so I can reasonably directly compare. The driving experience of the 6.1 is a lot more car like (especially with the digital toys) but the 6 feels more solid overall.

If you are happy with the van I'd stick with it unless you have another reason to change.

I'd also value more a conversion you are specifying what you want rather than buying someone else's view. You know what you want, a bulk converter will tend to spec what looks flash but has a good profit margin on. We see that a lot around here with electrics for instance.
 
Bav said:
Lots of people who have moved from a T6 to a T6.1 comment that the drive is much better, but there's lots that also lament the drop in build quality (internal and external) of the T6.1 and don't like the newer dash layout. I only have experience of the T6,1, so can't offer my opinion on this, but I'd advise you to review the T6.1 thoroughly and ensure it really is a "better" van than your current T6. (You can't, for example, get a comfort dash on a T6.1 and I've heard others say the internal plastics are lower quality - things that might not be immediately obvious).

I'd also caution that it's often a case of 'better the devil you know' - your T6 is a known quantity and a pre-owned T6.1 won't be.

Finally, I'd say you can get a great a conversion if you pay someone 17k, but you could get a fabulous conversion if you spent 17k on a self-conversion (depending, of course, on your skillset and the confidence you have in your own abilities).
Click to expand...
@Bav - thank you for your final pearl of wisdom....that really is a solid option which I had not really consider until now....Hmmm more hours invested in research for a DIY job
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bav
Jay Andrews said:
@Bav - thank you for your final pearl of wisdom....that really is a solid option which I had not really consider until now....Hmmm more hours invested in research for a DIY job
Click to expand...
Depending what you want, it's not that hard to do it (mostly) DIY - even if you make use of some of the pre made furniture sets.

Stuff like the pop top and windows I'd be paying someone to fit, but I'd happily have a go at the rest of it (I pretty much have with my Caravelle interior).
 
Bav said:
Lots of people who have moved from a T6 to a T6.1 comment that the drive is much better, but there's lots that also lament the drop in build quality (internal and external) of the T6.1 and don't like the newer dash layout. I only have experience of the T6,1, so can't offer my opinion on this, but I'd advise you to review the T6.1 thoroughly and ensure it really is a "better" van than your current T6. (You can't, for example, get a comfort dash on a T6.1 and I've heard others say the internal plastics are lower quality - things that might not be immediately obvious).

I'd also caution that it's often a case of 'better the devil you know' - your T6 is a known quantity and a pre-owned T6.1 won't be.

Finally, I'd say you can get a great a conversion if you pay someone 17k, but you could get a fabulous conversion if you spent 17k on a self-conversion (depending, of course, on your skillset and the confidence you have in your own abilities).
Click to expand...
Don’t forget no sport mode in the T6.1 DSG box, no foot rest either. Small thing but they all add up. Like @Bav i am not a fan of the new dash, plus no comfort dash is why I am keeping my T6, that an I have poured thousands into it.
 
There's also more chance of electrical gremlins down the line with the 6.1 that will end up costing: Infotainment units / Sos control units failing.

Personally, the 6 is better build quality.. the 6.1 just inherits the 6's issues with more thrown in.
 
I have a 2019 T6, and a 2024 6.1. Both 150 Highline models.
Spent the summer mulling over which one get's converted, and it will be the old T6.
I's like an old friend that's been through some very busy and stressful years, bringing in 5 years wages.
To spend some time relaxing together in some beautiful locations seems the right thing to do.

Adaptive cruise and heated mirrors are the only advantages over the 6.
6.1 has no satnav, CD player, dash layout is rubbish and no footrest.

But hey, I'm not complaining. They are both great, and I'm so glad I'm not facing the prospect of a Ford T7.
 
I think I've managed to inadvertently hijack the OPs thread, so I'm going to move the footrest-specific posts to a new thread and leave a link in thread to that new thread. Apologies for the hijack @Jay Andrews.

EDIT: Footrest-specific thread...
www.t6forum.com

My left foot - the importance of the 'missing' T6.1 footrest

What is it with everyone and this damned 'missing' footrest in the T6.1? I'm genuinely curious to know why it's omission is lamented so much by those that have 'upgraded' from a 6 to a 6.1. I get the irritation that it's yet another example of VW penny-pinching, but I don't get why it makes a...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com
 
Last edited:
Bav said:
I think I've managed to inadvertently hijack the OPs thread, so I'm going to move the footrest-specific posts to a new thread and leave a link in thread to that new thread. Apologies for the hijack @Jay Andrews.

EDIT: Footrest-specific thread...
www.t6forum.com

My left foot - the importance of the 'missing' T6.1 footrest

What is it with everyone and this damned 'missing' footrest in the T6.1? I'm genuinely curious to know why it's omission is lamented so much by those that have 'upgraded' from a 6 to a 6.1. I get the irritation that it's yet another example of VW penny-pinching, but I don't get why it makes a...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com
Click to expand...


no worries @Bav I actually think the footrest might have helped make the decision for me!!
 
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