Which van should I buy?

[Danger]

Hi All,

I’m looking for opinions as I’m torn between two vans. They’re both LWB kombi highlines, the plan is to install a pop top and caravelle rails and keep for 10-15 years. Both are VW used approved.

Van A. £39599. March 2019, 20k miles, 150ps 6 speed manual, car speed limits, single slider, 3 seat bench

Van B. £40379, Dec 2017, 40k miles, 204ps 4 motion DSG, van speed limits, comfort dash, twin sliders with elec close, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, apple car play, 2+1 seat. New service, MOT, cam belt. Front and rear sensors plus camera.

It’s a heart over head decision. Any thoughts on reliability and practicality gratefully received.

ATB

DP

 

[Pauly]

Van B for me

 

[HossP]

4motion every day of the week, simply because that one time it saves you is worth it IMO.

 

[Bav]

Van B for me

+1

 

[MORGS777]

Van b: as DSG, adaptive cruise and the rest of the goodies :}
Plus Van A wont have car speed limits unless its a caravelle

 

[DXX]

If you want a campervan conversion the extra weight of 4WD will eat into the gross weight limit and also restricts possibility for underslung tanks.

 

[Bav]

Van A wont have car speed limits unless its a caravelle

...or a shuttle or a campervan.

 

[drinfinity]

Buy Van B. 4Motion has got me off a few sticky fields.

Ignore the speed limit stuff (search for the infinitely long thread here for why).

Yes the 4motion will start a little heavier, but it will be T32 so you have the most MGW. (Is the Kombi T28 or T32?).

4motion you can’t get the massive water tank in front of the spare wheel, but you can fit skirt tanks underneath if you want. Or a can inside is most common.

 

[Danger]

Thanks everyone for your input.

They’re both T32’s. We’re not turning it into a proper camper so we’re not fitting water tanks. The idea is two kids, four bikes, a couple of surf boards and our camping gear for adventures away. The pop top is for single / two person surf trips to avoid using camp sites.

ATB.

Is a 16 month / 20k mile difference worth worrying about? We’ll only do 6k miles ish a year.

 

[Salty Spuds]

B all day long

 

[DaveD]

Any thoughts on reliability and practicality gratefully received.

ATB

My first thoughts were van B.
But I've read on here of a growing number of people with 204Hp vans from 2016/2017 who are experiencing significant oil consumption issues which is a massive problem.

2017 204 oil consumption issues [Resolved]

Hi, found a couple of post already regarding high usage on the 204 and some even leading to engine failure, has anyone got any experience with this I could ask for help? I've only had my T6 204 T32 a few months and covered about 2000 miles but in that time its drank 5-6 litres of oil which I top...

www.t6forum.com

On balance, there are no doubt thousands of 204 vans which don't have this problem, but it's something to be aware of.

 

[Danger]

Thanks, I though I’d made my mind up but that thread has scared me. I’ve asked the dealer for the engine number.

 

[DXX]

My first thoughts were van B.
But I've read on here of a growing number of people with 204Hp vans from 2016/2017 who are experiencing significant oil consumption issues which is a massive problem.

2017 204 oil consumption issues [Resolved]

Hi, found a couple of post already regarding high usage on the 204 and some even leading to engine failure, has anyone got any experience with this I could ask for help? I've only had my T6 204 T32 a few months and covered about 2000 miles but in that time its drank 5-6 litres of oil which I top...

www.t6forum.com

On balance, there are no doubt thousands of 204 vans which don't have this problem, but it's something to be aware of.

Also many who don’t recognise a problem, especially if the dealer is telling them that oil consumption is normal.

 

[benp1]

I'd agree with van B too. Twin sliders is a HUGE bonus if it's your daily driver or family car. Makes kids access so much easier

But I'm not sure if it'll be car speed limits, with the 4 motion you might be over the mass in service limit so have to stick to 50 on A roads. Might not be a problem for you though. I think you'll probably be OK with van A with normal limits. I'm a twin slider DSG SWB kombi and i'm just under the weight limit

(Van B will also get less mpg, if that's an issue for you)

 

[Danger]

Just spoke to the dealer, the 204 engine is part of the problem batch but he says this one hasn’t had any issues.

Thoughts?

 

[dubLU]

Only you know how an emerging issue could effect you mentally. For me it's a big no, as I can barely handle a broken cig lighter 12v socket not working, a dodgy dc-dc connection etc.
You could ask the dealer to get the van onto an extended VW warranty scheme as he's so sure it has no issue and get a written confirmation of him that it would cover the nightmare developments some poor sods have experienced.

 

[Chippie1]

Van b for me led headlights a bonus plus dsg and few other goodies

 

[t6blo]

I’d only go for a 150DSG not the 204.

Keep looking.

Interesting pricing though - is this a main dealer? My June 2019 Highline Kombi DSG must be worth as much as that too. It’s a crime that they have given such low ball numbers for the px values in the last 6 months while keeping forecourt prices inflated though

 

[FerrisBFW]

Thanks, I though I’d made my mind up but that thread has scared me. I’ve asked the dealer for the engine number.

get the EGR blanked off and mapped out ASAP

 

[Danger]

Decision made, we can’t spend money customising and always be wondering whether we’ll need to spend 7.5k on a new engine. I’m gutted, the spec is amazing but I wouldn’t be able to trust it. 150 manual it is.

Thanks everyone for your input, the knowledge has been very useful.