Looking for a 2nd Hand VW Transporter T5 (2.5 preferably) with a view to converting to a camper van but the first step is to find the van. Unfamiliar with Volkswagen vans so would anyone out there who owns one (T5) reccomend this van for the purpose, are the 1.9cc as good as the 2.5cc, anything in particular to look for when viewing a 2nd hand T5. Is the high mileage associated with the ones ive seen advertised something to steer clear of................ would appreicate your comments. Tks
Make sure you get a full VW service history with any van you buy. There have been gearbox failures on early T5s at less than 100k miles. I would go for the 2.5. Both 1.9 & 2.5 diesels now discontinued & current models all fitted with 2.0 diesel in various outputs.
I would go for low mileage as poss. One can argue that high mileage is motorway mileage so not wearing on the engine but on modern vehicles the engine is not really the issue. Repairs such as clutches, fuel injectors, whatever are nowadays all very expensive.
If you register on the brick-yard T5 forum or the other T5 forum you should get more specific answers.
i'm very happy with my T5 its an 06 1.9 nice to drive and good MPG.... they are rather expensive though when compared to similiar vans but a far better investment if your looking for a decent return when you come to sell it...I went for the lwb as I wanted as much space as possible though these are a little harder to come by......
We looked at getting a T5 for ages. 3 members of our family have them.
And ended up with a TRANSIT! (no, it's not white!). Mk 7 SWB 140 Ltd.
It might not have the ''street cred.'' of a T5 but it was alot cheaper, there's loads more room , has loads of extras such as heated seats, chrome trim etc. And it goes like a rocket.
we have had 3 more seats fitted in the back and side windows.
fitted a raised bed in the back which fits a double matress width-ways.
Hi, I've a t4 autosleeper 2.4d and love it (had the Longnose 2.5tdi bilbo Celeste,even better and blow t5 out of water!!) Early t5 lots of problems, newer ones not much better! Mate got t5 with lots of elec probs! I'm not going past t4, check forums as above! Just my view :-)
------------- Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it.!
we have an 05 T5 had it for 3 years and no major problems, if they are classing that as an early model - we do have the 174bhp and wouldn't really want one with any less power when fully loaded.
Hi, I've a t4 autosleeper 2.4d and love it (had the Longnose 2.5tdi bilbo Celeste,even better and blow t5 out of water!!) Early t5 lots of problems, newer ones not much better! Mate got t5 with lots of elec probs! I'm not going past t4, check forums as above! Just my view :-)
I've had no problems with my T5 ...3 of my mates have them and only one has had some small problems with his and reckons his T4 was a better... though his is the oldest out the lot..a 54 plate and he has a 100mile commute per day....the funny thing is I remember him having loads of minor problems with his T4 over the years which he seems to have forgotten....(think he has the rose tinted goggles on).....the problem with going on to forums looking for van problems is that the only people who tend to post are people with problems ,the silent majority are happy driving their vans ..... in reality its irrelevant as T4s have been out of production for 7 years so if you want a newish low milage van you have to have a T5....and I wouldn't swap mine for any other van on the market....
Toatally agree with above, had my T5 autosleper trident for a year and half, 4 trips to Italy all the way to Pompei and 3 trips to Spain all the way down to Fuengirola, no PROBLEMS what so ever.
to sum up,all vehicles will have problems ,some will breakdown driving of the forcourt with just delivery miles on the clock ! some will do 2/300,000+ miles!, iv been driving VW's for 18 years and wont buy anything else ! at least your barking up the right tree ! happy campering ;-)
------------- Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it.!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: VW Transporter T5 -camping
