VW Caddy 140

Author
Discussion

Alucidnation

Original Poster:

16,810 posts

169 months

Sunday 2nd September 2012
quotequote all
Hi all,

Van is due to be changed (Astravan Sportive SE 150) and i have been looking at the VW caddy 140.

Only reason being is that they no longer produce the Astravan in this model and the closest thing to engine output is the VW.

Spec looks basic from new, but anyway, does anyone have any experience of the VW 140 engine?

I am seeing approx 40mpg at the moment and was wondering if the VW will give similar?

Also, any known issues with them or the engine?

Any feedback much appreciated!!


martin mrt

3,768 posts

200 months

Sunday 2nd September 2012
quotequote all
VW should give more than 40mpg, as it is the same engine that's used in the passenger cars within the VAG group

I'd far rather have a Caddy over an Astra van if I'm honest, the Astra is utterly hopeless as a van, more an estate car with no rear windows.

Changedmyname

12,543 posts

180 months

Sunday 2nd September 2012
quotequote all
I don't have the 140 but I do have 105 caddy,lovely vans but as I have the very heavy 19 tdi they tend to wear the front tyres out quickly .
If I was going to replace it ,then 140 all the way.

Alucidnation

Original Poster:

16,810 posts

169 months

Sunday 2nd September 2012
quotequote all
Thanks chaps.

I know there is a hate for Vauxhall, but i really like the Astravan for my needs, and yes, it is a car with no back windows, and in SE spec, i had many comments on how good it looked biggrin

Having looked at the Caddy, i like what i see, however, nearly everything is an option, where on the VX it was standard.

But, after speccing both, there wasnt much difference in RRP.

There are also some good finance lease deals on at the moment, which is what has caught my eye.

Now all i need to do is find one to drive to try out the engine and ride etc.

smile

martin mrt

3,768 posts

200 months

Sunday 2nd September 2012
quotequote all
No hatred for the VX personally, my mate has a very nice 2009 Sportive, I just think its rather useless as a van.

Good luck with whatever you choose


Alucidnation

Original Poster:

16,810 posts

169 months

Sunday 2nd September 2012
quotequote all
martin mrt said:
No hatred for the VX personally, my mate has a very nice 2009 Sportive, I just think its rather useless as a van.

Good luck with whatever you choose
Thanks!

thumbup

Alucidnation

Original Poster:

16,810 posts

169 months

Monday 3rd September 2012
quotequote all
Just as an update, just signed for a Caddy 140 Highline, but i havent got a clue what colour to go for, however, black seems to be winning.

Options i added were cab carpet, 510 radio & DAB, with the dealer throwing in a rubber load mat, rear window grills, body colouring the bump strips and a set of carpet mats.

Just 12 weeks to go!


biggrin


lazyitus

19,926 posts

265 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
quotequote all
Did you know - out of all the models that come under the VW 'umbrella', including the likes of Seat Ibizas, Bentley Continentals, VW Golfs, Skoda Fabias etc etc etc, the VW Caddy is the most reliable and has less recalls than any other model.

smile

Powerrr

1,978 posts

171 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
quotequote all
Alucidnation said:
Just as an update, just signed for a Caddy 140 Highline, but i havent got a clue what colour to go for, however, black seems to be winning.

Options i added were cab carpet, 510 radio & DAB, with the dealer throwing in a rubber load mat, rear window grills, body colouring the bump strips and a set of carpet mats.

Just 12 weeks to go!


biggrin
I dont know what you do for a living but take a second and think. DO you Really reallyw ant a black van? It might look nice and shiny but black is an absolute pig of a colour to keep on top of on a car. On a van it will be nigh impossible unless you wrap the thing in cotton wool.

martin mrt

3,768 posts

200 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
quotequote all
Powerrr said:
Alucidnation said:
Just as an update, just signed for a Caddy 140 Highline, but i havent got a clue what colour to go for, however, black seems to be winning.

Options i added were cab carpet, 510 radio & DAB, with the dealer throwing in a rubber load mat, rear window grills, body colouring the bump strips and a set of carpet mats.

Just 12 weeks to go!


biggrin
I dont know what you do for a living but take a second and think. DO you Really reallyw ant a black van? It might look nice and shiny but black is an absolute pig of a colour to keep on top of on a car. On a van it will be nigh impossible unless you wrap the thing in cotton wool.
Agreed, my favourite caddy colours are silver, red or grey

spats

838 posts

154 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
quotequote all
When I was selling VW vans, my choice of demo was always a Caddy.

Blooming great vans and pretty decent all rounder imoa.

My fav was the LWB version I had with the Kombi pack as it was back then. rear seats and windows so it made a decent estate car too.

The 2.0tdi has a nice amount of torque and they map nicely too if thats your thing wink

Im a VX fan but I would always choose a VW van over a VX one, good choice!

Alucidnation

Original Poster:

16,810 posts

169 months

Friday 7th September 2012
quotequote all
Powerrr said:
Alucidnation said:
Just as an update, just signed for a Caddy 140 Highline, but i havent got a clue what colour to go for, however, black seems to be winning.

Options i added were cab carpet, 510 radio & DAB, with the dealer throwing in a rubber load mat, rear window grills, body colouring the bump strips and a set of carpet mats.

Just 12 weeks to go!


biggrin
I dont know what you do for a living but take a second and think. DO you Really reallyw ant a black van? It might look nice and shiny but black is an absolute pig of a colour to keep on top of on a car. On a van it will be nigh impossible unless you wrap the thing in cotton wool.
Im a semi retire sparky and I know exactly what you are saying, as my current steed is black pearl and yes, its a pig to keep clean however, it has done quite well and still looks good (when clean).

Other colours, well, IMO, white - too common (wife said WVM), silver - reasonably common, grey - seemed a bit bland, blue - i loved the blue but i think it might be 'a bit much' after a while.

I think i have a few days to change my mind without affecting delivery times, so i may give it more thought over the weekend!

looking through the specs between the two, performance wise, there is not much in it.

I do like the thought of the 180 remap, but how smooth would it be?

The astravan has been mapped to 180 (switchable on the sport button) and whilst it is a hoot, it seems a bit too aggressive and the throttle way too sensitive.

smile



Bebee

4,678 posts

224 months

Monday 7th April 2014
quotequote all
Alucidnation said:
Just as an update, just signed for a Caddy 140 Highline, but i havent got a clue what colour to go for, however, black seems to be winning.

Options i added were cab carpet, 510 radio & DAB, with the dealer throwing in a rubber load mat, rear window grills, body colouring the bump strips and a set of carpet mats.

Just 12 weeks to go!


biggrin
Bump!

So how have you got on with your Caddy 140, I'm thinking of swapping my Caddy TDi 104 for one.
I have done 209,000 miles in it from new, it's been a cracking van.

Any problems with yours? Are there any options you wished had ticked or left of?

Alucidnation

Original Poster:

16,810 posts

169 months

Monday 7th April 2014
quotequote all
Hmmm where do i start??

1 - Rear central locking unit was faulty from the start. Got it home (it was raining) parked up for the night, alarm kept going off. Had to leave it unlocked all night. Booked in the next day to take it back and they had to order a new one. Got it back three days later.

2 - Alternator belt squealed like hell during a damp morning start! - Known fault, so fitted new type of belt.

3 - NSF shock replaced to cure front suspension knock. knocking has now come back and the dealer are saying 'they cant hear anything' even though i took their mechanic out and he heard it.

4 - Horrendous rattle from the steering lock barrel. (to be sorted)

5 - drivers door electric windows switches have stopped working. (to be sorted).

6 - Windows on occasion go down when locked. Come back to find them open.

7 - I had to immediately replace the headlamp bulbs as they were damgerous with the amount of light output.

8 - I also had to change the wiper blades to some Bosch as the originals would leave 'lines' across the windscreen directly in my line of sight and they smeared badly.



It drives like its on jelly. I have never, ever had a van that was so nerve racking to drive, especially when it is a little windy, and even at well within legal speeds.

Steering is laughable. Turn the wheel and eventually it catches up. (low - ish profile tyres on 16" alloys) The base model they give me when mine goes in drives much better).

Engine is ok, very smooth as it is a twin scroll turbo charger, which helps eliminate the lag.


So, the only option i wished i hadn't done was the "Signature" box when i ordered it.

Never again.

Bebee

4,678 posts

224 months

Monday 7th April 2014
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Sorry to hear that, it will certainly make me think carefully about it.

Thanks for that.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Monday 7th April 2014
quotequote all
Wierd, my Caddy 105 has never missed a beat.

Bebee

4,678 posts

224 months

Monday 7th April 2014
quotequote all
Johnnytheboy said:
Wierd, my Caddy 105 has never missed a beat.
same here, must be the 140 with problems.

Alucidnation

Original Poster:

16,810 posts

169 months

Monday 7th April 2014
quotequote all
Its a real shame TBH.

As i said, the base model caddy loan van is fine, albeit a little underpowered for my taste, which is why i went for the 140.

The engine itself is pretty good (apart from the belt issue), its the rest of it that has been/is a let down.

I am guessing the ride issue is down to it being the 2ltr engine, and having redesigned suspension for the bigger engine / new model.

It could be me being picky with the ride, but even so, make sure you drive one before you sign!

smile

grumpy52

5,565 posts

165 months

Monday 7th April 2014
quotequote all
Not trying to teach anybodies granny to suck eggs,
Please check the tyre pressures , many are missed at the pdi , I have found some at 90psi instead of 30-40psi I have also found directional tyres fitted incorrectly .