VW Camper

[icepop]

Looking to purchase a VW transporter camper van either already converted or have converted by local fitter. I have experience of one or two drives in a hired California, fitted with the 140 bhp engine. Looking at alot of base vans with 102 bhp. Question is, what's the thoughts on their ability to handle a fully fitted out camper. Local supplier of Jobl vans, advises that the 102 manages fine on the motorway, and handles the hills OK too, with the use of the gears.

Want to avoid the older 2.5lt tdi engines and the 180 bhp biturbo too, on tax for the former, and consumption/engine issues on the latter. 140 seems the sweet spot, and I've run a couple in recent cars to high mileages and they were faultless, but finding them in base vans is a rare occurance.

[Spuffington]

Hi - I’ve got a T6 150PS and find it pretty nippy/fine but wouldn’t want anything slower or less peppy. I imagine the 102PS feels fine when empty but as you say, with conversion and payload maxed out, I’d say it’ll feel pretty sluggish.

[chasingracecars]

I would tend to agree that the 102 will be underpowered. Its will probably make you use the gears more then the 140. The main downside with power i found was overtaking, pulling out into faster moving traffic on the motorways was the biggest issue.

[Zetec-S]

Not so long ago I was looking into getting a transporter and converting myself (although the idea's shelved for the time being due to lack of funds), but from what I remember a lot of people would swear by the old 1.9 PD engine. There were 84bhp and 102bhp versions, and (I think) even the lowest powered one was "acceptable", but both could be remapped quite easily which supposedly makes a big difference. Main thing is to check the payload rating as once you add in a bed, cupboards, sink, etc, you might be pushing the limits.

Check out the forum as it will have a lot of more relevant advice:

http://www.vwt5forum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=147

[Philplop]

Apparently the 85bhp, 102bhp and 140bhp engines are all exactly the same, they just have a different map.

So you could make the decision on other criteria then get a remap.

Seems 85 and 102s map to 160bhp and the 140 up to 180bhp, due to it having a six speed gearbox which is stronger.

[familyguy1]

I've got a VW T6 102BHP manual, which was a panel van and then converted with a pop top, plus rock 'n' roll with kitchen etc. We've been on a few trips this year and not really found the engine wanting (in Wales) with 2 adults, 2 kids and a dog plus kit. The thing you've got to remember is that its a heavy bus at the end of the day with kids inside so I don't want/need anything faster.

[SwissJonese]

Philplop said:

Apparently the 85bhp, 102bhp and 140bhp engines are all exactly the same, they just have a different map.

So you could make the decision on other criteria then get a remap.

Seems 85 and 102s map to 160bhp and the 140 up to 180bhp, due to it having a six speed gearbox which is stronger.

^^ Pretty much this. The 6 speed in the 140bhp T5 is stronger, so some remaps on the 85-102 can stuff up the 5 speeder.

We have a 2013 T5.1 with the 140bhp and 6 speed gearbox. It has plenty of power, we have driven to Denmark and Switzerland in it. It managed all the hill climbs in Switzerland with 4 passengers, 4 bikes and loads of gear no problem. The 6th gear is also nice for cruising on the motorway, quieter and better MPG.

[ozzuk]

I think the 140 is the sweet spot, seems to hold value well, though as others have said you can tune up the lower bhp models. I've got a 2011 140bhp with the autobox - really nice to drive, and quite a rare option I think.

[troika]

You may be OK with the reduced power of the 102, however, the biggest issue with it is the lack of 6th gear. Makes it considerably less relaxed than a 140 or 150 on the motorway.

[familyguy1]

troika said:

You may be OK with the reduced power of the 102, however, the biggest issue with it is the lack of 6th gear. Makes it considerably less relaxed than a 140 or 150 on the motorway.

that is the only downside of my 102BHP, but can't says a pain in the ass, just a "it would be nice"

[icepop]

Philplop said:

Apparently the 85bhp, 102bhp and 140bhp engines are all exactly the same, they just have a different map.

So you could make the decision on other criteria then get a remap.

Seems 85 and 102s map to 160bhp and the 140 up to 180bhp, due to it having a six speed gearbox which is stronger.

Hi, yes been there with the remap option when I ran a 150 pd engine, but never went for it. Couple of friends had their engines remapped in Passat 2 lts, and both ended up destroying them, one with oiling problems, t'other lunched the turbo. So rather get the right power up front. Nephew had both his 159 and Brera remapped and both ate th turbos. but they don't count as they were Alfas, and would probably have happened at some point regardless.

[Jonboy_t]

102hp is more than enough! Did 800 miles through France a few weeks ago with a fully loaded van and 57 forty five year old horses . Yeah, you may need to drop to 3rd on some big hills, but you’re on holiday, what’s the rush?

As above, you can remap the 102 up, but be very careful as the turbo will quite happily lunch itself. I did a 150 map on an older variant of the same engine (1.9 130 PD TDI) and the turbo lasted a few weeks - just 200 miles after I put a new clutch and DMF in it

[anonymous-user]

The T6 forums are full of good advice, 102 is fine for a camper, but as above a £300 remap will bump up the power nicely to cover any weight gains.

If you get a proper remap from Revo or Pendle they will limit the torque in the lower gears to keep the 5 speed box happy.

These modern remaps are nothing like superchips or tuning boxes etc.

I've got the 204TDi, but I don't think I've ever taken it above 80mph, it's a bus and I drive it like one, I'm in no rush.

[croakey]

I have a mapped 84bhp (162bhp/340nm) and it’s drives a lot better.

As others say the 6 speed would be lovely, but mine cruises happily at 70 and still had plenty left in the bank