VW Transporter
Discussion
So im going to buy a van and I have decided on a SWB Transporter. First & foremost, and basically I have always wanted one and have been a VW/Audi driver & fan for more years than I can count. But most importantly and after much research its a sensible approach financially. So what is my budget, I want to spend up to 15 or 16k for the base van. And what do I intend doing with it. Over time I will spend extra money and have it converted subtly to camp in, because I still want to be able to use it as a van. realistically that gets me into leggy vans, and im not scared of that if its been well serviced & maintained. I see a lot of folk posting to go for the 6 speed with 140bhp. But they seem very rare at my budget. The majority are 5 speed 102bhp.
Thoughts & comments please people.
Thoughts & comments please people.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:33
We’ve been doing this for a few years with various vans. OH has had majority of VWs for almost 30 years. The last five years we’ve had a T2 (side kitchen, rear rock n roll bed, now sold) SWB Caddy (1.9tdi, side bed, now sold), Caddy Maxi (1.9tdi PD130 and remap, rear rock n roll bed, current).
In April we were away in the Maxi and came home with a maintained 2019 102bhp, 5 speed T6 with 100k commercial and have been converting it (most people get a stick of rock or fridge magnet). This has been done for around your budget; windows, insulated, lights, carpeted, vinyl floor, front swivel passenger seat, gas rock n roll M1 tested and fitted, full designed and fitted kitchen. Pop top will go in either later this year, maybe early next. The upside of designing and doing most of it ourselves is we’ve still been using it as we go whilst being able to budget.
Buying converted there always seems to be something that doesn’t work for ‘you’ and the prices are ridiculous - similar vans to our finished one are around £35k.
I use the Maxi as a daily and prior had the SWB. I much prefer the side bed as opposed to the rear so will be selling the rock n roll we fitted and going back to side pull out as I use sometimes this solo with my dog.
There are some great removable pod systems you can take ideas from if you still want to use as a working van. Loads of transporter groups on FB for ideas and help.
In April we were away in the Maxi and came home with a maintained 2019 102bhp, 5 speed T6 with 100k commercial and have been converting it (most people get a stick of rock or fridge magnet). This has been done for around your budget; windows, insulated, lights, carpeted, vinyl floor, front swivel passenger seat, gas rock n roll M1 tested and fitted, full designed and fitted kitchen. Pop top will go in either later this year, maybe early next. The upside of designing and doing most of it ourselves is we’ve still been using it as we go whilst being able to budget.
Buying converted there always seems to be something that doesn’t work for ‘you’ and the prices are ridiculous - similar vans to our finished one are around £35k.
I use the Maxi as a daily and prior had the SWB. I much prefer the side bed as opposed to the rear so will be selling the rock n roll we fitted and going back to side pull out as I use sometimes this solo with my dog.
There are some great removable pod systems you can take ideas from if you still want to use as a working van. Loads of transporter groups on FB for ideas and help.
macp said:
So im going to buy a van and I have decided on a SWB Transporter. First & foremost, and basically I have always wanted one and have been a VW/Audi driver & fan for more years than I can count. But most importantly and after much research its a sensible approach financially. So what is my budget, and what do I intend doing with it. I will have it converted subtly to camp in, because I still want to be able to use it as a van. And I want to spend upto 15 or 16k. So realistically that gets me into leggy vans, and im not scared of that if its been well serviced & maintained. I see a lot of folk posting to go for the 6 speed with 140bhp. But they seem very rare at my budget. The majority are 5 speed 102bhp.
Thoughts & comments please people.
I've got a T6 4 motion which is a little outside your budget. I did a light conversion that doesn't take away any daily functionality.Thoughts & comments please people.
It's an amazingly capable family vehicle. I'm kicking myself that we didn't have one all the way through the kids childhoods and struggled with estate + roofbox.
Depending on your seating needs you can go for the basic van or the kombi. If you only need 3 seats then a van will be cheaper. Kombi is much more flexible. I went 2 seats up front as more comfortable and the back is accessable between the seats if you have something blocking the sliding door (dog cages in my case)
Conversion for camping involved stripping out the cheap plastic lining, sound insulation, thermal insulation, plyboarding,carpeting, roof lining, LED lights, rear speakers, USB, 12v and 240v sockets (using a hook up) and diesel heater. One two or all three of the back seats can come out. Use it as a base for mountaineering, skiing mountain biking fishing etc. Basically short trips.
Heating is not entirely necessary but means you can camp toasty warm at well under zero with a window cracked and no condensation.
The sound deadening and lining makes a huge difference to NVH.
I didn't want pop roof as takes height over 2m. Didn't want any curtains, kitchen, pod, bed type stuff. Self inflating mattresses on the floor are more than comfortable. You can improvise cooking space with an awning or under the tailgate.
I had mine done professionally but as long as you aren't cutting out windows etc. then internal changes are DIYable.
I go camping to do stuff, not just to hang out. For my use the T6 is simply to small to be a proper camper van as there are too many compromises. ie. choice between living space and storage for gear and standing up requires pop top. If you go up to Crafter or Sprinter size you can stand up sleep across width and have a very large storage area under the bed and accessable from the rear. If I was going 'van life' a Crafter would be minimum.
ETA 40mpg usual/expected. Ridiculous when you think of the shape weight - better than our Panda 4x4.
Edited by oddman on Sunday 27th July 10:35
Guys so sorry but I have mislead you all. But thankyou for the great replies.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:41
Understood what you wanted in the van - thought my conversion would be the sort of thing you were looking at. ie day van, useful as 'camper' but no compromise to day to day function.
For your budget you'll be looking at panel vans in the region of 5 years and 100,000 miles. My hunch would be condition and maintenance more important than spec. There are thousands out there.
For your budget you'll be looking at panel vans in the region of 5 years and 100,000 miles. My hunch would be condition and maintenance more important than spec. There are thousands out there.
macp said:
Guys so sorry but I have mislead you all. But thankyou for the great replies.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
If I was converting again I'd go for the poptop, and just have a removable pod downstairs.Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:41
The poptop gives you the option of sleeping in the van, and being able to stand up to get dressed etc, also some venting in the summer months.
I'd have a heater fitted.
Swivel front seats.
A small pod with a fridge, a leisure battery with external hookup.
I wouldn't bother with water, or a sink.
That way you have some storage in the back, a full camper conversion takes away decent storage.
Take out the removable pod, then you have the usability of a van.
On speaking to many campervan owners, many said they'd never used the sink, and never cooked in the van as they didn't want it to smell.
Lastly, the side tents are great, gives you so much more space for a proper camping trip.
Onto the vans them selves.
Our local VW specialist say's avoid the 2.5cc's, and the bi turbo's.
The pre 2017 vans are more economical as they have less emissions crap on them.
I used to move loads of brand new one's for a local dealer (2019 to 2021) and so many had engine lights coming on within 500miles. Usually ADblue faults.
My money would go on the best 2015/2016 van I could find.
macp said:
Guys so sorry but I have mislead you all. But thankyou for the great replies.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Surprised you're struggling to find a 140hp 6 speed for that. Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:41
I bought one about 6 years ago for £6k with the 6 speed.
Definitely worth it over the 100hp 5 speed.
With a Pendle remap you've got 180hp fairly reliably which just about brings it up to normal car speeds.
ChocolateFrog said:
macp said:
Guys so sorry but I have mislead you all. But thankyou for the great replies.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Surprised you're struggling to find a 140hp 6 speed for that. Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:41
I bought one about 6 years ago for £6k with the 6 speed.
Definitely worth it over the 100hp 5 speed.
With a Pendle remap you've got 180hp fairly reliably which just about brings it up to normal car speeds.
ChocolateFrog said:
macp said:
Guys so sorry but I have mislead you all. But thankyou for the great replies.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Surprised you're struggling to find a 140hp 6 speed for that. Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:41
I bought one about 6 years ago for £6k with the 6 speed.
Definitely worth it over the 100hp 5 speed.
With a Pendle remap you've got 180hp fairly reliably which just about brings it up to normal car speeds.
But did you mean 16k ?
What was the mileage if you dont mind me asking.
My father in law has been looking for something for about a year so your not alone, the prices they command are just plain silly really especially as most have well over 100k miles on them.
Our 2007 LWB PD engined version is almost on 200k miles now, we have considered refreshing it but its just not worth it really, we could sell it for what we paid for it 10 years ago though!
Our 2007 LWB PD engined version is almost on 200k miles now, we have considered refreshing it but its just not worth it really, we could sell it for what we paid for it 10 years ago though!
normalbloke said:
ChocolateFrog said:
macp said:
Guys so sorry but I have mislead you all. But thankyou for the great replies.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Surprised you're struggling to find a 140hp 6 speed for that. Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:41
I bought one about 6 years ago for £6k with the 6 speed.
Definitely worth it over the 100hp 5 speed.
With a Pendle remap you've got 180hp fairly reliably which just about brings it up to normal car speeds.
macp said:
ChocolateFrog said:
macp said:
Guys so sorry but I have mislead you all. But thankyou for the great replies.
Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Surprised you're struggling to find a 140hp 6 speed for that. Just to correct my stupidty im going to spend maybe 15 or 16k just on a van. And then spend extra money to later have it converted. No pop top. So the budget for the van alone is up to £16k.
Sorry again, as you were.
Edited by macp on Sunday 27th July 10:41
I bought one about 6 years ago for £6k with the 6 speed.
Definitely worth it over the 100hp 5 speed.
With a Pendle remap you've got 180hp fairly reliably which just about brings it up to normal car speeds.
But did you mean 16k ?
What was the mileage if you dont mind me asking.
No AC though, which I wouldn't do again.
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