Best Transporter Engine ?

[T6VanLife]

With all the tales of joy & woe on the forum about the various different Transporter engines I am curious to know what folk think is the Best Overall Transporter Engine ?
Taking into consideration reliability, durability, power ect...

I have been a Transporter owner for over 25yrs (four T4's, a T5 and a T6) I still have fond memories of my 5 cylinder TDI T4 being a beast at the time (zero issues with any of the T4's) ! then upgrading to a T5 and being completely let down when after 3yrs every engine based electric shat its self, then an EGR fault left me stranded on a mobbed roundabout in rush hour ! I very nearly didn't buy another Transporter after that incident !

 

[Sasquatch]

Which is the one true religion?

 

[T6VanLife]

Which is the one true religion?

If you like ? or the best engine from any given iteration of Transporter ? T4, T5 & T6

 

[Sasquatch]

"Best" is somewhat subjective. It's one that meets your needs best without breaking for as long as possible.

 

[T6VanLife]

That's very true ! in my case I have usually gone for a model around the 80-100hp mark, as at the end of the day its a working vehicle not a sports car !
I am no grease monkey in any shape of form, all my previous cars & vans are handed back to the dealers/ local garage for servicing and any repairs, I am generally pretty fortunate to have little issues with any of my vehicle's until I got my T5 !

More curious to see what folk with vastly more experience think is the engine to look for when buying a Transporter ?

 

[Chippie1]

Big factor depends on ulez compliance is this something you require?
Early euro 5 140 T6 non ulez great engine
Euro 6 more desirable engine is the 150 6 speed also! Plenty of people are happy with the 102 bhp I personally wouldn’t be.
I’ve had the 140 and 150 engines both great vans

 

[Sasquatch]

More curious to see what folk with vastly more experience think is the engine to look for when buying a Transporter ?

Well, if you put it that way my choice is the lower output single turbo versions. I ended up with the 110.

The biturds aren't quick enough to justify the extra outlay, higher insurance, and risk of big problems. However, the next T6er may have a totally different take on things.

 

[Pauly]

If your away from ULEZ/clean air tax areas then 140 EU5 would be my choice or 150 EU6 if the moving in a city tax applied

 

[Richard T6.1]

Same, definitely the single turbo versions as they have proven to be the most problem free (by far). My choice is the 150 / DSG7.

 

[DaveD]

As already said, the "best" engine might depend if you have to drive in ULEZ zones.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

I’ve got 102 but had it remapped to 150bhp and it’s flying now.
If I had the choice now it would be the 150bhp standard and 6 speed manual box