General Buying advice

[mellow yellow]

Hi

I'm a new member here and I've tried to search engine but can't find a "buyers guide...buyers beware" bit on the forum? Is there one for anyone looking to buy a VW T6 or T6.1 etc

I was about to buy one of 2 vans, a 2.0 BiTDI T32 BlueMotion Tech Highline Crew Van Double Cab 5dr Diesel DSG FWD SWB Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps) or a VW T6 204PS Highline DSG Kombi 4Motion, until I stumbled upon T6 forum and seen all the EGR cooling, DPF, Turbo problems/ failures etc etc and then thought eeeeeek and didn't buy either.

I know for every horror experience, there's probably a positive one too, I'd rather not be in the former category.

But looking at the forum, unless I 'm not using the serach facility correctly, I can't see a buyers guide or buyers "what to look out for".

From what I've gleaned, unless I've read wrongly it looks like I should avoid 204ps and DGS auto's with CXEB engines.

My question is would a 150ps T6.1 single turbo TDi (not BiTDI) be better choice to look for, either 2019 or later, but is it advised to get it mapped for the EGR delete and just more frequent oil changes...

Or should i be buying as low as mileage as possible T6.1, so I can get as much VW "All In" warranty to cover it, or just get an early T6.1 with 20k+ miles on it?

I drive a RAV4 4wd and newly moved to Wales, but was thinking to trade that in when I get the VW T6.1 as well as sell my VW T2 1979 bay.

Any pointers to a "Sticky" on T6 forum re: T6.1 buyers guides, to help with considering, looking, and buying a VW T6.1 will be really helpful.

Sorry for the sermon,

many thanks

Julian

 

[Sasquatch]

150 a much safer bet.

Unless you're used to driving a Metro 1.0 automatic you won't find any of them remotely quick so don't get too hung up on the power level options.

 

[mellow yellow]

150 a much safer bet.

Unless you're used to driving a Metro 1.0 automatic you won't find any of them remotely quick so don't get too hung up on the power level options.

Ha Ha I drive a 1979 Vw T2 bay, fast it isn't lol.

Thank you so 150 TDI is a safer bet. We're wanting a Ravenna Blue T6.1 or similar.
Q. Are higher mileage T6.1's at risk of similar problems as CXEB, as I was looking at cheaper 60k+ miles or is it advisable to pay more and get lower mileage one as we can afford, then get the VW Warranty (if the VW All In warranty is advisable etc) if possible.

Thanks again

 

[MorkC68]

Ha Ha I drive a 1979 Vw T2 bay, fast it isn't lol.

Thank you so 150 TDI is a safer bet. We're wanting a Ravenna Blue T6.1 or similar.
Q. Are higher mileage T6.1's at risk of similar problems as CXEB, as I was looking at cheaper 60k+ miles or is it advisable to pay more and get lower mileage one as we can afford, then get the VW Warranty (if the VW All In warranty is advisable etc) if possible.

Thanks again

mellow yellow from thelatebay.com?

I have a 1977 bay window but its been subaru'd

 

[mellow yellow]

mellow yellow from thelatebay.com?

I have a 1977 bay window but its been subaru'd

Ha ha yes one and the same lol. The T2 just isn't practical for us anymore, otherwise I'd deffo subaru it

We've moved to Wales now and love the scenery, so looking for a van to put bikes in the back and head out for adventures.

 

[MorkC68]

Ha ha yes one and the same lol. The T2 just isn't practical for us anymore, otherwise I'd deffo subaru it

We've moved to Wales now and love the scenery, so looking for a van to put bikes in the back and head out for adventures.

lol!!

We too are switching to a T6.1, picking Nelson, as we have named him, up tomorrow, Michelle is excited and has plans to go anywhere and everywhere.

I'd keep the bay but maintaining him is hard work, I broke my right elbow (in five places) last year & dexterity isnt what it was, so he will be up for sale soon..sadly.

 

[Argent]

Hello, I purchased my van not too long ago and here was my spec list for a camper conversion

Vehicle
T6.1
T30 (I think the sweet spot, I believe T32 requires increasing brake parts and limits wheel/suspension mods)
SWB (using as daily driver)
Highline (has a lot of the stuff you would end up wanting to retrofit for more money ie. Aircon)
150ps (general consensus is avoid BiTurbo)
DSG (more expensive if it goes wrong but very nice daily driving)
Sub 60k Miles
Tailgate (I didn't care about having barn doors but apparently Tailgate is more desirable on resale)

Nice to haves:
Cruise Control
Heated Windscreen
Reverse Cam

I managed to achieve this for 33K on a 73 plate. I have 18 months of warranty and then I will get the all in to keep her covered.

 

[mellow yellow]

Hello, I purchased my van not too long ago and here was my spec list for a camper conversion

Vehicle
T6.1
T30 (I think the sweet spot, I believe T32 requires increasing brake parts and limits wheel/suspension mods)
SWB (using as daily driver)
Highline (has a lot of the stuff you would end up wanting to retrofit for more money ie. Aircon)
150ps (general consensus is avoid BiTurbo)
DSG (more expensive if it goes wrong but very nice daily driving)
Sub 60k Miles
Tailgate (I didn't care about having barn doors but apparently Tailgate is more desirable on resale)

Nice to haves:
Cruise Control
Heated Windscreen
Reverse Cam

I managed to achieve this for 33K on a 73 plate. I have 18 months of warranty and then I will get the all in to keep her covered.

Hi Argent, Thank you for your reply, that definitely helps me focus my search, especially the T30 and gives me an idea on what to look for

I'll go test drive a manual and DSG auto just to compare, which should narror my search further too

Cheers Julian

 

[Sasquatch]

It's worth noting the T30 is mechanically little different to the T28.

If you saw a T28 and it was love at first sight and found the extra 200kg payload capacity was really important you can get it "up plated" as high as 3.1 tonnes for a couple of hundred quid, a purely paper exercise.

It's also worth bearing in mind that not all specs are created equal. For example, the Startline was available with a "business pack" that bestowed aircon, cruise, autonomous braking, parking sensors, Cat 1 alarm, and which brings the equipment spec close to a highline (main differendes is still lack of colour coding on the exterior trim) for often a lot less cash.

 

[mellow yellow]

It's worth noting the T30 is mechanically little different to the T28.

If you saw a T28 and it was love at first sight and found the extra 200kg payload capacity was really important you can get it "up plated" as high as 3.1 tonnes for a couple of hundred quid, a purely paper exercise.

It's also worth bearing in mind that not all specs are created equal. For example, the Startline was available with a "business pack" that bestowed aircon, cruise, autonomous braking, parking sensors, Cat 1 alarm, and which brings the equipment spec close to a highline (main differendes is still lack of colour coding on the exterior trim) for often a lot less cash.

Thanks, that'll help be broaden the search as can include T28's too , bonza!!

 

[Spike-2004]

We bought our van a few months ago and I’m very pleased with the spec we opted for. We picked up a 74 plate t6.1 150ps dsg t28 hi line fully converted off the shelf. I did want to convert it myself but time was an issue so bit the bullet and got one ready to go. I have reset my driving expectations as I use it as a daily drive but love it, it’s just a different way of getting around! I’m interested in the replating option to give some load wiggle room.