Is it cheaper to to get a kombi done aftermarket?

[dilbu]

Hi all - Currently looking at purchasing a T6 Kombi but am finding lots of standard vans that I love despite having just the standard a single row of bench seats in the front and a bulkhead.

I'm wondering if some kind folks could give me ballpark figures on what to expect to pay for:

- Changing front bench seat for single passenger seat so there are two singles in front (doesn't have to swivel)
- Removing bulkhead, adding side windows and row of seats in rear to make it into a kombi
- Then carpet line the thing

Given that I'd be likely to get it lined anyway, I'm wondering if this actually saves me money as the price gap between the standard trade van and the kombi is pretty huge.

Thanks!

 

[roadtripper]

The seat change can be four figures as the change from bench to captains chair is very popular and so single passenger chairs are in high demand second hand.

 

[dubber36]

I'd look at the bigger picture. Factory Kombi's are more likely to have a higher spec, so what other features are you gone to want to retro fit further down the line?

 

[paradigm]

At least you can start with windows that don’t leak

 

[Salty Spuds]

It’ll never be a Kombi, it’ll be a panel van dressed up to look like a Kombi. The money you have in it won’t be reflected when you come to sell it. I can’t think of any VW option that is cheaper to retrofit than a factory build.

 

[Andyf]

In todays strange market a converted van possibly won’t be a great deal of difference money wise on resale
Carpet lining is not a issue if your going to have a kombi lined anyway
Front seat possibly a £1000 pounds
Windows at a guide £400 / £500 unless you do them yourself

The main difference buying a panel van is if you wanted to have the seats trimmed in leather or a rock and roll bed etc


You wouldn’t be buying a van to take apart to havecwhat you wanted

Good look

 

[cgtmiles]

It’ll never be a Kombi, it’ll be a panel van dressed up to look like a Kombi. The money you have in it won’t be reflected when you come to sell it. I can’t think of any VW option that is cheaper to retrofit than a factory build.

What is a Kombi but a van with windows and a panel van with windows added is a van with windows. Depends on what’s going to be done to the van I guess but would this really make that much of a difference to someone buying it a few more years down the road?

I don’t believe there is anything on a Kombi that can’t be easily retrofitted later, maybe at a cost that’s higher the the factory but can be done over time to the owners spec so is it worth buying a Kombi at a premium second hand?

 

[Salty Spuds]

What is a Kombi but a van with windows and a panel van with windows added is a van with windows. Depends on what’s going to be done to the van I guess but would this really make that much of a difference to someone buying it a few more years down the road?

I don’t believe there is anything on a Kombi that can’t be easily retrofitted later, maybe at a cost that’s higher the the factory but can be done over time to the owners spec so is it worth buying a Kombi at a premium second hand?

Agreed, but it still wouldn’t be a Kombi, it might identify as a Kombi, but it was born a van. My answer to the OP’s question still stands. It wouldn’t be cheaper to convert a van into an aftermarket Kombi. It might be cheaper to convert a van into a people carrier with extra seats & windows, rear aircon & heating/headlining/controls etc, but it wouldn’t be a Kombi.

 

[BognorMotors]

No problem with a correctly converted panel van, with the specification you want- Go for it. A Kombi conversion with opening windows, matching trim, and a single front seat upgrade will cost around £3500-£4000+.

HTH