Looking for a T6

[Karlos-Fandango]

Hello,
I'm looking upgrade my T4 to a T6 and have a couple of questions.
I've found a couple of vans in my budget but they are automatics.
I don't have a lot of experience with Autos, are they any good?
Also is there a massive difference between the six speed manual and the 5 speed?

 

[T6Paul]

6 speed manual and 7 speed DSG (automatic) are fitted to the higher power engines, both are good, depends which you prefer. Test drive both!

5 speed manual are fitted to the lower power engines and may become weak if the engine is remapped.

 

[Karlos-Fandango]

6 speed manual and 7 speed DSG (automatic) are fitted to the higher power engines, both are good, depends which you prefer. Test drive both!

5 speed manual are fitted to the lower power engines and may become weak if the engine is remapped.

I currently drive a 88bhp 2.5 tdi, I have to plan my over takes on the motorway in case we hit a hill.
So how would the 5 speed version compare to my T4?
I'm going to try and get some test drives this weekend if I can.

 

[Lubrown]

I currently drive a 88bhp 2.5 tdi, I have to plan my over takes on the motorway in case we hit a hill.
So how would the 5 speed version compare to my T4?
I'm going to try and get some test drives this weekend if I can.

Depends on the build and how much you load it to some extent.
Mine is a full camper conversion which when full of fuel, water, gas and bare essentials for camping weighs in at 2220kg.
It has the 5 speed gearbox and 102hp engine.
It keeps up with a lot of the traffic but long/steep hills it will run out of puff a bit.
If nobody pulls out in front of you and then slows down - classic manoeuvre in Cornwall it seems, then you can actually overtake people who are below the speed limit, even up a hill. There are four of us and a dog plus whatever clothes, food, toiletries we take so I’m genuinely impressed/surprised by how it does, despite not being perfect for overtakes on hills.

Having said that if I were buying again I’d go for the 6 speed gearbox for less noise when cruising at the speed limit. I think the extra horsepower of a 150 would be plenty for me.

For what it’s worth I’d also go for an auto but that’s more personal preference. I have a Golf with the DSG and it’s so much more relaxing.

 

[Karlos-Fandango]

Depends on the build and how much you load it to some extent.
Mine is a full camper conversion which when full of fuel, water, gas and bare essentials for camping weighs in at 2220kg.
It has the 5 speed gearbox and 102hp engine.
It keeps up with a lot of the traffic but long/steep hills it will run out of puff a bit.
If nobody pulls out in front of you and then slows down - classic manoeuvre in Cornwall it seems, then you can actually overtake people who are below the speed limit, even up a hill. There are four of us and a dog plus whatever clothes, food, toiletries we take so I’m genuinely impressed/surprised by how it does, despite not being perfect for overtakes on hills.

Having said that if I were buying again I’d go for the 6 speed gearbox for less noise when cruising at the speed limit. I think the extra horsepower of a 150 would be plenty for me.

For what it’s worth I’d also go for an auto but that’s more personal preference. I have a Golf with the DSG and it’s so much more relaxing.

Thanks mate, that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.

 

[T6Paul]

Good advice from @Lubrown

Mine is a 150bhp DSG. I think the sweet spot for power vs reliability. I didn’t want a manual.

 

[T6Paul]

If you do go for DSG make sure the oil has been changed every 40k miles

 

[JumpShip]

We've lived with a 5 speed manual 102bhp for the last 11 years without needing to map it .
Is it fast ? No
Is it drivable? Yes
Do I wish we had a 6 speed ? Yes if I had the choice but it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

[Macp]

Frankly DSG put my ideal van financially out of reach so I went 6 speed manual (T6.1 150). We tried a 5 speed 110bhp and it was ok but comparing it back to back with the 6 speed was like night & day. The six speed just felt considerably more relaxed with plenty of go when needed. And I’m still enjoying it. Even more so if you get adaptive cruise. I set it and almost forget about changing gear on the motorway.

 

[Jimer]

I owned a 102bhp T6 for five years and found it a little tiresome fully loaded on hills. I had it eco mapped after year two of ownership which took it to around 130bhp, it was much more pleasurable to drive with no reliability issues. I actually quite liked the five speed box though, seemed quite nippy on pull aways.
I agree with Macp's comments that adaptive cruise control is a bit of a game changer on motorways now I have a 6.1.