Looking to buy. 4Motion Questions

[VanMan48]

Looking around for a 6.1 LWB Kombi, and have seen a decent spec 4motion 204 T32 (BiTDI) 2021 plate, which is around my budget.

I haven't been actively looking for a 4motion as it wouldn't be often when I'd need 4wd. Main driving is A/B roads and motorways.

Don't know a great deal about them and if they are rated, ie if the asking price is the same as a similar spec 2WD would you opt for the 4WD?

A quick insurance quote seems the same as a 2WD as is the tax disc. I guess they burn fuel a bit more as heavier, but anything else to be checking?

 

[drinfinity]

I have 4Mo with diff lock. Only use it very occasionally to get off wet grass, but is really worth it then.

 

[DaveD]

As a 4Motion owner you might expect me to be biased in favour......
Higher fuel consumption, higher unladen weight and therefore lower load capacity, more complex drivetrain means bigger maintenance costs, mine is a Class 7 MOT because it's over 3 Tonnes, (The 2WD T30 is under), so there are disadvantages.
I do go off road frequently, so I'd always want 4Motion, but I'm not sure I'd want it otherwise.

 

[VanMan48]

I have 4Mo with diff lock. Only use it very occasionally to get off wet grass, but is really worth it then.

So can the 4wd 'mode' be swiched on and off as and when needed? Or is it always in 4wd mode? Sorry I have no idea!

 

[drinfinity]

So can the 4wd 'mode' be swiched on and off as and when needed? Or is it always in 4wd mode? Sorry I have no idea!

It does it automatically, varying the power split as needed. If you have the optional diff lock, that is on the button, manually selected.

 

[VanMan48]

It does it automatically, varying the power split as needed. If you have the optional diff lock, that is on the button, manually selected.

ah right thanks!

 

[StratosFearXX]

As a 4Motion owner you might expect me to be biased in favour......
Higher fuel consumption, higher unladen weight and therefore lower load capacity, more complex drivetrain means bigger maintenance costs, mine is a Class 7 MOT because it's over 3 Tonnes, (The 2WD T30 is under), so there are disadvantages.
I do go off road frequently, so I'd always want 4Motion, but I'm not sure I'd want it otherwise.

My 2wd T5 T32 was always a class 4 MOT. Haven't needed one for my new 4Mo T32 yet ...

 

[Sasquatch]

The weight is irrelevant. You could fit lights and wheels to the USS Nimitz and provided it were fitted with the required motor caravan appointments it'd still be Class IV.

 

[FWhite]

It does it automatically, varying the power split as needed. If you have the optional diff lock, that is on the button, manually selected.

As I understand it is not even possible to have it permanently engaged, ( i.e. to avoid any delay ) or even disabled.
This brings me to another question:
what about free wheel hubs for the rear axe?
That was a way to spare fuel and mechanical wear on the old off-road vehicles . When you did not need the FWD, you let them disengaged and the wheels will not drive back the rear axes and diff. Anyone has them implemented on a 4M Transporter?

 

[DaveD]

My garage referred me to the Government website;

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - Introduction - Guidance - GOV.UK

Definitions, vehicle classes, reasons to refuse to test a vehicle, narrow track vehicles, historic vehicles and inspection procedures for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

specifically;

Class 4

Goods vehicles not exceeding 3,000kg DGW - category N1

Mine is N1 with a Design Weight Limit of 3080KG.
And I can't sneak in as a Dual Purpose Vehicle because it's over the 2040Kg unladen weight too.

So according to the government website MOT inspection manual, weight does matter.

 

[StratosFearXX]

My garage referred me to the Government website;

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - Introduction - Guidance - GOV.UK

Definitions, vehicle classes, reasons to refuse to test a vehicle, narrow track vehicles, historic vehicles and inspection procedures for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

specifically;

Class 4

Goods vehicles not exceeding 3,000kg DGW - category N1

Mine is N1 with a Design Weight Limit of 3080KG.

Oh yeah, come to think of it my T5 was an 'M1 diesel car'. Ho hum.

Well I've got another year before it needs one ...

 

[Sasquatch]

MOT testing guide for test stations - A. Introduction - Guidance - GOV.UK

The purpose of the MOT test, what it includes, which vehicles are tested and which are exempt, who carries out the test.

www.gov.uk

 

[StratosFearXX]

MOT testing guide for test stations - A. Introduction - Guidance - GOV.UK

The purpose of the MOT test, what it includes, which vehicles are tested and which are exempt, who carries out the test.

www.gov.uk

Confusing isn't it.

 

[DaveD]

Confusing isn't it.

Yes and no, if we go back to the first post, the OP asked about the pro's and cons of 4Motion.
Importantly, he made no mention of looking for a motor caravan "which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users”.

I commented that if a T6 is N1 classified and it's Design Weight Limit is over 3000KG, (more likely if you have the extra 100KG or more of 4Motion gubbins on board) and if you can't qualify for "Dual Purpose Vehicle" because your van's unladen weight is over 2040KG, (more likely if you have the extra 100KG or more of 4Motion gubbins on board), then your T6 does not qualify for a Class 4 MOT and it is, by default, a Class 7.

I stand by that assessment, based on the government MOT inspection manual. The MOT testing guide for test stations contains nothing that contradicts it.

You were fortunate that your T5 was classified M1, so Class 4 MOT and car speed limits, although to be fair I've never had any problems getting my Class 7 MOT done.

 

[drinfinity]

to avoid any delay

The power to the rear wheels will be changed by the 4Motion system in milliseconds. It constantly monitors wheel speeds, throttle and steering position, and adjusts the power to the rear accordingly.

 

[Salty Spuds]

We have a similar van, 17 plate LWB 204 4mot. We use the van for towing /launching a boat, and for skiing in the Alps, so 4Mot was a given for us. If it wasn’t for our specific requirements, we could probably manage without 4mot, but it is a very, very nice to have, it’s got us off some muddy campsites when others have struggled.
On the road, the van feels planted with no tendency for the back end to wander, the steering is very neutral with zero under/oversteer.

 

[StratosFearXX]

We have a similar van, 17 plate LWB 204 4mot. We use the van for towing /launching a boat, and for skiing in the Alps, so 4Mot was a given for us. If it wasn’t for our specific requirements, we could probably manage without 4mot, but it is a very, very nice to have, it’s got us off some muddy campsites when others have struggled.
On the road, the van feels planted with no tendency for the back end to wander, the steering is very neutral with zero under/oversteer.

I can't imagine it activates much on the road does it? I'll have to have a play with that app that shows the %age front/back.

 

[Salty Spuds]

I can't imagine it activates much on the road does it? I'll have to have a play with that app that shows the %age front/back.

Afaik it’s constantly adapting to the conditions. You never notice it in action, there’s no obvious “kicking in”. It’s a progressive system, so only sends the required amount of drive to where it’s needed, it isn’t a binary on/off system, it’s more analog.