New van - nearly there - advice?

[Bigstu1965]

Hopefully I can ask for advice on a T5? Please?

Decided against the T6 we looked at yesterday.

We are just about to pull the trigger and buy a T5
What do I need to be careful about?
What do I need to know?

It’s a 2014 T5 highline 180 tdi
Converted last year by Lusso Conversions in West Yorkshire.
Turbo replaced last year
New cam belt and water pump
Full years MOT no advisories
Full service history
Done 150k miles

Exciting times.

 

[doncarlyon]

Does that say 32k ?

 

[R_macus]

Get a mattress topper—brands like Napps, Panda, or Duvalay are great options. Bring a battery charger and ramps, and stash a small toolkit under the seat along with spare fuses. Practice packing and putting everything away before you head out; try it at home once or twice. Set up the diesel heater and fridge, and get familiar with the controls. Nice van—enjoy!

Reread orginal post. My comment means nothing lol. £32K on a 2014 with 150k. I dunno

 

[JumpShip]

Its a CFCA bi - turdo ....do some research on the known engine problems.

Avoid .....run ....run far away !

 

[Bav]

This thread might be worth a read...

Thread 'Lusso Campers, Leeds'

20 Jan 2022

Hi all , has anyone bought anything from lusso campers in Leeds I'm going to be looking at their kitchen units and rock n roll beds , the quality looks good to what I've seen online.

• Dmw916
• lusso campers
• Replies: 55
• Forum: Review A Business

 

[JumpShip]

This thread might be worth a read...

Thread 'Lusso Campers, Leeds'

20 Jan 2022

Hi all , has anyone bought anything from lusso campers in Leeds I'm going to be looking at their kitchen units and rock n roll beds , the quality looks good to what I've seen online.

• Dmw916
• lusso campers
• Replies: 55
• Forum: Review A Business

Ahhh... i'd missed that bit aswell

Defo avoid like the plague!

 

[Bav]

Ahhh... i'd missed that bit aswell

Defo avoid like the plague!

Well... that's up to the OP I guess, but forewarned is forearmed, as they say.

 

[Sasquatch]

Price looks a bit spicy for a big mile 5er.

 

[Bigstu1965]

Ahhhhhggg not what I was hoping to read.

So is the engine ERG the thing to worry about?
The turbo was replaced last year, will that prevent issues happening again?

Re the converters, that worries me.

What should we be looking for.

We have £30k and want a DSG Short Wherl Base, converted or £20k as a panel van.
What engines and years should we be looking at?

What a minefield

 

[doncarlyon]

Get a newer van for 15-20k and then spend the rest on the conversion. If you can do some of the work yourself you'll get into a good spec camper for 30k.

 

[Chippie1]

There’s kI way I would be spending that sort of money on that van. Take your time and keep searching.
Theres some nice vans on here for sale
Best of luck

​

 

[Chippie1]

M

For Sale Thread 'T6 (2018 68) T32 high line factory Kombi DSG SWB TWIN Sliding doors.150 bhp'

12 Apr 2026

Black with tailgate
FSH 138000 miles recent new turbo & EGR cooler DSG oil & filter change.
High spec van heated front screen mirrors front fog lamps removeable tow bar.

Captains front seats on swivels
Fully lined & insulated leisure battery with charger, plenty usb sockets spot lights in back.Vamoose awning rail.
Genuine reason for sale.
Any inspection welcome.
Van based in Edinburgh.
£16950 ono.

• Murof6T
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Vans For Sale

 

[JumpShip]

Ahhhhhggg not what I was hoping to read.

So is the engine ERG the thing to worry about?
The turbo was replaced last year, will that prevent issues happening again?

Re the converters, that worries me.

What should we be looking for.

We have £30k and want a DSG Short Wherl Base, converted or £20k as a panel van.
What engines and years should we be looking at?

What a minefield

Theres much better options out there than the expensive Russian roulette engined one you're currently looking at .
The EGR is just the start of the problem that creates grinding paste that circulates everything that the oil comes in contact with .
The turbo is normally the first sign that its all heading up shwit creek.

 

[Bigstu1965]

Theres much better options out there than the expensive Russian roulette engined one you're currently looking at .
The EGR is just the start of the problem that creates grinding paste that circulates everything that the oil comes in contact with .
The turbo is normally the first sign that its all heading up shwit creek.

Thanks. And thanks to all that have commented.
We are back to the drawing board but absolutely delighted we found this forum.

We are not mechanics so really appreciate the advice.

Thanks again.

 

[Cuffy]

Something below that I have mentioned in previous threads:

With reference to your conversion, give it some serious thought of what you think you want to what you actually want.
For example, are you happy to cook in the van and potentially have the interior smelling like your local greasy spoon?
If the answer is no, then leave the kitchen out.

Do you really need a wardrobe to hang clothes in when you go away? Or are you happy to live out of the bag?
If it's the latter, then leave this out too.

How many of you will be going away in the van at any given time?
If you end up with a kitchen/units, you'll lose width on the inside, adding to cramped sleeping conditions and potentially your other half given you grief for a crap nights sleep or moaning because they felt you fart on their leg.

I'm only mentioning the above as I have a fully converted van, but never use the inside for sleeping/cooking/hanging clothes etc.
Whenever we go away, we use the awning and use the van as a dumping ground, the only useful thing is the fridge, keeps the beer cold.

If I knew then, what I know now, I wouldn't have gone for a fully converted van, would have saved myself a small fortune if I went for a day van.
Horses for courses and all that.

Good luck with your search, and keep on asking questions, you'll not got this level of knowledge from a dealership.
Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[MikeWillmott]

Thank goodness you came here before buying!
Dodged several bullets there!

 

[Sasquatch]

Something below that I have mentioned in previous threads:

With reference to your conversion, give it some serious thought of what you think you want to what you actually want.
For example, are you happy to cook in the van and potentially have the interior smelling like your local greasy spoon?
If the answer is no, then leave the kitchen out.

This is sage advice. I cant cook (my home made ratatouille contains real rat), and prefer to either eat out or bring along food that requires minimal prep. Were I to do it again id eschew the kitchen in favour of more storage.

 

[MikeWillmott]

Whereas we love to cook in the van!

 

[Bav]

...and we find the wardrobe the most useful cupboard in the van (though not as a wardrobe).

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

150 Dsg is the sweet spot for engines