Newbie - looking for my first van. Any tips on what to look for when buying?

C

coolhandluke

Member
Hi all,

I'm new to the van scene, from the Bridgnorth, Shropshire area. Been wanting a Transporter for probably the past 10 years (marriage, kids and moving house have taken priority) and now looking to make the investment.

I'm looking for a T6.1 full camper conversion (2021 plate or later), with less than 30k miles, budget of approx. £50k.
I'll be looking to use the van for long weekends/going away in the summer hols for a couple of weeks at a time, possibly a trip to Europe somewhere in the near future.
Does anyone have any tips of what to look out for in terms of obvious pitfalls/problems/issues?
What should be done on the van at that age/miles in terms of maintenance/work that I should be checking for (other than FSH)?

Also some other questions for you gurus...
1) Engine... is there a specific engine that is considered the most reliable/cheaper in terms of fuel and maintenance over a long term ownership?
2) What is considered the more reliable out of DSG v manual? Always wanted an auto for those longer journeys but not sure if the cost/reliability means a manual would be a better choice?
3) Weight restrictions... with 2 boys (9 and 6) and the Mrs, full conversion, camping kit, etc, what is considered the better load rating for my use case? I hear coast2coast (not far from me) use T26s as standard. Is that too restrictive?
4) SWB v LWB... anyone got any convincing arguments (other than the extra 40cm) for why I should go for a LWB over a SWB?
5) How easy/cheap is it to turn a single passenger seat into a double? Or a 2 seater in the rear to a 3 seater bed? Appreciate this may be a 'how longs a piece of string' type of question, but any info/advice anyone has, I'm all ears.

Cheers guys.
Looking forward to taking the plunge!!

P.s. seen these - any advice/reasons for or against?

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Edit... forgot to say - I have zero mechanical experience, so any explanations in laymans terms I would be massively thankful for o_O:D
 
From an NCC registered and Type Approval authorised converter...

www.venture-caravans.com

Used 2021 VW T6.1 Redline Sport SWB Cherry Red Campervan - Venture Caravans

ADDITIONAL EXTRAS: Power latching sliding door Single passenger seat with swivel base Glazed heated rear tailgate. Black Side bars. Diesel heater. 18” Supermetal Bullet alloy wheels. Fiamma F45 wind out awning ABOUT THIS VEHICLE This 2021 (70 plate), Cherry red VW Transporter...
www.venture-caravans.com www.venture-caravans.com

A bit more than you've indicated, but a brand new conversionnon an essentially new van...

www.venture-caravans.com

New (2023) 73 VW Transporter Manual Pure Grey SWB Redline Sport Campervan - Venture Caravans

ADDITIONAL EXTRAS: Business Pack Twin sliding doors Soft close sliding doors Appearance Pack Rear camera Tire loss indicator glazed heated rear tailgate. Black Side bars. 18” Supermetal Compass alloy wheels. Multi-function steering wheel. ABOUT THIS VEHICLE This 2023, Pure Grey VW...
www.venture-caravans.com www.venture-caravans.com

DSG is great to use, but not so much fun when it needs money spending on it - only you will know which way your priority pendulum swings know that one. They are generally quite reliable so don't be put off off if that's your bag, just be aware that if it breaks or when both clutch packs need replacing youll wince at the bill,

I'd personally avoid the bi turbo models, which leaves the 102, 110 and 150. None of the options, even the bi turd, feel very quick to me, just slightly different degrees of slow...but then I ride a Hayabusa. If the performance centres of your brain haven't been recalibrated by hyperbike ownership then the 150 might be for you, but try a few and see what you think and not what someone else tells you youll need. I have the 110 and haven't had the slightest problem climbing hills, keeping up on the motorway at legal speeds, etc, but you might not like it.

T type is worth considering. I have a T28 and with a full conversion, fuel and a full water tank it still chimes in under 2300kg. That leaves me just over half a tonne to handle 2 adults, a dog and our luggage, so no problem whatsoever. However, some conversions seem to be made from depleted uranium and weigh in higher, or you might want to carry 4 adults and enough bowling balls to last a month on tour, in which case a T30 or 32 may be worth considering. Its worth noting that if you find a T28 that you like but are worried about the lard you can get them legally up-plated to 3.1 tonnes for a couple of hundred quid, and its a purely paperwork exercise.

So have a think about what's essential, then what's merely desirable, then go try a few.

Best of luck.
 
Last edited:
Welcome
I would be looking for a good base van min T30 Highline easily achievable with your budget.
150 bhp is a good sweet spot
Dsg is lovely
Would be looking for a good factory spec led lights etc with your budget also.
Don’t forget to look in the for sale section on here some lovely vans on here for sale
Best of luck with the search.
PS don’t rush there’s plenty out there👍
 
coolhandluke said:
Hi all,

I'm new to the van scene, from the Bridgnorth, Shropshire area. Been wanting a Transporter for probably the past 10 years (marriage, kids and moving house have taken priority) and now looking to make the investment.

I'm looking for a T6.1 full camper conversion (2021 plate or later), with less than 30k miles, budget of approx. £50k.
I'll be looking to use the van for long weekends/going away in the summer hols for a couple of weeks at a time, possibly a trip to Europe somewhere in the near future.
Does anyone have any tips of what to look out for in terms of obvious pitfalls/problems/issues?
What should be done on the van at that age/miles in terms of maintenance/work that I should be checking for (other than FSH)?

Also some other questions for you gurus...
1) Engine... is there a specific engine that is considered the most reliable/cheaper in terms of fuel and maintenance over a long term ownership?
2) What is considered the more reliable out of DSG v manual? Always wanted an auto for those longer journeys but not sure if the cost/reliability means a manual would be a better choice?
3) Weight restrictions... with 2 boys (9 and 6) and the Mrs, full conversion, camping kit, etc, what is considered the better load rating for my use case? I hear coast2coast (not far from me) use T26s as standard. Is that too restrictive?
4) SWB v LWB... anyone got any convincing arguments (other than the extra 40cm) for why I should go for a LWB over a SWB?
5) How easy/cheap is it to turn a single passenger seat into a double? Or a 2 seater in the rear to a 3 seater bed? Appreciate this may be a 'how longs a piece of string' type of question, but any info/advice anyone has, I'm all ears.

Cheers guys.
Looking forward to taking the plunge!!

P.s. seen these - any advice/reasons for or against?

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Edit... forgot to say - I have zero mechanical experience, so any explanations in laymans terms I would be massively thankful for o_O:D
Click to expand...
Hi

Due to your location give Supreme Conversions a call. They have a couple of vans for sale or soon will be. they are all blank canvas ready for the customers preferred changes
They are based in Telford, contact details below
Unit 3B, Orchard Business Park, Horton Wood 40, Telford TF1 7EY
01952 962489
[email protected]
 
@coolhandluke have a look on Bodans web site their not far from you in shrewsbury they did my conversion over 7 years ago and i can't fault the workmanship probably worth a little trip out just to have a look at converted vans i would put a link up but I don't know if that is allowed
 
Bargy62 said:
@coolhandluke have a look on Bodans web site their not far from you in shrewsbury they did my conversion over 7 years ago and i can't fault the workmanship probably worth a little trip out just to have a look at converted vans i would put a link up but I don't know if that is allowed
Click to expand...
Thanks @Bargy62 , I saw others had recommended Bodans too. We are planning on taking a trip over at some point next weekend to get a feel for the different engines. I quite liked this Automatic VW T6.1 Campervan but they do not list the payload rating, and it appears to be sagging at the rear.

P.s. love the profile picture, I suddenly have the urge to watch Snatch again
 
Would appear to be a T30 so 3000kg

ModelVolkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line TDI S-A
ColourWhite
Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine Size1968cc

Registered22 May 2020
Vehicle Age5 Years
 
The T6.1 is probably the safest bet rather than the T6 because all the engines are fine. The T6 has an engine that I would steer clear from, that is the 204bhp versions. Quite a few problems some very serious, plenty written on these pages. The twin turbo 199bhp engine in the later T6 is fine and is the same as those found in the T6.1 They have a different nomenclature than the earlier more troublesome engines. I have found the DSG gearbox very good with no real issues. I use the flappy gear handle on the steering wheel allot The only thing is with modern vehicles is they tend to lack any real engine breaking, not sure if that is the gearbox DSG or just the way engines are tuned these days but I like it when one removes ones foot of the accelerator that real deceleration takes place especially when changing down the box one or several gears at a time. So on steep hills one needs to feather the brakes or use the cruise control which is much the same thing. Can not comment on Campers specifically but we camp in my vehicle, a 2019 199bhp T6 Caravelle 4Motion with differential lock. The 4motion vehicles have great traction off road especially with diff locks and other off road kit. Ground clearance OK between opposing wheels so ordinary ruts are not normally a problem. Not sure about T6.1 fuel tank but their was a choice with T6 one could opt for the larger 80L tank which gives good range even with the more powerful engines. Brakes are very good on my vehicle bigger brakes on the Caravelle and some others. Over all handling is quite good but in reality they need uprated dampers from renowned manufacturers at the least. My suggested damper is the KONI Adjustable. They give far greater benefits in handling, stopping, enjoyment and safety than most modifications together with good tyres. Suggested tyre Michelin CrossClimate 3 coming out on 1st July this year have excellent all weather performance and good in most fields even when wet.

Enjoy your vehicle.
 
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