Newbie - some buying advice please

[Damobristol]

Hi,

Used to own a Mazda Bongo years ago but always planned to get a VW at some stage and here I am.

Only want to do convert to a day van so don't need a pop top or cooker. Basically after a bed, a heater and leisure battery/hookup (and maybe solar panel). With clean air zone coming in for Bristol later this year I need a Euro6 model so need something relatively new. I would like to use in spring/autumn but not winter. Only needs to accommodate two adults for trips away, but 5 for daily use.

Considering a secondhand kombu/shuttle SE DSG 150BHP with 6 seats, two slider doors, tailgate, as price for very low mileage model looks reasonable. As I am not requiring a pop top is this a good van to convert? Will the standard insulation be enough?

Or even for a basic day van conversion are shuttle buses best avoided?

Many thanks

 

[Whitty]

Hi there,

We have a T32 Highline Kombi SWB with twin sliders (5 seats) and works fine for us. Basically my daily driver that we can use for trips away with a Vango awning. Have a Vanking bed system that I keep in all the time as it offers extra storage options (i.e. large parcel shelf), whilst the mattress also helping with reducing the sound from the back of the van. Its also easy to remove the top and cross members (leave sides in) when I want to carry the bikes at the weekend. Not much in the way of sound deadening as standard and no insulation, so silent coat + insulation added from the front seat back including roof. Next plan is to add a leisure battery and replace internal panel with ply and carpet line. Outside cooking for now but may consider a Slidepod (or similar) for the back of the van later.

 

[Damobristol]

Like the Van King bed option.

So is yours the shuttle version Kombi or the more stripped back version?

 

[Whitty]

The Kombi and Shuttle are two different types of transporter. Shuttle being aimed at people carrying (i.e. more seats) more like an SUV, so has better trim levels in the back. Kombi is the van with 2nd row seats but none of the extra trim, so more stripped back version. Also normally only has side windows in the middle section whilst Shuttle has full length.

 

[GordonHR]

Hi,

Used to own a Mazda Bongo years ago but always planned to get a VW at some stage and here I am.

Only want to do convert to a day van so don't need a pop top or cooker. Basically after a bed, a heater and leisure battery/hookup (and maybe solar panel). With clean air zone coming in for Bristol later this year I need a Euro6 model so need something relatively new. I would like to use in spring/autumn but not winter. Only needs to accommodate two adults for trips away, but 5 for daily use.

Considering a secondhand kombu/shuttle SE DSG 150BHP with 6 seats, two slider doors, tailgate, as price for very low mileage model looks reasonable. As I am not requiring a pop top is this a good van to convert? Will the standard insulation be enough?

Or even for a basic day van conversion are shuttle buses best avoided?

Many thanks

I have had the following done on my 2019 lwb shuttle dsg.
Bed system, electrics, heater and curtains.
We use it as our daily family car and then a camper with Awning. The guy who did all the work said it's not worth insulating further as there is a reasonable amount from factory!
The shuttles are great value. I paid about 27k inc vat for mine a few months back, with 5k miles on.

 

[Damobristol]

The Kombi and Shuttle are two different types of transporter. Shuttle being aimed at people carrying (i.e. more seats) more like an SUV, so has better trim levels in the back. Kombi is the van with 2nd row seats but none of the extra trim, so more stripped back version. Also normally only has side windows in the middle section whilst Shuttle has full length.

Ah, thanks. This is described as shutter/Kombi but that clarifies. Definitely a shuttle as it has windows all down and the additional trim. I was hoping that since that runs as a people carrier the soundproofing and insulation would be enough (obviously the windows won't be great). Primarily given the day van conversion it would be largely a case of leisure battery, hookup, heater and either seats that will convert to bed or a Van king bed or similar. Or am I missing something obvious?

I have had the following done on my 2019 lwb shuttle dsg.
Bed system, electrics, heater and curtains.
We use it as our daily family car and then a camper with Awning. The guy who did all the work said it's not worth insulating further as there is a reasonable amount from factory!
The shuttles are great value. I paid about 27k inc vat for mine a few months back, with 5k miles on.

View attachment 114959

Hi, thanks for the info. Kinda made sense to me as I've travelled in them and they are car like quiet, but good s to hear from someone with the same requirements as me.

That was a great price. Where do you buy from?

 

[GordonHR]

Ah, thanks. This is described as shutter/Kombi but that clarifies. Definitely a shuttle as it has windows all down and the additional trim. I was hoping that since that runs as a people carrier the soundproofing and insulation would be enough (obviously the windows won't be great). Primarily given the day van conversion it would be largely a case of leisure battery, hookup, heater and either seats that will convert to bed or a Van king bed or similar. Or am I missing something obvious?


Hi, thanks for the info. Kinda made sense to me as I've travelled in them and they are car like quiet, but good s to hear from someone with the same requirements as me.

That was a great price. Where do you buy from?

I got mine from Heritage Vw in Bristol

 

[Damobristol]

I got mine from Heritage Vw in Bristol

That'd be handy. Only a couple of miles from me.