Noob needing advice on 1st van - help encouraged!!!

Following the thread for hints/ tips/ advice as my requirements, I think, are very similar to the OPs, except with 3 kids.

Probably a silly question to @Kind of Blue how does one know for sure if it’s a CXEB engine? Assume look for one 2019 and newer?
 
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Hi campers!

Right, provisionally sold my sports car, now the hunt for a van.

I have 2 small kids and I want to prioritise spending times and making memories with them exploring together!

I’ve buzzed around and have an idea of what I think I want, but I’d love to clarify thoughts with people that have trodden the path.

Goal is to get a van that is useable for day trips AND camping. so a Kombi + Pop top type affair.

So where I am at:

SWB - I want easy parking / stumpiness for a more car type experience

Twin slider - I want ease of access for getting kids in and out. Ideally electric.

Tailgate - prefer look, like idea of being able to stand under it.

Captains chairs + 2+1 seats for flexibility and comfort.

Pop top for kids to sleep in

DSG - great box, don’t see the benefit of a manual really. But not a deal breaker.

Ideally: electric sliding doors, heated seats.

I don’t mind 4motion vs 2WD - should I be?

After 150+ bhp, not put off by BiTDI - is this unwise?

I’ll chuck in a bed system, maybe an Ovano.

Can’t deal with white - just can’t. Hard no.

I’m happy to get a good base van and build it up or buy completed.

Please review, ask the hard questions, test my thinking, embarrass me on the internet for my lack of knowledge!
Having owned vans with both barn doors and a tailgate there is not much between them. Barn doors require less space to open and therefore they can be more convenient for loading the van. A glazed tailgate gives you much more light in the van for camping and you do get some weather protection when its open. Take a LWB out for a drive and see how you find it, it may work for you. We have camped in a SWB as a family of four with an awning and it works fine, you just need to be organised.
 
I hope that the original poster of this thread finds the ideal vehicle for him and his boys. It is quite a task deciding what is best , what is important and what is not important and that may be different for each of us. I believe that one need to see and hear many fact about a multitude of things. I think one should be clear in ones mind why a vehicle may be rejected and for some time know people have been put off or decided against buying a vehicle with a certain type of engine because it is or may be problematic. It is unfortunate that the wreath that has been hung around the neck of this engine is called Twin Turbo and that to avoid Twin Turbo one sure way is to buy a 150 which only has one turbo. The fact is there are a few engines that have Twin Turbos and 2 engines that produce 204bhp another coincidence that has little to do with its failing. Their is only one engine that has earned a reputation for being problematic and that is the one with a designation of CXEB


If someone was trying to avoid an engine that may be dubbed an albatross then that is the best way to avoid it and not to look at any other label to exude it it is the engine designator not its power output or the number of turbos so if again it is the CXEB and no other engine has any doubts thrown over it and at this time it would have been evident if any other engine was problematic because enough time has passed to ensure that all engines types will have covered enough high mileages by now that it would be common knowledge if that where so.

If someone had another reason why to avoid certain engine type then that is up to them but to be clear it would not be because it has twin turbos and that is problematic and it would be a shame if a very good vehicle was avoided by a misunderstanding. :)
Thanks.

So I’ll avoid the CXEB and only go for a CXEC.

Thanks
 
I wouldn't bother with electric sliders, will restrict your available pool of vans, and they can be problematic, or so I have read.
Helpful, thanks.

It’s a nice to have but not a deal breaker for me.

I’m realising that my list is going to be hard to achieve, but it’s good to get a steer on where to open up the pool.

Appreciated!
 
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I was wondering this - so it’s achievable to buy the right seats and fit them?
It will need the additional brackets /holes installing, but there are companies that do this, or DIY.

Possibly needs the rubber floor cutting or buy a new one?

All possible.
 
Have a look at Salop Vans they have some nice vans I bought mine from them 4 years ago 6 seater Kombi with full GT leather trim and 20” wheels.
 
Have a look at Salop Vans they have some nice vans I bought mine from them 4 years ago 6 seater Kombi with full GT leather trim and 20” wheels.
It will need the additional brackets /holes installing, but there are companies that do this, or DIY.

Possibly needs the rubber floor cutting or buy a new one?

All possible.
Useful, thanks

I’m up for a project, I have the space and tools and enthusiasm (skill lacking but that doesn’t stop me)
 
Get the LWB 204hp. Why?? I hear you cry- simple, because it’s what I’ve got 😃

Seriously though, I’ve had SWB and LWB. I’ll never go back to SWB. You can get so much more stuff in the LWB. Gotta be north of 200hp too. A piffling 150hp would irritate me. I like a bit of welly.
 
There’s loads of variants. I’ve just checked mine (204hp and twin turbo of course) and it’s DMZA. Whatever that is, I’ll look it up.. 👍
Useful post here:


Looks like it’s a code share with the CXEB
 
Useful post here:


Looks like it’s a code share with the CXEB
Updated revision is my understanding. I’m running a late MY2022.
 
Following the thread for hints/ tips/ advice as my requirements, I think, are very similar to the OPs, except with 3 kids.

Probably a silly question to @Kind of Blue how does one know for sure if it’s a CXEB engine? Assume look for one 2019 and newer?
It will be part of the engine number no idea myself where it is have never looked but someone here will let you know Dellmassive , mmi , pauli and a whole host of other technical guys on here will tell you.
 
CXEC is a twin turbo 146kw 199bhp engine first seen 2019 in the late T6 vehicles and then in the early T6.1 its has no known systemic problems to date. This engine was also superseded after a while in the later T6.1 with another twin turbo engine and rather confusingly also has the same or similar power to its earlier sibling 204bhp output not sure of torque or its nomenclature. It also has no known problems to date!

Just looked at a "Dellmassive" post who is a great authority
"Check the build sticker under the steering column.... It will have the XXXX engine code listed".
 
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Following the thread for hints/ tips/ advice as my requirements, I think, are very similar to the OPs, except with 3 kids.

Probably a silly question to @Kind of Blue how does one know for sure if it’s a CXEB engine? Assume look for one 2019 and newer?
From an Authority and a Dellmassive post
"Check the build sticker under the steering column.... It will have the XXXX engine code listed."
 
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