T6.1 owner-what next-ID Buzz?

Boyd River

Member
T6 Pro
Hi all, I've had my T6.1kombi 2 1/2 years ish and done 9k miles in it and never had anything in the back heavier than a suitcase, well 2 suitcases to be honest :). Nothing wrong with it but looking at retiring and thinking what to do going forward.
I don't mind the extra security I had to put on it, plus the dashboard cam (obligatory i suppose now days) The downsides of ownership have ben the horrible google maps through my phone and the cost of insurance. Iv'e owned some really expensive vehicles over the years but the Transporter has been THE most expensive insurance wise and the most difficult to obtain.

I am thinking, that because there isnt a new model Transporter that maybe the ID Buzz cargo (?) is the thing to have going into retirement and wanting to reduce costs . I understand 10k in mileage icosts around £200 with the reduced overnight charging discount.
I'm also thinking that the resale value of the Transporter might get me something via a straight swap.
Has anyone an opinion on the Buzz or had similar thoughts please or have you all comitted to buying Fords :) ?
 
I love the Buzz myself, although reviews haven't been universally and its not the most efficient EV out there.

About a third smaller cargo capacity than the 6.1, but from the sound of things thats not going to be a concern for you.

If it suits your needs, go for it!
 
At the end of the day, the Buzz is a vw bus (of sorts) and we like it. it's got batteries and motors and a lit less to go wrong. If it's new your after I think buzz is the right choice.

Can I clarify? is it just Google maps through your phone and expensive insurance the key issues and the reason you're wanting to make this change prior to retirement?

Have you tried using Waze instead of google maps?

Have you tried getting a quote from Howdens? A LOT of us use Howdens as they are extremely reasonable and van focused.

Good luck and keep us updated please. Also let's see your kombi!
 
Im with Howdens also .
My van - 2 inch lift, bronze wheels, colour coded badges and spolier. Not everyones cup of tea, it is mine.:)
No the main reason is fuels cost. Diesel price today is 140.9p per litre 165.5p per litre around me. In March 2026 the fuel duty cut will be lifted and the RPI will increase in 2026 and again in 2027. One could argue that as a retired person in say 2027, i will see a reduction in fuel costs through less use. But "allegedly" an ID Buzz has an annual cost of £200 for 10k mileage if charged using the overnight discounted tariff. (assuming it remains going forward and electrical price increases are minimal) So I'm not committed to changing the vehicle but wondering where to go next.
THanks for the info on WAze, I have the standard factory fit screen in my kombi so will see what it can do.
 
Are you sure you can drive 10,000 miles for £200.00?

I get my electricity from Octopus.
I believe I pay around £0.25p per KW.
200 / 0.25 = 800 Kw.
10,000 / 800 = 12.5

By my calcs that's 12.5 miles per KW.

I was given an all electric T7 \ Ford van for the day whilst my van was being serviced recently.
According to the onboard info, driving like I had a full glass of beer on the dash [ barely touching the throttle, not braking ]
I was getting 3 miles per KW. Driving reasonably normal around town and open roads I only got 2 miles per KW.

The van in question apparently had a 65Kw battery. When I picked it up it was fully charged and the estimated miles left was 118.
Having never driven an all electric vehicle of any type I wasn't sure what to expect mileage wise.
Upon return the dealer told me 120 miles from a 65Kw battery was about right.

PS. the van was empty. Apparently the payload was only 650Kg.
 
Wow, £0.08 per Kw is great!

However that still comes out at 2500Kw for £200.00.

So at 2 miles per Kw that's still only 5,000 miles.

Maybe 2 miles is not very representative of real miles per KW for a Buzz?

My 6.1 4mo returns around 30 mpg - 5,000 / 30 = 166.66

Say 167 gal * 4.54 = 758.18 * £1.40 = £1.061.45

That's 200 quid vs 1,000 quid.
Maybe all electric is the way to go? [ Assuming you can always charge at home for £0.08 ]

I believe public fast chargers are around £0.75 per Kw.
Does't that work out at £1,875 for 2500Kw ~ 5,000 miles

That's maybe not good value.
 
We have a buzz cargo in our fleet my business partners van of choice where as I prefer the 6.1 I drive. I do like the drive of the buzz it’s so easy to drive and peanuts to charge on a night tariff at home. If charging at stations I’d say it’s not much if any cheaper. He’s done some miles in it also drove to Amsterdam and Belgium it’s currently on around 35,000 and around 2 years old. No issues what so ever no drop in range as of yet. He’s worked it at around 200 miles range from a charge and he’s pretty heavy footed. Now it’s been around a while I’m not sure I would purchase one outright as a private buyer due to depreciation but some good lease deals out there at the moment
 
My input is my T6.1 Sportline is 3 years old end of November so will need MOT and warranty etc.
Mines on a 4 year PCP so no majorly panic on getting the balloon paid off in yet another year but deciding to either pay the ballon and keep the van. Then lease a Buzz for work or trade in the Sportline for a Buzz.
My Sportline at nearly 3 years old has only 16k on the clock.
Decision’s Decision’s 😔
 
I've had my T6.1kombi 2 1/2 years ish and done 9k miles in it
If you want one, buy one, lots of people love them, they don't have EGR and DPF problems and they're probably going to be more reliable than an ICE vehicle., but doing the miles you're doing, there's no case for the fuel saving justifying the purchase.
You've done 3,600 miles per year.
Lets assume 35 MPG. (lots of people do more than that)
Lets assume fuel costs go up to £1.80 / litre.
That's £841 / year in fuel if you stick with your current van.
I suspect that the ID Buzz will pay for itself in reduced fuel costs by the time you are about 174 years old.
 
Are you sure you can drive 10,000 miles for £200.00?

I get my electricity from Octopus.
I believe I pay around £0.25p per KW.
200 / 0.25 = 800 Kw.
10,000 / 800 = 12.5

By my calcs that's 12.5 miles per KW.

I was given an all electric T7 \ Ford van for the day whilst my van was being serviced recently.
According to the onboard info, driving like I had a full glass of beer on the dash [ barely touching the throttle, not braking ]
I was getting 3 miles per KW. Driving reasonably normal around town and open roads I only got 2 miles per KW.

The van in question apparently had a 65Kw battery. When I picked it up it was fully charged and the estimated miles left was 118.
Having never driven an all electric vehicle of any type I wasn't sure what to expect mileage wise.
Upon return the dealer told me 120 miles from a 65Kw battery was about right.

PS. the van was empty. Apparently the payload was only 650Kg.
That's interesting @TheOldGoat I had seen 188 miles and thought sounded not too bad.
 
If it's about saving money, you need to look at the bigger picture. Who's going to want to buy the Buzz when you're done with it? There will still be a really strong market for a nice 6.1.

The depreciation on the Buzz will buy you a hell of a lot of diesel to put in your 6.1 which will be holding onto it's value very nicely
 
My input is my T6.1 Sportline is 3 years old end of November so will need MOT and warranty etc.
Mines on a 4 year PCP so no majorly panic on getting the balloon paid off in yet another year but deciding to either pay the ballon and keep the van. Then lease a Buzz for work or trade in the Sportline for a Buzz.
My Sportline at nearly 3 years old has only 16k on the clock.
Decision’s Decision’s 😔
Your in a similar position to me I think our company’s own our sportlines but I I wouldn’t trade in for a buzz I only see the sportline 6.1 as a good investment and even though the buzz is a decent enough vehicle depreciation is a lot
 
So, as I don't have any ev vehicles I've never looked at cheap overnight tarrifs.
I just have the same rate 24 \ 7.
I have however been forced to 'upgrade' to smart meters recently as my old ones [3 ph electric] were 10 yrs old.
Maybe now I can get a better tarrif.

Appologies, the range from full battery { actually 98% ] was 187 miles.
The dealer service tech did say double the Kw capacity is a good realistic range.
65Kw ~ 130 miles.

The van I was given was quite a good spec, climate control, heated seats etc.

Must admit having never driven ev before this I was impressed. My only gripe was the throttle pedal
was very sensitive, it set off like a scolded cat.

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