Want to be T6 owner!

[albertross74]

Good evening all,

I’ve been lurking for a good 6 months or so trawling through the endless threads of useful information but only recently finally registered.

I live in Guernsey, Channel Islands and been wanting a van for quite some time. Used to do a lot of windsurfing and looking to get back into it and move to dark side of winging too! Like to spend as much leave as I can in France, currently have mitsi l200 and pack it full with e-bikes but want to do more camping and running out of space, especially with a 3 year old in tow!

Drove to alps in January and had snowed pretty heavily night before drive up, mitsi with falken wildpeaks was faultless and hoping to drive to alps each winter going forward. I’d be keen to put same tyres on vw I buy but also like the appeal of 4motion for peace of mind. Do I really need it though? Interested to hear thoughts as obviously dramatically reduces choice too!

From my research I think the items non negotiable are swb t32, high line, 150hp, manual, 2+1 rear seats and sub 80k miles, looking to spend around £25k. Keen to try standard Kombi this summer with ply bed and temporary set up with some sort of awning tent to see what works before insulating, furniture, electrics etc

I’ve been watching this forum, auto trader, piston heads since around Christmas time but ready to move now. I’ve enquired about a couple of vans but seems to be like pulling teeth trying to get decent service history! From what I can make out cambelt vw say 140k miles but really you’d want it done on 5 years if that came sooner? 4motion really want a haldex service at 40k miles or 4 years? Is it an issue if a van was at 70k and 7 years?

Appreciate any other first time buyer tips, based in Guernsey I’d look to get a local garage to where ever van is to inspect it for me before committing to flying over etc

many thanks for your help!

Al

 

[DaveD]

Welcome to the forum. You're wise to do so much research before diving in to a purchase, very wise.
If you intend to use your van in snow on a regular basis, 4Motion would be a big advantage, IMO.
I've heard so many times that the right tyres are more important than 4Motion, but it remains a fact that you can put the right tyres on a 4Motion too, and it'll then go where a 2wd won't. So I'd hold out for a 4Motion in your particular circumstances. A diff lock would be a nice advantage too, but that's really going to narrow your options.
I did have a Cambelt change at 5 years old and 40K miles under the "old" VW guidelines, but I wouldn't now unless it had done a lot more miles.
A 7 year old van with 70K miles should have had a Haldex service at 40K miles and would be due another in 10K miles.
You'll find the right van, keep us updated!

 

[t0mb0]

Good evening all,

I’ve been lurking for a good 6 months or so trawling through the endless threads of useful information but only recently finally registered.

I live in Guernsey, Channel Islands and been wanting a van for quite some time. Used to do a lot of windsurfing and looking to get back into it and move to dark side of winging too! Like to spend as much leave as I can in France, currently have mitsi l200 and pack it full with e-bikes but want to do more camping and running out of space, especially with a 3 year old in tow!

Drove to alps in January and had snowed pretty heavily night before drive up, mitsi with falken wildpeaks was faultless and hoping to drive to alps each winter going forward. I’d be keen to put same tyres on vw I buy but also like the appeal of 4motion for peace of mind. Do I really need it though? Interested to hear thoughts as obviously dramatically reduces choice too!

From my research I think the items non negotiable are swb t32, high line, 150hp, manual, 2+1 rear seats and sub 80k miles, looking to spend around £25k. Keen to try standard Kombi this summer with ply bed and temporary set up with some sort of awning tent to see what works before insulating, furniture, electrics etc

I’ve been watching this forum, auto trader, piston heads since around Christmas time but ready to move now. I’ve enquired about a couple of vans but seems to be like pulling teeth trying to get decent service history! From what I can make out cambelt vw say 140k miles but really you’d want it done on 5 years if that came sooner? 4motion really want a haldex service at 40k miles or 4 years? Is it an issue if a van was at 70k and 7 years?

Appreciate any other first time buyer tips, based in Guernsey I’d look to get a local garage to where ever van is to inspect it for me before committing to flying over etc

many thanks for your help!

Al

With camping, and particularly with kit-intensive activities such as windsurfing and cycling, I’m wondering why a SWB is in the non-negotiables?

 

[CAB]

With camping, and particularly with kit-intensive activities such as windsurfing and cycling, I’m wondering why a SWB is in the non-negotiables?

Guernsey!

Having taken my van over there and driven on the roads (and pavement! They have very low kerbs for a reason!!) , I'd be thinking about modifying a T6 into an XSWB

 

[t0mb0]

Guernsey!

Having taken my van over there and driven on the roads (and pavement! They have very low kerbs for a reason!!) , I'd be thinking about modifying a T6 into an XSWB

Oh I see! I’ve never been to Guernsey, clearly should go one day - but not in my LWB…

 

[CAB]

Oh I see! I’ve never been to Guernsey, clearly should go one day - but not in my LWB…

Only place I've ever been where they have special extra small parking spaces for the tiny cars and vans!

Think they must import a lot of the Jap micro vehicles.

 

[manfrotto]

Would you be driving it far enough on the Island to keep the DPF regens doing their thing.

 

[CAB]

Would you be driving it far enough on the Island to keep the DPF regens doing their thing.

My thoughts as well, can you get a TSI 4motion?

 

[albertross74]

many thanks for the welcomes guys.

yeah I'd have a LWB if I didn't live on the island like CAB has said, we do love our jap kei cars over here! Tomo you'd be okay in your LWB for a short trip just not day to day although a lot of tradies do daily LWB vans.

I think as I've always had 4x4 in the past I'm reluctant to not have it in the van too but it'd really only be for the one alps trip per year to ski (roads are always pretty good even in rare occurrence of snow) and the odd muddy field/camping pitch. I'd be looking to put falken wildpeaks on it before winter anyway plus you have to carry chains for alps too. 4motion is really limiting the choice of available vans! Used to do bit of green laning in my Zuki SJ many years ago and it was impressive how far you could get keeping it in 2WD!

Day to day it'd spend most days on the driveway at home as I tend to cycle as main form of transport on the island. This would be my first diesel with DPF and adblue, DPFs often get clogged on island cars (max speed limit of 35mph and most journeys circa 20 mins). Not had any problems with non-DPF/adblue diesels in past, had old transit connect for a number of years and l200s.

Thanks for your comments re. cambelt/haldex - that's reassuring to know, not long had cambelt done on mitsi and wasn't the cheapest of jobs so good to hear from you guys to follow VW advice and wait for closer to 140k. I've given a lower offer on the van with 4motion with no haldex service, I guess a lot of garages would perhaps miss this if not VW specialist and owner not specifically asking for it to be done.

TSI is good shout but again limits number of available vans, especially if 4motion too.

 

[DaveD]

many thanks for the welcomes guys.

yeah I'd have a LWB if I didn't live on the island like CAB has said, we do love our jap kei cars over here! Tomo you'd be okay in your LWB for a short trip just not day to day although a lot of tradies do daily LWB vans.

I think as I've always had 4x4 in the past I'm reluctant to not have it in the van too but it'd really only be for the one alps trip per year to ski (roads are always pretty good even in rare occurrence of snow) and the odd muddy field/camping pitch. I'd be looking to put falken wildpeaks on it before winter anyway plus you have to carry chains for alps too. 4motion is really limiting the choice of available vans! Used to do bit of green laning in my Zuki SJ many years ago and it was impressive how far you could get keeping it in 2WD!

Day to day it'd spend most days on the driveway at home as I tend to cycle as main form of transport on the island. This would be my first diesel with DPF and adblue, DPFs often get clogged on island cars (max speed limit of 35mph and most journeys circa 20 mins). Not had any problems with non-DPF/adblue diesels in past, had old transit connect for a number of years and l200s.

Thanks for your comments re. cambelt/haldex - that's reassuring to know, not long had cambelt done on mitsi and wasn't the cheapest of jobs so good to hear from you guys to follow VW advice and wait for closer to 140k. I've given a lower offer on the van with 4motion with no haldex service, I guess a lot of garages would perhaps miss this if not VW specialist and owner not specifically asking for it to be done.

TSI is good shout but again limits number of available vans, especially if 4motion too.

You've sort of done me a favour - you've reminded me my Haldex is due a service so I've just ordered a service kit!

 

[nedwood]

Re. cambelt change and mileage, imo the new advisory 140K should come with the proviso of an annual visual check for wear/tension ( as per European servicing schedule ).
My 65 plate Kombi has just clocked 100k and had two belt changes since I got it 6 years ago on 55k.
Not long after I got it as it was on original, and again at around 90k.
I stick to the old advice of max 4-5 yrs for peace of mind and budget for it ( also tax deductible as self employed so why skimp ) but that's just me.

 

[albertross74]

Hi guys,

Hoping for some advice please…

So I’ve been pursuing the van for a couple of weeks now (2017 t6 t32 at 60k miles), seller has been great at sending lots of pics, videos, service history and answering all of my questions. They have just advised it’s just started an intermittent idling issue where it runs rough every 1 in 4 start ups but is fine at motorway speeds. Seen some info about egr sticking but really don’t want to make assumptions or decisions blind!

He’s been to usual garage and they have plugged in diagnostic but not showing any faults or issues, garage is pretty busy so not able to properly look at it for a month. Being in Guernsey and having to fly over to collect and given the expense of a new van too I was planning on having a mechanic check van over for me before booking flights/peace of mind anyway!

Can anyone recommend someone local to Bradford area that may be able to help out relatively soon?

Many thanks,

Al

 

[Sackmycook]

150 or 204 ?

 

[Bav]

Don't the AA offer a vehicle inspection service?

 

[albertross74]

Sorry, should have said it’s the 150hp

Was hoping more of a specialist than AA if there is someone available locally/willing to travel to Bradford area