What are my buying options?

[Jotto]

Hi all, a first post from yet another prospective owner succumbed to the charms of the T6.
I'm considering swapping my Golf R Estate for a new (or nearly new) T6 Sportline SWB 204 Kombi 4motion or something similar if the spec can be achieved by other means. Anyway, I still have some pretty basic questions and I'd be very grateful for some informed responses to the following:
1. Where do I buy from? There are so many options so is there any short-cut way to finding the best deal or is it a case of negotiating with a dealer being the best bet? Or is going straight to a conversion company the better option? I'd probably be trading in the Golf and a cash settlement.
2. I'm not looking for a camper but a versatile (3 dogs) daily driver that's quiet and comfortable - refinement and ride quality being my upgrade priorities. Which tried and tested suspension upgrade yields a decent improvement in ride and handling?
3. Is there a premium soundproofing package I should go for?
4. Any recommendations of particular companies/people I should talk to at Busfest next Friday?
5. Anyone used Transporterland in Lydney (local to me) and can let me know how the experience went?
All a bit of a mishmash I'm afraid but many thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Pauly]

Come and find us at busfest in the club camping area, there will be 10 members vans all camped together with various mods between us
You will be able to see a few different setups - camper conversions/lineouts/not much done (mine being in the last category) and get some opinions from people

Regards purchasing options there are a few avenues to explore, main dealers cost the most but are safe bets with finance options etc, brokers give much better prices but it has been known for orders to be cancelled or have problems with orders due to brokers getting greedy/bending the rules (fleet purchasing terms) to much although seem to be better lately as long as you use a reputable company but expect to get the logbook retained for 12 months due to them purchasing from VW as a fleet vehicle for hire so they are technically not allowed to sell it for 12 months

 

[Jotto]

Thanks Pauly. Useful to know.

 

[Chopman]

If it were me and I didn't want a camper, I would probably get a shuttle. You could consider a caravelle too but they are more cash.
My Brother in Law has a T5 shuttle and it's noticeably more comfortable and car-like inside - particularly in the rear. It has better sound proofing and better suspension than my t6 highline kombi - and that is with his running on 20" wheels.

I wouldn't worry about the "Sportline" thing - you can make any van look decent with a few well placed mods.

Main dealers are definitely worth looking at - I got a better deal there than I could get anywhere else.

 

[Jotto]

Thank you for that Chopman. I can see that more research on the model differences is needed.

 

[Chopman]

The other thing to be careful of is the VAT listing. Sometimes vehicles are listed as Net (i.e. you need to add the VAT) and sometimes - for shuttles and caravelles mostly - they are shown as gross (i.e. already including VAT).

So here is a 21.5k shuttle that needs VAT adding - 25.8k total
Used Volkswagen Vans | Details - Volkswagen CV Transporter T32 Shuttle SE SWB 2.0 TDI 150 BMT M/B - Oxford : Volkswagen UK Marshall Van Centre Oxford
Here is a 22k Kombi that needs the VAT adding - 26.3k total
Used Volkswagen Vans | Details - Volkswagen CV Transporter Kombi SWB 2.0TDI (140PS) T30 Highline - Westbury : Volkswagen UK Heritage Volkswagen Van Centre
Here is a slightly higher mileage shuttle which is non VAT qualifying - 23k total
Used Volkswagen Vans | Details - Volkswagen CV Transporter T30 Shuttle SE SWB 2.0TDI 102PS BMTT32 - Birmingham : Volkswagen UK Volkswagen Van Centre (Birmingham)

 

[former member]

Sounds like you might be best off with a Caravelle with the back seats removed - they're a step up in refinement compared to the rest of the range (except Californias which possibly have even more sound proofing).
While the van will have more space than the Golf, I would approach with an open mind - even in 204 4motion guise, it's still a 2+ tonne brick with a 2.0 diesel engine. Yep they really are nippy for a van (oh how I smile as yet another tailgating Transit suddenly disappears into the rear-view horizon) but they are still a LOT slower than a fast hatch/estate. And with "refinement" I'd be cautious too - being a van (not a fast car) they are fundamentally top heavy and rolly. Many swear miracles with B14s/whatever but it's still a van...
Our "other" car (one of them) is a slightly similar to yours BMW M135i - fast, firm, comfyish but no limo. At no point do the Cali and the BM get anywhere near to each other (except weirdly they have the same peak torque).

But do try a 204 4motion Caravelle or a Highline at the very least and you may be able to adapt - to me they are like comfy SUVs without the idiot image problem.

 

[Jotto]

Great info Chopman - I'll keep an eagle eye on how they're priced.
Polzeylad - I was born in Polzeath (quite some time ago) - I've not come across any others on forums and the like before - howdo!
And thanks for the helpful input. Yes, I'm expecting quite a difference from the Golf which has comfort/normal/race modes, 4WD and 300bhp so is great in all departments but I've had it for 18months and fancy a change. I have something faster for weekend fun so I'm ok taking on a different type of animal as a daily. But I'll definitely line up a test drive or three - not had a van before.

 

[HootingOwl]

Do your research before visiting Transporterland in The Forest.

Mixed reviews.....one poster said they nearly ended up in a fist fight when they complained about something. That was three years ago and only one person's experience. And main dealers are no better except they stonewall you and only punch you in the pocket.

If you can stomach a move away from VW, then a Toyota Proace Verso or Proace Combi may suit - far more comfortable ride and much quieter. Huge discounts on new ones and 5 year warranty.

 

[Jotto]

Thanks HO. The Toyota seems an option but the whole package just doesn't do it for me. There's something very bland about it. I'm thinking high end sound deadening with active noise cancellation - that should get it close to what I'm after, obsessive though I may be. Some phone calls to converters are on the cards it seems.

 

[former member]

Great info Chopman - I'll keep an eagle eye on how they're priced.
Polzeylad - I was born in Polzeath (quite some time ago) - I've not come across any others on forums and the like before - howdo!
And thanks for the helpful input. Yes, I'm expecting quite a difference from the Golf which has comfort/normal/race modes, 4WD and 300bhp so is great in all departments but I've had it for 18months and fancy a change. I have something faster for weekend fun so I'm ok taking on a different type of animal as a daily. But I'll definitely line up a test drive or three - not had a van before.

Wow, born in Polzeath? Awesome!!

 

[chriscroft]

Thanks HO. The Toyota seems an option but the whole package just doesn't do it for me. There's something very bland about it. I'm thinking high end sound deadening with active noise cancellation - that should get it close to what I'm after, obsessive though I may be. Some phone calls to converters are on the cards it seems.

I Can't praise our Caravelle highly enough, It would be my choice drive for making a drive into a mini adventure any-day. Not only that my Mrs loves it (it was her choice), and our car is very much relegated. Oh and our many 8+ dogs love it.