It broke down ..... again!

I was just overtaking a tractor (and a Sprinter driver of all people had flashed me to go first!) when all power went.  Clouds of black smoke billowed and it soon became a slow sooty T5 and tractor race.  Since I was towing my caravan and on the wrong side of the road I was pleased to eventually win.  I crawled to a stop in the first safe place I could and found that the bottom intercooler hose had blown off.  I had to take the coolant expansion tank off but I managed to get it back on and it stayed on for long enough to get me home so I'll book it in Monday.

I hate to sound like one of the "doom & gloom" merchants mentioned but what other conclusion can you come to about a van that can't do a thousand miles without going wrong?  I have already accepted VWs offer to contribute some money towards a fourth years warranty but what about next year?  Will it suddenly become reliable?  This is the 24th fault on this van (the latest being a new camshaft, a new clutch and flywheel and an EGR valve yet VW insist that it is not substandard!  The tally includes 5 recalls and now two potentially lethal breakdowns.

I bought the van intending to keep it for many years and eventually convert it to a camper, that's why I spec'ed it out well, but it has become a £20,000 millstone (well, £10,000 now). 

I love driving the thing, the engine and handling are fantastic but can I afford to keep it when I'm paying all the repair bills?        

Really sorry to hear your news T5 TDI.

I know how you feel !!.

My mate's turbo has just gone on his out of warranty 130, and my mobile mechanic mate has just towed one to the dealer with a broken camshaft. ( again out of warranty ).

I expect, as the word spreads about second hand T5,s and their high running costs, it will affect the residual prices further.

Having said that, my old T5 is on the forecourt for £ 12795.00 plus vat !!. ( part ex,d it fir £ 9200.00 !! ).

Whats you next move mate ?.

Bad luck T5, and dont worry about being a  doom and gloom merchant. If whoever was surprised at the doom and gloom cares to go to any vw dealer and quote my reg no FE04 VXC, their computer will bring up a list of 42 days of warranty work on mine. Better still ask a mechanic, then you wont be surprised any more. Anyway, are you still on the original gearbox, T5??

Just looking around at what's new elsewhere - thought I'd take a look at the Peugeot** website as we've heard good things about the new larger Expert range. They look very good actually but I'm amazed how expensive they are!! Maybe they'll be some big discounts around?

http://www.peugeot.co.uk/ppp/cgi-bin/ppkfcwebuk/ppplp1101_02 .jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0102505191.1179654494@@@@&BV_Engin eID=cccdaddkmhdikgicefecfgmdfgodffk.0&_strLCDV=2pg91& ;_strModeHTML=1

sorry to hear your aggro VW aint doing themselves any favours.i hope you
get it sorted to your satisfaction