T4 or T5?

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   I'm a happy T3 (T3) owner for 15 years looking to buy something newer and more reliable. The van will be used as a daily driver and for holidays. I'm looking to spend £10-15k on something that will last for the *next* 15 years. Here's what I want:

* "weekender" arrangement ( i.e. no fitted kitchen units)
* swivel front seats
* rear seats that I can move nearer the front for more sociable journeys
* full-width bed
* skinny storage down one side
* removal kitchen cube
* rubberised floor
* pop-top (for standing, not sleeping)
* tailgate, not barn door
* clear glass all round (not smoked)
* plain "pepperpot" wheels (don't like alloys)
* no bling

I'm not concerned about top speed so long as I can cruise at 70. Reliability is more important.

T4 or T5? Engine? Local Bristol garages, bodyshops, conversion workshops?

many thanks

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pootle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 02 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 105	Post Options Post Reply Quote pootle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: T4 or T5? Posted: 18 Feb 12 at 19:01
	I'm a happy T3 (T3) owner for 15 years looking to buy something newer and more reliable. The van will be used as a daily driver and for holidays. I'm looking to spend £10-15k on something that will last for the next 15 years. Here's what I want: * "weekender" arrangement ( i.e. no fitted kitchen units) * swivel front seats * rear seats that I can move nearer the front for more sociable journeys * full-width bed * skinny storage down one side * removal kitchen cube * rubberised floor * pop-top (for standing, not sleeping) * tailgate, not barn door * clear glass all round (not smoked) * plain "pepperpot" wheels (don't like alloys) * no bling I'm not concerned about top speed so long as I can cruise at 70. Reliability is more important. T4 or T5? Engine? Local Bristol garages, bodyshops, conversion workshops? many thanks
	Pootle 1989 1.9DG wasserboxer

jason k Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group twinklerims Joined: 14 Jan 05 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13722	Post Options Post Reply Quote jason k Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Feb 12 at 21:58
	Buy the best latest t4 you can get and hang on to it.
	Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself

gregozedobe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 22 Dec 06 Location: Canberra, Oz Status: Offline Points: -999152	Post Options Post Reply Quote gregozedobe Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Feb 12 at 23:56
	WHS ^ Get one that has been properly maintained and you're off to a head start. General consensus is that T5s are less reliable than T4s.
	ELVIS: "apply accuracy/brevity/clarity rule before you put ones fingers near the keyboard." 2006 VW T5.0 LWB van 2.5 TDI 174hp manual(white) 2008 Skoda Octavia RS Wagon 2.0 TFSI 197hp manual(yellow)

Desp Dan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Simple Pieman Joined: 08 Oct 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1628	Post Options Post Reply Quote Desp Dan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 12 at 07:04
	T4 all the way
	Brickwerks Official Chef www.kerbsidekustoms.com

BANANABUS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak More Like BanBus! Joined: 01 Jul 07 Location: W YORKS Status: Offline Points: 1985	Post Options Post Reply Quote BANANABUS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 12 at 19:39
	Havin had both t4(2000) 2.5tdi for coming upto 8 years and 125k (90k of my miles) T5 Velle from new 2009 and 10k miles . The t5 was the biggest pile of Shit! I've ever had the misfortune to own/drive. List of faults as long as my arm ended up going back for a refund after 18 months. The t4 on the other hand has been spot on Only ever serviced it ,+ steering rack at about 100k Sounds like you want a late Multivan ! Even better a Multivan II if you don't mind LHD The set up you are after sounds very much like mine. Front swivels Multivan seats front and rear Eberspacher night heater Reimo "weekender" units Multivan rubber floor Elevating roof Edited by BANANABUS - 19 Feb 12 at 19:47
	Committed To Famine Relief. Last Week I Sucked Off An Ethiopian I'm Not Arguing,I'm Explaining Why I Am Right

kawolsky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 12 Mar 09 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 1279	Post Options Post Reply Quote kawolsky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 12 at 20:49
	Just drive them both,, not at the same time as it's really difficult..... And buy the one you prefer!

pootle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 02 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 105	Post Options Post Reply Quote pootle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 12 at 21:24
	Thanks for all the advice. I really want a van to last a LONG time and I've heard a few horror stories about T5s. A lifelong VW-owning friend of mine who wanted a brand new van actually bought a french filth Trafic rather than a T5. Ouch! I know lots of people love and defend T5s but I can't afford to take the chance.
	Pootle 1989 1.9DG wasserboxer

gregozedobe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 22 Dec 06 Location: Canberra, Oz Status: Offline Points: -999152	Post Options Post Reply Quote gregozedobe Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 12 at 08:52
	Some T5s seem to go forever with very few problems, but far too many have a range of problems and some are absolute dogs. There are way too many "common faults" that seem to be designed in weaknesses. Some were fixed in later vans, but even the later vans (facelift on) seem to have some new problems of their own.
	ELVIS: "apply accuracy/brevity/clarity rule before you put ones fingers near the keyboard." 2006 VW T5.0 LWB van 2.5 TDI 174hp manual(white) 2008 Skoda Octavia RS Wagon 2.0 TFSI 197hp manual(yellow)

antn1.b Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: chichester Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote antn1.b Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Mar 12 at 21:16
	i can't speak for the t5 itself but i have a crafter that is a year and half old as a company van and having seen the problems its had in its first year i will be avoiding modern vw's from now on. unfortunately i feel vw will be loosing the "cult" following with these later vans. we all know how popular the split screens, bay windows, wedges and now the t4's are becoming as they age but i just can't see it happening with the t5. me and the crafter got off on a bad note from the start with it dumping its engine oil on the drive 24 hours after collecting it brand new having covered 12 miles since then its had nothing but electrical faults. the t5 may very well be different but I've seen enough to be glad it wasn't my money put into the van.

little.legs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 13 Oct 08 Location: West Yorks Status: Offline Points: 277	Post Options Post Reply Quote little.legs Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 21:24
	I like my t4, only had general service parts and the failing brake pads to deal wit. 2.5tdi with stainless decat exhaust. Goes well and good fuel economy for a big van with full professional camper conversion. Mates got a t5 with basic camper interior, bit more frugal on the fuel and no issues so far...) go for the best you can afford with as full a history as you can get.
	where's mi t'hammer