[Closed] VW Van - Buyer regret

Had a California and deluded myself it was worth it. Sold it and haven't looked back!

I drive an older T5, don't regret it but if buying new I'd go for the Transit. Transit custom wasn't old enough to have dropped into my price bracket when I bought.

does the VW have to be DSG?

had a few hired Transits for work. build quality seemed sketchy. one rattled like crazy (450km on the clock). thought my T5 with 165,000 miles to be a better, more refined drive.

the Pug/Citroens look good from the outside. not been inside one.

#notaVWdubfanboi

I've got a Peugeot Expert and have had a T5 in the past. I'd not have another Expert, it's been reliable enough but is started to drop to pieces around my ears of late, nothing major just little electrical and trim niggles. I'm going Transit next time I think.

NZCol - Member

Had a California and deluded myself it was worth it. Sold it and haven't looked back!

think a Cali is bit different from a workhorse...

Indeed.
I did have a 1.9tdi Transporter. Chucked a driveside driveshaft twice, was the most unreliable 2 year old van ever.
Is that enough balance ?

I've had my t5 for 4 years 56k on the clock

New gearbox, clutch and release br
2 sets of disks for the rear.
I drive like miss daisy but the van is full of work stuff and only just under its limit.
So happy I'm not paying for its upkeep

[I]but they all drive really nicely. The Tranny being the best imo.[/I]

Isn't this the actually answer?

Transit all the way.

I've had a Mk7 for almost 6 years, in that time it's passed every MOT and in the first 5 years only used four tyres and a couple of bulbs.

I drove a Transport T5, really well kitted out, and it felt really bland to drive.

I've got a Caddy too, and the T5 felt like a bigger, slower version.

The new Transit Customs are lovely, the interior is streets ahead of the VWs. Streets.

Get a Transit test drive, I promise you won't want anything else after 😉

I've had my t5 for 4 years 56k on the clock

New gearbox, clutch and release br
2 sets of disks for the rear.

This is what gets me. That just shouldn't happen on something which costs so much more.
Selling a £30K van with pathetic headlights (seems well documented on forums) is also out of order. LED upgrade is nearly £1700. Important for me as I do a lot of dark winter miles.

I'm currently driving an old shape Dispatch. Nowhere near as refined as the newer stuff but overall a good machine.

I'm happy with the way this is going, steering me away from the expensive option. 🙂

Exact thought process as mark90....

Did you test drive the new dispatch/expert? How was it?

The new Transit Customs are lovely, the interior is streets ahead of the VWs. Streets.

I've driven both in the past few weeks. I wouldn't say it was that much better, but yes, it was a nicer place to sit. Even has a nice carpet covered bulkhead!
Heated screen would also be nice.

Did you test drive the new dispatch/expert? How was it?

Yes. Just the 115 version though. It was great. Handling is nice, but the Tranny was a bit quieter. Road noise was better damped.

The grip control option really appeals. More power too, but 130 is plenty for me tbh.
The auto box is relatively new though so not much long term reliability knowledge out there.

Not van to van comparison but, I looked at the price of a new California. Then I looked at the price of a new, top of the range, Jaguar.

I bought a Jaguar.

Indeed. I was quite keen for a 4Motion van as it might be handy from time to time. £40K+ though. 😯

We do this all the time, we've been looking at new vans this week, and have settled on the Citroen Relay L1H1 in 3.3t enterprise version, citroen UK will sell them to us at 11900 +vat, which is crazy cheap compared to analysing else put there!

Guy I know just had a high spec. VW van with DSG box, they've just taken it back, nothing but trouble from the outset.

Transit.

Had Transit, Vito, and VW. Transit...they are better...to drive to run but it is just an opinion

Buy a rotten 1970s VW van to truly experience buyer regret.... 🙂 Love seeing all the folks who bought their 'dream' camper and realised it was cold, slow, small and unreliable.

Vito or a Sprinter would be my goto

72 Westy reporting for duty. Took it out of storage today for a spin. Grin factor10 accomplished

I bought a T5 nearly five years ago and haven't regretted it. It's been almost faultless despite me being really slack with maintenance. I got the 2.5 with the 6 speed box so it pulls pretty hard but also gives good MPG on a run.

But the best thing about having a van is what you do with it. I've been to the Alps in it every summer and I've slept in it all over the UK using it for work and long weekends. Obviously I could do all this in any van.

I'm not currently in the market but I'd jump at the chance to swap for a new Transit.

I've got a 2 year old dispatch which I've looked after from new, it's started falling apart now, clutch slipping at 28k, knocking noises, parts falling off, electrical problems. It's put me right off getting another French van.

I've got an 03 plate T4 camper, bought cheaply off a friend. 228,000 miles, has needed some stuff doing over three years but considering the purchase price I'm happy enough.

If I was buying new, or nearly new then no way would I go VW. I don't see where the money goes when compared with the options you've looked at. We are looking at larger vans for a bigger conversation in a few years. It'll be a merc sprinter for sure.

I have a 2008 t5 with 2.5 and 200hp. Its on 250k miles and a lot of that is laden and towing, and never broken down or nothing gone wrong.

I overhauled it at 230k, and should give me at least another 100k without bother.

T5's are great if you have a good un..

My next bus will be the new Vito as the same spec bus comes in 8k cheaper than the VW

Pepper is that a trade deal on the Citroen - thats a good price - cheaper than I can see anywhere.

Relay L1H1 is a bargain, but Fiat Ducato has a better engine with their 2.3 multijet. At those prices you could buy two and still have change instead of a VW.

My Mk7 transit is the most uncomfortable vehicle I've ever owned!
Our works Fiat Ducato is falling apart at 28k was dirt cheap new though (£12k ish). The one thing the French are good at is galvanising their vans-bodywork wise they are miles better than Merc/Ford
For me if I had the money it would be a Sprinter (just not in white). Boring inside but comfortable and can do mega mileages. Also very good residuals if looked after.

Lwb Sprinter here and loving it. Never seen the appeal if spending so much cash on a tiny vw.

Loads of Transits being broken into as you can buy Transit skeletob keys on Amazon. Lots of connects having the side doors pealed back..

T5 owner (T32 technically) . As much as it's a reasonably versatile workhorse/family wagon, next time I'll be getting a Merc.

Just bought a t6 highline. Really wanted to like the transit custom but just didn't like the cabin/interior. In the end there wasn't much in prices after the trade in

I've got a 2 year old dispatch which I've looked after from new, it's started falling apart now, clutch slipping at 28k, knocking noises, parts falling off, electrical problems. It's put me right off getting another French van.

The dispatch is an italian platform. they were derivitives of the scudo.

my dad had a 14 plate for 2 years. it was a bollocks. New clutch and main seal at 9k new rear axle at 12 and a complete front suspension rebuild with wishbones and all bushes/shocks at 60k.

on the ramp with the breaker bar the whole front end moved in all directions with visible play everywheres...

I certainly dont want a dispatch but im having another berlingo and would love a boxer/relay for a camper conversion.

Lots of [s]connects[/s]vans having the side doors pealed back..

If you are buying for business, isn't the question:

"how does the VW earn me more than the extra that it costs to buy?"

If it is extra cost without any extra benefit, are you happy to work for nothing for the extra time it will take to pay back that 10,000 quid ?

As Cranberry has just said - how will a more expensive van make me more money?

When I looked at my last van I would have to earn another £1000 a year just to drive a Transit over my Renault. Couldn't work out how it was going to earn me that money.

Depends how much time you spend in it really. My Expert is so so in terms of driving etc. But It was cheap, which as I only work local is more important than being comfy for mile munching.

I guess new is a different story.

I've got friends who are tradesmen who use their vans for riding with at weekends. Generally they are low rent, cheap French tat. In every sense. I wouldn't want to spend any amount of time in one. But they are cheap to rent I guess.

Newer transit seems good - It seems to be a noticeable step up in quality.

I'm not sure from a business perspective it makes sense to plough an extra £10k into a VW.

I don't regret buying mine, but I am starting to think leasing is the way forward for the next one.

Also what are you going to be doing with it for work, these VW are fairly snobby about stuff so any dings and scratches are going to hammer your residuals 😉 by residuals I obviously mean deposit that you store in the van rather than in the bank...
Longer term it will be interesting to see if VW how the leisure market changes with these newer vans trickling down and tough times coming up.

Food for thought. I'm just about to press the button on a camper and was all set for the usual T5 based conversion - nearly new so 14 or 15 plate as it will be a daily driver as well so don't want to go for a high mileage older van - they don't seem to be that much cheaper - less than 10k cheaper on a van with over 100k miles more on the clock.

The plan for me is to never own the thing, just finance it, run it for a few years while the kids are young and once we've had our fun out of it sell up and clear the outstanding finance so the better residuals of the T5 seem more attractive. Would prefer a Transit though as they just look better and I know the 2.2TDCi engine is a peach as I've got one in my SMax, but not many around that have been converted and not sure of the residuals.

Are the VW's that much more unreliable than others or is it another classic case of the internet pedalling only one side of the story and losing all context?

If you are buying for business, isn't the question:

"how does the VW earn me more than the extra that it costs to buy?"

Of course the beauty of buying it for your business means that £10k more van for joe public will cost you less than that.

(Transit Custom owner FWIW)

@wobbliscott what's the difference in the finance cost over the time? Does that extra borrowed cost you a chunk of your residuals? If your driving everyday does it make it a high miler when your done?
Residuals (as I said before deposit you keep in the glove box) only work if the conditions are right

Are the VW's that much more unreliable than others or is it another classic case of the internet pedalling only one side of the story and losing all context?

It can be tough sorting the evangelists from the haters at times.

I really fancied a transit custom, but at the time there was not much about for my budget of £12k, only base white models.

A riding buddy of mine has had hellish bother with his custom mind, but I'm sure you'll get many stories about all vans.

I doubt most of the opinions posted on the pug expert from experience of the new van. I agree that the new Expert looks great value for money and volume for size. The lack of auto in the combi ruled it out for me in the end.

The 'new' vito is in budget too. I test drove one, but settled on a cheaper 2nd hand van.

The vw costs more due to the badge...Transit or Mercedes-Benz would be my first choices...vw would be way down the list purely down to cost, overpriced compared to everything else.

However, I'm not a van owner and been years since I last properly drove any vans...

It can be tough sorting the evangelists from the haters at times.

Nobeerinthefridge was agreeing with me earlier in the thread, now I'm agreeing with him.

im a vw hater but for balance i also provided a case where a citroen was shit and now ill provide a case where a transit custom has been shit.

my neighbours works supplied custom - one of the early models. has had not just one but 2 replacement wiring looms.

as a result it sounds like an orange 5 riding down the stairs driving down anything other than a motorway.

All vehicles have their flaws... i just want the one that doesnt let me down in aukward places and doesnt cost me 3 arms and a leg to repair when it inevitably does go wrong.

I bought a new T6 Beach in October. Fantastic van so much better than any car for versatility and drives really nicely too. Agree the headlights aren't the best LEDs would be better. I paid for a service package which covers 6 years of servicing (at my low mileage ) and the first MOT. Hoping for low running costs over the next few years.

Be aware though delivery times are horrific, 8 months for mine so maybe best not going VW if you want it before summer.

I had to make a similar decision 2 years ago. I went with the Transit Custom. It seemed to me to be easily the best, and best equipped van on the market at the time, especially when cost was factored in.

I live in the Tweed Valley, so the obvious choice to fit in was a VW product, but I still went with the Tranny 🙂

I ended up selling my car and a pick-up I had as the van does everything I need - it's the only vehicle I own now.

It's not missed a beat in 2 years (as you'd expect), 30K miles first service, and only just replaced the front tyres (after nearly 30K miles). So you can add low running costs into the equation as well.

Don't get a Citreon van, we have a Relay here at work and it is truly the worst van in the world ever. Seats are horrible, it is like sitting at a dining room table and pushing your feet onto the floor to use the pedals. The steering wheel is near flat with the ground, it really does remind me of a bus driver. For some reason it feels really big, even though it isn't. 2nd hand value of these POS's is near nothing, if reselling is of interest.

We previously had a Transit and it was so much better, driving position, etc. VW's hold their value quite well, so I would consider one of those too, but the new Transits look really nice.

Or get an old transit and put that engine in your 'other car' on PH in it. 😉

Vdub owner but mines T4 bought cheap ex AA. Been all over UK Europe in it and has been used as work van. One breakdown which aint bad as 14 years old. Looks wise new Transit custom is way nicer and nice to drive. The cool VDub scene has gone too many people buying them as investment re/sale. The crazy outdoorsy hobos can't afford them anymore and T6's look bland.

Another option along the lines of the dispatch could be a Toyota Proace.
I've got the model based on the old dispatch/expert body style, however Toyota have updated their latest version to look completely different. Seems like there's a 2.0l
Version available so shouldn't be short on power.

We have a few Citroen Dispatch at work and the electrics are shocking. All of them are constantly blowing headlight bulbs. Like once a month or so!

They are on maintenance contracts, so it's not the end of the world, but I would be fuming if I was paying for them myself.

Tried all sorts of different bulbs, nothing lasts longer than a couple of months.

EDIT: I've just been out in our Relay, there is water leaking from the sun visor. 🙄 😆 The wood on the side door has somehow rotted away too.

We have a few Citroen Dispatch at work and the electrics are shocking. All of them are constantly blowing headlight bulbs. Like once a month or so!

It's something that I never fail to notice on my commute, the amount of french cars that have lighting faults, and not always old ones either.

the amount of french cars that have lighting faults, and not always old ones either.

TL:DR version...

VW vans... Ok, but very pricey.
French vehicles, poor quality, fall apart at 28k, but they're great value for money if you're running a business
Transit Customer, excellent build quality, cheaper than VW, but more than French vehicles

If you're buying for a business and don't do many miles, get a French vehicle - dispatch, expert

If you're buying for yourself, get a transit

If you're set on a VW and have spare cash, then get one.

Anything I've missed?

It's a shame Toyota didn't update the Hi ace. We ran them for a bit at work and they were utterly bombproof. Servicing costs were tiny and parts were cheap.
Had the drivers mirror knocked off by a truck, went to a Toyota dealer and a new complete mirror assembly was £11 in 2007.

The Transit Customs we use are pretty good but the door hinges can be troublesome. Also a bad tempered slam of the back doors can result in a very bent door.

The Vivaros/primastar/traffics were so unreliable they all got chopped in for transits.

pk13 - Member

I've had my t5 for 4 years 56k on the clock

New gearbox, clutch and release br
2 sets of disks for the rear.
I drive like miss daisy but the van is full of work stuff and only just under its limit.
So happy I'm not paying for its upkeep

for balance 207,000km....

original clutch and gearbox and most likely original release br (no idea what that is). original everything, although i have replaced the rear discs, but that is not surprising given the weight of the van.

Why would you want an auto?

IIRC the auto gearbox vito is generally considered to be more reliable than the manual.

[i]It's something that I never fail to notice on my commute, the amount of french cars that have lighting faults, and not always old ones either.[/I]

But also linked to the kind of folk that buy old (and cheap) French cars maybe - they CBA to even replace a broken bulb?

"Why would you want an auto?"

the more pressing question being why wouldnt you want an auto in a van.

It hardly ruins the "im nigel mansell racing experiance" the typical british driver exudes superiority over our american cousins while sat in traffic jams on the m25.

new autoboxes are miles away from the old slush boxes. Id have one in my next van in a heart beat.

The old slush boxes are better than a manual too. The slushbox in my wife's BMW 1 series is perfectly fine and much nicer than a manual, especially in traffic. Sure you can confuse it, but that, as with most things, is down to operator error. If you tell the box what you want it to do it does it. Its a machine - its only purpose in life is to obey commands. If you're hesitant or dilly dally about on the throttle you can trick it into doing something you don't want it to do, but that is driver error. You just need to be a bit more deliberate about your throttle inputs and it works a treat.

I've got a 2004 2.5l 130ps T5. It's ok. Drinks oil. Drives like a car. Build quality isn't any better than anything else.
Any plastic trim will come off any car if you pull on it.

Had a 2.3l 120bhp fiat ducato at previous job and it was fine. Great engine. Possibly pulls better than the t5. Keep it simple design inside and in the back. Solid enough. 1.9 100bhp ducato that replaced it was a bit wet loaded up.

Old shape Experts on the fleet were horrid. Soggy clutches abd woolly steering. Fast enough though.

Doblo was fantastic. Beats the Ford connect hands down. No idea about the vw caddy in that size range.

Perfectly happy with my T5. Not worth the extra money though I don't think.

Why auto? Given the choice, I think anyone choosing manual must be bonkers in a modern vehicle. All that tedious clutch nonsense.

Good to see in true ST fashion, the consensus is slightly blurred 🙂

I'm more drawn to the Transit than anything now. I've read about the door hinge issue and they've apparently been changed.

I currently have a Dispatch and it's a good van. Prone to blowing drivers side headlight bulb every six months or so as mentioned above. It's easy to replace though so no biggie.

Milkie - Member
EDIT: I've just been out in our Relay, there is water leaking from the sun visor. The wood on the side door has somehow rotted away too.

Side (rear) windows in Transporters have been leaking since forever too. Maybe vans shouldn't be water tight?

Get an Iveco Daily. Proper van. Never owned one so did not mention it previously. But had a company car as one (I always had vans rather than cars years ago for tax purposes and preferred driving the van and convenience of it). Can't comment on running and service costs as 1 it never broke down in 4 years usage and 2 I didn't pay any service cost's, the company did. But as a daily drive and vehicle it was, in my opinion, better than the other vans I have owned. Transit and Escort VW Caddy and Transporter Mercedes-Benz Vito

Didnt pay to fuel the iveco either 🙂

^^ very true

Iveco daily would be way too big for me. I'd need a ladder to access my ladder.

Can't comment on the T6 DSG (or whatever they call the auto now) but was advised to avoid when I was searching for my T5 as they weren't up to the job (VAG car design)

FWIW you'll find T5 owners who are scathing / evangelical about the different engine choices in the T5 with some rating the 2.5 for the extra power and chain cam while others prefer the reliability of the 1.9.

Would imagine there's going to be similar debates when the T6 starts turning up second hand.

I've also been a T5 Multivan owner for the past ten or so years. Two in that time. We have the facelift version now after our older version got whisked away to Eastern Europe in the middle of the night. We had more problems with the older version (needed new clutch after 30 000km and complete new air con unit) but the 2.5 engine was better at towing our caravan than the 1.9 in the newer one. We have had no major problems with this one apart from Mrs Stern hitting things with it 🙄 and it is approaching the 100 000km mark fairly soon. We are possibly in the market for a new van later this year and TBH I am quite impressed with the Transit. Took one for a test drive and liked the finishing details (rear camera with picture appearing in rear view miror, heated front windscreen etc) but one thing putting me off is a client of mine has 6 Transits as work vans all bought new at the same time and three of them needed new gear boxes one month after the guarantee ran out. I also quite like the look of the Mercedes but there is a bit of a stigma attached to them if you are self employed (Germans think you charge too much if you dive a Mercedes) even if they are actually cheaper than the T6!

There is a SWB Daily

Thread resurrection!

I went for the Pug. 1300 miles in, I'm very pleased with it.

The auto box is great, wafting along on 400 torques. Its very slick, apart from very low speed when it can be a little hesitant.
The van is very much more refined than the previous model - not letting the speed creep up can be an issue as it's so much smoother.

The touchscreen is fairly shite though. I think they got a job lot of processors from old BBC computers to run them.

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Good luck.

For those of you considering a T6 avoid the 150 DSG. A colleague of mine has one and it's spent more time back at VW than on the road. It's an issue with the adblue system which causes the engine management light to come on. So far after four or five roadside recoveries VW are none the wiser and relying on Germany for diagnosis. He's at his wits end with it.

Nice van fella.