Thinking of buying T3 - some advice please

Post by **5rise** » 09 Mar 2008, 17:56

Hi, have been hovering around the T4 forum for a while, gleaning info to buy one in order to replace my stolen Land Rover. However, whilst T4 looks eminently sensible, I've come to the conclusion it is basically a van, and there might be an "Emporer's new clothes" syndrome occuring on the T4 forum.
The T3, though, strikes me as something having a bit more character and an obvious lineage from the older types, but I know nowt about 'em. Therefore, a few questions:
can it be noisey for passengers in the back having the engine there? are some engines worse than others for this?
How bad is the performance of the 1.6 td - what would be the comfortable top speed and average mpg? Can it run on biodiesel?
I'm not looking for a camper, just something with row of seats in the back and 3 point seatbelts.

Cheers for now
Jon

Post by **Mocki** » 09 Mar 2008, 18:14

what you need is http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=31156
quiet, quick, cheaper to run than diesel, and already seated up.....
and it isnt a plumbers van

Post by **5rise** » 09 Mar 2008, 18:19

Cheers for that but I'm afraid I have a bit of a fetish for diesel!

Post by **Mocki** » 09 Mar 2008, 19:07

im sure you can get treatment for that........

Post by **BigTam** » 09 Mar 2008, 19:40

, you mentioned performance and 1.6 TD in the same sentence, performance will not be an issue, there is none, stick to a steady 60 mph and you will get around 35 mpg, even from a heavy westy camper,

Post by **5rise** » 09 Mar 2008, 20:24

So, bit of a plodder then! What about noise in the back can it be a problem?
Cheers Jon

Post by **BigTam** » 09 Mar 2008, 20:39

Once up and running they are not noisy and it will plod on quite happily,

Post by **andysimpson** » 09 Mar 2008, 21:44

Reality is all engines fitted in t25's are pathetic, diesel is the best of the bunch and can be easily replaced with a later 1.9 which is much better than the petrols.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 10 Mar 2008, 11:39

much better than the petrols

oh oh.

Heres the new owners section on the wiki

http://wiki.80-90.co.uk/index.php/Main_ ... ive_Owners

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 10 Mar 2008, 15:16

Gassed (LPG converted) 2.1 petrol .... injection OR carb. Plenty of power to be comfy even on the biggest hills AND a reasonable running cost which equates roughly to a TurD.

Quiet, smooth, green ..... just do it.

Ian.

Post by **BigTam** » 10 Mar 2008, 15:52

Ian Hulley wrote:which equates roughly to a TurD.

Ahem, Mr Hulley, I resemble that remark,

Post by **5rise** » 10 Mar 2008, 18:28

Lovely, thanks for all that. I'd looked at the Wiki but missed the "prospective owners" bit, so will plough through that now.
Cheers
Jon

Post by **Mocki** » 10 Mar 2008, 18:36

hahahaha, someone has been at the pop again.......

Post by **andysimpson** » 10 Mar 2008, 18:39

Ian Hulley wrote:Gassed (LPG converted) 2.1 petrol .... injection OR carb. Plenty of power to be comfy even on the biggest hills AND a reasonable running cost which equates roughly to a TurD.

Quiet, smooth, green ..... just do it.

Ian.

Depends on yor idea of plenty of power.

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 10 Mar 2008, 18:44

andysimpson wrote:
Ian Hulley wrote:Gassed (LPG converted) 2.1 petrol .... injection OR carb. Plenty of power to be comfy even on the biggest hills AND a reasonable running cost which equates roughly to a TurD.

Quiet, smooth, green ..... just do it.

Ian.

Depends on yor idea of plenty of power.

Andy, 'plenty of power' to get to the extent of an un-modified 2 tonne camper's handling capabilities, the national speed limit

AND as fast as I like to safely go AND stop. Besides .... I'm nearly 43 and if I want to drive like (what's left of) my hair's on fire have a Scirocco.

Ian.