Model advice

[T25Wannabe]

Hi,

I posted a message in the General Chat section yesterday and received replies so quickly I was amazed!!

Anyways I have decided to post here with greater information as to what I think I would like and wanted some feedback!

First of all let me say I did not realise there were quite so many models/conversions etc..!

Basically at the moment its me and my girlfriend looking to purchase one. I am looking to use it as my daily driver (at least for a while - I live close to work)...

I am leaning towards the 1.6TD engine, primarily for performance and fuel consumption reasons... (although the alternative of a petrol engine that can be later upgraded to LPG is interesting...)

I am considering basically waiting for summer to pass and purchasing one over the winter/spring months ready for next year.. (This way I avoid purchasing the first thing I see!)

After doing some serious googling, I am interested in a high top model (Quite a tall person and appreciate the extra room available) ... I have been looking at the Autohomes/Autosleeper models, along with the Westfalia California..

I prefer the square light look which I believe is the later 1991-92 models, RHD is a definite must.

I will of course get out and about over this summer to have a look at some in more detail at some of the VW events...

Does anyone have any views/experience of anything I have just posted? Also is there like a list somewhere of all the main variants of Type 25, with an overview of the differences?!

[Grun]

T25Wannabe,
Have you looked here........

Buyers guide in Wiki

I think I am correct in saying that Westfalia conversions are left hand drive, although I have a right hand drive Westie Bay Window.
Happy hunting.

Mike

[Mocki]

true westys are only LHD, that is correct, however there are some that were cloned using twin sliding RHD vans........

LPG is much cheaper to run than 1.6 Derv, 55pl v 138ppl

[T25Wannabe]

God this place is great, I never knew Westfalia's were LHD (I mean I know they were German based - I just assumed they made some for the UK market)...

OK, I shall keep looking.. its good in a way because I can really now cross them off the list (Narrowing the decision pool)

And thanks for the link to the buyers guide.. I have given it a good read!

[kevtherev]

oh there's the 'garage' section (top of the page)

and in the wiki there are some 'conversion' pics

[dubsta]

LHD drive is really easy to get used, I'd try one before you dismiss it out of hand. Westfalias are the best conversions by a long way - top quality factory production. The German vans also tend to be better looked after, though not always. Californias and Atlantics have a lot of high tech refinements, like power steering etc, which make a lot of difference to the drive

I'd look for a TD model. lpg vs diesel on price isn't a realistic comparison as lpg will not return the mpg of diesel.

Personally I would avoid converted UK panel vans and look for a Westy try www.eastfalia.com Steve imports really good vans also www.campervans4u.com Andy similarly only imports good stuff or will find you the right one.

[kevtherev]

LHD drive is really easy to get used, I'd try one before you dismiss it out of hand. Westfalias are the best conversions by a long way - top quality factory production. The German vans also tend to be better looked after, though not always. Californias and Atlantics have a lot of high tech refinements, like power steering etc, which make a lot of difference to the drive

I'd look for a TD model. lpg vs diesel on price isn't a realistic comparison as lpg will not return the mpg of diesel.

Personally I would avoid converted UK panel vans and look for a Westy try www.eastfalia.com Steve imports really good vans also www.campervans4u.com Andy similarly only imports good stuff or will find you the right one.

The 1.6TD is the best of all the diesel units originally available in the T3. Even so, it's not quick - you'll be lucky to cruise at anything more than 60. In a nutshell: economical but slow. With petrol you've always got the option to go LPG which increases your range and is a darn sight cheaper at the pump. I like diesels myself, but it's each to their own. If you get a chance to drive them both, I'd just go for whichever you like more.

30mpg (DIN) or 29.7mpg (UTAC?) @ 56mph for a 5 speed caravelle

I can achieve 35 mpg on a run, around 30 mpg in town. (1.6TD)

With the current price of Diesel (129.99 /ltr) I get around 60 miles to £10.00, is this about right or am i using as much fuel as i do in engine oil .

Hi all, I've come back with the figures for my trip producing 34 mpg. (petrol)
Keswick, brim full, 93,446. Sedgemoor Services, brim full, 40.6 Litres 93,755.
309 miles 40.6 litres. unless your ltr/gallon conversion is different to mine that's 34+ mpg. Speedo checked against GPS over a long period reads 2-3 mph fast and I drove at indicated +.
As this is a bit off topic, ie LPG MPG I will close with these comments.
Thanks for all the comments and banter. It's nice to have a forum with good natured banter instead of whats on some other forums I know of.
I will be following the debate on LPG carefully for a bit while getting estimates
for the conversion. Any recomendations?
Thanks
Dave

at the rate diesel is rising in price I think it should be a comparison
including the polution that they produce... soot and So2

LPG is cleaner and Flat fours love it

Diesel just ain't VW in my opinion

[dubsta]

lpg is still a petro chemical -

Veg oil is 47p a litre - there is always the posibility of sticking a bit of that in with a diesel. LPG has quite an instalation cost so you need to factor that into your economy calculations plus it will inevitable rise in price. Plus you lose a considerable amount of internal storage.

My 1.6TD is well set up and serviced. Cruise at 70 returns approx 35mpg.

The 1.6TD is a great engine personally I'd steer clear of waterboxers as they have their own problems!

[kevtherev]

Veg oil is 47p a litre -

and lethal to fuel pumps

LPG has quite an instalation cost

recovered in 5000 miles

Plus you lose a considerable amount of internal storage.

not really...and certainly not with a hightop

The 1.6TD is a great engine personally I'd steer clear of waterboxers as they have their own problems!

don't we all dear

let's hope that whatever T25wannabe gets ... it has a good engine Diesel or petrol
and as you rightly say dubsta.. a well serviced engine is a better bet

[Willoughby]

Hi T25Wannabe

Where do you live, if you can visit one of the shows or local meets.
If you can get to vanfest http://www.vanfest.org/ you will get a good feel for the vans. Sometimes the van picks the owner like mine did.

As you can tell there is a split on most of the forums between Air/Water Petrol/Diesel/LPG/ and the alt's.

I have a 2.0L Aircooled converted to run on gas and there is not much between it and the 1.6TD.
I get better acceleration and miles to the pound. The Diesel is better on big long hills. IMO bodywork is everything

K

[Red Westie]

1.6TD don't really cruise at 70 (cruise means comfortable and true 70 is pushing it a bit in a 1.6TD) and they certainly don't return 35mpg when you're doing that speed (probably closer to 32)
Like others have said....by dismissing L/H/D you pretty much get rid of factory Westfalia and I think that is a shame.
I have absolutely no problems with L/H/D and power steering is a real bonus.
Martin

[shepster]

My advice would be to take bodywork into consideration everytime, it can be very expensive to put right.

Westies are very nice, especially the later ones but you will pay a premium.

They will hold their price better than most though which is obviously a plus point, i think the high tops look awful but opinions vary.

As for Diesel vs Petrol i know Two lads with Diesels and they have had endless problems with them, both bought from 'reputable dealers' i hasten to add.

I have only had petrol which runs on lpg and i prefer this, mechanically i have never had a problem but again plenty have.