synchro on ebay

[janieh]

Hi All

I'm new to all this, in the market for a VW camper at the moment and have come across this synchro in London on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0346073832

We've arranged to go and view it, but I know that synchros are pretty popular at the moment and wondering what a fair price is likely to be. From the photo's it looks like it's in quite good condition, but obviously I can't really tell till we get there. The seller said that he's got quite a few people coming to view it today so I guess it might get expensive.

Any advice on specific things to look out for, or a guide on prices would be welcome!
Thanks.

[andisnewsyncro]

All I can say is read as much as possible before you go and view, decide if you really want a Syncro and ask them anything you're not certain of. I'm sure someone on here might well know this van, but I'm also pretty certain it's NOT a Westie interior, let alone roof, which you might want to double check; the word "Westfalia" does carry a premium (rightly or wrongly) but make sure you are getting what you pay for.
Good luck
Andi

[janieh]

All I can say is read as much as possible before you go and view, decide if you really want a Syncro and ask them anything you're not certain of. I'm sure someone on here might well know this van, but I'm also pretty certain it's NOT a Westie interior, let alone roof, which you might want to double check; the word "Westfalia" does carry a premium (rightly or wrongly) but make sure you are getting what you pay for.
Good luck
Andi

Thanks Andi

Yes it's a right hand drive, so my understanding is that the interior may be westfalia kit, but that it wasn't installed originally. And no, at this point we're not really sure if we do want a synchro. Just thought it was worth a look at this one. We aren't intending to do any off-roading. Likely to be using it to go camping round the UK and Europe. I'm not sure if we'll go for a synchro if they attract a premium.

Cheers, Jane

[andisnewsyncro]

Hi Jane,
What I meant was it doesn't look like Westy furniture or roof. (A handy extra seach word to throw into your adverts though )
Have a good look and then decide what it's worth to you, if not this one there will be others. There are lots of conversions out there, so don't rule anything out, view each van on its relative merits.
Andi

[jed the spread]

Looks like a remo interior to me.I like them better than the westies were in London is it?

jed

[toomanytoys]

Syncro's (no "H" ) are potentially... no scrap that... ARE more expensive to run... and I dont mean in fuel... there are a lot more specialised components under them that can get very costly to replace.. if you dont need the 4wd capability, are not really mechanical and/or dont have a reasonably deep pockets for when things do go wrong, then I would advise against a Syncro...

"needs a speedo cable" prob more likely the speedo drive in the front diff has broken.. not as easy or simple as a cable I am afraid... not too costly to do though...

[Russel]

It is a reimo roof and interiour.
This van was on ebay not to long ago(a few months)

[Ray]

Yas I had the speedo cable broken story when I bought mine. was the spindle drive in diff, cost £120 then and took ages to locate one for the correct diff code. Interior looks a bit like an EMC one (Reimo parts). Looks not bad in pictures - expect it will increase in price! One went for over £5k last week and had the prop off for summer!! no wonder it had different tyres on front and rear"!

[KarlT]

Ad says nothing about 4x4 stuff, I'd expect none of it to work, & how does he know its done less than 95,000 miles. If you're really not bothered about having a syncro don't buy one, plenty of good 2wd out there.

[Ye Olde Syncrospares]

its a shed,and i sold the previous owner a speedo cable so why doesnt the speedo work?its old its rusty its transmision is uknown its a kit van with bad bodywork and a slow motor,somedody will end up with it and then itll be back on ebay in 2 months,cj.

[Cliffbase]

I would be vary wary of anyone selling a Syncro and not knowing how to spell it, and suggesting it has a Westy interior - that isnt.
Owned the van for 3 months....speedo stuck....has done less than 95K....
How do they know that?

Sorry, looks like a wrong 'un to me.

[janieh]

Hi Jane,
What I meant was it doesn't look like Westy furniture or roof. (A handy extra seach word to throw into your adverts though )
Have a good look and then decide what it's worth to you, if not this one there will be others. There are lots of conversions out there, so don't rule anything out, view each van on its relative merits.
Andi

Oh right, I get it. I wouldn't be able to tell, however, the seller claims it's a westfalia, but he admitted he knows little about them. It's owned by a couple of Aussies who've gone round europe for a few months but are going back to Australia in a few weeks. The interior looked in pretty good nick. It's more the rust I'm bothered about!

[janieh]

Looks like a remo interior to me.I like them better than the westies were in London is it?

jed

It's near westbourne park. The interior did look ok to me, not that I know much about it!

[janieh]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

We went to see it tonight and it does look pretty rusty. There's some proper holes in the rust under the windows. I'm pretty sure we're not going to go for it. Mainly due to the rust, and also I think we'd be better off with a 2WD.

However, I've uploaded some photos as I'd appreciate people's comments on the level of rust. It looked quite bad to me, but they claimed it was nothing too serious and would get through an MOT. I want to be able to judge these things for myself a bit better. I've no idea how much work it would be to deal with this amount of rust.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jane.hers ... ncroCamper#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, another thing we were thinking is that seat belts for the back seat would be good, but if they are not there in the first place does that mean they can't be added?

cheers
Jane

[andisnewsyncro]

CJ's reply says it all really.

As has also been mentioned, everything on a Syncro is more complicated and costly than a 2WD. From your photos it looks like it's well past it's best and unless you want a big resto project and love welding......

It possibly would go through another MOT as the seller has told you, but that doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with it and those windows are not going to get better without lots of cutting out and welding in new panels.

For the sake of 40 quid, why aren't they selling it with a full year's test?

Fitting rear belts is the least of your worries, there's loads of info on here about how to go about it, but personally, I'd give this particular van a very wide berth - typical "student / Gumtree" type ad and condition, not what you want I dont think, especially at the price it's probably going to fetch on there.

Keep looking, something will turn up

Andi