T3 Oettinger conversion - what is it?

[Solent]

Really pleased to have recently found this website - I'm hoping to buy a T25 really soon, so this place looks great.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is an Oettinger conversion (link below)? I'm thinking of buying this camper (privately, no longer on Ebay). But I'm finding it hard to find much information about the Oettinger conversion. The seller tells me the engine is 1.9 petrol, but tuned up to drive more like a 2.1. They have also lowered the suspension. It looks in good nick, but I'm a bit worried it has had the "boy racer" treatment and been thrashed. Any thoughts / advice welcome.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 043wt_1022" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[eatcustard]

Oettinger are a good engine tuning Co.

Does the seller have all receipts for the conversion?
What is the BHP of the engine now? (a 2.1 is 112BHP)
132k miles could mean near end of engine life.

Lots of people lower the suspension, so that's not a problem

[Solent]

Yes, they have all the receipts (in German!) from the conversion, which took place in Germany when there were about 15K miles on the clock. There is lots of service history since then too.

The 132K miles is an error - that's the reading in kilometers! So actually it's about 81K miles. The seller is suggesting the engine was effectively re-built when it was converted, so that makes it more like 66K miles since re-build.

I'll have to ask about the BHP.

[eatcustard]

If the body work is good, go for it

The extra power will make a world of difference over a standard 1.9 (79 BHP)

and welcome

[Solent]

Any thoughts on the price? I think it's in good condition and ready to go. Seller is offering a service and new MOT on sale. It's a reputable garage. I think they'll take around £6,000.

[eatcustard]

If body work is good and engine sounds sweet its is probably the right price.

It looks good in the pics

[Solent]

Thanks for all your input - I'll keep you posted. Hopefully (if a good poke goes well) I'll put a deposit down this week.

[g60steve]

Any thoughts on the price? I think it's in good condition and ready to go. Seller is offering a service and new MOT on sale. It's a reputable garage. I think they'll take around £6,000.

Oettinger are indeed good but engine parts are famous for being difficult to get hold of.

"The seller tells me the engine is 1.9 petrol, but tuned up to drive more like a 2.1"

In the eBay listing it's stated as being 2095cc so has it had bigger barrels and pistons fitted?

If i was spending £6000 on a van it would be on a Westfalia fitted with an engine that parts are readily available for.If you're having trouble finding info on Oettinger now just think what finding replacements parts is like.

Good luck.

[fullsunian]

Don't know about the van but the guy who runs Kombi Klassics is a nice bloke, got me out of the "pooh" last year on holiday
IAN

[chuckle-bus-tom]

http://wbx6.com/index.html

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/wbx6- ... ml?KW=WBX6

A couple of bits of info about Oettinger and T25s, although mainly about the the 6 cylinder Wasserboxer (WBX6). If its not a WBX6 in this van, then it may have just been tuned by Oettinger, who mainly tune golfs and passats etc now.

[Solent]

I think this is definitely not a WBX6 - apparently it's pretty much a standard 1.9 engine, tuned up a bit. Going to have a proper look round it tomorrow, I'll keep you posted.

[g60steve]

WBX6's are by their name...6 cylinders and start at 3200cc.

Oettinger did make a WBX4 though but they tended to be in high spec tin top vans and,as far as i know,never in an early van with a upturned boat on it's roof.

[Solent]

Maybe this is a red herring, but I found this brochure on the WBX6.com website:

http://wbx6.com/pagina3a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems to date from 1983, which is the right age for this bus. But my German isn't up to making any sense of it! Looks like a range of upgrade options for the T3?

[gti mad man]

did u buy it as its sold?

[Solent]

No, it's not sold. The ebay listing has just expired. I saw it today.

Here's what the engine looks like if you're interested. There's plenty of paperwork from Oettinger to go with the work on the engine in 1988. The engine is registered as a 2.1 rather than a 1.9, so obviously they have enlarged the barrels and pistons.

I don't think this one is for me. The background with Oettinger is just too confusing. And who did the internal conversion to a campervan is a complete mystery. Plus the paperwork suggests the previous owner spent over £1k on repairs in 3 months at the end of last year.

Back to the drawing board, I suppose. Any suggestions?