What engine is best?

[itsawhalefish]

Hi

Back in the US I had a few VWs, last one being a Vanagon (T25) that I bought being told had a rebuilt engine, but 6 months later, the engine died, and was told it needed a rebuild... At the same time I had a Bug, and met my now wife on a VW forum from England.. Now I live here with her and we want a T25, curious whats better.... water cooled, air cooled, petrol, diesel?

Thanks!

[matt brighton]

Hi

After much research and talking to others I plumped for a diesel -

Bought my camper 1 yr ago and tho its the lowly 1.6 non turbo I couldnt resist the good condition of the rest of the van and fact it was a one owner from new with detailed service and maintenance history.

The bigger and turbo diesel engines are more desireable quicker and dont run out of puff up long inclines - but Im happy with my one and its not so slow as to make it worth swapping for another powerplant unless it needs a complete replacement engine.

Seeing as previous owner had the original engine rebuilt about 20k ago I am not expecting that to happen any time soon.

Given price of fuel, the mpg makes for me a diesel a more attractive proposition if you intend using the van daily/regualrly - but if its just for one off hols then petrol price not so relevant...

Not saying diesel is best - but giving my reasons for preferring one when I decided - hope this helps

Regards

Matt

[itsawhalefish]

What mileage do you get in yours?

[matt brighton]

Never really been fussed enough to do a scientific measure but I recon over 30mpg - maybe 35 ?

Certainly acceptabe return compared to other options - if you can live with the sedate progress up hills...

Matt - brighton

[tonytech]

Depends on what YOU want?
Camping is a way of life.. If you want fast? look else where. If you want economy? run away.
Air cooled are slow, but the engine sound is worth it.
Water cooled flat fours have a little more powr and cab heat is more reliable.
Diesels are ...... WRONG.

T

[kevtherev]

2.1 DJ is the best vw flat four

[matt brighton]

Depends on what YOU want?
Camping is a way of life.. If you want fast? look else where. If you want economy? run away.
Air cooled are slow, but the engine sound is worth it.
Water cooled flat fours have a little more powr and cab heat is more reliable.
Diesels are ...... WRONG.

T

Hi again

Tony's comment about diesels being "wrong" is one reason you might not want a diesel.

Some vw owners recon that if it isnt Aircooled it isnt a vw -I agree that its the Aircooled flat 4 makes them distinctive - then again some bay and split screen owners dont consider the t25 a "proper" vw. It all gets a bit tribal and there is some light hearted ribbing between owners - as well as those who take themselves, and what they drive very ( and in my view ... a bit too) seriously.

Tha vast majority of vw owners that I have met like anything vw - and usually share enthusiasim for anything interesting on 2 or 4 wheels too !

Im as happpy with my diesel as I am sure others are with petrol / air cooled / watercooled variants.

Im sure whatever you get ....you will be too,



Regards and best of luck with whatever you end up with

btw - nice looking caravelle tony !

Matt - brighton

[ringo]

If your mad enough to like bugs and met your missus through VWs then I'm sure you have a fair idea of what you want

Give us a bit more of a clue what you're after - pure Vw or reliability?

Ringo

[itsawhalefish]

posted twice, sorry

[itsawhalefish]

If your mad enough to like bugs and met your missus through VWs then I'm sure you have a fair idea of what you want

Give us a bit more of a clue what you're after - pure Vw or reliability?

Ringo

Well I like all VWs really, prefer air cooled, but fuel prices are soo high haha. What do the air cooled T25s get for mpg? and are they that reliable? Me and my wife are planning a trip around Scotland this summer, and want to buy a T25 for the trip, and at the moment she drives the Renault to work, and I ride my bicycle haha, so the T25 would be my daily driver aswell... Started looking for a van a few days ago, but everything seems to be way under budget or way over... nothing inbetween... Deff want a camper with pop top, but not a camper where someone took half of a kitchen out of a house and threw it in, want one that was original. I did some ancestry, and found long lost relatives in Sweden, so want one that can make it there and back aswell... not really bothered if it is left hand or right hand, as long as its mph.


Sean

also, thanks for everyones replies.... so what do all the different engines, and different fuels with camping interior and pop top typically get?

[R0B]

If you decide on a petrol engine.Then a 2.1 that has been converted to run on LPG is the way to go.With diesels all i can say is.Dont get a 1.6 without a turbo.It will take up all your holiday time just getting to scotland

[eatcustard]

2.1 is king with LPG

Diesel is just getting silly in on price now £1.40 near me
LPG 70ppl

and Diesels smell

On a serious note, body work takes preference over engine choise

[bonehead76]

2000cc air cooled all the way, but change those rubbish carbs for a single carb conversion just changed and runs lovely no more making sure there balanced doesn't make any differance to power there not quick anyway dont know what MPG haven't worried you have to put the fuel in anyway so best not think about it

[itsawhalefish]

2000cc air cooled all the way, but change those rubbish carbs for a single carb conversion just changed and runs lovely no more making sure there balanced doesn't make any differance to power there not quick anyway dont know what MPG haven't worried you have to put the fuel in anyway so best not think about it

I like your van, came across this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT but is a grand too much