Syncro buying help!

[jamiesmack]

Hi all,

I was initially supposed to be collecting a t25 autosleeper but the seller let me down so have been hunting for a new t25 ever since. Have come across this on ebay, and have fallen in love . Unfortunately I dont know a lot about Syncro's so can anyone spot anything obvious from the advert that should put me off?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300735821116? ... 1542wt_932

Any help would be fantastic.

[syncropaddy]

Seems good enough except for that stupid wheel carrier. Its an ex Fire Service van so it will be well looked after. Check all the usual T25 things and the camper type things in addition to the diff lock operation and the VC. Make sure the prop is fitted. Looks reasonable enough as it should be with only 100,000 kms up

[rollercoaster]

Lucky you!
He seems to have put it all together well and used it too,
only wonder why he's selling it?

[jed the spread]

Looks to be in good condition, be warned there is a lot of carp out there at the moment.

jed

[jamiesmack]

Yeh, thats what I thought.

probably bankrupt himself getting to this stage!

Having been looking at 2wd t25's all along, the possibility of a syncro has caught me out a bit! How much worse are the running costs? fuel, insurance etc?

E D I T: Thanks Jed.

[jed the spread]

If you have a solid van and dont drive it like a div you shouldnt see it costing that much more to run once everything is working as it should. As with all T3 vans bodywork is everything, dents are OK its just seam rust usually points towards full panel replacements and major welding on the inner panels. This is a good thread to get you on the mood if you fancy taking on something rusty https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=93497" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


jed

[tforturton]

Regular readers will know that I fretted for a long time over the possible costs of keeping a Syncro on the road. I've got one now, and so far (touch wood) it hasn't been too bad (okay, it's only been a short while). But I've come to understand that the vast majority of the costs are not specific to Syncros - they could be there on ANY T25. You're buying a twenty-odd year old car with a reputation for having a good engine, but a bit of a rust problem. There's bound to be some cost involved, but those costs would be there whatever model you buy.
The thing to bear in mind with Syncros is that the POTENTIAL costs are higher. You could have a Viscous Coupling fail on you, or your front diff might need work. But the rest of it - engine, clutch, bodywork, interior - well, it's all much the same as the 'ordinary' T25s. So check the drive train carefully, as well as all the stuff you'd check anyway.
And don't panic - it's not as bad as they make it sound!