Club 80-90 Forums

I currently own a 2.0 CU air cooled high top. I am thinking of selling in order to buy a 1986 Autosleeper High Top with a 1900cc water cooled petrol engine. I haven't seen it yet but has been described as not having 2 previous owners with a good service history. The only issue they mention is ' the temperature gauge warning light has developed a minor electrical fault and is giving intermittent false positives ' From the pictures there is very little rust. Do you think this will be a good potential investment ? I have only owned air cooled and got badly burned buying something as my first purchase that has had a world of issues and cost me a lot to get running. I know that a recognised conversion such as an Autosleeper will be a better investment in the long run but I have no knowledge of water cooled and their potential issues. Your thoughts are very welcome.

Check if it's a late system ... it should be at that age ... you can get everything now to replace the worn-out plasticcy parts and the rotty-out metally bits, I'm about to replace the whole cooling system from front to back in stainless from our friends at Brickwerks so therefore the main worry remains the same ... BODYWORK.

Autosleepers have a bad reputation for round the windows, where the hightop is fastened onto the steel ( ) roof and the ever-rotten offside 'fridge' cills so be aware of that.

Good luck, Ian.

tally9040 wrote:The only issue they mention is ' the temperature gauge warning light has developed a minor electrical fault and is giving intermittent false positives '

Probably just needs the prongs of the level warning sensor cleaning. Ten minutes and a sheet or two of kitchen roll.

given that you have been 'burned' before , i worry reading your post as i get the impression you are taking a lot of what the vendor is saying as gospel.
post a link up or pm me.
also have you got detail picks of the van, not vw brochure types from 30 paces but detail
as said^^^ there are known problems with certain areas
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HUGE thanks to Metal Mick8y. Following viewing of the photos I was sent he has given me some sagely advice and saved me time and potentially a lot of money. Back to my cosmetically challenged air cooled high top - she is lovely really !!!

Depends what you are looking for IMO.

If you are looking for it, purely as an investment, I probably wouldn't go for an AutoSleeper (Unless its very cheap to start with)

As Ian Hulley has said, they have a bad reputation for rotting around the windows, and behind the fridge. Interiors lined in carpet material that disintegrate, is also a downside to T25 Autosleepers that are now all at least 22-23 years old.

The rotitng around the windows is down to the fact that AutoSleeper bought and converted basic vans, and added the side windows themselves. Instead of buying more expensive T25's, with the window apertures already formed by VW in the factory. (Like the caravelles or factory minibusses)

Make of the above statement what you will, but say what you want, its a fact that Autosleepers started life as the cheapest T25 model available.

If you are looking for a camper to use and enjoy, the Autosleeper range are pretty decent, but be aware of the issues already stated. However, to be fair to them, the fact that they are right hand drive is a bonus for most people.

HIgher end German conversions are a better long term investment, but be prepared to put up with left hand drive.

Failing that, you could hold out for a right hand drive genuine caravelle, that has been converted properly, into a camper that is useable, has a durable, quality inteior, and good bodywork around the dreaded windows. These tend to be home built, or small build runs by quality converters.

As for Aircooled or water cooled? Again personal taste IMO.

I actually think, a well cared for, well serviced 1970cc CU engine is more relaible than the water cooled range that found their way into the T25 from 1983 -1991/1992. Although the CU Aircooled, obviously does not have the cruising capabilitys of a 2.1DJ engine. Horses for courses IMO.

Having owned enough T25's to make you laugh and question my honesty, I really think, that 20 odd years after they went out of manufacture, it really is down to personal taste. As for an investment, well like anything, if you buy it at the right price, and spend wisely, you will aways return a profit when you come to sell it. Buy the wrong T25, and it could end up costing you more that you ever imagined.

Hope that is clearer than fog!

it was a pretty rotten one
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