Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, I have recently joined the Syncronauts as I am actively seeking a syncro. I owned a succession of three between 1989 and 2000 but have been attracted back by the current increased activity. Maybe some of you can help me with answers to some questions, please?

I always hankered after a 16" syncro and they now seem to be more available, particularly coming in from Scandinavia. Is anybody running one - how different are they to own (drive, maintain, etc) than a 14"?

They all seem to be 2.1 petrol engined vehicles and therefore costly on fuel. What sort of mpg might one expect? Is anyone running such a vehicle on lpg? How much difference does that make to performance and running costs?

Would I be better off investing in a TDi conversion instead of gas?

I have heard that the 16s have lower overall gearing and may only be capable of about 65mph. Is that your experience or are they capable of more like the 14s?

thanks for any helpful comments anyone can offer.
Gary

Yes, No, No, No, yes,

No, Yes, Yes, No, yes, yes,

No,

Yes,

No,

Not sure

Sorry Gary, couldn't resist it

Some one, two or three will be along to answer those questions soon...

I hope!

...else I'll be chicken feed around here

They all seem to be 2.1 petrol engined vehicles and therefore costly on fuel. What sort of mpg might one expect? Is anyone running such a vehicle on lpg? How much difference does that make to performance and running costs?

About 5% less power, but the cost equiverant of 45 mpg ish
money back after 5,000k, so in my case 5 months at last years mileage........

BigBlueBus has 16" Syncro for sale! Nice

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/andybbbsyncr ... 8913831505[/img]

Right, got a few minutes now

They tend to be more expensive, through rarity, and nealy all are LHD

There are quite a few here now, though don't come up for sale very often.

I suppose they are or should be in generally better nick than 14s, for equivalent year

The transmissions are geared lower than 14s, and despite having larger tyres, don't think the overall gearing is as high as say a Caravelle or panel van with a 4.86 diff.

A TDi is generally reckoned to be a fairly expensive conversion, one way or the other, esp. if you go for a mechanical inj. pump. PLus to change a petrol to a diesel requires quite a collection of bits from a diesel. They're weren't all petrols by any means. But perhaps the Euro ones tend to be. Others wll know more on the split, but whatever the custoner specced, was what was produced.

If you're prepared to pay for the LPG conversion and sacrifice the space, as Matt says, most reckon you as good as double your pence per mile...

What is it about the 16 that makes you want one particularly?

i own a swedish 16", its been converted to RHD, probably one of the worst conversions ever- very difficult!! there were only 2 RHD's ever made.
mines also a diesel, and it is very slow, BUT the pulling power is amazing, i dragged my loaded passat out of knee deep mud like pulling a knife out of butter, i didn't even use the diff locks or the crawler gear!!!
they are alot stiffer vehicle and you can feel the better build when you go off road, i dosnt creak or groan and just feels 100% against a 14
ive also got a 14 caravelle!!
the way to go with a motor conversion is a subaru 2.5 on LPG, from what i understand the diesel conversion is also very difficult as you have to change the fuel tank to make way for the starter motor. hope that gives you a better idea. cheers jon

how different are they to own (drive, maintain, etc) than a 14"?

drive - not sure, have only driven 1 other syncro, a rhd 14 on decent tyres with p/steering, oh, and it was on sticky mud so difficult to compare

maintain - general day to day servicing much the same as the 2wds I've owned, though some 16" specific parts can be horrendous money (and usually need ordering)

mines a 2.1 running lpg

In all fairness i've never done a 'fair' mpg test on petrol, but reckon to be getting around 18 ish

LPG hmmm....haven't got a calculator to hand but I get 270 kms off 52 litres give or take a couple kms

think last time I worked it out, it was about 13 mpg or something? LPG is still less than half the price of petrol so theres still a big saving to be had.

performance wise, I was a little disappointed with the LPG, feeling it was a little 'flat' but after a couple tweeks this weekend (cheers . . . and . . . ) it feels a lot smoother, the power is spot on and the tickovers a lot more stable.

Watch this space for how it affects the MPG

Hi

You could do worse than look at my Tristar crewcab which due to change in lifestyle is available for the right money.

Very Rare and VGC. Virtually no rust , seams all done.

125,00 mls. lots of history,

Link to pics

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rollin ... as,2%3af,0


Keith R

I spotted this if it's any use.

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=311618

16" Panel
£4.5k ono (comes without awning attached to roofrack)

Also have a blue crewcab syncro for sale

Vans are in Sussex
07802 378377

wow, a plethora of 16's suddenly available!

can only be good news for the british syncro buyer.

Thanks for all these responses - even though it has turned into a 16" 'for sale' board!

I am still confused about just how frugal or otherwise I should expect a syncro to be. The recent announcement of likely increases in fuel costs and maybe in road tax for vehicles with high fuel consumption has made me start to think again. However, I suppose if I am ever going to have another 4x4 it had better be now since things will only get worse in the future!

Matt claimed to be getting around 23 mpg (45 mpg cost equivalent) on gas whereas Andy says as low as 13 or so. Having now spoken to 'mrsherbie', he reckons to have got 28mpg from his 2.1 van whilst loaded with a trailer etc on the way to Vanfest & 25 on the way back (lighter and faster)! If I could be certain of getting those sort of figures in normal driving it would be OK when combined with an lpg conversion.

I have tonight noticed terryvanman's diesel 14" which might have suited me even better but that has sold in the few days since it was posted!!! Any more diesels out there?
thanks
Garyd

What is it about the 16 that makes you want one particularly?

As well as the variance of figures quoted for mpg, you may also have to factor in the likelihood of them all being +/- 20% at least, if not more... my normal disclaimer for mpg figures on a single run, or +/- 10% across a few runs if done properly. Expect to get a bout 20mpg froma Syncro on petrol and you maybe be pleased if you geta bit more, but 25 mpg is likely realistic abs tops for petrol.

Trick is not to drive it too much, or just admire it in the drive