T25viewing advice

[Cycleaddict]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T25-Auto-s ... 2a454f0577" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apologies if this is the wrong section! I'm going to view the van in the link above this afternoon. Just wondering if anyone can see anything I should be looking for with this particular van? I've an idea where to check the bodywork and a few things underneath as well. I'm a little less sure in other areas- can think of things like how the fridge runs (gas/electric) what kind of heater is installed-making sure that everything runs as it should.
Any advice would be gratefully received-it's the first van I've viewed!!
Thanks

[JonnyAtlantic]

Have you read this?

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpec ... fo/buy.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Cycleaddict]

Thanks-it was really helpful!

[kevtherev]

That's the worst touch up/respray colour match I have ever seen.
It is probably hiding a load of grief.
Overpriced IMHO
Because of that gash paint

sorry chap

[kevtherev]

I would be asking for pictures of it before the "paint job"

[AdrianC]

That's the worst touch up/respray colour match I have ever seen.

Umm, I don't think the baby-blue lower sides on a white van are intended to match...

Tasteful? Well, not to my taste, that's for sure... But I rather suspect it's intended to be a two-tone colour scheme, rather than just being a really bad match.

[dbz864]

I saw this when it was first listed, couldn't decide if it was a terrible paint match or weird taste, cant believe if it was 2 tone why they didn't paint tailgate. Difficult to tell if any good from the pictures, a lot of autosleepers are shot even late ones some aren't. Did you buy it?

[Cycleaddict]

2 tone paint was due to a respray where it was scratched in a car park-couldnt match the white to the original and went for a 2 tone instead. Overall it wasnt too bad-think it would need another 1500 spending on it to get it tidy. Didnt buy it though.

[AdrianC]

2 tone paint was due to a respray where it was scratched in a car park-couldnt match the white to the original

Riiiiight.

[Cycleaddict]

He did have photos of the original damage and couldnt find any filler underneath it all-seemed reasonably solid from what i could make out.

[kevtherev]

He did have photos of the original damage and couldnt find any filler underneath it all-seemed reasonably solid from what i could make out.

You mis understand.
The part respray is there to cover the repair and rusty seams and any other rotting places, and as for the excuse that it couldn't be matched is quite frankly idiotic. L90D is probably the most used VW colour ever
shame though that the interior looks so good

you're well out of it,

I would buy a sprayed van but I would have to see the work (in pictures as to what's been addressed) In a van this old that is very important, because if it's done wrongly then it will be a financial tax later on, and worse as I discovered on mine, where a shoddy repair accelerated and spread the rot.

[dbz864]

The problem is, when someone (99% of people) are buying a van, they expect not to see a spec and a mean a spec of rust, even tho these vans are 25year old, they simply will not buy then, on the other hand if its just been sprayed they say ooooh its just been sprayed my friend told me not to buy something that's just been painted, do people actually think they will get an unmarked 25yr old van wearing 100% original paint in mint cond, look around how many other 25yr old vehicles do you see on the road, there is a reason for that. Yes you can have bodies repaired correctly, at a cost, if you paid 5/6k£ for a repaint and a very nice job, do you think anyone a private buyer will pay 10/12k for it? I don't know a body or paint man that will give you much of a guarantee on seams, vw couldn't get it right. Most of the time there is little difference between a exp paint job and an average cost paint job.
Being a full time trader I can get the blame for the last 25yrs of repairs, people think ive restored it, ive never restored a t25, you would need at a guess 30k for a proper concours resto, body/box susp etc. Ive been selling t25s for 20years ive not seen a proper one concours one yet.
Back to the subject! Keep looking, there are some goods ones and some dogs, ive had both. A good one will give you pleasure a bad one will bankrupt you.Bit like a woman.lol

[kevtherev]

Yep I can agree with all that
but..

, vw couldn't get it right.

To be fair they nearly did. On caravelles and later non panel vans the interior rust preventative gunk was liberally issued.
Generally campers are condensation traps, not what a panel van was designed for.
Autosleepers are panel vans and they do rot quicker than a caravelle based conversion.
Stopping the rot is expensive, and I wouldn't pass on that expense in a price.

[Cycleaddict]

I suppose it is a bit of a minefield-but not expecting 2 find a van that is completely spotless-I've owned several old triumphs and learnt a fair bit about body work and rust as you might expect!! I'm just hoping to find one that won't bankrupt me and will be somethimg my family and I can all enjoy- if I don't it needs to be at least watertight because it will become my doghouse

[faggie]

the one I sold was original paint and spotless and definitely no rust , they are about so keep looking loads better to pay more in the first place for a good van than some freshly painted wreck full of bondo what in 6/12 months will need another restoration