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Aircooled vs watercooled

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 06:47
by dublicious
Lo Guys,

Sorry for all the questions and threads though need to decide what I should be considering when buying our first T25 :)

Things I need to consider is MPG, maintenance, parts availability etc etc.

Appreciate your views and time :)

Take care,

Jamie

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 07:13
by crazydiamond
Well I have a good 2litre Aircooled and its so very simple, and parts are easy, but 20mpg if you're lucky! but can be LPG altered. Water cooled will give you maybe 25mpg or LPG it and half the cost, and diesel possible 34mpg ish. Be careful with a diesel with more than 80k miles on an engine, they seem to start dying at this milage, and then its into recon

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 07:18
by _wendy_
we have a 1.9 petrol watercooled and get around 20mpg, but it does need tuning. parts have been easy so far as has doing most work

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 08:00
by geordie skydiver
If good MPG is what your after, you came to the wrong place! :P

An Aircooled LPG converted will be fairly cheap to run, and simple to maintain.

I dare say each owner will have their own views on here though. :D

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 08:29
by toomanytoys
None are good on fuel really... (D/TD ok but non turbo are very slow)

Best advice would be to split the budget into 2 parts.. find the best bodywork condition for the main budget... and then use the rest for mechanical things, these can be fixed.. a rusty body is a lot more hassle and harder to sort..
get someone with good mechanical knowledge of these to inspect it.. and then you can knock off for engine etc work..

BUT.. dont expect more than 17mpg from any petrol on short around town stuff.. and a best of 25mpg as a reality on a run.. they also need regular servicing and inspections, even the youngest are 15 years old now..

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 08:42
by The Reverend Pimp Daddy
I have a 2 ltr air, I am contributing quiet a lot to the ECO tax/nomy (so that more modern cars can be kept on the road for less)So I feel I am doing my bit.
average around 20 mpg, quiet simple to maintain, mech parts fairly easy to get :lol:

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 17:41
by guz
if i was buying again i'd go Aircooled.

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 18:19
by owlets
J, you've got a Gay Window so why would you want another sold a/c camper?

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 19:16
by Rozzo
Aircooled proper volky m8
simple and strong

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 19:57
by Shootz
rozzolink wrote:Aircooled proper volky m8
simple and strong
I will second that!

A good air cooled block will not let you down,they are a very good engine,and gear box.
Not as fast as the water cooled ones,and a little more thirsty.
A simple engine to work on (so my mechanic tells me!)
and the sound :D well you cant beat it,apart from a V8 chevy in an F1 stock car maybe!! :D .
Lee.

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 20:30
by Dan Wood
Well, my watercooled has just had another few quid spent on it to make it watertight again!

If I had my time again, I'd probably go for an Aircooled!
Trouble is, they're all getting on a bit now, and as far as I know if your engine dies, your replacements are limited.

With the watercooleds, there's still a few engines about and a few folks making reconditioned ones...

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 20:42
by dublicious
pretty much as I thought :) Keep getting offered A/C campers, which is not a bad thing. Not really bothered about MPG just getting the best option for my money, plus I would LPG it at some stage.

Wouldn't mind a 1.6TD though :)

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 20:54
by "WEAZLECHIN"
if you like CAMPING and DRIVING as opposed to BREAKING DOWN or STOPPING TO PUT PETROL IN i would go w/c, or better still go DIESEL :D 45mpg :D they put em in passats, golfs, jettas, audis & skodas!!! there must be a reason for that 8)

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 21:03
by dublicious
1.6 TD or 1.9 D?

Also been seeing loads of german imports with a 2.1 fuel injection engine :)

"WEAZLECHIN" wrote:if you like CAMPING and DRIVING as opposed to BREAKING DOWN or STOPPING TO PUT PETROL IN i would go w/c, or better still go DIESEL :D 45mpg :D they put em in passats, golfs, jettas, audis & skodas!!! there must be a reason for that 8)

Posted: 13 Apr 2007, 21:54
by Shootz
"WEAZLECHIN" wrote:if you like CAMPING and DRIVING as opposed to BREAKING DOWN or STOPPING TO PUT PETROL IN i would go w/c,

I dont remember him saying he was after a bay? :lol: :lol:

Thirsty they may be,but i have to disagree with the breaking down bit.
Look after them and they will look after you.
Mine has never played up.
Lee.