Novice needs advice please.

[B.J]

Alright chaps,
I haven't lurked on this forum for a while now(2008 ithink)so hello to all. What with having twins, moving house/job/ I haven't really had time to think about Syncros.
Now things have settled down and the Kids are more adventurous and more importantly, the Missus is on board, I've decided to finally get a Syncro.
I've read many of the threads on the forum about the pro's and con's of owning one and I'm of the opinion that even if I don't get to go wild camping that often, at least I'll know
that I can go wild camping WHENEVER I want to right? The Boss would prefer a type 2 but I can't say I've ever been a fan really and I don't want to get one just to have to flog it on again.

Anyway, it's your expert opinions I'm after... The big question is what van is right for me?
Firstly, I need a van that I can use right away I.e this summer so I need one that's mechanically good. If anyone has one for sale let me know.
I'm planning on modding it during the winter months so all I'll need for this summer is sleeping arrangements for 2 adults+2 5 year olds. I'm hoping this can be achieved in a tin top. All cooking etc will be done outside.
I'd like to put a pop top in at a latter date. I quite like the Westfalia type but I read in a thread that that is tricky? I'm assuming that it is possible to go for a Westy conversion of some type?

Would it be worth going for a 16" or 14"?

I'd like to be able to carry out some mods myself i.e brakes, suspension, spacers but my mechanical skills are basic so I wouldn't touch gears, diffs, VC's at the moment. I do have a friend who has a fully kitted out workshop with a pit (he makes pro street rods) and he's up for teaching me some skills.

Oh, and what about engines? Diesel, petrol. LPG?

I'm sure you've all been through this a hundred times with newbies but if I can learn something from you're experience i'd be very grateful.

Thanks
Jamie.

[jebiga41]

Go for a 14" parts are cheaper and more available as regards fuel for the best balance of power and economy I would go for LPG/petrol, for offroading Diesel is probably better but you really need to upgrade the engine and you are still chasing the petrol power theres a good buyers guide on the wiki in the syncro section

[Aidan]

if the wife fancies a bay then she'll be made up to get a van with space and decent heater
kids grow so look at long term top, pop or hi-top, no point having a camper then having to put up a tent imho, roll out awnings provide sheltered space quickly and easily, F45 is most flexible but biggest and heaviest

[B.J]

Thanks for the advice so far.
What about importing from Europe? I'm seeing lots of nice vans in Germany and beyond but I don't fancy buying one blind. Anyone know if there is a "wheat from chaff" service in the Eurozone? Then there's the ex military/ambulance/polizi wagons. Has anyone imported these types of buses?

Cheers

[ninja.turtle007]

Thanks for the advice so far.
What about importing from Europe? I'm seeing lots of nice vans in Germany and beyond but I don't fancy buying one blind. Anyone know if there is a "wheat from chaff" service in the Eurozone? Then there's the ex military/ambulance/polizi wagons. Has anyone imported these types of buses?

Cheers

Busman.be always has a few to choose from. There is also a westy syncro on syncro services website.

[syncropaddy]

I bought two of my Syncros in Germany, one off E Bay and one off http://www.mobile.de" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and both were very good ones and both cost in excess of €5000. I dont have any issues buying vehicles off the internet and rarely do I hear of people getting screwed. If you buy a cheap Syncro in Germany my advice would be to trailer it home (someone on here did just that recently) but if you are prepared to buy in the €5000 + range then you will be driving it home. You will have to arrange 'export plates' which adds a little to the cost but is more inconvienent with all the silly paperwork that is required. Try and get the seller to arrange it as part of the deal. I was able to borrow the seller's plates to drive my first one home - not sure how legal that was but I got away with it.

Syncro Services and Busman offer 'vetting services' but it all adds to the cost.

What sort of budget do you have? €10,000 would get you a very good Syncro indeed and €13,000 would get you one of the best with no work needed.

[jebiga41]

Try Patrick at http://www.vw-tristar.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; in sweden can even put it on the ferry to you from sweden and collect at the port

[B.J]

Syncro Services and vw-tristar are new to me so thanks for the info, i'll keep them in mind.
Budget wise, I could go to €10000 but I can't decide if it's better to spend more on a better and more finished van or buy one that's sound but needing some work.
I've seen a couple of nice vans on mobile.de. A 16" ex army 2.1 from finland but it has a seized rear diff for about €7k or a 14" 1600 camper with seikel shocks/springs and a Jaeger mod on the transmission for about €9.5k.
I'm not entirely sure those mods are any good though. There's also an ambulance with 75K on the clock for about €7kish. I'm tempted to go for that one and just get hi top and r&r bed in it.

http://tinyurl.com/6xakszs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://tinyurl.com/5vd2mjz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://tinyurl.com/6e9lazx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What's your opinions on this lot please.

[lloydy]

i like the last one, and if you are going to put any kind of roof on the other two, the price's will work out pretty similar

[B.J]

i like the last one, and if you are going to put any kind of roof on the other two, the price's will work out pretty similar

Exactly. That one's ready to go. But the Army one is quite a beast..... Can't decide...

BTW Who does roofs like that in the UK?

[syncrowjoker]

Nice 16" van at Busman, but you will spend a fortune converting it, if u want a practical syncro camper, and dont want to go to far off road, consider a t4syncro.

[lloydy]

mines a 16" look at my thread https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=78449" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; i paid out a bit less than that for mine, and mine has a factory pop top. White one seems a much better bet

[guzzi]

Personally i would be all over that 16" like a rash, but then i would say that!

I cant justify the 16" over a 14" in terms of how i intend to use it (well not in the near future anyway), i went for the 16" because body work and conversion (to pop top or whatever) cost the same with a 14 or 16 but the 16 will have the higher re-sale (not that i intend to sell it!)

tenuous justification in know.....but it was enough for me

[syncropaddy]

Talk to crankenwagen on this forum. He has a fabulous very low mileage Hi roofed ambulance for sale. Its a petrol and totally rust free. The roof is made by Profi who make really good stuff. As a blank canvas you will not find a better one.

[syncropaddy]

Budget wise, I could go to €10000 but I can't decide if it's better to spend more on a better and more finished van or buy one that's sound but needing some work.

If you have €10000 spend it on a van that is complete and finished. It will be cheaper in the long run.