I did a thing - VW Transporter T6

[indy4x]

I bought a VW T6 Transporter 4motion

2019, 2.0 diesel, 6 speed manual with 36k on the clock.

Quick photo in the services on the way home



Pretty clean and tidy, apart from the roof which has some damage

Full disclosure, it's a Cat S, light damage to the front where it hit something and it looks like the racking in the rear of the van did the roof damage in the accident

Whoever repaired the front did a good job but obviously left the roof

I'm happy, it cost me the same as peeps were asking for stuff 5 or 6 years older with 120k plus on the clock

Its the Startline model so very few toys but does have the essentials on my wish list

AC
Cruise
Electric windows and mirrors
Parking sensors
Bluetooth stereo
Rear difflock

Its also a twin slider so sliding doors both sides

Its not gonna be a camper, it's definitely not getting slammed and I'm not into the 'scene'. It will get converted into a Kombi so windows in the sliding and rear doors, 2nd row of seats and swap out the fronts for something nice, preferably leather, different wheels with AT tyres once these wear out and whatever else I fancy as funds allow

Why a 4motion, I occasionally tow a trailer and the T32 4motion has a decent towing capacity

 

[Dozzer]

Nice looking van
Have a T5 4motion SWB T30 and the plated towing weight is 2.8T
Good vehicles, the only thing i find is the cab is a bit cramped.

 

[frank horton]

thats so v nice........
Not sure but is that the engine that started with wet belts and a carpy oil pump...get it checked to be sure.....
There's a good kit from Germany that converts it to chain and a high pressure oil pump....not cheap but better than 5 grand for a new engine....

mines an old clunker compared to ur's....1,9TD....
I'd like a little more power (65-70-hp) but it still runs great and at 440,000klms I dont wanna mess it up....burns very little oil between changes, 3/4ltr in 5,000miles....
If the engine ever went it'get a modded 2,0 TD with a bigger turbo (100-120 hp)
but still no electronics...hate that carp....I've even disabled the alarm.......
It's got full leather electric seats from a Reno Laguna, very comfortable for long Trips....Be careful, I had to go back n get the seat belts.......
Lucky enough after looking for a year I managed to get some swivels from a Nissan camper....never use em now.....dohhhhh.
Just needed to make a couple of frames to fit that lot together.....
whilst the seats were out I put in a new 12v feed, ign controlled and a perm live just in case....
On the subject of seats, mine has a rear bench seat conversion and with a fitted / shaped plastic bulkhead with a window.....
this was supplied as an extra when the van was new.....mine is orig from Holland....

Only a lowly 5 speed but I put the motorway higher to gear kit....
As for wheels n tyres....got a wider set of alloys from an Audi, what a mess, it kept eating tyres...had the geom check and perfect....
got sick of buying tyres and sold the crap and went back to original steely's....no more wear probs....The firestone van tyres on it now are around 8 years old and will get changed early next year.....they've done around 35,000 hard miles.....no complaints at all....
I had thought about doing a headlight conversion, apart from the look I'd be able to see at night but not prepared to get another mortgage.....There's no scrap 's here anywhere.....
The vans a keeper and will be for life.....my wife loves it......
PS....we actually like the colour now.....hahaha...
also look into the T4/5/6 Vw forum....lots of good stuff on there.....
good luck......

 

[Ton-up]

I’ve had my 2010 T5.1 Kombi for 12 years now as my daily car. I’ve kept it too long, it’s on 243,000 and a bit worn out. Spent more than its worth on it in the last couple of years, but I just like it…

Mine is a single sliding door as the majority are, but one thing Ive been looking for a twin slider T6 Kombi, but they are rare, and even rarer with low miles, and good nick at sensible money!!

 

[akdaka]

Judging by the wheels (look like 16"steels and the 6 speed I would say that it would be the 150 engine in the van which is still a cambelt etc.
I would suggest a headlight upgrade if it is fitted with the H4 option to H7's. they are like candles. I don't know why VW treat their van customers with such contempt when it comes to seeing the road at night.

 

[many_methods]

Nice buy!
Was this from an auction? Have often wondered if there's scope for saving a few quid that way but have been put off by the plethora of horror stories!
Enjoy!

 

[Exuptoy]

I had a white 07 1.9, camper’d it and had it for 7 years. Facelifted it and then sold it to buy a T2 Brazilian Bay. Worst mistake ever, wish I’d kept it, my 07 T2C is nice enough but it’s no modern vehicle, even with the 1.4 water cooled Polo mill in it. Still got it but after selling my Scirocco recently I was on the hunt for another, found a 2003 Ex AA assist Kombi in silver, 2nd owner I got it from was ex-AA fitter, at 137k he took the head off for work, ended up getting the garage to sort the head, new pistons, honed, new cam, new turbo, big ends and mains, forge intercooler and silicone pipes, remapped to 165, 10k before that the gearbox got rebuilt with new Bowden cables, so it has bills for £6.5k. Currently showing 150k. Paid £4400 for it!!!
This one’s getting facelifted soon. I love the look of the 5.1 (and the T6)

 

[indy4x]

@frank horton love the colour of your Transporter. Plan is to keep this one till it drops

@akdaka spot on, it's a 150 6 speed

@many_methods not from auction, private sale

@Exuptoy I love the look of all of them. Not sure I'd want to own or drive a T2 though.

My favourite is the T3, guy I worked for had one, 1.9TD pickup, did a huge amount of mileage carrying car parts to shows around the country. He traded that for a new T4 when they were 1st released

 

[Greeves246]

Have a T6, converted with the ability to carry a bike as well

 

[Exuptoy]

They’re great for carrying bikes, recently picked up the Blade in mine, however, even a short wheelbase caddy can cope admirably…. It was a tight squeeze tho!

 

[Exuptoy]

@frank horton

@Exuptoy I love the look of all of them. Not sure I'd want to own or drive a T2 though.

in fairness it’s not that bad, the 1.4 is no worse than a flat four 1.6 at 71bhp, it’s just there’s no niceties about it, no power steering no power windows. The steering is light enough when on the move and genuinely doesn’t need it, however at standstill it’s horribly heavy.

 

[indy4x]

@Exuptoy I wanted something with a decent loadspace, used to have a Disco 3 and for me it was the perfect vehicle apart from maintenance and running costs
Had a Jeep Grand Cherokee for the last few years and really liked it but the loadspace wasn't enough, Transporter sorted that

 

[Exuptoy]

I’ve done a thing…..spent a grand on eBay facelifting my bus. Collecting my headlights on the way home. Just need reflex silver paint on the bumper/splitter lip.

Hoping to get from this…

To this.

Might not be to everyone’s taste, As per usual, I’ll record my progress for posterity and post in on here.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Have a T6, converted with the ability to carry a bike as wellView attachment 500413

Nice. Haven't fitted camping cabinets in my T5 yet, maybe some day; too many projects waiting in line. I have made up a wheel chock for hauling my bikes. Yeah, I know this is a welding forum, but the carpenter side of me said, this would be quicker to fabricate. I was "very" careful when laying out the screw downs, as the diesel tank was a concern.

 

[Exuptoy]

I’m impressed Mike. Wood…metal….whatever works pal.

 

[indy4x]

Started collecting bits

Always do a full service on anything I buy so usual collection of oils, filters etc so I can do engine, gearbox, haldex and diff has been purchased

Whatever some nice seats and these popped up on FB Marketplace in Bristol so a quick trip over the bridge to collect



They are out of a Tiguan, drivers is full electric and heated, passengers is manual but heated. Just need to find a single seat box for the passenger side seat.

The wiring is going to be interesting but hopefully I can make it all work, there is a stack of useful info on the T6 forum which should help

Also splurged on Ross Tech VAGCom kit. Wasn't cheap but given the complexity of the T6, the mods I want to do, and my wife has just bought a 2020 VW T Cross it will earn its keep



Also found a rear floor out of a T6 with the plastic step boxes for a twin slider locally and it's now mine, no pics as its down at my lockup

 

[Exuptoy]

VAGCOM is good. I have the grey copy
The ppl on the RossTech site hate it!

 

[Dozzer]

Have an older "open" version of VCDS, as an early adopter i can still do bently's, Lamobs etc.

 

[indy4x]

Quick update

I managed to source some 2nd row seats locally via FB Marketplace, the guy selling them had done a proper job of removing them so they came with the floor brackets, seat belts, trims and more importantly the underbody stiffeners



Holes drilled



Reading online, there seemed to be mixed views on whether you needed to drop the fuel tank. Being my usual self, if someone says you don't have to drop the fuel tank then its got to be possible. Sadly not, you don't have to completely remove the fuel tank but you have to undo the tank straps and lower the 1 end of the tank right down. Unfortunately, there was about 50l of diesel in the tank so pumped this out before lowering the tank.



I've mislaid the clips for the footwell plastic trims, phoned VW on the off chance they had some on the shelf but no, would have to order them but as they are £8.50 each I'll carry on looking for mine or get something online instead

Haven't done the belts yet as the only passenger I'll be carrying while we are away is the dog, she's given it her approval

 

[indy4x]

Prior to fitting the floor I did cleanup all the holes from where they fitted the ply lining and gunge them up, at a later date I'll be pulling the seats out to paint and add sound proofing