does anyone have any experience of vw crafter vans,i've been putting off upgrading my old lt due to newer vehicles being so complex [dmf & electronics],how well do they age ,i tend to keep things a long time i've had my van 10 years & its been a good 'un,so will update reluctantly.
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clueless77
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I used to drive an LT, liked it at the time but now drive a crafter, in fact on my second one. Not mine but leased vehicles through work. The crafter drives like a Jag compared to the LT. You just need to be careful with the wing mirror indicator lenses as they get broken easily and I don't think VW paintwork is as good as it used to be, although I've never had to take the crafters in for repairs but the LT had to go in a couple of times for mechanical issues. Have a test drive at VW and there's probably a forum on them somewhere, try the VW t4/t5 forum. I also have my own t4 bought new in 2002 and like it a lot but if I could afford to swap it for a t5 I wouldn't hesitate. HTH.
look for specks of rust, back doors, front doors, side panels, (if buying used)
payload weight is reduced compared to like for like against old lt, ie swb, mwb, lwb
DPF can be a problem if only doing short runs a lot, if unable to clear one on forced regen, thay can be expensive for a new one, (these are nickable aswell by a certain known group of people because of the easy access to it and the cat and grinding wheel) they are more electronicaly controlled than the lt and can cost a bit to sort out if it has to go one the dealer diagnostic setup, saying that thou if buying new look at vw`s warranty package as against mercs sprinter, (mileage, how many years, what it covers, any special offers), at least you wont have to pay out under warranty,
this is the reason i went for merc, 3 years, unlimited milage, and free servicing for the first 60,000 miles, vw was far less than that in miles and years at the time.
tyres slightly more costly unless using cheap budget ones,
comfy to drive, seats are better than old lt, quieter than the lt, bigger cab than the old lt, better radio,
doors are heavy thou including sliding door
i`ve had my lt since 2003 from new, its covered 410,000miles and still going all same original running gear, engine, gearbox, axle, still starts first turn, dont use her now thou but i kept her when i brought a sprinter in 2008 same shape as crafter, not same engine i know but close on bhp etc, i worked out it cost me £6000 more in fuel in the time i had it than the lt on one of the same runs i used to do every night (350 miles trip a night) and could not get more than 28mpg regardless if i was at 50 or 55mph go over that and it comes down further, with fuel being my biggest outlay it was p@@@sing me off, but i had to have a new motor for the work and miles i was covering, the lt varied from 30 - 35 mpg a big differance,
thats now long gone, thank goodness, i`d also tried a crafter when they first came out, gave it back an said ta much but no thanks fuel was not that much better either, if lt`s were still being produced in 2008 i would have had another one without a doubt.
The crafter or sprinter is nothing like the old lt in regards to, driving, smothness, power, and gearbox (5 speed on lt, 6 on crafter/sprinter), they do catch the side wind a bit more.
i can see why your reluctant to upgrade, i knew quiet a few owner operators like i was who made this jump from either lt or sprinter and gone either crafter or sprinter (new shape) and opinions differ`d depending on what van was used for,
try a hire one or if buying new ask if you can have a demo one for a while, and see if you like them or something else for that matter,
one thing i do know, my sprinter (same body as crafter apart from front end and rear light cluster) was rusting quicker than my lt was on a time for time basis, that said the none white vans the paint is slightly thicker as i believe they are all sprayed white at factory then colour is put on after in batches, look underneath you should see white,
at end of day thou you makes a choice pays the money and hope you make the right choice like a lot of things in life
hope this helps a little
payload weight is reduced compared to like for like against old lt, ie swb, mwb, lwb
DPF can be a problem if only doing short runs a lot, if unable to clear one on forced regen, thay can be expensive for a new one, (these are nickable aswell by a certain known group of people because of the easy access to it and the cat and grinding wheel) they are more electronicaly controlled than the lt and can cost a bit to sort out if it has to go one the dealer diagnostic setup, saying that thou if buying new look at vw`s warranty package as against mercs sprinter, (mileage, how many years, what it covers, any special offers), at least you wont have to pay out under warranty,
this is the reason i went for merc, 3 years, unlimited milage, and free servicing for the first 60,000 miles, vw was far less than that in miles and years at the time.
tyres slightly more costly unless using cheap budget ones,
comfy to drive, seats are better than old lt, quieter than the lt, bigger cab than the old lt, better radio,
doors are heavy thou including sliding door
i`ve had my lt since 2003 from new, its covered 410,000miles and still going all same original running gear, engine, gearbox, axle, still starts first turn, dont use her now thou but i kept her when i brought a sprinter in 2008 same shape as crafter, not same engine i know but close on bhp etc, i worked out it cost me £6000 more in fuel in the time i had it than the lt on one of the same runs i used to do every night (350 miles trip a night) and could not get more than 28mpg regardless if i was at 50 or 55mph go over that and it comes down further, with fuel being my biggest outlay it was p@@@sing me off, but i had to have a new motor for the work and miles i was covering, the lt varied from 30 - 35 mpg a big differance,
thats now long gone, thank goodness, i`d also tried a crafter when they first came out, gave it back an said ta much but no thanks fuel was not that much better either, if lt`s were still being produced in 2008 i would have had another one without a doubt.
The crafter or sprinter is nothing like the old lt in regards to, driving, smothness, power, and gearbox (5 speed on lt, 6 on crafter/sprinter), they do catch the side wind a bit more.
i can see why your reluctant to upgrade, i knew quiet a few owner operators like i was who made this jump from either lt or sprinter and gone either crafter or sprinter (new shape) and opinions differ`d depending on what van was used for,
try a hire one or if buying new ask if you can have a demo one for a while, and see if you like them or something else for that matter,
one thing i do know, my sprinter (same body as crafter apart from front end and rear light cluster) was rusting quicker than my lt was on a time for time basis, that said the none white vans the paint is slightly thicker as i believe they are all sprayed white at factory then colour is put on after in batches, look underneath you should see white,
at end of day thou you makes a choice pays the money and hope you make the right choice like a lot of things in life
hope this helps a little
