We Want a T5 Multivan............

[Type2nut2]

Hi folks,

Like most VW forums I've been a member of, this one looks like it'll provide a mine of information!

My wife and I are both long term VW owners including split, bay window and T3 buses. Our present (own) vehicle is a 1990 Subaru powered Caravelle GL Syncro and we are thinking of upgrading to a more modern "kombi"

As we have 5 kids the Multivan (4motion if we can stretch the $ far enough) is an obvious choice but I've been trawling through old posts and am somewhat nervous!

I know some of what will end up on this thread will likely have been covered on other threads but I have some questions.

I doubt we will be able to afford a T5.2 so my questions will relate to the earlier incarnation.

1. What is the nature of the terminal fault(s) that the auto transmission suffers from?
2. Are all the auto transmissions the same (Triptonic?) or are there some which are better than others?
3. I know there aren't many around but I believe the manual boxes are better. Is this true?

And regarding engines:
4. Obviously the diesel power plants will be more economical (and expensive to buy) but are they any more or less reliable than the petrol engines?
5. I've heard that the AXD diesel engine should be avoided. Is this true?
6. What kind of economy have people been getting from their buses?

We live in Ceduna (remote SA) so would likely be relying on RAA/RAC type inspections in the first instance at least. Are typical faults that are existing likely to be picked up by such an inspection?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope I don't p**s off too many people with "yet another Multivan thread"

Cheers,

Andy.

[Sunny43.5]

Whilst we don,t have the Multivan our T5 which we still own is the 2004 2.5 AXD engine gear driven cam it has been pretty good only hiccups water pump not unusual most have probably been done by 60.000 , so I can say the actual engine has been good some members have had issues with manifolds cracking not ours . Tiptronic well ours has failed but again not every ones has so it maybe hit miss . Manual would be preferable if the history of the auto is not known > The reason ours failed was VW don't service them and the fluid had gone bad and the filter was blocked which destroyed the rest of the box , simple answer as I now know don't believe VW service departments just get some one else to service it regularly and CHANGE the filter . Kilometres are all dependant on how its driven but I would say that we regularly got around 800 kays from a tank full some lower some higher .

[jfoldbar]

. I've heard that the AXD diesel engine should be avoided. Is this true?
.

you have heard correct

[Umai Naa!!]

Don't quote me on it, but I believe you can spec up a T5GP Transporter with two rows of rear seats from the factory.

Might be a cheaper way to go, than to go all-out on a Multivan.

Honestly, the T5GP (GP being German for 'Face Lift') is a much better bus than the T5.

They said at the model launch that it was like the difference between the Golf 5 and the Golf 6. I would've said Golf 4 to Golf 6.

[Transporter]

I've the AXE engine in my T5 (which is identical to AXD, only tuned for 128kW) and will not buy the T6 if it comes with the current 4 cyl engine, rather will drive my T5 to the ground. I would buy any day 5 cyl 2.5L over 4 cylinder one. The advantage of 5cyl. engine; no timing belt and the water pump that can be replaced in less than 2 hours, also, it's known that VW w/pumps in 4 cyl engines don't last (they leak), most likely will need replacing well before the timing belt is due. As far as the DSG is concerned, it's still early days to know whether it is more reliable that A/T.

The exhaust manifolds are made from the cast iron on the later 5cyl. , so there should be no problem with the manifold cracking.

As long as the van with the 5cyl. engine that you looking at is in good condition, regularly serviced and not an A/T you shouldn't have too many reason to void it. Also I recommend that you get the whole van checked by professional that knows the vag cars and not just your local mechanic who never worked on one, especially the DPF need to be checked, since it could cost you several $$$ to replace.

I'm not taking the right to complain about the car (or anything) from anyone but, one has to be aware that a lot of negative posts on the internet are from the same people. Yes they tend to stick around like... and often you find them in the different forums as well as other medias, passing their negative comments. They're in the contrast with the people that are happy with their vehicles, who don't post that they have no problems and many even don't know that the forum for their car exists.

IMO, the feature of the late model vehicles is that they don't have to last as we were used to, so keep that in mind.

[jfoldbar]

I'm not taking the right to complain about the car (or anything) from anyone but, one has to be aware that a lot of negative posts on the internet are from the same people. Yes they tend to stick around like... and often you find them in the different forums as well as other medias, passing their negative comments. They're in the contrast with the people that are happy with their vehicles, who don't post that they have no problems and many even don't know that the forum for their car exists.
.

so true and very well put.

but you would have to agree, that if the forums were only positive posts, and the bad experiences were not allowed, or not told, then people would get a completely biased/ distorted view of the answers they are seeking. hence defeating the purpose of asking the question. though same is true on the other end of the scale.
i think people deserve to know the truth, whether it is good or bad.

[jfoldbar]

Don't quote me on it, but I believe you can spec up a T5GP Transporter with two rows of rear seats from the factory.
.

yep, you can

[Transporter]

so true and very well put.

but you would have to agree, that if the forums were only positive posts, and the bad experiences were not allowed, or not told, then people would get a completely biased/ distorted view of the answers they are seeking. hence defeating the purpose of asking the question. though same is true on the other end of the scale.
i think people deserve to know the truth, whether it is good or bad.

I agree, but it would be even more informative, if every one who posts multiple negative comments would always with his/hers complaints posted the index where he/she was laready complaining about it. So people who want to use that as the feedback, would know; "hey that's the same guy, complaining in 30 different forums and I thought that it was coming from 30 individuals."

Otherwise, I don't see the balance in there, since I'm not going to post multiple posts in every media that I'm happy with my car, do I?
That's why I brought it up.

[IN2VWS]

My experience.....I have had both the early and late model T5's. The first was the 4 cylinder 2.0 litre 77kw engine. It went well and never gave me any problems. It was chipped to 97kw (I think). It made a big improvement.
My current van is the 4 cylinder 2.0 litre 132kw, which I love, and has not given me any major problems.
I would not have any hesitation in buying one of these again, along with the DSG transmission.

If there is a negative comment to say.....it would be the genuine VW service pricing. I keep going genuine because I do get great service and while it is under warranty I will use genuine service. Also, I had bad experiences with aftermarket serving with my T4 vans. This is not to say all aftermarket service guys are bad......Just the ones I used were. (I felt I should add that before I get jumped on).
I noticed there is fixed price servicing with the new UP. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come.

[BrianJ]

I have a 2006 AXD (96Kw) AUTO 6sp tiptronic which has done 150,000km and still goes the same if not better than when it was new, and reliably gets 8L/100km even carrying a load and travelling even at 110km/Hr. The 5cyl engine has incredible torque at low revs, and is a joy to drive around in a lazy way as it never needs to go above 2500rpm, and ours still uses no noticable oil over the 15,000km service interval.

It has had a new waterpump, new rear shock absorbers, two new front A-frame bushes, two gates couplings (alt & air drive) and the tyres last approximately 100,000km. Auto box still works well, same as new and we just had the oil replaced at 150,000km just as a precaution. The only thing that broke prematurely in my opinion is the aircond compressor which seized at 70,000km, something was not right there. Otherwise I consider all the other replacements just normal wear and tear that one needs to replace if they wish to keep their van in perfect working order.

These engines must use the correct specification of oil to prevent the cam from wearing, so that is something that must be verified if you are buying one. The other thing that I think is a potential hazard is that if the car has been driven extensively when the water pump is leaking water into the sump then it is goodbye engine, so it would be essential to know the history of the pump replacement.

On the open road nothing comes near these vans for comfort, safety, power and efficiency.

Brian