about to order - last minute questions

[gregozedobe]

My issue was if you specify armrests AND side airbags (the ones that pop out of the side of the seat). If you just get armrests alone then there isn't a (potential) problem. I have removed all my armrests except the driver's side inner, I use that one sometimes on long trips (although I find it a bit short, but I have long arms).

I usually get about 7.2 l/100km from my 2wd LWB 174 manual. Mostly gentle highway driving with a partial load, so unless you drive very gently and slowly in flat terrain that is about as good a consumption as most people will get. If I up my crusing speed to an actual 110 Kmh (indicated 115) it increases to 7.8 - 8.0 l/100km.

I have 32,000 Km on my std 215/16 Michelin Agilis tyres, they look like they might go nearly that far again before I have to replace them.

[nalu]

Interested in the after market sliding windows. How do they compare to factory fitted? Savings sound to good to ignore.
Any pics, more info or indicative prices?

4Motion obviously makes a big difference to fuel economy worth consideration.

[gregozedobe]

Mine cost $750.00 each (fitted) in Feb 2007 (my very first mod, less than a week after I got my van). I couldn't drive a van without a window in the passenger sliding door - you just cannot see traffic on a T intersection that is angled back from you.

Mine are branded "Kingsley van windows", look here http://www.bushranger.com.au/bonded_slider_window.php for a little more info.

They aren't flush fitting, so I imagine they would have a bit more drag than the VW OEM windows, and if you try to drive with them open at all they create a significant amount of air "shuddering" (hurts my ears quite a bit).

They seem to have a grey tint rather than the OEM green (I don't really care).

They have never leaked, which has been a distinct weakness of the OEM sliding windows (IIRC they are up to about revision 4 or 5, and the latest ones can still cause trouble if you park on a particular slope).

The insect screens were a bit fiddly to fit (consequently I havn't fitted them yet).

Overall, I'm very happy with mine and would be happy to reccommend them to anyone

Just make sure the fitters are careful where they are using their angle grinders, they had to replace the glass in my driver's side mirror after they spattered it with molten metal and damaged the glass - $ 256.80 !

There may be other brands around now that are worth investigating, T5s have been around for a while now.

[Transporter]

Interested in the after market sliding windows. How do they compare to factory fitted? Savings sound to good to ignore.
Any pics, more info or indicative prices?

4Motion obviously makes a big difference to fuel economy worth consideration.

My 4motion swb 128kw is using no more than 9.5L/100km @55,000km. Driving mainly short trips, in the hills area. No matter how much fuel cost I'd buy 4motion again.
Also one option I'd recommend is tow bar it keeps the tailgaters off and in paralel parking other drivers are not using your bumperbar as a stopper.

[Tornado T5]

Mine cost $750.00 each (fitted) in Feb 2007 (my very first mod, less than a week after I got my van). I couldn't drive a van without a window in the passenger sliding door - you just cannot see traffic on a T intersection that is angled back from you.

Mine are branded "Kingsley van windows", look here http://www.bushranger.com.au/bonded_slider_window.php for a little more info.

They aren't flush fitting, so I imagine they would have a bit more drag than the VW OEM windows, and if you try to drive with them open at all they create a significant amount of air "shuddering" (hurts my ears quite a bit).

They seem to have a grey tint rather than the OEM green (I don't really care).

They have never leaked, which has been a distinct weakness of the OEM sliding windows (IIRC they are up to about revision 4 or 5, and the latest ones can still cause trouble if you park on a particular slope).

The insect screens were a bit fiddly to fit (consequently I havn't fitted them yet).

Overall, I'm very happy with mine and would be happy to reccommend them to anyone

Just make sure the fitters are careful where they are using their angle grinders, they had to replace the glass in my driver's side mirror after they spattered it with molten metal and damaged the glass - $ 256.80 !

There may be other brands around now that are worth investigating, T5s have been around for a while now.

I ordered the factory fitted sliding window, centre rhs section (code 4JU from Burwin's pricelist) and was charged $673 (same price for LHS centre) back in June 2007. It's been parked outside from day one and never had a leak while at work my driveway has a decent slope.

[gregozedobe]

IIRC I was quoted something like $1,300 or $1,500 each for the VW ones by Lennocks back in late 2006 !

The UK guys on the Brick Yard forum are always whingeing about their T5 sliding windows leaking, maybe it rains more in the UK than here in Oz

[Tornado T5]

IIRC I was quoted something like $1,300 or $1,500 each for the VW ones by Lennocks back in late 2006 !

The UK guys on the Brick Yard forum are always whingeing about their T5 sliding windows leaking, maybe it rains more in the UK than here in Oz

ouch....Burwins charged me a couple of hundred more more for 3 fixed factory windows and one sliding...