which model multivan had/has the best engine...

[jamskof]

hi guys, can anyone tell me if the 4 cylinder Diesel Turbo Intercooled 2.0L, in the T5 is 140 or 180bhp?

in a nutshell, im new to multivans, im on a low budget and im trying to find the most relieable version to go for, i hear the 180 bi turbo engine has big oil consumption issues..

any info / pointers in the right direction is much appreciated. thanks in advance!

[Tig-uan]

In Australia:

T5.1 generation of Multivan (from about 2011) came with either a single-turbo TDi engine rated at 103Kw or its twin-turbo variation with 132Kw.

T6 generation (from 2016) kept the single turbo base engine, still the 103Kw version (whereas in Europe T6 received the updated 110Kw version). The twin turbo version was updated to a higher output of 150Kw.

T6.1 generation (from 2020) finally updated the base engine to 110Kw.

There has been numerous horror stories about the twin turbo version, and the 103Kw version is considered to be significantly more reliable .
There were positive reports of the 103Kw engine being aftermarket-tuned to about 128Kw with no issues.

Also, there has been reports that while on-paper the difference between the 103Kw and 110Kw engine is just 7Kw, in real testing on a dyno, the 110Kw engine has shown much better actual torque numbers as compared to 103Kw. This might mean that 110Kw is good enough not to require the extra tuning, especially in the light of the fact that most tuners are saying that they are unable to connect to 110Kw engine at all after its update MY21, when it got switched to a different engine software.

[jamskof]

thanks for all of your help! i'll be honest its getting a bit confusing for me now! . so ive posted a few vans here from different price ranges, are you able to help me out with which would might be a model to avoid, it would be much appreciated. most seem to be 2.0L apart from the older one.

1.
carsales.com.au
2.
carsales.com.au
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carsales.com.au
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carsales.com.au
5.
carsales.com.au




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[Rebuild]

The older T5 (2.5L 5cyl single turbo) TDI engines are good IMO. No timing belt, all gear driven motor.Mines still running strong, only done a waterpump. They do 180km/h flat out (128KW)
Watch the T5 tiptronic 6 spd autos though(up to 2010ish). They are sometimes problematic, as VW early on, said these were a lifetime fill, no oil change or filter required ever( Yeah...right!!).
My tiptronic 6spd auto T5 had a full gearbox rebuild, in stages, at 180K km, costing all up about $9K. Bank on around $6-7K for a full rebuild if required.
I did my own fluid and filter changes and still got probs.

Cue, Sunny ...

Don't think you can get manual T5 multi's. However if you like a T5 auto at a price, see if it's had the auto serviced regularly, filters especially, not just drain and refills. Check for any slippage or as its called "flaring"(burnt clutch/fibre plates in gearbox), if you test drive
Then buy an external air/oil cooler to keep gearbox temps down.

With the T5.1's (2010 onwards?) avoid the CFCA motors, i think, for the oil consumption issue.Faulty EGR coolers collapse and destroy the bores and ring sealing. Search on here for it, plenty of posts about it.
Haven't read of probs with T5.1 auto gearboxes

[Tig-uan]

thanks for all of your help! i'll be honest its getting a bit confusing for me now! . so ive posted a few vans here from different price ranges, are you able to help me out with which would might be a model to avoid, it would be much appreciated. most seem to be 2.0L apart from the older one.

1.
carsales.com.au
2.
carsales.com.au
3.
carsales.com.au
4.
carsales.com.au
5.
carsales.com.au




SaveShare

From the options listed above, I would recommend TSI350 very much (#3 in your list), this is the same model as mine, I have done 220,000 kms on it with no issues with the engine. The TSI350 engine is the highlight as it is powerful and refined, related to TSFI engines in Audi.

Alternatively, the 2017 TDI340 (#4) also looks good, being quite fresh, but pay attention to the engine condition as it has done high KMs.

You can identify the ill-reputed twin turbo variant (#2 in your list) as those with two red letters in TDI: D and I are in Red.

In either case, I would recommend doing the following after buying any of 2010-onwards models:
* switch to thicker 0W-40 oil (e.g. Castrol Edge 0W-40 A3/B4 VW 502 00/505 00) to account for engine wear due to higher kms.
* arrange for a DSG service to include the optional "Calibration Drive" to fix up any DSG immediacy issues.
* replace shock absorbers as the original tend to wear out after 80,000kms already.
* replace front suspension bushes if there is knocking from that area.

[Sunny43.5]

The older T5 (2.5L 5cyl single turbo) engines are good IMO. No timing belt, all gear driven motor.Mines still running strong, only done a waterpump. They do 180km/h flat out (128KW)
Watch the T5 tiptronic 6 spd autos though(up to 2010ish). They are sometimes problematic, as VW early on, said these were a lifetime fill, no oil change or filter required ever( Yeah...right!!).
My tiptronic 6spd auto T5 had a full gearbox rebuild, in stages, at 180K km, costing all up about $9K. Bank on around $6-7K for a full rebuild if required.
I did my own fluid and filter changes and still got probs.

Cue, Sunny ...

Don't think you can get manual T5 multi's. However if you like a T5 auto at a price, see if it's had the auto serviced regularly, filters especially, not just drain and refills. Check for any slippage or as its called "flaring"(burnt clutch/fibre plates in gearbox), if you test drive
Then buy an external air/oil cooler to keep gearbox temps down.

With the T5.1's (2010 onwards?) avoid the CFCA motors, i think, for the oil consumption issue.Faulty EGR coolers collapse and destroy the bores and ring sealing. Search on here for it, plenty of posts about it.
Haven't read of probs with T5.1 auto gearboxes

Thanks Rebuild I thought by now it was forgotten about our saga with our Tiptronic , for the uninitiated the Sealed for Life is a croc . I had ours rebuilt at only 120 thousand Kays cost me $8500 but after a two year battle with VWA and some help from the ABC TV program VW coughed up half the price of the rebuild . I still stand by my conspiracy theory that VW knew that the sealed for life was a bad decision along with no filter change and no tranny cooler as the DSG in the 2011 onwards had several BIG changes . They could be serviced and the filter surprise surprise is now on the outside and it does have a tranny cooler as well . As for the first van in your photos the T5 with the turbo 5 cylinder was a rocket . Its power was linear as it just kept pulling right up and over 160kmh even Jeremy Clarkson on a Top Gear episode raved about it .

[Sharkie]

From the options listed above, I would recommend TSI350 very much (#3 in your list), this is the same model as mine, I have done 220,000 kms on it with no issues with the engine. The TSI350 engine is the highlight as it is powerful and refined, related to TSFI engines in Audi.

Second the 350TSI. It is by far the best Multivan ever. I had the 340 and it was very average to drive. Did a few drives in a 350 and it was a rocket. Can do well over 200km/h and is smooth and powerful everywhere else, Fuel consumption is in reality no worse than any of the TDIs.

As a bonus the 305TSI is very responsive to a tune too and can genuinely get into the 7s 0-100 club with a tune if you were so inclined .... overtaking is also so much easier. They are few and far inbetween and if I could get low mileage 1, I'd buy it myself.

[Silver Caravelle]

I still reckon the 128kw five cylinder has brilliant power delivery as others have mentioned. When I bought mine in 2008, I also looked at the V6 petrol but perhaps a bit too thirsty. Could get manual or auto at the time. And quite rare was a four motion V6 manual. As far as the Tiptronic auto goes, mine has been smooth and faultless thus far at 157,000 Kms. There are many Tiptronics autos out there in various VWs and other makes, so hopefully the faulty ones are still in the minority!

Cheers, Scott

[Rebuild]

SC, my advice would be to get yourself an air/oil cooler, if you're keeping the van for a while. Think mine was about $500 fitted (after it was fixed).

The standard coolant/oil cooler lets the oil run hotter. This hardens various seals and o-rings in the gearbox over time, eventually leading to gearbox probs. This is basically what happened to mine.

My gearbox woes,
The Torque Converter Auto (NOT DSG) T5 thumps into drive when cold

BTW, my gearbox started to give probs around 160K km

[Silver Caravelle]

SC, my advice would be to get yourself an air/oil cooler, if you're keeping the van for a while. Think mine was about $500 fitted (after it was fixed).

The standard coolant/oil cooler lets the oil run hotter. This hardens various seals and o-rings in the gearbox over time, eventually leading to gearbox probs. This is basically what happened to mine.

My gearbox woes,
The Torque Converter Auto (NOT DSG) T5 thumps into drive when cold

BTW, my gearbox started to give probs around 160K km

Thanks Steve. Duly noted. I don't carry heavy loads or tow, so hopefully that works in my favor! I will look into though. Cheers, Scott.

[Rebuild]

I don't carry heavy loads or tow, so hopefully that works in my favor!

I didn't either!!

[Silver Caravelle]

I didn't either!!

Don't jinx me! lol

[Greg Roles]

Late to the party, I'd suggest going for the lower power, more common, reliable engines, perhaps tuning it with a known brand and putting up with it not being a weapon. Amazed people are still recommending the 2.5, not sure I'd agree, bit of PTSD still I guess.

The recommendations for external coolers is an excellent one, especially on Auto's and DSG's, heat is always a killer for trannies, and I've always had an external cooler on all my cars since 2000 and yet to have a single gearbox issue despite giving them a daily hiding.