T4 Diff question.

[Peter Jones]

I'm considering car options at the moment and looking for an economical commuter and tow vehicle.

It's early days yet but the T4 Dual cabs look pretty promising to me.

My preference would be an auto TDI crew cab but I'd like to know more about the diffs in these. I have a crazy driveway and pulling a tandem up it in the wet yesterday was exciting to say the least.

A syncro crew cab might be another option although cost is a concern.

I'm having trouble finding factory specs on the T4 range if any one could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

Cheers,

Pete

[Peter Jones]

By coincidence the VW dealership just rang trying to sell me a caddy. So I asked a few questions.

Apparently there's an "electronic diff lock" on the T5s that might have been an option on the later T4s.

Does anybody have anyinfo on the system?

Pete

[4wheels]

Electronic diff/syncro

I'm pretty sure the 'elctronic LSD' just works to brake the slipping front wheel through the ABS system, so may be not that helpful in the situation you describe.
The syncro/4Motion versions were only $1k more than an auto when new (in the T5 at least). Not available in auto at all if that's a concern. They are rarer, but the cost difference may not be that great if you can find one. A 128Kw 4Motion is an exeptional tow vehicle.

Brian
2007 T5 Trakkadu 4Motion

[Transporter]

About 5 years ago I was driving one of probably latest T4. It was TDI auto, can tell you only that I wasn't impressed with auto rolling back when I changed from D to R, otherwise I was quite happy with it. (dealer borrowed to me when I sold my Vito while waiting for T5 I had ordered)

I think that it will make too much of the difference being front wheel drive with or without electronic diff lock. Synchro would be the way to go.

[Peter Jones]

When I was chatting with the VW rep and asked about the T5s

A new T5 Crew cab 4wd with factory tray is only available as manual and costs ~$53,000.

A new T5 crew cab, factory tray with Auto is only available as 2wd but has some sort of diff lock. about $1,000 less.

There's no auto 4wd option but there might be in the updated T5.5 next year.

Base model cew cab with no tray is $50,000.

Coming from a background of MK1 ownership the price of a new T5 is a bit daunting.

Pete

[Transporter]

Coming from a background of MK1 ownership the price of a new T5 is a bit daunting.

Pete

Naah, you get use to it.

[Seano]

No you don't. That's why I haven't traded up from my T4 syncro dual cab.

The price of entry is frankly prohibitive. Trade in price on the T4 is laughable and the ask price for a similar T5 is insane - changeover would cost me about as much as I paid for the T4 inc on roads back in '02.

Autos in T4's have a woebegotten history when it comes to towing.....unless service histories are immaculate and driving styles were gentle....and luck was in.

Syncro and auto never got together in a T4.

[Peter Jones]

Cheers Seano,

How do you find the T4 generally? Any issues or traps I should be on the look out for?

Syncro would seem to be the go.

What's the clutch action like? I assume they're hydraulic? I need something that's easy on my knee. (ie better than MK1 )

Must get out and drive one soon I think.

Pete

[Seano]

The T4 is a pretty good rig especially if you can find one that has been well cared for. Syncro is epic on dirt roads and tarmac twisties. Not a bad climber either. Clutch action is car like rather than truck like.

Never towed with mine. With a 2.4m tray I've never felt the need to fit a towbar....so I've no idea how they'd go. My suspicion however is that there are many better tow vehicles out there.

Issues? I've actually had nothing significant to date. Most of the issues relate to preventative maitenance. The TDi needs a new timimg belt every 60,000km which gets expensive @ $1,200 a time.