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We are contemplating what to buy next , I visited a few VW dealers looking for run out / demo models of the T6.1 as normally you can get a bargain. Seems that they have sold them all already even though the T7 wont be out until years end with deliveries around February , I have done a fair bit of research and I,m not happy about the new model being a Ford Based van . The wet sump engine has from reports in Europe not been so reliable as the VW engines along with electronic gremlins, and as has happened in the past with vehicles built overseas they don't factor our climate and driving conditions . I acknowledge that oil changes are critical but from reports engines have failed well before the scheduled change of the timing belt , even with the oil being changed earlier our climate will shorten the times as well . So its starting to look like we will be sadly leaving the VW world , we need a van for our disabled daughter in her wheelchair who rides in the back and so far the new Hyundai Staria Load is starting to tick the boxes .Its 2.2 litre engine is a bit more powerful than our current T5.1 so thats a bonus , its a bit longer than our SWB so thats going to give us a bit more room . The thing that really impressed me was the fit and finish was way ahead of what our T5.1 was when new , doors shut with a nice resounding thunk rather than the rebounding effect we got with VW which VW could not fix . The only downside which I can live with is the rear beam leaf sprung axle as opposed to the rear coils in the VW .
I suppose the main reason I've made this decision was my mates T5 .1 which was purchased a year before ours has had some dreadful bills to keep it on the road and the most recent really put the wind up me . He has already had the serpentine belt wrapped around the timing belt {note here when that happened I had the divider fitted to ours and since then it has broken two serpentine belts but no tangles } his resulted in a $6000 partial engine rebuild because VW never fitted the divider between the two belts , then the mechtronics in the DSG went south another $5000 . Then just the other day it lost all drive with a horrible grinding sound and found the spline INSIDE the differential of the DSG had stripped out another $6000 plus repair and there is only one second hand box available in Australia currently . He said that along with the spline failure the mechanics have told him it needs a variety of other work done ball joints brakes and engine mounts so he is now unsure of that vans future . Ours is just on 169000 kms and shudders in reverse so thats a worry with $$$ his has 225000kms so age could be the issue there . Do I take a gamble on the VW FORD marriage or cut and run now , would be interested in peoples opinion .
I suppose the main reason I've made this decision was my mates T5 .1 which was purchased a year before ours has had some dreadful bills to keep it on the road and the most recent really put the wind up me . He has already had the serpentine belt wrapped around the timing belt {note here when that happened I had the divider fitted to ours and since then it has broken two serpentine belts but no tangles } his resulted in a $6000 partial engine rebuild because VW never fitted the divider between the two belts , then the mechtronics in the DSG went south another $5000 . Then just the other day it lost all drive with a horrible grinding sound and found the spline INSIDE the differential of the DSG had stripped out another $6000 plus repair and there is only one second hand box available in Australia currently . He said that along with the spline failure the mechanics have told him it needs a variety of other work done ball joints brakes and engine mounts so he is now unsure of that vans future . Ours is just on 169000 kms and shudders in reverse so thats a worry with $$$ his has 225000kms so age could be the issue there . Do I take a gamble on the VW FORD marriage or cut and run now , would be interested in peoples opinion .
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