2.5 T5 Transporter or New 132kw Transporter ?

[TDI DSG]

Hi All,

I'm considering buying a van and am looking at the transporters. New shape seems pretty expensive for a basic van. There are still a few 2.5 128kw 09 models around for better prices.

Some research suggests the older T5 was not the most reliable ?
Currently have a MK5 Golf which we bought new and has been great, but dont know much about the transporter's.
Would be looking at the auto's. Old model aout is not DSG is it ?

Would be good to get some feedback from owners as to the quirks of these vans.

Cheers

[Transporter]

If it was me making the decision now, I would buy 132kW a not the old 5 cyl. 2.5. Not that I had too many problems with my T5, it was very reliable so far, only replaced the water pump in December last year.
I wouldn't be worried too much about the new 7sp DSG either, since it is build for more torque. Plus you get better fuel economy and other extras that you can't have on the 2.5 2009 model.

[TDI DSG]

My golf is DSG and its hard to enjoy driving other auto's now !!

I have organised a test drive in a new one next week. Will post up my thought's afterwards.

There are quite a few second hand 2.5 T5's with around 40-50K on the clock fairly cheap also - worth a look ?

[Transporter]

There are quite a few second hand 2.5 T5's with around 40-50K on the clock fairly cheap also - worth a look ?

I would be worried that they were run on wrong engine oil and the valve train is worn out! Especially pre DPF models.

[TDI DSG]

I would be worried that they were run on wrong engine oil and the valve train is worn out! Especially pre DPF models.

Please tell me more.....
I know you need to run the right oil, but worn out valve train at 50k seems excessive even if you ran it on 5ltr Kmart oil for $10. Is 507 suitable for the DPF engines now ? That is what I have allways used in the Golf TDI - buy it in a 20ltr from Valvoline direct.
While on the subject of DPF's are they still a problem as they were in the first Golfs to use them (our's is pre DPF) with short trips ?
Does the new twin turbo have two DPF's ?
Regarding the new DSG is it the same for 103 and 132 variants ? If so it would be good to know that the 103 could be chipped up without worry of DSG issues.
I have driven the new MK6 Golf with commonrail 103 and it does not have the torque of the older PD 103 motor at lower rpm. It is much quieter though !!

[Sharkie]

I wouldn't be worried too much about the new 7sp DSG either, since it is build for more torque. Plus you get better fuel economy and other extras that you can't have on the 2.5 2009 model.

I'm not worried about the ability to handle torque by the new DSGs ..... rather its the seemingly unreliable Mechatronic unit that has created a lot of concern for me ..... so much so that I've cancelled a new 132kw DSG Multivan order ..... Now looking at a 2nd hand manual 4-Motion T5 Multivan .... and preferably in the V6 .....

[TDI DSG]

I'm not worried about the ability to handle torque by the new DSGs ..... rather its the seemingly unreliable Mechatronic unit that has created a lot of concern for me ..... so much so that I've cancelled a new 132kw DSG Multivan order ..... Now looking at a 2nd hand manual 4-Motion T5 Multivan .... and preferably in the V6 .....

Please tell me more about this mechatronic unit. What is it ?
I really like our Golf 5 with it's 103kw TDI and DSG box, but it does scare the crap out of me when I think about the cost of problems if they arise in the future.....
It would not be too long before the car would be uneconomical to be fix a major mechanical failure.
When your enjoying the great driving experience you completely forget about it though.

[05gtwagonman]

Hey TDI DSG!
I just bought a t5 07 128kw manual. Why? got it at the right price. What do I lust after? the 132 dsg. You allude to my point already. A vehicle is more than just an engine, it is the overall experiance. I drove the 103 and the 132. The 103 with Dsg is substantially easier and faster than my 128 man. the 132 is ballistic, I'd love to drive a chipped one. I immediately chipped my 07, and my bum tells me that the untouched 103 dsg is still quicker off the lights to 60, 80 and possibly even 100. That's taking into account that mine will spin into esp in third in the wet... the box is that frickin good. I just want to belive they won't f(*k up when they get a few k's on them...

All the best with the decision...

[The_Hawk]

I test drove the 132kw 4 motion in a multivan and the 103 (non 4 motion) in a transporter and I have to say I was *Very* impressed with the 103, so much so I just signed the papers for a 103kw Multivan. The DSG is just amazing to drive, if anything I'm going to have to be careful to watch the speed until I get used to it

My only complaint is that first second after hitting the accelerator and nothing happens, it's a product of a turbo diesel so something I need to get used to, but otherwise pretty excited to be getting a car made in this decade, hell a car made in the millenium

[Transporter]

I test drove the 132kw 4 motion in a multivan and the 103 (non 4 motion) in a transporter and I have to say I was *Very* impressed with the 103, so much so I just signed the papers for a 103kw Multivan. The DSG is just amazing to drive, if anything I'm going to have to be careful to watch the speed until I get used to it

My only complaint is that first second after hitting the accelerator and nothing happens, it's a product of a turbo diesel so something I need to get used to, but otherwise pretty excited to be getting a car made in this decade, hell a car made in the millenium

They're amazing machines, aren't they . Did the 132kW had the same turbo lug? I like my 4Motion, wouldn't buy T5 without it, it shines in the wet conditions, seems to me that it drives better in the rain than on the dry roads.

edit: the difference between the 103 and 132 kW will most likely be when you take more than one passenger.

[The_Hawk]

Yep, the 132 had the same lag and I have to say that it was either the fact I was driving in an area I didn't know (a dealer about 40 minutes away) so was being very careful so didn't get a chance to let the turbo spool up and power the van, or the addition of the 4 motions just saps all the power. Bottom line it just seemed underpowered.
The 103 I drove around the local area (local dealer) and it just seemed to go so much better. I'm also a little put off by the lack of feedback in the pedal, these are all drive by wire now?

To the OP, go and drive both of the new engines and see what you think of each.

But back to me , soon the family will be cruising in this:

[Transporter]

Congratulations and nice choice of colour too.
Me thinking, I should go and take one for the testdrive, but I like mine more now than 2-3 years ago, so it would be hard to for me to get rid of it.

So, when are you expecting it?

[TDI DSG]

Thanks for everyones feedback.
The_Hawk congrats on your purchase. The lag is just a DSG thing. Our Golf 5 has it but you get used to it pretty quick. Drove a Golf 6 recently and the DSG was a bit more intuitive - wanted to drop back a gear going down hills - not sure if I liked that part, but overall it was a more refined DSG eperience.
Did you find there was much negotiating on the price, or was it a case of if you want it thats the price ?

[The_Hawk]

Did you find there was much negotiating on the price, or was it a case of if you want it thats the price ?

As it's a lease car the deal I got was pretty good, essentially got the options for nix.

I know I could have got a "better" deal if I ordered one new out of the factory, but that would have been a 4 - 5 month wait and the savings would have been lost in what it will cost me to re-register the car it will be replaing. Also being that there is (or should I say was) only one red one in the country and I'm travelling interstate to get it, my negotiationg position wasn't exactly the best, still I'm very happy with what I'm paying... I just want it NOW! (just a little excited).

[TDI DSG]

As it's a lease car the deal I got was pretty good, essentially got the options for nix.

I know I could have got a "better" deal if I ordered one new out of the factory, but that would have been a 4 - 5 month wait and the savings would have been lost in what it will cost me to re-register the car it will be replaing. Also being that there is (or should I say was) only one red one in the country and I'm travelling interstate to get it, my negotiationg position wasn't exactly the best, still I'm very happy with what I'm paying... I just want it NOW! (just a little excited).

Did your local dealer try to locate one for you ? Or did you have to chase it up yourself ?