Advice for buying T5 Multivan ~100,000-150,000km

[Seano]

No-one is suggesting you have a lemon, Ivo. But it seems to be the case that plenty of T5 (and for that matter T4's) do begin to have a few niggles once they get up over 150K - and the niggles are often expensive and tricky to fix when you don't have a VW mechanic. For someone who is new to the brand and investing to the top of their budget then it is fair to point out what history suggests could go amiss. The OP may actually take the punt on a used T5 and win big time....or they might not - and that only has to happen once for the whole experience to go sour.

The last two years of servicing and issues solutions at the dealer has set me back about three grand per annum...and next year is timing belt and water pump time again (that's two grand in one hit). If the clutch decides to expire in the next couple of years and the dual mass flywheel is considered cactus to boot then that's another three grand. I'm hundreds of kays from anyone other than the local dealer with any specific VW experience - and most of the local blokes are a bit hit and miss with problem solving although at plain old servicing, no worries.

The T4 DOKA TDI 4Motion is less than ten years old and only worth 15K retail so the service costs are a bit of a concern to me. The same sort of math is on the cards with a 5yr old T5. It's worth checking Car Service, Mechanics, Auto Services, Car Repair, Auto Repairs for an idea of routine dealer service costs of any car you are looking at...

I'm not saying don't buy....I'm saying buy knowledgeably. And perhaps look for something else...

[Ivo]

I should have put a smiley face ( ) in my post!

Totally agree that you need to be careful when buying, but I was making the point that they are not all bad.

Want reliable, by a Turbo Diesel Land Cruiser. Father inlaw just traded his 92 model 80series TD Sahara on a new 200 TD Sahara. 360k on the old one all he had to do was get the injector pump done at 320k.

[matandcath]

Yep. All great discussions guys. True (and any mechanic will suggest the same) - get a turbo diesel Toyota if you want 300000k of easy motoring. Same issue though - a new (or even newish) one will set you back $50000+. I have sussed servicing costs with the Multi. Every service seems to be $700 here, $1100 there, another $550 there....I 'spose you get used to it, but we've never had those sort of costs. It scares me to cop that PLUS possibility of a $5000+ 'box as well. If Toyota built a TD van just like the Multi, and matched the Multi's price, they'd sell them hand over fist. All those driving the Prado/L'cruiser/Klugers, who bought them for space (not offroading = probably 80%) would switch. That's the thing. We've considered 4WD's, but in reality most of them are "big boned" but actually not particularly spacious inside. Our Soob has 180,000 on the clock and only item outside servicing was an $800 fitted manual clutch. Servicing cost seems to be about a 1/3 of the Multi. I'm enjoying all the feedback and appreciating the perspectives! It looks like, once you've experienced the fantastic USEFULNESS of the van, it's impossible to turn back, and as a result, you learn to live with the costs as part of "normal" motoring. If you're lucky enough to be cashed up, you can simply swap them at ~120-140k before things go pop. I figure any vehicle that fails before 120,000 is just crap. The trick is finding the ones that happily do another 100,000. Thanks for the idea of auctions. Where in melb do you go and how do you know when they come up? If the price is right, we may be able to afford "hiccups". Keep the ideas coming! Thanks once again all. Mat and Cath

[Sharkie]

If you are set on a Multivan, then seriously consider the 3.2 V6. It can be had for $30K without the TDI issues.

Alternatively (our #2 & #3 before we ordered) look at the Hyundai IMax, same as the Multivan space wise with better seating (, can be had in TDI and petrol and a year old for $30K.

And the Toyota Tarago, petrol 2.4 or 3.5 V6, both are very nice and a year old 2.4 can be had for $30K.

For $30K both are better buys than a Multivan, with some factory warranty left and in the case of the Tarago bulletproof engine & transmission.

[Cousin]

Mat, keep in mind a lot of ppl that have problems with cars go to forums for advice first, cos they're worried about being ripped off by a mechanic.
So reading through great forums like this one makes you feel like the whole model is just crap
But go to any forum for any make and you feel the same
It's good to get an idea from a place like this what you MAY be in for, but it's just a maybe.

I've just sold a 2004 diesel T4 manual with 360,000ks. Absolutely faultless for its life
Also just got rid of a 1998 T4 manual petrol with 400,000ks. Once we sorted the lpg (ripped it out!) it also ran faultless
I know both ppl that now have those vans, they're both happy as with them, even with the high ks.
They're still both great vans

The 2006 T5 TDI I've got now does have it's niggles
Since I bought it early in the year (120,000ks) I've had to replace the exhaust manifold
The electronics annoys the begeesus out of me
I know the auto will go somewhere in the near future, but I've got my head ready for it

But the thing goes, and handles well (for a van), is great on fuel (bout 8.5L/100ks)
I use it for work with middle seats out, bench forward and all my gear in the back
Same setup with bikes in the back on the weekends
Brilliant setup with all the seats (and table) when we go out with friends
Fantastic for touring with the missus. If we can't get a bed somewhere, doesn't matter, there's a double in the back

And what Ivo says about rose coloured glasses is true, once you've had a good run in one of these vans, you're just about smitten for life

And I'm not so sure I'd be an advocate for a manual in a T5
They don't seem to be as robust as some of the earlier models. Dual mass flywheel is a case in point
I hunted around for a manual initially, quickly gave that up as they are fairly rare
Most of them come in 4Motion, which is good, if you need it
If you don't, it's extra weight and fuel consumption as a penalty
Once you adjust your driving to auto/diesel, it's just so easy driving, particularly in traffic

One last point that makes the whole excercise work, if you buy any vee dub, you need to track down a Volkswagen mechanic
There are plenty around, and the good ones are worth their weight in gold
If I was relying on dealership servicing/repairs, I would not be driving Volkswagens




M

[Ivo]

Auctions sites to keep an eye on.

Government Auctions

Vehicle Auctions, Car Auctions, Online Auction - Pickles Auctions Australia

I bought mine at pickles. Prices vary week to week at auctions, if a few people want it it will go for a high price. Dealers will often bid, on cars. Dont pay much more then what they stop bidding at.

Remember, there will always be another car in a few weeks and you dont have to buy but generally they have to sell, weather its auctions or a regular sale.

[brasstinman]

The guys are right about people coming to sites with questions and or problems but there are plenty of multivans out there running like a Swiss clock. My wife's uncle has a 2.4 T5 with over 200k on it and all they had wrong is the manifold. Expensive oil but the engine and auto box haven't skipped a beat.
The use Klaack Motors in Fairfield, specialist VW mechanic because the guys know their stuff and it pays off. Servicing isn't expensive either.

[matandcath]

thanks

Yeah. I know it can be a bit of luck of the draw. We are inclined to wait to see if an auction perhaps presents itself, or better still, a really cheap private sale! Can deal with a lost gearbox IF orig price low enough to allow for the cost. I don't think that would be appropriate now. $30000ish would be our limit, so we wouldn't be able to foot a repair bill like that. Thanks for the fairfield mechanic idea - we live just down the road!

[Umai Naa!!]

There's a Fairfield in NSW, too

[Cousin]

There's a Fairfield in NSW, too

I missed that bit too!

Mat, Volkshome in Thomastown are excellent


M

[matandcath]

Thanks. I might give Volkshome a buzz. That's a bit closer! Keep the advice coming. I haven't written off the idea of a Multivan yet!!!