Looking for a LWB Transporter

[Art]

Hello you all.
I am looking to start a new project based on a LWB transporter 4 or 5 model with high roof if it is possible.
The projest will be to convert it to a camper.
I would appreciate your inputs regarding reliability or preference for the following options in the above models:

1) Engine reliability: is the 2.5 diesel the best option? Is the petrol V6 reliable and better option than the 2.5 D?
2) I read in USA forums that the automatic gearbox in the V6 can give some problems. I assume that it will be because oil change and filter was not done @ 60000 Km even if the factory do not specifying it.
Because budget restrains I would need to look in units with more than 160000 km. What are the mayor services in the above engines?
Do they need timing belt replacement kit on them and how much it will cost?
Any other input will; be appreciated.
Cheers
Art

[Sunny43.5]

Not sure about the V6 only that it was a thirsty beast , the T4 with the 2.5 petrol was a ripper . The engine was reliable and pulled like train . Not sure about the 2.5 diesel in the T4 but the 2.5 Turbo diesel in the T5 was a beast the torque was pretty bloody good and pulled like a train as well . Now the T5 turbo had a couple of known niggly problems , water pumps were common camshafts could be a problem if the wrong oil was used over a long period .manifolds were prone to cracking but could be repaired .

[Art]

Not sure about the V6 only that it was a thirsty beast , the T4 with the 2.5 petrol was a ripper . The engine was reliable and pulled like train . Not sure about the 2.5 diesel in the T4 but the 2.5 Turbo diesel in the T5 was a beast the torque was pretty bloody good and pulled like a train as well . Now the T5 turbo had a couple of known niggly problems , water pumps were common camshafts could be a problem if the wrong oil was used over a long period .manifolds were prone to cracking but could be repaired .

Thank you for your reply, so the 2.5 petrol looks like that will be the way to go if I do not want to have complicated and expensive issues?
I read a bit about the new turbo 2.5 engines and appears to me that they are expensive to repair like the Land Rovers TD5.
I cannot afford that, have to be simple or go back to the after 1987 air cooled ones.
Let see which inputs we have regarding the diesel engines in the T4 models.

[Umai Naa!!]

2.5TDI in the T4 is ok, but can be maintenance-intensive.

2.4D in the T4 is slooow, as are the petrol 2L and 2.5L motors. The petrol motors are pretty reliable and basic.

Avoid ALL autos, unless you're getting a 2010-onwards with the DSG.

V6 in both the T4 and T5 is thirsty, and mated to the junk auto box.

2.5TDI in the T5 is ok, but again can be trouble-some and expensive as things wear out and fail.

[Art]

Thank you for your inputs.
If the 2.5 Tdi is as reliable as the LR Tdi (4 cyl) then I can live with it.Some times the injection pump can be calibrated o improve performance. I do not know if that it is the case with the VW engine.
The same applies to the 2.4 D in the VW.
Speed it is not the problem for me, I will be happy with a T3 or T2 2lt engine.

[Sunny43.5]

My son had the 2.4 non turbo diesel T4 as his first car , it was used to carry his Moto Cross bike to race meets around SE Qld . Whilst never a speed machine which we were thank full for the first year or so , it was dangerous out on the highway . Some times in the country areas it would take forever to pass another vehicle as you had to wait until there was clear vision for a long time to allow for the engine to get up to a decent safe passing speed . After the first two years I bought a donor van off Ebay with the 2.5 petrol and did a complete swap over converting the van to a petrol powered one . I had a T4 for my work van from 2000 to 2005 and other than a stupid relay problem that engine was a gem plenty of power and reliable mechanically . I don't agree with Umai that the 2.5 is slow mine would run rings around the new T5 I bought to replace it in 2005 which had the newer 2.0 petrol . My 2.5 could get up the hill we live on in 3rd gear and still be pulling at the top , my T5 would struggle to get up in 2nd gear and would be slowing at the top .

[Art]

Thank you Sunny43.5, I drive about 15000 a year in Tasmania where the distances are short. I do not care much at my age about speed but yes I like reliability and simple to fix.
I will investigate on the T4 2.5 petrol engine and do a test drive.
Perhaps I can get cheap enough to compensate for the cost of a high roof installation on it if I cannot find one.
I have driven a T3 with 2 lt engine many years ago and it was Ok for my use so the T4 have to be Ok if it is as good as the T3 Kombi.

[jets]

2.5TDI in the T4 is ok, but can be maintenance-intensive.

Just wondering what specifically you are focusing on.
I am on my second T4 camper, both with the 2.5TDI engine over a period of 13 years. I agree, timing belt replacement will cost more than the petrol engine but doesn't require plugs, leads & sometimes coil replacement.
To Art, the 2.5 TDI is considered the best choice of engine by the RV centre, T4 Forum & VW Vortex Forums, & this is reflected in resale prices.
I have no personal experience with fuel consumption of the petrol but in the US on Vortex they talk around 18-21MPG [US gallon] with manual trans & on the T4 Forum up to 40mpg [IMP gallon] with the 2.5TDI.
I originally owned a LWB & found it awkward to park in most car parks. Both vans have been pop tops, which means you don't have the worry of underground carparks. I remember while travelling in Tas. on one occasion, I followed the signs to a car park to be lead down a ramp facing a height limit warning sign. There were other cars following & I thought this would be very awkward if I was driving a high top camper.
As is said repeatedly, your purchase needs to have an impeccable service history with no signs of any bodges by previous owners.

[Art]

Thank you for your inputs Jets, I am not worried about the timing change service. Every time that I purchase a vehicle the first thing that I do it is timing belt change with all the need tensions and iddle pulleys and in some cars like the Mitsubishi engines do the water pump as well.
Regarding the body preference it has to be a LWB and prefer a FG high roof fitted on it.
The high or length does not worry me at all, I lived touring on a Mazda T3500 bus for just over 2 years.
If the 2.5 Tdi is reliable in the T4 as you are saying of course will be my choice before a petrol engine.
My points (or worries) about which kind of engine and reliability is base on my experience with the LR engines and the difference between the 2.4 4 cyl Tdi300 and the 2.5 5 cyl Td5 engines on the Discos and Defenders. The Tdi300 is simple and cheap to repair (spares) the Td5 it is more complicated and expensive and I cannot afford it. I do not want the same experience with the VW van if I choose wrong.

[Rebuild]

The T5 2.5 TDI 2004-2010 ish has no timing belt. Cam,etc is all gear driven
T5 1.9 TDI are timing chain
If you're buying a T5 make sure you know what it is.

The T5.1's with 2.0 TDI 2010ish onwards have timing chain

[Art]

Thank you Steve.
I would like to source a manual van and keep out of the automatic ones. Is VW using ZF auto gearbox?

[Rebuild]

The T5 2.5L auto is an Aisin box
I've done my own servicing(filter/partial drain and refill) approx every 75K km.At around 150K on it now, only had a few clunks at times early on around 2nd/3rd gearchange(not for a long time now)

IMO the T5 is a much better drive than the T4, and the 128KW T5 does go reasonably hard, not that i'm biased

[Rebuild]

I do not want the same experience with the VW van if I choose wrong.

You would most probably be better off with a T4 then.

[jets]

My points (or worries) about which kind of engine and reliability is base on my experience with the LR engines and the difference between the 2.4 4 cyl Tdi300 and the 2.5 5 cyl Td5 engines on the Discos and Defenders. The Tdi300 is simple and cheap to repair (spares) the Td5 it is more complicated and expensive and I cannot afford it. I do not want the same experience with the VW van if I choose wrong.

I know very little about land rovers except I was told once that one model/s had unit injectors that cost around $1000 ea.

A quick overview of the T4. Production started in 1990 & was probably sold in OZ in around 1992. One of the engines sold in OZ was the 5 cyl.2.4 diesel using indirect injection with a Bosch VE style pump. These were sold [in OZ] until 2000 when they were replaced with the 2.5TDI. This engine was released in Europe in'96 & was taken from the Audi range but took a while to get here. This engine is direct injection but mostly old school with the exception of the fuel pump that has another " layer inside" that receives inputs from the ECU that is now fitted. This engine compared with it's predecessor is powerful but very economical. The T5s are more powerful again [but probably not more economical] but have unit injectors & the oil required is special [more expensive]
Hope this helps your decision making.

[Art]

The T5 2.5L auto is an Aisin box
I've done my own servicing(filter/partial drain and refill) approx every 75K km.At around 150K on it now, only had a few clunks at times early on around 2nd/3rd gearchange(not for a long time now)

IMO the T5 is a much better drive than the T4, and the 128KW T5 does go reasonably hard, not that i'm biased

The problem with many of the auto transmissions is the the box "supposed" to be maintenance free and that it is not the case.
ZF in Peugeot and other cars was under that category bu later they come with a service update to change the oil and filter @ 60000.
Gearbox fail because the filter get clogged or very restricted and therefore the pump run without oil and collapse.
It is a common problem in the Peugeot 406.
In vehicles where the ECU can be check it is good to refill the gearbox at a the recommended temperature of the oil like in the case of the BMW.