Fitting overseas sourced genuine VW seats in a local T6

[Tornado T5]

I am considering ordering a LWB T6 Transporter 4motion/DSG and sourcing from OS a 2nd row 3 seat option available in overseas T6 Shuttle models, as shown in the photo below. Obviously for a local install I'd need an engineers report and source the mounting rails which are the same as found in local Caravelles/Multivans. Apart from cost what issues could I come across or could stop me from doing this as I've only ever fitted a local manufcatured 2nd row seat before and it was dealer organsied.

The UK VW website spec sheets lists it as "3 individual seats with easy-entry feature on outer seats, all backrests individually fold, in 2nd row." What really annoys me is it's only a £1,056 option on new Transporter vans.

[Sunny43.5]

The rails would be the first stumbling block as the original ones would be bolted to prefitted captured nuts on the underside of the floor which would not be fitted to a base model van , these nuts are positioned on chassis rails or at least reinforced areas of the floor . The aftermarket ones you had in your other van would have had specific sized plates fitted under the floor and the seats themselves would have been tested with those plates same for any seat belts mounted to the body . Now an overseas seat will probably be ok but any seat belts would need to be cross referenced to Australian ADR numbers before use . I know from doing van seating and belt modifications for over 25 years it can be a minefield to get the safety aspect correct . We used to get customers bring an import vehicle to us for certification and we would check the numbers against the same brand of car ie Toyota or whoever , if the numbers on the belts matched then it was okay but if not brand new Australian Standard ones would have to be fitted .

[Tornado T5]

Thanks Sunny. VW Aust don't make it easy Oh how I wish parallel importing was possible today.

[Tig-uan]

It does not look like the seats in the picture are on Multivan rails: In the Multivan, 2nd and 3rd row seats are lined up exactly. Whereas, in the pic, 2nd row seats are offset to be closer to doors. This means they are installed into fixed bracket slots (AU Caravelle style), not into Multivan rails.

Overall, would you not be better off with a regular Multivan, replacing 2nd rows chairs with one more standard 3 seat bench (facing backwards for better access to 3rd row). This will give you 8 seats while keeping all the Multivan benefits like back row air vents and shade curtains?

[Sunny43.5]

Yes correct Tiguan but the seat could be offset on the rails as that is a common practice with lots of people movers . But either way still a pain to modify a non seat van .

[Kiels3927]

It's ten years since I bought my Multivan. Before that I owned a T4 transporter green ticketed with two extra rows of seats & full glass.

When I looked at upgrading I checked costs of fitting out a T5 van with two extra seat rows & found out quickly that with other extras I was interested in, the Multivan was suddenly within a handful of grand of the Van, and that with two side doors, trick suspension & all the other things that excites a soft old bugger.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes you are right the cost of conversions has skyrocketed these days , the windows alone will frighten the beejeezus out of you if you buy them from VW . I bought a fixed side glass for a mate the other day for his VW T5 the glass only was $248 for a non genuine one but from VW from memory they charge around $700 plus EACH for their glass . So most conversion companies would either use the VW price to quote the job and then use aftermarket to better their bottom line maybe .

[Tornado T5]

It does not look like the seats in the picture are on Multivan rails: In the Multivan, 2nd and 3rd row seats are lined up exactly. Whereas, in the pic, 2nd row seats are offset to be closer to doors. This means they are installed into fixed bracket slots (AU Caravelle style), not into Multivan rails.

Overall, would you not be better off with a regular Multivan, replacing 2nd rows chairs with one more standard 3 seat bench (facing backwards for better access to 3rd row). This will give you 8 seats while keeping all the Multivan benefits like back row air vents and shade curtains?

If a Multivan could be optioned with wing doors (forklift loading necessary) I would have bought a van a year ago plus I could get a tdi450, I may be wrong but i think you can option one in Germany.

[Tornado T5]

It's ten years since I bought my Multivan. Before that I owned a T4 transporter green ticketed with two extra rows of seats & full glass.

When I looked at upgrading I checked costs of fitting out a T5 van with two extra seat rows & found out quickly that with other extras I was interested in, the Multivan was suddenly within a handful of grand of the Van, and that with two side doors, trick suspension & all the other things that excites a soft old bugger.

Thats right. I could buy a tdi340 Caravelle with electric sliding doors, rear airbags, full interior trim and a higher features/specs list at under $60K d/away then a Transporter with some options and aftermarket rear seat bench...which to me indicates the Transporter is too expensive for what it offers...but it drives beautifully.

[LogicprObe]

If a Multivan could be optioned with wing doors (forklift loading necessary) I would have bought a van a year ago plus I could get a tdi450, I may be wrong but i think you can option one in Germany.

Just trying to get any Transporter with wing doors in Australia is a joke at this time.
That's why I'm seriously considering a Crafter!

[Tornado T5]

Just trying to get any Transporter with wing doors in Australia is a joke at this time.
That's why I'm seriously considering a Crafter!

I bought my first T4 in 1998 and my T5 in 2007 and iirc there ws at least a 50:50 split of both rear door options on dealer lots, ready to go. Today, looking at Carsales there is only one van in Aust with wing doors (tdi400 search) and it's overpriced and they haven't budged on price for over 6 months. Only the all-new Crafter has an auto option and just a bit too tall for my use.