2t Tow car longevity

[Cowabunga]

Was thinking about the car options and wanted to throw a wildcard option in - VW transporter with seats and tons of storage. I do huge mileage consulting but still quite fancy the idea. Thoughts from the experts ?

Some versions of the Transporter are really luxurious, with captain's chairs that can be configured in many ways. Not the minibus version, but the type they use for luxury VIP transport from airport to hotel type of thing. My cowman's son's wife has one. She is very sporty and into surfing and skiing and she also uses it to commute to work as an NHS physiotherapist.

As it happens I was on a short 'YFC Oldies' weekend at Malvern last year and it happened to coincide with their annual VW Busfest. I've never seen anything like it! Thousands [over 8000] of VW Transporters. Only VW Transporters. Thousands inside the show and thousands more in the car parks. They have an amazing multinational cult following of which I was previously unaware as to its extent and enthusiasm.
https://www.busfest.org/busfest/

I can't say that I'm into VW Transporters to that extent, but it was a real eye-opener.

 

[Cowabunga]

In my opinion....there are better vans.
The Transporter is a very old design underneath the regular headlight and grill changes, and it shows compaired to the competition.
The Transit custom certainly has more room in the rear.

The current Transporter is quite new, being the T6 which is the sixth generation that was launched three or four years ago. It is very far removed from those old air cooled, rear engined machines that were common in the 60's and early 70's.
The T6 is about due for an update, possibly in a few month's time. Not another new generation but probably a mid-life upgrade and restyling.

 

[ThatsSomeSheep]

Problem with vans imho, even Transporter or Vito (which would be my choice) is that I would be concerned that people would ask me to tar their driveway - especially if pulling the sheep trailer with a hairy pony or 2 in tow!

TSS

 

[Highland Mule]

That's why I'd avoid the Transit, but a nice high specification VW with 4-motion, mmmmmm.

On second thoughts, I suspect the Vito would be even nicer, and stick it in silver or black to avoid the Pikey label.

 

[ThatsSomeSheep]

That's why I'd avoid the Transit, but a nice high specification VW with 4-motion, mmmmmm.

On second thoughts, I suspect the Vito would be even nicer, and stick it in silver or black to avoid the Pikey label.

We borrowed a Vito camper van a few years back to travel the NC500 (before it was given that monicker). Lovely vehicles to drive and can be made to look fantastic too - but I don’t think they come in 4x4.

TSS

 

[ollie989898]

I would have to investigate the NCAP ratings of these transit van type passenger cars before buying one for the family I think. They can be a bit clumsy to drive as well.

 

[ollie989898]

Volvo automatics are pretty reliable, I would get the gearbox oil changed more often than every 100K though, particularly if you are towing extensively. Every 40,000 or so.

 

[B R C]

Transporters in Highline spec are very nice, Kombi with three seats to rear and either two captains chairs or one plus bench, 2.5t towing and are commercial vehicle. Expensive but hold their value so cost of ownership no more than other vans I would think. I am just having the dilemma of wether to change our ranger for another or a Kombi. We already have a Transporter California which is rented out a lot.

 

[Highland Mule]

Up here we have to be careful with the taxation class to avoid being stuck at the lower speed limits on the A9 - there's 100 miles of average speed cameras, and you don't want to be a van on that. I understand that the VW can be either, so it depends which when you're travelling.

 

[Lincsman]

It is slipping the clutch. Just as you would slip a manual clutch. They can and apparently do wear out if slipped excessively and a sure way of doing so would be to slip the clutch with a load behind. Most people, like you, are oblivious to how these transmissions work, although there is plenty of information available should anyone care to find it.

I agree that the gearchanges are smooth and rather nice. I really do like the Edge on the whole. The new 'conventional' torque converter eight speed unit should be far more suitable for towing than the DSG though. Having said that, if care is taken not to slip the DSG's clutch, then it should last an acceptably long time before overhaul.

So at what point does it stop slipping, just to clarify, the car is idling the brakes are off and its in drive and moves off slowly picking up speed, does it need revs to "lock" the clutches?.. if so how many.

 

[Fergieman]

Edge should be a great tow car. However, and it is a BIG 'however', the automatic version is a six speed DSG [dual clutch robotised manual], which is really not suitable in my opinion. The reason being that there is no torque converter to aid starting and creeping, only a computer operated clutch, which is prone to 'abuse' if not driven very carefully and with special mechanical sympathy when starting off. Creeping or slipping of the clutch must be avoided at all cost, otherwise big bills will accumulate sooner rather than later.

Only now with the very latest 2019 model year have Ford dumped the DSG type box in favour of a far superior [in my opinion] torque converter eight speed automatic. If this is within financial reach, it is the Edge to have, especially for towing but for all driving. Or a manual earlier model.

Mine is a manual. 40,000 miles and just had tyres and 2 services (18,000 miles interval)

 

[Lincsman]

Mine is a manual. 40,000 miles and just had tyres and 2 services (18,000 miles interval)

My tyres only made it to 20K.. continentals I think?

 

[Fergieman]

I am on General tyres now can't remember the model name. Being a manual I am on 19" standard tyres rather than 20" low profile.

 

[Shavings man]

Whilst on tech talk. Is the clutch in an auto Volvo any good?

TSS

Towed 10000s miles with one on limit 2 ish tons up hill and down dale no problem at all .

 

[JP1]

In my opinion....there are better vans.
The Transporter is a very old design underneath the regular headlight and grill changes, and it shows compaired to the competition.
The Transit custom certainly has more room in the rear.

+1

My employer and his Brother's business have bought Transit Customs replacing Transporters

I've had the old model twin turbo Vito and loved it

I like the look of the Peugeot Expert / Citroen Dispatch / Toyota Pro-Ace

 

[ollandroverman]

The current Transporter is quite new, being the T6 which is the sixth generation that was launched three or four years ago. It is very far removed from those old air cooled, rear engined machines that were common in the 60's and early 70's.
The T6 is about due for an update, possibly in a few month's time. Not another new generation but probably a mid-life upgrade and restyling.

Underneath the latest trendy headlights and dashboard, its the same van as the Transporter launched in 2003!

 

[ollandroverman]

Can you get a transit 4wd? And one without a “Transit” badge on it? The badge alone (and I’m not normally a badge snob) would put me off it.

Yes, but as far as i am aware, only in the larger full size Transit, and not the mid size Transit Custom.

Personally, i would say the opposite. I would far rather have a smart modern Transit custom than a wannabe lifestyle vehicle from the downright untrustworthy VW group who have almost single handidly caused all this angst and hatred towards our beloved diesel engines.

 

[Lincsman]

Can you get a transit 4wd? And one without a “Transit” badge on it? The badge alone (and I’m not normally a badge snob) would put me off it.

Well as the transit outsells all other vans sold in the UK put together they cannot be that bad, in fact if the transit custom was a car it would be in the top 8 sellers every month.

 

[Lincsman]

I am on General tyres now can't remember the model name. Being a manual I am on 19" standard tyres rather than 20" low profile.

Mines auto, titanium with lux pack, and has 19 tyres, good really, low profiles dont like potholes.

 

[Cowabunga]

I have an "old" version, didnt know how many gears it had until now as its hard to detect changes.

You say creeping is bad for it, but if its running and you move to drive without throttle it starts to creep building up speed.. just like a torque converter teleporter etc... what harm is it actually doing?

Have a look at this video, that just happened to pop up on my YouTube feed today, that explains it all quite graphically.