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Isn’t mpg vastly improved in the T5?
We have two kids so home made conversions doesn’t really work for us, feels too risky. Otherwise I’d just get an empty shell and have a go at it.
A bigger van means more room but at the cost of tax, mpg, parking, ferry fees, etc. I think a VW with a pop top hits the right balance between space, comfort and ease of use. Shame they cost a minor fortune though.
Re other van makes they all seem to fall apart really quickly here. Seems like the salt eats them quicker than a VW. Or perhaps theyre just less looked after
kboy-
Mpg on the older bosch VP pumped 1.9 and 2.5 T4 are excellent, older T5 with a 1.9 PD will do epic mpg if you just potter along, anything common rail is noticably worse on fuel, rarely ever get above 40mpg unless got a tailwind and your doing 48mph on an A road. I think the really new stuff is better, but IMO lots of diesels from 2005 > 2018 really aren't very good on economy, more performance/nippy feeling, and with diesels power = fuel, lots of it.
I think its the quality of the owners, especially the first 5-8 years that makes a big difference to how bad vans get, most tradies that have a crafter/transporter/caddy actually look after their van and don't slob out vs, every single transit van has actively decaying food packets and filth visibly mounded up against the windscreen. Same for any vauxhall car, often fleet cars for people that don't care, not that they are bad cars just the new/early years owners often don't look after them. Look at 20 bog standard spec 1.4 astra's for sale and then 20 similar 1.4 golf's (wind up window level of spec), the golf's will be much less disgusting inside!
BrickMan
From hands on experience t4 built better than t5 in many ways. But most are less rusty because they are less old!
Think the highline have a nicer interior, the two lower ones are very builders van up front.
Thinking about a euro (fiat/citroen/Peugeot) van, medium high, medium length or a vaux/renault equivalent. Seen a few neat conversions done, don't need much, will stay registered as a van I think (useful for work), just need a folding bed, some insulation, skylight /sweat vent, maybe a mini kitchen and a side window in door + panel. Or go full fat and just get a sprinter /transporter (older one as im familiar with their engines).
T4 lwb would be great, but low roof and cba with putting a pop top on it, mate bought a t5 with a diy pop top that was done wrong in just about every way.