VW T32 Transporter - good or bad?

[ChrisH]

Thanks for the great info Chris; much of my work is in parks, often driving across grass and muddy places, I thought the XC-90 would cope but stupidly it doesn't have a diff lock so if one wheel spins it digs in and refuses to budge! not good when you are on your own in a darkening park!

In that case yeah makes sense! Surprised XC90 is that poor... would have thought even if electronic it would have had some trickery to stop one wheel spinning... kinda fundamental on anything even vaguely intended for off road or low grip conditions.

Or get a 2wd... spend the cash on something fun... and keep a set of snow chains handy

 

[Needamaser]

Had a 1.9 T4 transporter and changed it for a 2.5 auto T32 lwb Shuttle.
Wanted a LWB for a reason. Parking is always a consideration but I find load capacity plenty for my needs. Van is used every other week to move something large.
Wanted a shuttle as speed limits are same as a car not a van. Where I live that was a big consideration. Drives like a car in many ways. Handling is surprisingly good for its size. Should have changed it a few years ago but running like a watch and just done 100k now. I fitted winter tyres on it and last winter I was driving through 8" of snow without any issues as you have ground clearance and gets up a 1 in 3 snow covered hill where fancy 4X4 with road tyres cant.
They are more expensive than likes of a Transit but they hold their value and there are lots on the road. That says it all really. I looked long and hard to finally get what I wanted.
Personally if I change I wouldnt bother with a 4 motion.

 

[rockits]

I have an XC90 V8 and it is a cracking all round vehicle but I would imagine it won't be the best off road.

Seems to me it is either a Haldex or similar system in that it is mainly FWD and sends power when it needs to to the rear. Hasn't got any clever settings or diff lock that many Land Rovers have.

It does very well to put all 315bhp down pretty well on tarmac. I had it in the field pulling fence posts out etc. a while back and it worked OK but the wife's Freelander 2 was much better and you can see the 4wd system working much more dynamically with all 4 wheels spinning/gripping at different rates. Very clever.

I was looking for a EU4 petrol or EU6 diesel van ideally. Many of the 2014-2016 petrol Transporters don't seem to be EU4 petrol which is weird and subject to ULEZ. The later EU6 diesels from circa 2016 on are but seem 25k plus mainly.

So many tricky tax positions as well for crew/kombi cabs as you need over 1t payload to make sure you don't fall foul over BIK even on van with only/mainly commercial use.

The 2 seater commercial Outlander PHEV would be good but it is just too small as a van as low roof and high floor makes it smaller than than the XC90 even.

 

[Harry]

I’ve been lurking and reading some very technical posts about your thoughts on purchasing a transporter!

My father in law is on his second VW Caravelle. Current model is the 2.0 DSG automatic, long wheel base. It is great for carting furniture when the seats are out. Very comfortable for 7 with the seats fitted. Superb for carrying bikes/luggage etc and the sliding doors make it really easy to get into. So you can load one side and clamber in the other, reconfigure the back seats etc.

It also has great handling in snow and easily gets up Hardnott Pass (for example). It’s fun to drive too. Allegedly, performance chips are available H.

 

[TimR]

The (diesel) engines are certainly quite tuner friendly..
They are all the same unit regardless of power rating on paper..
What they do essentially is to remap them....Beyond the 180 vans which are "bi-turbo"9 with larger injectors) ...so the ceiling is set with the single turbos...
Pendle for example, will push 168/170ps from a 6 speed and a suitable bump in torque..Its just a remap...As a responsible tuner, they dont like to push 5 speed boxes this far as they feel they arent designed for it... And they ensure they dont billow unburnt flourocarbons ( black smoke) everytime you put your foot down..All done bespoke, on a rolling road.
Others will do it in your driveway and are happy to wind them up higher withpout using a rolling road - I wouldnt touch them...! lol

I nearly went for a DPF delete and a remap to 170 ish when I first had the van. So glad I didnt as the MOT regs have since changed...

 

[jasst]

Well I had a Passat with the DSG gearbox and hated it, only had it 6 months and moved it on. Newton, if you are struggling with the Volvo, then you will undoubtedly struggle with 2wd vans, my Primastar is **** , one wheel on the verge and your stuck, even with winter tyres on, the fiat ducato is available with a LSD which may help.

 

[2b1ask1]

Well I found a unicorn yesterday, the exact spec I want with just 18k on the clock on a 66 plate (2017) Euro 6. Thought I'd run the configurator on it new and it specs up at £46k!!!! I'm in for £20k +VAT. Managed to wrangle it from a Scotsman who has been dithering for over a week by ponying up a deposit for it. Need to get the finances finalised but what a major step up in efficiencies it will be for me. Just to have the confidence of efficient 4x4 and the loadability of a true panel van will indeed be liberating for me. I will build some custom shelving and mount for the rope machine on the near side so it runs a bit more balanced than the previous ones have.

Looks super smart Photos when I can...

 

[rockits]

Nice work Newton....well done That is a great find. If you come across a twin sister let me know

 

[2b1ask1]

As of 4pm today it is officially financed through the business so taking full advantage of tax relief on that front! So I have secured my unicorn! I’ll collect it on Wednesday next so I’d better buy a train ticket unless anyone happens to be driving through Essex and past Scunthorpe on Wednesday?