crossing over to the DARK SIDE????

[sharky71]

:msn4: Any of you chaps thought about going over to the DARK SIDE and getting a T4/T5?????
I got a friend who has got a T5 and recently got the roof chopped proffesionally in Brizzol and subsequentley had a fortnight touring round S.Ireland and loved it.
He's seen my early westy and said he'd love one but is not that good at spannering to which i told him i never did alt like that before and got mine sorted all bar a battery tray and seatbelt points and Midland Paintwerks did the baremetal work.
To be fair though i had a really solid bus and was very lucky,but the wifey has commented on his T5 and said ............."Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to just jump in and go,we'd be in cornwall in 3 hrs instead of 5-7hrs and we could use it for a second vehicle all year round"(mine dont go out between half term in Oct thru to Easter and that's when it is late!!!!! :lol: :lol: ).

so was just wondering what you chaps think?has anyone thought of throwing in the towel and trading up for a newer model??
are you tempted by the DARK SIDE??

MMMMMM There is alot of got's in that post :lol: :lol:

:sick0019:

 

[68_early_bay]

Errr














































































No :lol:


I've got a lot of friends who have t4/t5 and as lovely as they are, I like my bay :lol:

 

[Rippers]

I am thinking of it, we hired one recently and it was all just so easy! I would do so much more travelling esp round Europe then I presently do with the bay. Presently pricing up a T5 conversion for a couple of years old Panel van and I think I could do one for around £20K to a good spec.

 

[rallye dale]

I've got a T5 as well as my bay :mrgreen:


I drive it everyday, 2.5 5 cylinder 170 ps

 

[Shorty]

I do think about trading in the bay at times, I've looked at T3's, T4's and T5's...

The bay is lovely and for now I always seem (or get told by the wife more like!) to decide that it's the best option..

Just depends how you weigh things up, a T5 is always going to be warmer, faster and more comfortable, but, does it feel 'right'?

Damned if I know at the moment!!

 

[Mark6455]

Ok if your a plumber :lol: :lol:

I couldn't get by without going into the engine bay checking the oil level every day or taking out a mortgage to get her through the mot every year
I don't think I'd get the satisfaction out of a t5 like I do my bay

 

[rallye dale]

Cheeky :lol:

cruising at 80-90 mph (off the public highway of course :mrgreen: ) , cant beat it


The 2 are not comparable, both different animals

 

[sharky71]

Don't get me wrong............... i like my Valerie but am finding the storage issue and speed and ride comfort conflicting.

i would never chop out my westy interior because i have kept it all original apart from new red leather seats with cream piping and fluted stitching "Faux's bed conversion"" and a diesel eberspacher.
ride height is stock,wheels are stock engine is stock,overal the look is just right for me.
i suppose it is horses for courses???
insurance for Valerie was £135 for 5k miles pa,euro cover,commutting and agreed value of £25k fully comp,but i bet it would be nearer £400 notes for a T5?????

Is "The Grass Greener on the DARK SIDE"??????

Calling all T5 owner drivers for feedback,are they reliable gutsy or harsh??

Keep ya thought coming peeps!!!

:sick0019:

 

[rallye dale]

Depends which engine you get, all are remappable

T5's up to 2010 are 1.9 4 cylinder 84 and 102 ps and 2.5 5 cylinder 130 or 174 ps

2010 on facelift models are all 2.0 4 cylinders, 84 , 102 , 140 and bi turbo 180's

Mines a 56 plate, RFL is £130 a year iirc

SWB and LWB 16 inches difference

Mine pulls like a train , tons and tons of torque and pretty good MPG

They are like driving a car with all the mod cons

 

[Mark6455]

Cheeky :lol:

cruising at 80-90 mph (off the public highway of course :mrgreen: ) , cant beat it


The 2 are not comparable, both different animals

Mine does that ...............









.......on a low loader :lol: :lol:

 

[StuF]

For me owning an Earlybay was more than owning a vehicle for going to shows and camping in, I feel like I am driving around in a piece of history.

Ignoring all the expense and sometimes frustration involved with owning a classic bus there is not one single part of me that would consider swapping that historic journey for a T4/T5/T6 etc converted plumbers/builders van.

Of course I do agree newer more modern vehicles are faster, more reliable, warmer/cooler, practical the list goes on - however if you are looking for the best campervan for the equilivant money get a Hymer or a Fiat and stay away from expensive compromised VW's.

I am sure a T4 / T5 will depreciate significantly more in comparison to a classic camper too. :shock:

This frequently comes up as a point of discussion on Vzi - each to their own I say. :msn4:

But for me history and heritage wins over practicality and speed. :lol:

 

[RICH-I-AM]

Nah :lol:

The only reasons id sell mine are big debt or to purchase the other cars on my bucket list.

Rich

 

[Shorty]

For me, that's where the T3 slots in nicely... Still a classic, but easier to drive etc etc... Don't get me wrong.. Love my bay and hope to even drive it one day!!

 

[sharky71]

For me owning an Earlybay was more than owning a vehicle for going to shows and camping in, I feel like I am driving around in a piece of history.

Ignoring all the expense and sometimes frustration involved with owning a classic bus there is not one single part of me that would consider swapping that historic journey for a T4/T5/T6 etc converted plumbers/builders van.

Of course I do agree newer more modern vehicles are faster, more reliable, warmer/cooler, practical the list goes on - however if you are looking for the best campervan for the equilivant money get a Hymer or a Fiat and stay away from expensive compromised VW's.

I am sure a T4 / T5 will depreciate significantly more in comparison to a classic camper too. :shock:

This frequently comes up as a point of discussion on Vzi - each to their own I say. :msn4:

But for me history and heritage wins over practicality and speed. :lol:

well said my friend.

i admit i very much like the way you get the odd looks from people who appreciate the classic vw and when i drive it it always leaves me with a smile on my face(when it's running right) :lol: :lol: but i do sometimes find myself alittle envious of the mod cons in the T5 but somehow feel that it might not be all what it's cracked up to be.
storage problems and lack of power up hills a side i do get that happy feeling when we get where we want to go(or is that relief :lol: :lol: )under our own steam,perhaps i need to factor in more travelling time?????

 

[marco]

I had a t4 caravelle for 6 yrs it was a 2.5 5 cylinder petrol and the engine was awesome, the gearbox too low geared and it drank like Oliver Reed. It rusted and the seating position was aweful. It went like stink and was easy to lower but electronic issues weren't cheap to sort. It cost £3500 a yr to run and I sold it to buy my earlybay. :mrgreen: ...I've seen the light :lol:

 

[Shorty]

I had a t4 caravelle for 6 yrs it was a 2.5 5 cylinder petrol and the engine was awesome, the gearbox too low geared and it drank like Oliver Reed. It rusted and the seating position was aweful. It went like stink and was easy to lower but electronic issues weren't cheap to sort. It cost £3500 a yr to run and I sold it to buy my earlybay. :mrgreen: ...I've seen the light :lol:

You bought a bay to save money :shock:

 

[petegee56]

Had the debate in my mind many times, as most probably have, I came very close this year to getting a t5, however, the more I looked the more expensive a T5 got. expensive to insure, expensive to tax, if you want any sort of fuel economy you have to do 70. so looked at it and my bay was cheaper to run. and would i REALLY go away more because i had T5, I suspect life would get in the way most of the time, and so those trips away would just not be the same in the t5. If you want to spend lots of money get a new gearbox and a new 1955 motor in your bus drive down the motorway at 70. get your heat exchangers working to the max potential and they work great, my mates old bus used to get too hot his worked so well.

just my two pence worth.

Pete

 

[sharky71]

I had a t4 caravelle for 6 yrs it was a 2.5 5 cylinder petrol and the engine was awesome, the gearbox too low geared and it drank like Oliver Reed. It rusted and the seating position was aweful. It went like stink and was easy to lower but electronic issues weren't cheap to sort. It cost £3500 a yr to run and I sold it to buy my earlybay. :mrgreen: ...I've seen the light :lol:

You bought a bay to save money :shock


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[mister]

I would sooner buy a Bongo.... :shock:

 

[marco]

I had a t4 caravelle for 6 yrs it was a 2.5 5 cylinder petrol and the engine was awesome, the gearbox too low geared and it drank like Oliver Reed. It rusted and the seating position was aweful. It went like stink and was easy to lower but electronic issues weren't cheap to sort. It cost £3500 a yr to run and I sold it to buy my earlybay. :mrgreen: ...I've seen the light :lol:

You bought a bay to save money :shock


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:mrgreen: no road tax, half the fuel (limited mileage policy) cheap insurance, just don't count the money I've spent not getting it on the road