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What to pay?

3K views 50 replies 11 participants last post by  jc1 
#1 ·
I am getting more and more tempted to get a Crafter to convert into a Camper/Work Vehicle as the T5, while a lovely van, requires a level of interior tidyness I don't seem capable of due to its compactness,

The prices of the Crafters seem far more reasonable then equivalent miles/age T5s as well which is a bonus as well :)
But not looked at these in any detail before so looking for advice on if prices asked seem right or not?

An example I have seen which looks tidy is here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-63-V...425135?hash=item1c7eeb29af:g:ftYAAOSwZJBX-~pm

2013/63 VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER 2.0TDi CR35 LWB VAN NOT SPRINTER ***NO VAT TO ADD***
VW OWNED FROM NEW

£8,995 with no VAT on top
85,000 miles.
109BHP (would this have a 5 or 6 speed gearbox? advert doesn't mention)




(looks like a ding in the door there)

This looks pretty decent and would allow the extra room I am after as a camper and also a "Stay Overnight" work van when working away on installs, where the T5 is not so ideal.
Thoughts?
 
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#2 ·
We have been considering a crafter too but are waiting on the facelift model as they look much nicer. They are also bringing out an 8 speed auto.

We wild in scotland so we are finding a high top would be more practical. Now we have moved house and have a bigger drive it seems sensible to look at the crafter.

I never take the T5 anywhere with height restrictions so it makes sense. A shower area would also be a bonus when we are on the road for a couple of weeks.

Decisions decisions :D
 
#3 ·
Looks wise I really like the Sprinter and thought the Crafter front dead ugly, but for some odd reason suddenly I am quite liking them and have grown on me enough to actually think they look good.
Not aware of a facelift version but not looking at new so not that relevant in my own case (I actually prefer my T5 Caravelle front to the facelift 5.1 as well :D )
The pros of the larger van are definately clearly there and driving one is no worries to me.
 
#10 ·
That is a good point T: (my 2.5TDi is in the garage at the moment. Big bill expected due to complexity and guy said the older 2.5s are a lot simpler :( )
Any rust problems like the slightly older Sprinters which seem to go two-tone white and rust within weeks of being on the road? (don't seem to see rusty Crafters in the same way as similar age Sprinters? :* )
 
#12 ·
Just door bottoms really. If you can get the 2.8 it's a bullet proof engine. Gear driven cams so no belt T:
Maybe just my location and range of local garages, but the gear-driven cam on the T5 2.5 is what is stopping my local garage working on my Shuttle (tools and familarity) - and having to go to a specialist rebuilder to even look at it (problem with Cylinder 3 inlet valve) :* (I am not mechanically minded enough to even contemplate this level of engine work myself)

(I deliberately opted for a 2.5 as well for the very reason it is gear-driven and not belt-driven as well :eek: )
 
#13 · (Edited)
I have a late 2.8 LT LWB, very little rust other than spots where the body has been hit (big stone chips, etc), bottom of the doors a little bit. Nowhere near a similar age Sprinter.

The engine seems pretty strong too, I'm getting a tiny bit of smoke on a cold start but at 200k I wasn't really expecting different.

Oh, and I don't know how I'd ever have managed in a smaller van, it's nice to drive around and not that difficult to park as it turns out. No problems using it as my daily.
 
#15 ·
I am quite tempted by that Crafter I posted the link to :)

LTs etc.... I am looking at the newer vehicles mainly as the cost of conversion will be the same so after all done you have not that much difference in cost between two vehicles of significantly different ages. For the same reason people would typically not do a major full-blown camper conversion on a T4 anymore as the return at sale time would not be there. (That's my theory anyway :) )
 
#21 ·
Popping noise from the air inlet (caused by the inlet value pushing the air back on on Cylinder 3 it is thought)
Now sitting in the Engine Specialists waiting in the queue to be looked at - should be towards the end of next week.
At least I have all those TPS discount parts waiting to be fitted once they sort the engine out, so that will be a bit of a saving (1 or 2% over the repair bill anyway!) - Need to be back on the road for Volksfling end of the month :eek:
Still got those Discs and Pads to pick up as well :)
 
#23 ·
I just went for VW gear as get Staff level discount at TPS (via my bestest mate up the road ;) )

on the LT vs Crafter question, I am swaying LT currently. I was looking at yours in the Rollcall thread T: Have you added a side door or a door from the cab to get access to the box?
 
#30 ·
What to pay?
Well, hopefully the right amount was paid :)


Deposit put down on an LT46 today :eek: Picking up in around a weeks time after the seller puts in through a new MOT. It currently has a DVSA PSV certificate until end of November, so is fully road-legal, but these do not appear on the standard DVLA MOT database so could make it a hassle to tax, so asked him to stick a fresh ticket on it to make life easier (and get another 6 months as well that way A: )

I'll do a Build Thread once I get it home, but in the meantime, here is a taster ...



He is running the later 2.8L engine and is a 16 seater minibus with around 77,000 miles on the clock. Only one owner (strictly speaking two, I guess, but it got transferred and relogged within the same County Council Department, probably for accounting reasons) from new, and have the original documentation, including the conversion certificate!

I like Windows, so looking at minibuses I reckon gives me a potential £1,000 saving in supply and fit, and hopefully will also recoop some money from the sale of the rear seats, unwin clamps and hydraulic wheelchair lift.

Going to be a camper conversion, but not fully set on layout yet, so will be posing questions on that I think I: I will be keeping hold of a couple of the minibus seats, at least for a while to give me rear seating while I am deciding on exctly what to do.

Timescales ... well, need to sell the T5 as well of course to fund this conversion, but the general aim is next springtime, so a decent timescale I reckon (but time moves fast when you are not careful!)
It will be the T5 going to shows this summer, and if I happen to sell during the season, great, and can still go to shows in the LT, but just carry on using the Khyam Awning as a tent and buy a coolbox until it is fully ready :cool:


Wish me luck!! :eek:
 
#37 ·
Thanks all :)
Bodywork is nice and straight and original. Few bits of rust in the usual places, but it is an 03 plate after all and I think easily sorted.

Going to miss my T5 seats though big time with their armrests :( had the captains chairs in the T4 as well for that matter - what will fit the LT?
 
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