I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. Now, I`m no expert so won`t give advice but tell you what I wanted and why (people will disagree). I wanted a T5.1 as I wanted the newer, more reliable 2.0 power plant. I`m not saying avoid the 1.9 or 2.5.....it`s just my choice. Mileage, I wanted as low as possible but not many around so I was like you 150k or less. I was lucky to drop on an ex plumbers van who only worked local....81k mine has. The better financial route, apparently is to buy a base van and get it converted but I`m impatient and wanted to use mine straight away. Luckily mine was a brand new conversion and suited me. Storage, electrics, heater, r and r bed etc. and also a nice colour/finish.

I`m sure people with proper knowledge will be along with some practical advice soon 😊

PS. Yes prices are high........it is what it is....I doubt you`ll lose money on these.

 

I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. Now, I`m no expert so won`t give advice but tell you what I wanted and why (people will disagree). I wanted a T5.1 as I wanted the newer, more reliable 2.0 power plant. I`m not saying avoid the 1.9 or 2.5.....it`s just my choice. Mileage, I wanted as low as possible but not many around so I was like you 150k or less. I was lucky to drop on an ex plumbers van who only worked local....81k mine has. The better financial route, apparently is to buy a base van and get it converted but I`m impatient and wanted to use mine straight away. Luckily mine was a brand new conversion and suited me. Storage, electrics, heater, r and r bed etc. and also a nice colour/finish.

I`m sure people with proper knowledge will be along with some practical advice soon 😊

PS. Yes prices are high........it is what it is....I doubt you`ll lose money on these.

Can I ask what year you got ? How much ? Would you worry about year or more about mileage ? It seems I looking at 24k -27k it seems converted age range for this price is between a 2007 and a 2011 . I have seen a view vans that look suitable.... I am not sure I would be any good at the conversion or have time .Either way I would need to spend for the pop top etc. I found a 2014 van 120 k mileage and the flywheel done with MOT etc for £13995 conversion is 10k so I am still coming in around the 24k mark.

 

Maybe join the Facebook VW T5 Group - there's usually a few good vans advertised on there.

Personally I'd say if you don't have the time/skills/inclination to DIY convert a van yourself then I'd buy one already converted. I would say you could save money buying a van that someone else has already paid to be converted vs. paying for one to be converted or a brand new conversion.

The other issue at the moment is that campers are in huuuge demand due to everyone staycationing etc. so prices have gone up so unfortunately you'll be buying at a premium.
Alongside this, I would expect most conversion companies (that are worth using) will be booked up for months now due to the increase in demand.

If you're totally new to VW Transporters and campervans, it may be worth trying to find one you can hire (or at the very least test drive)?
Making the switch to a van for a daily driver isn't for everyone, so testing one out first will certainly help you decide if it's for you before you part with a whole wad of cash.

Also think about how you often you intend to use the van for camping - do you need a fully fitted kitchen down the side (most common conversions) which adds a lot of weight and uses up space or would a removable kitchen pod be more suitable and make the van more suitable for daily use?

Have a read through some of the posts on here... generally the 2.5L engine T5.1's are best avoided as they can be problematic if they haven't had proper maintenance. The 2.0L diesel is the most common and is an excellent workhorse!

Mileage wise - up to 150k is perfectly fine - the diesel engines are excellent and will happily double that mileage with proper maintenance and servicing so don't worry too much about high mileage. I'd concentrate on finding good service history and perhaps pay for an independent inspection if you're not familiar with VW's etc. for your own peace of mind.
If buying from a dealer you should also have the additional benefit of a warranty though.

 

Maybe join the Facebook VW T5 Group - there's usually a few good vans advertised on there.

Personally I'd say if you don't have the time/skills/inclination to DIY convert a van yourself then I'd buy one already converted. I would say you could save money buying a van that someone else has already paid to be converted vs. paying for one to be converted or a brand new conversion.

The other issue at the moment is that campers are in huuuge demand due to everyone staycationing etc. so prices have gone up so unfortunately you'll be buying at a premium.
Alongside this, I would expect most conversion companies (that are worth using) will be booked up for months now due to the increase in demand.

If you're totally new to VW Transporters and campervans, it may be worth trying to find one you can hire (or at the very least test drive)?
Making the switch to a van for a daily driver isn't for everyone, so testing one out first will certainly help you decide if it's for you before you part with a whole wad of cash.

Also think about how you often you intend to use the van for camping - do you need a fully fitted kitchen down the side (most common conversions) which adds a lot of weight and uses up space or would a removable kitchen pod be more suitable and make the van more suitable for daily use?

Have a read through some of the posts on here... generally the 2.5L engine T5.1's are best avoided as they can be problematic if they haven't had proper maintenance. The 2.0L diesel is the most common and is an excellent workhorse!

Mileage wise - up to 150k is perfectly fine - the diesel engines are excellent and will happily double that mileage with proper maintenance and servicing so don't worry too much about high mileage. I'd concentrate on finding good service history and perhaps pay for an independent inspection if you're not familiar with VW's etc. for your own peace of mind.
If buying from a dealer you should also have the additional benefit of a warranty though.

Thank you so , so much this is all wise advise and really interesting reference the 2.0 L I will look at this . Could I pop a few links on and see what your views are please ?

 

Welcome aboard Kelly, by all means post up some links and we'll take a look see.

Split has voiced some great advice, namely what you want from the van / camper? Are you looking for day trips, long weekends, holidays? Things like pop tops are a luxury and can be added later, bit more of a pain with furniture in but the great thing about these machines, anything is possible. I've owned my first van just over 2 years now, knew very little about converting them and only wanted it to ferry my mountain bike about, well things ie my needs and wants changed, and I've rebuilt my rear furniture twice since the original version. Have a look at the build threads, lots of info and ideas that aren't the standard set up.

As for help spending your money, you've come to the right place 😁

 

Thank you so much,
We camp alot so ideally quite a few trips ! I am a teacher so aside of planning in the holidays I can travel . I will use this as my daily drive. I am really wanting just the beds not fussed by a full kitchen set up although storage would help and possible a fridge ( although the kitchens look lovely ) Struggling to find someone who would just do a pop top in my area. I considered buying a van and just adding a pop top but in all honesty it seems crazy money best van I could get with low ish mileage is min 15k plus then the pop the bed.......

 

I know its a VW forum but just to throw a curve ball in (why not??) have you considered a full motorhome - if you are looking at £24 - 27k you could get a fairly low mileage coach build….

(Lots) more space, central heating, indoor shower and toilet etc etc.

Just a quick search to back this idea up, found this one:

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

62k miles - more sensible - cheaper to run as well (VWs are magpies trust me!).

I love my T5 and its a great day van but wouldn’t consider camping in it for anything more than 1 or 2 nights - its just too squashed - only my opinion of course and I did use it for a lot of camping some years back before I even knew what was out there motorhome wise…

 

Thanks we did consider but we want it as a daily drive .... I think I just want a VW LOL

 

Maybe a Kombi as a base, then look to get the back kitted out

2014 Volkswagen TRANSPORTER KOMBI T5.1 AIRCON HIGHLINE 6 SEAT SPORTLINE SWB Pane | eBay

 

World's gone mad. 2014 Kombi with barn doors - £20k!!!!!

 

Volkswagen Transporter T5.1 T30 2.0 TDI 140Bhp SWB Factory 6 seater kombi | eBay

This looks nice but maybe I am looking at the looks not the underneath

 

Looks nice on the outside (team black [emoji41]) … just needs some red Sportline decals/stripes [emoji23]

Basic/standard inside and 130,000 on the clock makes it (with the VAT) just too expensive - though you’re looking at the right base, a Kombi (5 or 6 seats) is the way to go as you’ll already get all the windows done and just need to add a bed in the rear - easy enough to build your own behind the 2nd row of seats, I’ve done it so it can’t be that difficult [emoji38].

 

Having said that if you want a VW based semi-motorhome then this looks pretty decent for the money:

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

My advice either way is AVOID EBAY !! … VW pricing is usually beyond ridiculous on there and those ones you have found are no exception, I think they are all far too much money for too little (especially as you’ll have VAT on top of those prices).

AutoTrader is your friend - it is consistently a LOT cheaper, for T5s at least...

 

Having said that if you want a VW based semi-motorhome then this looks pretty decent for the money:

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

My advice either way is AVOID EBAY !! … VW pricing is usually beyond ridiculous on there and those ones you have found are no exception, I think they are all far too much money for too little (especially as you’ll have VAT on top of those prices).

AutoTrader is your friend - it is consistently a LOT cheaper, for T5s at least...

Thank you I have looked on Autotrader also not much coming up at the mo ..... will keep looking . Do you think the 2011 conversion is also really high ?

 

I can't see the prices coming down at all in 2021, maybe next year as people feel more comfortable about travelling abroad again.

The black kombi on the surface looks decent, tailgate is a sort after option for many as it give you an instant canopy should you go for a slide out cooker pod at the rear of the van.

 

2011 Black Volkswagen Transporter 2.0 TDI T32 Kombi SWB 4dr (SWB) for sale for £15950 in Kilby, Leicestershire (autotrader.co.uk)

 

Why don't you hire one, long weekends etc, a couple times. This is what we did last year to see if we really did want one and check the layout etc to our liking. We hired a cali, and a LWB, found the swb really cramped.
Ended up getting one, a LWB and did the conversion myself. Our second trip this weekend and really happy with our van.

 

How come the search is just for the T5.1s?
I've had my fair share of problems with my pre facelift but even then, from what I've been told, the 1.9 and the 2.5 are just as bulletproof.
Yes they will have higher milage but these engine are built to last as long as they have a full service history to go with the van.
You'll be looking at all sorts of vans and not knowing what to go with. Have a think about what you want from the van, do some research into the vans and then start looking.
From experience, the 2.5L of the pre facelift isn't going to be your best friend as a daily on short journeys but will more than eat up the miles on a motorway, these are vans at the end of the day, not cars so short journeys won't be great for them.
It I ridiculous how much a base T5.1 is!
I got my 2.5 just before or at the start of the price hike, £5250, 230k miles on the clock and a full service history and receipts of work done on the van. That's now gone up to around £14k, the price of your starting point, and I've got a brand new engine, a converted rear for sleeping and electric hookup.
I thought I was shafted with how much I've spent but I think im pretty well off with the starting price of some of these.

As what @Wakeboarder 321 has said, why not hire one and see what you like?
All the crazy ideas of conversions and pop tops are quite forward thinking, just find or narrow down the search as there is a lot to the vans you'll need to know before diving into it.
I hope my ramble could be of any help👍

 

Thanks for your reply we had a vw camper when we travelled around and a van before that so we are familiar with the layouts so not so much of a crazy idea,,, more I know what I want for our lifestyle ,,, but I am not knowledgeable of all the models and still learning so thanks for all the advice... I really appreciate it. Whilst hiring is a good idea we owned one pre kids albeit an old wagon so I think this gives a clear idea . We sold it after our travelling. However thank you in terms of other van, we have looked at a few and the T28 seemed to suit us quite well hence the search sort of started here. That really makes sense to consider the range and I have learnt so much already from all of you the rambling is great so please feel to ramble at me some more. I think a kombi seems like a good idea on a 2.0 ?The prices are really crazy...... makes me quite stressed.

 

11 plate factory combi with 120k there for 15k
Not sure how you would value a 230k older van with a homemade conversion at 14k will

 

11 plate factory combi with 120k there for 15k
Not sure how you would value a 230k older van with a homemade conversion at 14k will

No thats how much I've put into my van, wouldnt value it at that much, that's the price of the van included as well

 

Probably answered your own question there then will
Spending 5k +15 on the 5.1 might make it a van worth near 20
But you have spent 14 on something worth maybe 7k

 

Even then, if you're not worried about the resale value, you're saving £6k more and getting a van that's still just as reliable.

 

When searching on Autotrader, make sure you search for the “built” campers such as Autosleeper, Danbury etc.
You can find some great campers at good prices normally with a comprehensive history. These can be found at motor home dealers and can come with warranty for the same money as self built ex builders vans.

 

I'm biased and love the 2.5's, love the look of this one and although 10k seems a bit high it ticks all my boxes If I was looking again.

Auto Trader Vans - New and Used Vans For Sale

Find your next van with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used vans. Over 30,000 vans online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Just saw the mileage, that's very high

 

Thanks looked great and then saw the mileage feel free to send me more I am in Evesham

 

The black kombi for 15k would be a tempting purchase after a good check over, it has ac, heated seats, tailgate, factory seats that can be swapped out, with some smart furniture build you can swap between camper to people carrier in not much time. Full flexibility.
As I mentioned before, there are companies out there that supply flat packed furniture for you to build and install if you haven't got the means and ways to build your own.
If your top line is 23k, then 15k on a tidy kombi leaves a sizeable wedge for the conversion if done wisely.

 

Thanks so much !
I agree with you in terms of budget and kiting it out, I like the idea of the removable kitchen also. I have enquired about it, What do you think on that mileage ? Is it the same as the T28 that I would need to check dual mass flywheel ?

 

Hi all the black kombi I posted is this way over priced ? I have posted the link here again :

2011 Black Volkswagen Transporter 2.0 TDI T32 Kombi SWB 4dr (SWB) for sale for £15950 in Kilby, Leicestershire (autotrader.co.uk)

What would have I paid ore covid ball park ?

 

Nice camper if your budget stretches to it. 😀

2008 Green Volkswagen California tdi 2.5 for sale for £31,950 in HALIFAX, WEST YORKSHIRE

 

Nice camper if your budget stretches to it. 😀

2008 Green Volkswagen California tdi 2.5 for sale for £31,950 in HALIFAX, WEST YORKSHIRE

I know it's low mileage but Holy Hefty Pricetag Batman!

 

Or a Trooper, if you don’t mind the seats. 😂
I don’t. 😉

2006 Gold Auto-Sleepers Trooper 2.5 for sale for £23,500 in GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK

 

Blimey, the prices of Transporters are off the scale, they must be doing a lot of cocaine to even try those prices.

For those sort of figures I'd want a splitty shipped here from Arizona and rust free.

 

I know poor me !!! I am really thinking of knocking the search on the head but this would be my next daily drive and current car is on last legs.......

 

Even if they do relax abroad holidays, people who have invested this year in a camper will be reluctant to sell, prices might start to level out but very slowly in my humble opinion. Campers were always increasing in popularity but as we all know covid has drastically booted the appeal up the barn doors! So much so that last minute weekend away bookings are increasingly hard to find.
Stay at home people, I need a holiday 😁

 

Yes this is true, I have been looking for about 3 years on and off and always knew it would be the next buy...but was waiting for my old Audi to die ..... she passed the last MOT which was unxpected but the bodywork will fail on next before her engine goes she has done 240k

 

I'd go for this one

Van value??

As above, I am considering selling my T5.1 and really don’t know the value of it and what to put it up for?? the spec is as follows. SWB 3200kg (heavier payload) 140bhp Salsa Red 69k FSH 4motion Diff lock Tailgate DAB Heated seats Windows in both sides Black oem rails and cross bars alloys...

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

 

Is this for sale now ?

 

The 4motion running gear is bullet proof and makes for a very stable van.

 

Prices are crazy! £20k for an almost stock kombi is insane. If I didn't love my van so much I'd sell it just to cash in!!

 

I know it is so mad and I am worried I will buy a bag of ...... and lose