Well over priced tbh bear in mind it will have 2003 level tech inside it so batteries etc wont be up to modern standards neither will emissions and increasingly this is going to become an issue when travelling, there are many more newer vans for sale that are better value unless of course it must be a T4 as your preferance, look at the marktplace on here or as an example

Pardon our interruption...

 

Thanks for your thoughts Suty455, that's a very good point about emissions. Only, I confess, I have fallen in love with the Autosleeper Trooper model. I was originally aiming at a budget of @ 9k, until I was wow'ed by the auto and electric windows... but you're right, it is quite a bit over priced. Thanks for getting my feet back on the ground.

The Autosleeper Trooper does seem to be quite rare though (or only available in far flung places..) There's a slim chance (owner keeps changing his mind about selling /keeping) of getting a 1997 swb 2.4 cc diesel manual with 106k on the clock. He wants £9,500 which I'm much more comfortable with. Sounds more reasonable to you?

If anyone has an Autosleeper Trooper for around £9k and lives anywhere 1-2 hours drive from the Portsmouth / Chichester area, please let me know. I'm keen...

 

T4 autos are a big no no you cannot get spares if the box goes its convert to manual or scrap it and at even your 9k budget thats a big pill to swallow, I must confess having looked at one I dont see the attraction and they are woefully underpowered to boot especially the 2.4d 75bhp fine on the flat but hills are a bit of a struggle Friend had one a few years back loved it to bits but it was sloooow, in this Day with the emissions stuff I honestly would be looking at t5.1 if the budget will stretch especially if its your main vehicle

 

Oh. Well that's the T4 auto definitely crossed off my list then. Thanks I appreciate you taking the time to point me in the right direction. I'll go back to the drawing board and start checking out T5.1s. Would you know if Autosleeper have done conversions on those? Definitely in the market for a pop top of some sort and not a high top. Any further advice for T5.1s (engine size etc) would be greatly appreciated 🤗 Thanks again.

 

2.0 DSG but NOT a 180 biturbo or BiTDI that gives you lots of choice specially if you want an auto, if you get manual 6 speeds are better and stronger.
They did one but prices are insane for some reason, there's lots to choose from it's a buyers market right now find one and post it and sure there will be lots of opinions.

 

Thanks again for your advice Suty, I'll look out for the 2.0 DSG. The auto is on my nice to have list and not essential. Had a lovely scroll through all your amazing van pics and the incredible journey you've been on. Unfortunately for me, I'll have to leave that for another life, and go for something ready made. Hoping my perfect camper will find me soon 🤞

 

With the south-west monsoons coming in right now over the Western Ghats, the last thing you want is a windscreen leak eh?

Reported

 

Cheers Ceddes, I'm so glad I joined this forum for advice, it's been really great and saved me learning the hard way. Wasn't quite sure what you meant "5k is T4 are super reliable.." Are you saying the T4 and T5 are both mechanically reliable, or are you giving preference to the T4? Should I be looking for those specs on either model or one of them specifically? Thanks for your help. Ginni

 

Cheers Ceddes

Ignore that post, it's a spammer form India. We get a lot of them on here

 

Ceddes is an indian spammer dont entertain them

 

Oh 😯. Ok.
Thanks 🙏

 

If you are looking at a T4 camper conversion then £10K would be my absolute limit nowadays

I sold my old one for £8,750 and I think that was a fair price for a non pop top immaculate camper in peak COVID times

Could of probably asked a grand more but I'm not greedy. Would probably be around £7K now.

https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/threads/time-to-leave-the-t4-section-and-join-the-t5-section.1794644/?post_id=6607336#post-6607336

Never found the need for a pop top in the time we had it but wouldn't have a van now without one.

Budgeting £15K will get you a T5 or possibly T5.1 with a conversion.

That T5.1 above for £19.5K was a bargain. That would have been easily £28 to £30K three years ago in the "madness"

My previous T5.1 Caravelle was DSG and it was really nice to drive. However the current van is a T5.1 6 speed and don't miss the DSG at all.

If you remap a T5.1 up to 170 / 180 they are a fantastic drive.

 

Thanks Orion, but what is remap? I'm learning fast, but still a newbie to all the tech speak. I'm looking for something around the £9k mark. Can stretch further if the right vehicle comes along. But £9k looks like it could get me something reasonably reliable and in decent condition.

Chilled out travelling is my main focus, rather than top specs, speed and clever gadgets. I don't want to worry too much about it getting scratched or dinged. It's gonna have to be my daily drive also, so not interested in the high tops.

Got my heart set on the auto sleeper trooper habitation, with a warm homey feeling to hang out in rather than the very practical, multi grey shaded office. I'm a gardener by trade. There will be resident plants living inside! (sorry getting a bit carried away, 🤭 but it is Friday night 🍻).

Hope you have a good weekend.
Ginni

 

Hi Ginni

Sorry, forgot to say hello and welcome BTW.

If you spot anything don't forget to ask on here for advice or comments about it pre purchase if at all unsure.

A remap is just increasing the stock HP a bit more for a more responsive and economical drive, nothing outrageous.

They connect the van up to a computer and often a rolling road and overwrite the vehicle ECU

http://www.newultimatetransporters.co.uk/pendle-performance-remaps/

Autosleeper a bit like this?

A gardener by trade? Take a look at this thread in the latter pages.

https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/threads/this-afternoons-view-from-the-window.1796089/page-314?post_id=6762765#post-6762765

They seem to be having a green thumbed moment or two on there about growing things....

 

Hi pal. With regard to emissions it's t6 (April 15 on) that's ulez compliant. Mines jan 15 and sadly not I'd have to do a lot of trips to warrant an upgrade but buying new one to think about

 

Heres a nice looking one. Good MOT history too

Pardon our interruption...

Good luck with your search. Loving my old T4 Topaz 🙂

 

Oh, that's ABSOLUTELY perfect and almost exactly the same as the ones I've been looking at. Only I'm on the south coast and the camper is in Cardiff...😢. Thanks so much for keeping an eye out for me. If you see one of those else where, please let me know. Ginni

 

Ps. Actually, the specs are so good on that compared to what I've seen, I decided to contact the seller. Maybe Cardiff isn't so far away! Thanks, I'll let you know if it's a winner!

 

Does look good. It is worth travelling for the right van.

Caught a few trains in my time to go get a vehicle a good distance away.

🤞

 

Cheers Orion, I've had several chats with the owner this morning and seen a short video of the camper. The owner is away on hols this week but we're looking to meet next weekend. I'm racing against some others who are also keen, so please wish me luck!🤞 Thanks so much for flagging that one up for me.

 

Thanks so much for flagging that one up for me.

Can't take credit, it was @clarkpeacock. Really hope you get it ( providing checks etc all good )

 

Well its not on Ebay anymore!

 

The owner is on holiday and he's had a lot of interest. Probably took it down to stop further calls. I've been bargaining for first chance. I took a screen shot from the ad. She's a beautiful 2.4tdi, 2001 with 50k on the clock 🤞🤞🤞. I'm sooo excited 😊

 

DONT be tempted to buy ANYTHING without seeing it first!!
There are sooo many scams on this kinda vehicle and they rely on putting the buyer under pressure so you part with your money .
Often the pics or the complete sales ad. is from a genuine sale but its just copied and pasted and the contact number changed.
Even if only a deposit is taken from 2 or 3 unsuspecting buyers and then the fake seller disappears to count his cash.
Dont be fooled and make sure the V5 is registered to the person and address you are buying it from .

 

Ok, thanks for the warning. I was considering a small holding deposit... but I would definitely look before buying. I was also thinking to get an AA inspection. I think they cost about £200. Any ideas whether they are worth it?

 

How many miles are meant be on it ?
Was tested last nov with 48k

 

50k. I'm guessing it's a rounded figure. Looks bonafide on the mot history.

 

The owner also sent me a short video - hoping that adds weight to it being a genuine sale