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We have a 1995 2.4 diesel automatic Autosleeper Topaz in excellent condition and 80,000 on the clock.
So far its been very reliable. Changed the cambelt, waterpump, auto transmission fluid and tyres when we got it 3 years ago and I service it every year.
We went round the Hebrides/Scotland last year, with some wild camping, and did over 1500 miles with no problems.
It averages around 30 mpg and cruises happily at 65 mph but a bit slow on steep hills.
We have looked at newer vans but not found a better layout for the two of us. Toilet, shower plus usual fridge, grill etc and I can stand up in it.
Have heard quite a few stories of unreliable 2.5's so will be very careful when I buy my next one which will probably be another Topaz.
My Clubman is based on the T4 and has 2.5TDi engine - I have had no problems with it at all, just want a smaller vehicle as I drive it all the time and finding the Clubman just a tad too big for me now.
Boxertwin69 - Mark, I believe you have the layout I want, rear toilet, bench seat along one side?
You have answered your own question as to which engine to choose!
if you've had a 2.5 tdi and you swap it for a 2.4 or 1.9 you'll for ever be comparing it to your 'old' one and sooner or later you'll end up in the buying marker again.
we made this mistake just over two years ago, went from a t4 PVC to a t4 coachbuilt, the pvc had a tuned 2.5tdi, went like the clappers and gave fantastic fuel economy. we swapped for a 2.4 which had had already had a turbo fitted by tb turbos.
although it had a bit of grunt, it did not compare, and with in a year we'd given up, and ended up buying a fiat instead.
I know you are thinking of going the other way but I would seriously advise against getting anything other than the 2.5tdi. If your current Motor has the 102bhp version then i may consider the 88bhp version, but make sure you know which version you are buying - the 102 version has an intercooler on it.
My choice is quite narrow now - have tried to deviate from the VW chassis but think it would be a bad idea in my case - where would I put all the VW memorabilia I have!!
I do look at other makes, not yet found one with the set-up I want so it has not been a problem so far.
______________________________________________________________ Tricia ---- Dogs are not our whole life but they make our lives whole.
We have an Autosleepers Topaz 2001 model on a VW 2.4 not injected. It is reliable but a pain on long steep hills. Greg complains about it, but we also know that it will probably go on and on, or has the potential to, given that it only has 30odd K on it now. We will probably change vans at some stage, as we plan to do some longterm travelling and the next one will have to be turboed or injected or whatever is the case.
I have no real knowledge of these vans and engines so excuse my 'girly' imput here, but you know how a woman always likes to have a little say. A bit like how I feel when i go into a Motor Factors shop
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