jmsheahan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 681
Club RR Member Number: 121
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VW T25/T3 as a daily?jmsheahan
@jmsheahan
Club Retro Rides Member 121
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Jul 28, 2020 10:13:08 GMT
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So…VW T25/T3 (delete as applicable)…talk to me. For many years I’ve quite fancied one but the timing has never been right. Before I get sucked into the adult life of kids yada yada, I find myself at a stage in life where dare I say it I'm 'settling down' a little but I still have some freedom  . My commute has gone from 2 hours a day to 6 miles up the road (0 miles with Covid currently), and best of all the misses quite handily takes the title of having the ‘sensible car in the family’ so in theory if mine is out of action for a bit it’s not ideal but not the end of the world. Winning. So I have thoughts of changing up my daily. I have a dog, I spend as much time as humanly possible outdoors and something I could get my MTB in would be a bonus. I cut my teeth with air-cooled Beetles but I don’t fancy going down that route again. As nice as Bay windows etc are I need something more useable, powerful and they are waaaaay out of my price range. A later, big bumper water-cooled T25 speaks to me. A day van, not really interested in one that's kitted out as a camper. But am I being extremely naive thinking I can daily one? Keep up with modern traffic, be semi-reliable etc without putting myself into financial ruin and a pile rust on the driveway? Pro’s ▪ Similar era mechanicals to my Golf. I know my VW’s so I’m fairly confident I can fumble my way around one ▪ Enough mod cons for me - a heater and electric windows are luxuries in my eyes. Much else is just stuff to go wrong. ▪ Probably hold enough value that if it doesn’t work out I can sell it again ▪ Mechanical bits seem fairly cheap ▪ Get the dog, misses, MTB in etc and offer ‘a roof over our heads’ for some weekends away Con’s ▪ I can’t weld currently ▪ Body work is expensive ▪ The engines are a bit sh1t (remedied by an engine conversion which I’m not opposed to doing) ▪ Fuel economy isn’t great ▪ It’ll be living outside, the Golf gets the garage ▪ I don’t want a full on project. Maintenance, upgrades etc aren’t a problem at all but if I spend more time under it than driving it it could become tiresome. So yeah, fellow RR’s. Talk me in or out of it?! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Naturally, in RR spirit have some photos!     |
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Last Edit: Jul 28, 2020 10:16:09 GMT by jmsheahan
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Ritchie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 765 
Club RR Member Number: 12
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VW T25/T3 as a daily?Ritchie
@ritchie
Club Retro Rides Member 12
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Jul 28, 2020 10:37:14 GMT
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I would have no issues with one of these as a daily as long as it's well maintained.
Rust will be the biggest issue.
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,237
Club RR Member Number: 160
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VW T25/T3 as a daily?Rich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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Jul 28, 2020 11:21:24 GMT
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I drove a 1.9 wasserboxer as a daily, had all the usual issues, coolant pipes fracturing, err, actually that’s about it. Make sure the cooling system is top notch and they aren’t really bad at all. They weren’t fast, but they weren’t slow. Motorways are the ‘struggle’, the engine having a mechanically imposed 4300ish Spark cut limiter to prevent crank damage, they want to cruise at 55mph, which, is fine, sit behind a lorry and enjoy the MPG help. On other roads they drive well, the engine torque is well matched to Gears get a Laden van moving so a microbus Or panel can isn’t all that slow Off the mark Empty. Very nice drive compared to previous models (Especially When lowered) with a lovely driving position. You don’t mind that you aren’t going that quick, because it’s relaxing if the mechanicals are good. That said, definitely buy based on bodywork condition.
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jamesd1972
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,834
Club RR Member Number: 40
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VW T25/T3 as a daily?jamesd1972
@jamesd1972
Club Retro Rides Member 40
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Jul 28, 2020 11:24:12 GMT
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I would have no issues with one of these as a daily as long as it's well maintained. Rust will be the biggest issue. I would have thought the same - if you can get good quality OEM type service parts and happy to stay on top of things why wouldn't it be reliable ? Zero depreciation but probably a lot more budget and time to keep on top of things. Have you got workshop / garage space as well - fixing things outside on the drive in all weathers because you need the car the next day is even less fun... Good luck with finding a good one. James |
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jmsheahan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 681
Club RR Member Number: 121
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VW T25/T3 as a daily?jmsheahan
@jmsheahan
Club Retro Rides Member 121
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Jul 28, 2020 12:50:58 GMT
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Thanks for the help so far guys, appreciated. I have a single garage, kitted out with the necessities. I reckon it would just about go in, although that is reserved for the Golf ideally. The longer-term goal would be to build a carport or something to house it I guess. It's the 2.1 lump that's caught my eye as stock engine being the most powerful (and here's hoping may be able to cruise at 60-70? Especially if I'm not lugging a kitchen sink etc). Have also seen them with the popular 8v GTI lump which you can get for peanuts and I have a garage full of spares for. Even saw one with an ABF in (same as my golf) which peaked my interest. But absolutely will be buying on the body if I go for one.  |
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Last Edit: Jul 28, 2020 12:54:53 GMT by jmsheahan
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urbanaw
Part of things
Posts: 249
Club RR Member Number: 17
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VW T25/T3 as a daily?urbanaw
@urbanaw
Club Retro Rides Member 17
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Jul 28, 2020 13:55:30 GMT
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Absolutely, get one. 1.9 or 2.1 water boxers are best from my experience. Bot will cope with motorways but 2.1 is way better.
Auto boxes are cool. Syncros are best.
I would not mind one myself again. I had a few. Mate of mine has been using one as a daily for years now.
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Jul 28, 2020 14:31:01 GMT
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Don’t forget that some foreign ( South Africa) markets got theirs with an Audi 5pot , now that would make a nice cruiser if a tad thirstier than a four pot .
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Jul 28, 2020 15:38:10 GMT
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Don’t forget that some foreign ( South Africa) markets got theirs with an Audi 5pot , now that would make a nice cruiser if a tad thirstier than a four pot . Loads of well done V6 conversions too. And they have the bigger side glass. |
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Jul 28, 2020 21:12:22 GMT
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I daily drove a 1.9 DG engined panelvan surf bus for about 3 years. I got used to the non-PAS quickly, although there are EPS conversions out there. They are such a smooth drive, and quiet for such an old design, well the engine is so far from the cab. My commute was about 16 miles through B roads, which never failed to put a smile on my face - so I would say go for it!
Max torque and BHP is so low down on a WBX, and with the traction it has I could beat a lot of cars off the line, to 20 MPH! I could cruise at an indicated 80 easily.They are pretty good in snow too, mine handled very tight and steep hairpins in heavy snow, albeit on staggered D90s with summer tyres.
I found that lowering helps with dealing cross winds on motorways.
If I had one now I would do a Subaru conversion. RJ Engineering Solutions have a lot of info and products to cater for it. The Golf GTi 4 pots don't have to torque for such a big vehicle in my view. Brickwerks are great for service parts, mods and panels too. I always found The Brickyard forum a useful source for info and advice, although I'm unsure whether Facebook has killed it off or not.
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npp
Part of things
Posts: 120
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I've run this 1.9WBX 7 seater caravelle running on LPG as my daily for the past 9 years. 99% reliable, just the 30+ year old plastic parts in the cooling system that failed crumbling away and dumping 16L of coolant. If you get a diesel then the MK3 golf gti 2L engine is a simple swap and gives 115bhp vs 70 or even 50 the 1.6 diesel makes.
I've now taken it off the road to sort out the dreaded seam rot they like to suffer from and to replace the 5 speed dog leg 1st gearbox which decided it didn't like 5th anymore. I might fit a 4 speed in its place as 1st was only really useful if doing a hillstart up a 1 in 3 with a full trailer. |
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,452
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Jul 29, 2020 10:27:49 GMT
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I used to drive my T2 daily, 10+ years ago when it was a similar age to T3s now. Just make sure you keep it clean through winter.
T3s like to rot through the seams, so keep an eye on them and get it sorted if anything starts.
The T3 is definitely a step up from the T2 in terms of refinement.
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Last Edit: Jul 29, 2020 10:28:06 GMT by tofufi
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jmsheahan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 681
Club RR Member Number: 121
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VW T25/T3 as a daily?jmsheahan
@jmsheahan
Club Retro Rides Member 121
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Jul 29, 2020 10:52:44 GMT
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Thanks guys, some really useful insight here. The more I think about it's cementing itself as a viable idea. Spending a lot of spare time reading through the depths of the net trying to clue myself up. It's just the rust that scares me a little. Having just gone through major surgery on my Mk2 I'm not sure I'm ready for more of that just yet haha. I would, of course, be religiously cleaning it, properly undersealing and cavity waxing whatever I purchased but that relies on it being solid to begin with. It would have to be used in all weathers. The rash in the seams - if this progresses is it mainly panel rot or does it lead to structural issues? Zebedee that's a really tidy looking van. Regarding the diesel as a base for a GTI lump is that because the diesel has the necessary conversion parts? (angled sump etc) |
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Jul 29, 2020 16:56:30 GMT
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Thanks guys, some really useful insight here. The more I think about it's cementing itself as a viable idea. Spending a lot of spare time reading through the depths of the net trying to clue myself up. It's just the rust that scares me a little. Having just gone through major surgery on my Mk2 I'm not sure I'm ready for more of that just yet haha. I would, of course, be religiously cleaning it, properly undersealing and cavity waxing whatever I purchased but that relies on it being solid to begin with. It would have to be used in all weathers. The rash in the seams - if this progresses is it mainly panel rot or does it lead to structural issues? Zebedee that's a really tidy looking van. Regarding the diesel as a base for a GTI lump is that because the diesel has the necessary conversion parts? (angled sump etc) Yep. Diesel provides the right bellhousing to cant the engine over to 50 degrees, water pipes all swap over as does the angled sump, clutch and flywheel and the engine mounting bars and mounts. Buying the bits separately and you're looking at at least £3-500. Thats one of the only reasons i've not swapped the WBX to gti power and fitting a subaru flat 4 seems sacrilegious. Mines not so tidy now unfortunately as the rot has attacked the seams from the inside. The factory underbody rubberised sealant also dries out and cracks letting water in against the metal where it just eats its way out.  Driving through 18" of floodwater pushes all sorts of curse word into places water normally wouldn't get.
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Last Edit: Jul 29, 2020 16:58:28 GMT by Zebedee
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fazzer
Part of things
Posts: 213
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Jul 29, 2020 18:55:31 GMT
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I drove my t25 hightop camper to work for 7 years never had any issues i couldnt fix on the side of road.and maintenance was simple and I'm a mobile welder (a must with t25,s)else can be expensive.i always fancied a diesel pick up ,reliable slow and good on fuel.
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Jul 30, 2020 16:39:50 GMT
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One of our customers at work runs a slightly lifted van with a peugeot td in the back...he properly rates the conversion.
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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Jul 30, 2020 17:12:19 GMT
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The chap in the unit next to where I do some work. Puts a4/passat motors in them, with a gearbox flip. They seem to go alright.
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Jul 30, 2020 20:20:56 GMT
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I was going to suggest a T4 van as I think they're the ultimate (ie. before the accountants got too involved) VW van. Does it have to live in your garage as it probably will be too big?
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,452
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Jul 31, 2020 12:44:12 GMT
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I was going to suggest a T4 van as I think they're the ultimate (ie. before the accountants got too involved) VW van. Does it have to live in your garage as it probably will be too big? With the best will in the world, a T4 is nothing like a T3. The T3 and predecessors are rear engined, quirky and stand out in a road full of modern vehicles. The T4 is a good van, but it's a completely different beast - much more conventional and modern in terms of layout. Also, decent T4s aren't cheap when you compare them to other vehicles of a similar type and age. If you want something with retro appeal, get a T3. If you want something fast and economical, get a T4 or one of it's competitors.  I'm sure they exist, but I've never found a garage I couldn't get my '71 T2 into... (it's a lowered tintop). It's not that big compared to modern cars, just tall! |
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Last Edit: Jul 31, 2020 12:45:09 GMT by tofufi
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Jul 31, 2020 18:48:05 GMT
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T4's are already looking retro imho amongst a sea of T5's and newer. They're not a common sight outside of the SW compared with 5 years ago.
The newest ones are c.2003 so already 17 years old, the oldest are 1990 so 30 years old and that's retro in my book.
Much more internal space than a T25 as well, LWB especially so. Better built and less rusty also.
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. My commute has gone from 2 hours a day to 6 miles up the road (0 miles with Covid currently), and best of all the misses quite handily takes the title of having the ‘sensible car in the family’ so in theory if mine is out of action for a bit it’s not ideal but not the end of the world. Winning.
