New to Campervans help wanted

[steve]

Hi

Im keen to get into vw campervans and looking for some advice. I have heard rumours that some of the older engined circ 80,s have problems with getting heads off and require new engines. Also what type of engine is best air or water cooled and are the ones in the front better than the rear engine ones,

Any help as to which van I would be best to start with as theres so many but only want it for night sleep overs not long holidays.
Look forward to any help you can give.

Thanks

Steve

[David Eccles]

look for a nice T25 (post 1980) weekender type of conversion as they are the best VFM at the moment
personally I'd stay air cooled but hey..whatever...

[Clem]

Its a dilemma.
Air cooled are simple cheap and reliable engines, but generally rotten as pears. Water cooled T25 are solid, but usually need new engines.
Maybe look for an aircooled T25? Kind of a good halfway house.

[steve]

Thanks for advice is it worth paying the extra and getting a t4 from 1990 onwards dont think they look as nice but are they reliable engine wise etc.

[Mikey V]

Greetings

T4's certainly have less cred than than splitties or T2's. In the 80's I had a decent looking T2, but even then the thing was a bit of a farting dinosaur that ate all my hard earned and froze my bits off in the winter after I crawled out of the tide and expected the primeval heater to give.... well heat really. Without a doubt, you can get a half decent one now, but you need to take an ekspurt with you when you buy.

T25's are a bit of a problem really. As previously mentioned, the engines were designed with a flaw. The bolts that held the head to the block went through water channels and became one with it after about 60,000 miles.

There are some very pleasant ones about, but be prepared to buy new rumbly bits.... watch the 'new engine fitted' brigade, occasionally they tell porkies.

New T2's are on sale again (converted)... made in Brazil or some such far flung territory and retailing at around 18k for a right hooker.

In support of T4's I've got a decent one but I'm an old fart and my taste sucks! A half decent (ready converted) early one can be 'ad for about 5k. Be careful though, 'cos a lot of 'brand new conversions' are based on chugged out, battered and spattered old commercial vans picked up for a song at auction and tarted up.

Whatever you get, good luck, good waves and keep a plentiful supply of jumpers in the wardrobe.

Mikey V