Date:         Mon, 9 Dec 2002 12:29:31 -0800
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Wasserboxer Reputation  . long
In-Reply-To:  <20021208.110931.1616.7.wilden1@juno.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I thought I might throw in my two cents worth...

#1.  As with most things, I look at the market to determine worth and value.
From my observations, water-cooled Vanagons (incl. Westphalia's) sell for
substantially more than their air-cooled counterparts.  For example, I have
an '83 air-cooled Westy I can't give away (okay, give away is probably
wrong, but I get no interest when advertised for $2500).

#2.  I frequent the local auto auctions, good running air-cooled Vanagons
often sell for less than $250, and even then, the auctioneers almost have to
beg for bids.  Good running wasserboxers sell for much, much more, often
breaking $1500, even for an old 1984.  I also attend the local insurance
auctions, and local dismantlers DO NOT want air-cooled Vanagons (with the
exception of Westy's), apparently most them go directly to the crusher.

#3.  I've been working on VW's since the early 70's and I'll take a properly
rebuilt wasserboxer motor over an equally rebuilt air-cooled motor any and
every day.  A well maintained WBX will give it's owner well over 100,000
miles of service without any more trouble than any other water-cooled engine
(e.g., Honda, Toyota, etc.).  The biggest problem with the WBX has been
owners, or mechanics, who didn't understand how to maintain the WBX.  Too
many WBX's that had the wrong coolant or didn't have the cooling systems
serviced when required developed leaky head gaskets, which in turn gave the
motor a bad reputation.  Additionally, you have owners and mechanics who do
"cheap fixes" (i.e., JB Welding the cylinder head or putting Bars-Leak in to
seal leaks), and then complain when it doesn't work and they have to do it
right the next time.

#4.  Vehicles progress with time.  The air-cooled motor was great in it's
time.  Unfortunately, emissions, reliability and power requirements meant
the end of the air-cooled motor in newer vehicles.  Also, and unfortunately
as well, with progress the price tends to go up.  This is true for any
vehicle, a 1999 Golf engine will cost you a lot more to repair than a 1985
Golf, just as a 2.1 liter WBX will cost more to repair than a 1.6 liter type
1 engine.


These are just my opinions and observations and not meant to be a personal
attack on anyone or the beginning of a religious crusade.  Everyone has
different experiences and these experiences will shape our opinions. I've
had excellent luck with both air-cooled and water-cooled Vanagons, it just
happens I now prefer the wasserboxer.  Who knows, perhaps some day I'll put
a Subaru motor in one of my Vanagons and then I'll become an evangelist for
engine conversions.  Till then, I'll continue to be happy with my WBX's.

BTW:  Stan Wilder... if you every have problems finding used parts for that
air-cooled engine, I know plenty of places that have piles of air-cooled
Vanagon parts...

Jeff
'83 Westy (air-cooled)
'84 L
'85 GL
'87 GL
'88 Wolfsburg