Date:         Sun, 18 Jul 1999 02:28:19 +0000
Reply-To:     Martin Kennelly <korn@SIMNET.IS>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Martin Kennelly <korn@SIMNET.IS>
Subject:      Re: info on 87 turbo diesel
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Lukas,
 I have owned a couple of Mazda and Mitsibushi 4wd vans and without a
doubt the vw  van that I have now is way ahead of both of them.  The
turbo 1.6td is a quite an improvement from the 1.6na but my opinion is
that the td is fine in the golf but out of place in a 1700-1900kg.van.
Its a bit like driving a fully loaded golf with an elephant on the roof
rack. There is enough power in town traffic and you can cruise at 60 -
65- 70mph. It is better if you have 5 gears . The small diesel engine
van can be quite expensive to maintain. The turbo  can easily wear out
before 150,000km, its not a cheap item. The van td engine itself usually
needs a rebuild before that time as well. The intermediate shaft is a
weak item. In the UK a rebuilt 1600 D costs about £900, a 1900D costs
about £1200.

A good test drive will tell you quite lot about the whole van and if you
are not sure, take it to get examined.
There are other issues which need to be looked at with the van besides
the engine. Any vibration/clunks driving over rough gravel, gear
change/whine. A smooth gearchange is priceless, notchy or difficult
gearchange can be easy  to fix or it can be very troublesome. If what
you are looking at passes that test then you could be looking at
anything up to 50,000 km's with no major trouble.
A good petrol van is relatively thirsty but maybe cheaper to own in the
long run. I do not know what price range you are inside. The models that
would appeal to me are the GL (caravelle), the ones with the nice seats
and nice interior and maybe the metallic paint but I have no user
experience with the 2.1 engine.
If it is not suitable then keep looking and test driving as many as
possible, its the enjoyable experience.
Good luck,     Martin Kennelly.

  Lukas Heukamp wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
>         I am still looking for a van and asked about the 1600 diesel once
> here a week ago and got talked out of it very quickly.
> I am now looking at a 87 turbo diesel with a second engine that has 100,000
> km on it.
> Are the turbos as slow and misaerable as the normals or is this worth
> considering.
>
> Alternatively I can get a 79 2l  petorl van which is a lot older of course
> and a 'huggy'
> This on has 90.000 km on the second engine put in  in 88.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Lukas
>
> Lukas Heukamp
> heukamp@icrf.icnet.uk