I'm presently looking for another 7 seater vehicle to run the family around in as our '67 Kombi, which has child points and the other needed bits, wasn't really designed for the freeway.
Since I live an hour north of Canberra and 2 hours from Sydney if I need to get about with the entire tribe (4 boys + missus) then it's a consideration.
Problem is I also hunt and our various trips in the countryside often take us on dirt roads.
If all of my non-tarmac driving equalled dirt roads that would be fine but it also seems me doing paddock driving and last weekend myself and a couple of mates scaled some serious dirt tracks in a Landy Discovery to try and remove feral goats from a colleague's property.
The bottom line is this.
I know the T3 Syncros are very capable but I don't need a vehicle that's got 300,000+ on the clock and is already 20 to 25 years old.
I need something between 150k and 200k that isn't already in need of serious engine or tranny or suspension work.
So my question is how good are the T4 Syncros off road?
Are they more All Wheel Drive than 4 Wheel Drive?
They certainly have less ground clearance than the T3s, or at least appear so.
Are they more 4Motion than anything else.
And some straight experience and honesty would be good.
I love VWs but if it can't cut the mustard I'll buy a Defender.
Hi
Not a great fan of late VWs or Land Rovers, buy a Toyota 4WD instead.
Steve
Steve, not a great fan of Toyotas.
And if I wanted that advice I could've asked any number of people, my brother and his mates included.
The only thing that adds up to 7 seats in the current range of 4wd Toyotas are the Land Cruisers/Prados or the Troopies.
I couldn't hope to afford a Cruiser/Prado under 200,000kms and it's impossible to fit child points in Troopies.
Besides, couldn't stand looking like a member of the "school run" set!
And this isn't about liking stuff.
It's about informed recommendations on one particular vehicle.
Modern VWs are every bit as good, and in many ways very much better, than old VWs. And a lot more worthwhile than Toyotas or Land Rovers.
T4 Kombis are excellent family vehicles. They are roomy, quiet and comfortable and their Golf/Passat-based running gear is well proven. The 5-cylinder 2.5-litre Audi-based engine (the one to choose) gives all the performance you will ever need (85 kW and 200 Nm). The T4 was also the first VW Transporter with a choice of short or long wheelbases. After 1997 you could also order the Caravelle with a 103 kW VR6 engine and Syncro 4WD. You could also order a 2.4-litre 5-cylinder diesel version. There was a turbo-diesel 5 available in Europe, but I can't remember if this was sold in Australia. The T4 Transporter was a huge success around the world, and was made for 13 years (1991-2003), longer than the T2 or T3.
The Syncro 4WD system was similar in concept to the T3's system, both being designed and built by Steyr-Puch in Austria. The only difference is that yes, the T4 did not have raised suspension or bigger wheels like the T3 version did. The T4 Syncro was more an 'AWD' system, designed more for secure driving in snow, slippery gravel or dirt roads rather than tackling the Simpson Desert. If you intend sticking to normal country dirt or gravel roads, it will be fine. Like any VW, of course, it will take a little more punishment without complaint.
VW terminated their parrtnership with Steyr-Puch in 2000, and since them all VW 4WDS have been designed and made in-house. That is why they are now called '4Motion' systems rather than 'Syncro'.
That Carsales T4 looks very straight to me - why not take it for a drive and let us know what you think.
oil filter location sucks big time. Changing spark plugs is a pain in the arse with a bullbar.
Hi
My opinion is informed, I visit many disgruntled newer VW owners as part of my job.
Buy what ever you want, but the Japs have got it sewn up in this sector.
If you don't want to look like one of the school run set, have fun at the side of the road as the mums drive past.
Example, today I went to a 2002 VW Golf. The knuckleheads at VW have mounted a fuse box on top of the battery, what happens when things are not kept in top order? Corrosion around the battery as if that wasn't a break down waiting to happen.
Steve
All cars break down from time to time. Fords, Holdens, Volkswagens, Toyotas. All cars have their difficulties with servicing. Ever tried to change the spark plugs on a Tarago? All cars fail when they are not maintained properly. If you allow your battery to corrode it is YOUR FAULT, not the car's. How many old VWs catch fire when their fuel hoses are not inspected/replaced regularly? Does that mean you shouldn't buy a VW because they catch fire and Corollas don't?!
Sure Steve fixes the occasional VW that has broken down. But he also fixes a lot of Fords and Holdens too over the days, weeks and months. Friday's Ask Graham column in the Tele motoring section is full of disgruntled Ford, Holden, Nissan and Toyota owners, week after week. Yet I have not seen a VW owner write in all year. Selective dismissal of newer VWs is not helpful, or appropriate.
The question was about whether T4 Syncros are good - they are. Few things in life work as well as a Volkswagen.
I think you'll find that any vehicle can go anywhere with the right modifications.
T4 syncro & T5 4Motion (Haldex) vehicles will go on most fire trails with modifications like 4WD Tyres, underbody protection for vital areas like the sump and diff etc.
VW and the German company Seikel have been making offroad T4 and T5 series vehicles for a while now; unfortunately only strictly Europe unless you by a Trakka Trakkadu.
www.seikel.de
www.trakka.com.au
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?p=65891
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=31143
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=14970
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=28757All phaeton Approved
http://automuseum.volkswagen.de/home.html
click Themen this accesses galleries & tech info
phaeton's VW News Blog
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au
For Aussie Watercoolers
Hi Phil
Have you ever spoken to mechanic from a VW dealer about what they come across? Horror stories.
A colleagues father bought a new Diesel Passat against his sons advice, the motor failed for no driver related reason.
What about having to remove engine mounts on a T4 just to change a fan belt.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Yes I have. A few of them have complained about New Beetles particularly, with things falling off them etc. On the other hand, some experienced mechanics such as Ron Croft are finding themselves working more on other makes now, and really enjoy it when a VW (old or new) comes into his workshop. I've also come across many mechanics who hate working on old air cooled VWs - 'bloody dak daks - hitler's revenge' etc etc. I think that says more about the mechanic than the car.
I read of two instances a week or two ago (in the Tele) of Ford Explorers suffering engine failure. My Dad bought a Mazda 323 new in 1977 and the engine failed in 1980 (he did rev the ring out of regularly though). He went through four engines in 20 years in his '59 Beetle. My Kombi is on its third engine since I've owned it. The '95 Golf has 160,000 km on its original engine and runs like clockwork.
You have to remove air-cooled VW engines entirely just to change the clutch. You have to remove Kombi engines AND gearboxes just to get to the fuel tank. VW workshops are equipped for this sort of thing - it's not an issue and no reason not to buy a straight, clean, low-mileage T4 Kombi if you find one.
got crossed lines there steve...no engine mounts need to be removed to change a fan belt or even the cambelt on t4 petrol or diesels models
Just don't go petrol ... go diesel.
My work has 3 new t4 vans... carrying at most 350kgs load which isn't all that much... comparing to having 7 people/passengers instead of pool chemicals. (these are vans for the pool servicing boys).
It gets to the point where the guys are having to use 1st gear rediculously frequently on most hills they come across... This view/observation is from all their first hand experiences. not he said, she said the dog's pet rats cousin said followed by a gasbaggin house wife.....
None the less, roomier than a hiace!
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!
Well the T4 was replaced by the current T5 in 2004, so they wouldn't be 'new' any more!
The first T4 models to go on sale here in 1992 (TKM/Inchcape were the importers) had just a 62 kW 2.0-litre four. Pretty weak, and less than the superseded Wasserboxer 2.1 T3 (70 kW). In 1994 TKM introduced the 81 kW 2.5-litre five cylinder, which was a much more satisfactory engine. They also introduced a 57 kW 2.4-litre diesel, which was marginal to say the least. The Syncro T4 wasn't introduced here until 1995, so hopefully we don't need to worry about these early underpowered T4s. After 1997 you could get the VR6 engine, and T4s came with four-wheel disc brakes and driver's airbag. In 2000 the old diesel was replaced by a 75 kW TDI engine. The petrol engine was now up to 85 kW.
Basically, any 2.5 petrol T4 should be fine; avoid the four-cylinder. If you want a diesel, make sure it is the TDI engine (post 2000).
By way of comparison, the current T5 2.5 TDI produces 128 kW and 400 Nm of torque - it's a rocketship, as you'll find if you take one for a drive. Whooee!
