After eight years and 100k as our mainstay we decided to swap things up from our B5.5 Passat.
So we decided to replace the B5.5 Passat 4motion TDI with a T5 Transporter 4motion and replace the Alfa 166 with a Passat B6 4motion TDI.
Unfortunately, like many whole number software upgrades, it's a complete rip and replace on the Passat front.
We did consider Yetis (I've liked them since I drove one just after they came out), but those in budget (and I had to push the budget out to consider them) were in shocking condition and were being sold by morons at two car sales lots in Birmingham.
By shocking condition I mean both of them were filthy inside. The first one had a HUGE hole in the carpet under the pedals. By huge, I mean it went all the way down to the steel. It was also missing the trim around one of the seatbelt buckles in the back, the outer trim on the door grab on the driver's door and the boot carpet. Underneath, the undertray was mostly smashed and hanging down.
The second one had had the towbar removed since the photos of it were taken, but more than that the battery was TOTALLY flat. It couldn't even be revived with a jump-pack.
I wouldn't mind, but I specifically called both places and asked them to confirm that we would be able to drive the vehicles away on that day and that there were no issues with them.
Thankfully I'd called DannyP, who lives near Hereford, as there was a 4mo Passat there, he'd been and looked it over and driven it and said it was good. We arrived late, after calling to confirm the guy would be prepared to meet us after hours, looked it over, drove it and bought it, dropped the Passat off with its new keeper and headed home.
Had to buy a towbar key for the detachable towbar, but hey. I have also found it is missing the wheel brace and the emergency triangle. What is it with people not leaving this stuff in cars?!
So, on to the van.
It's the last of the 2.5 5-cylinders, with a 'is that all?' 130bhp from the 2.5 PD TDI motor, but it goes bloody well when wound up. Importantly it only has 76k on it and the last owner was spectacularly anally retentive.
It has air con, a second 'leisure battery' on a split charge system, LED lights in the roof in the back of it, an Eberspacher night heater, some home made shelving in the back and a Reimo roll out awning.
The seating is the sub-optimal part of the van for us - non-captains chairs in the front and the passenger seat is a double (with a weird 180 degree swivel under it). There are also three seats in the back and it has OEM side windows (with receipt) that were fitted by VW. They're privacy glazed, too.
We need to replace the front seats with a pair of single captains seats and strip out the rear seats and replace with a Multivan set of rails, with a three seater bench/bed and a single, so we can transport our kids and my folks about when necessary. After that we'll buy a roof tent instead of installing a poptop, as it's half the price!
A Seikel lift kit with Bilstein dampers is also on the list.
Pics:
Awwww his n hers grey 4motion diesel VWs
Inside the van:
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/diamondhell/media/2009%20T5/IMG_2021_zpsaht7izza.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9Barn doors to the back (wanted a tailgate):
matched set of Michelin normal tyres in the back to be fitted in due course as 'Gisaveld' (nicknamed Gizasled) winter tyres are not necessary on the IW.
M'mmmmm storage:
The thing I am REALLY not happy about is that the last owner insulated it with bloody rockwool brickwall
Ah well.
First change to it happened as soon as possible - off with those hideous wheel covers and on with £20 of centrecaps:
Much betterer.
Engine bay under the bonnet is nearly as nondescript as a 911:
I like both vehicles very much. The Wife is massively in love with the van.
