Volkswagen Transporter van or synchro

ianmc, we have a transporter wagon at work, has just clocked 280,000 with no major drama's. Build quality on the body is second to none ! Very solid.

5 cylinder 2.5L petrol motor goes great.

A few small probs... Auto trans can only be serviced by volkswagon dealership with special equipment. local mechanic can't touch it. Local auto trans business can't touch it. Volkswagon dealer knows this, and charges accordingly, but should only need to be looked at every 60 - 80,000
Engine is a high performance type euro made donk which means spark plugs, leads etc; are specialised, and not cheap.

Don't know much about synchro. A mate's parents have one, they go north (Broome etc;) every year. They wouldn't be seen in anything else, but they are VW mad.

Mad I tell you,..........

....................MAD !! LOLOL

Cheers,

Muzz

A mate had a Synchro Camper and we went for a couple of drives on bush tracks and some easy off road country. I was following in the Landcruiser and had to recover the Synchro more than once out of some dips and gutters. Basically the Synchro might be good for some sandy situations but as a 4x4 it is no better than most soft roaders with poor clearance, basic tyres(can't fit larger diameter tyres either) and no low range. I wouldn't take one to cross the Simpson with(this issue was discussed a while back(maybe 2002/3) here on the Forum...do an archive search). For general bitumen and gravel road touring they are very good vehicles and should give good service. Not sure about the economy but I would hazard a guess that due to its poor wind deflection, economy could be compromised when driving in to a stiff breeze.

As said, they are well built vehicles but need specialist servicing. I cannot remember the exact issue now but I recall that my mate had some trouble with an interior body part and had to remove the front wheel and part of the suspension to get to the nuts of the offending part.