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Volkswagen Transporter T5.I (2004-2010)
Love and hate - can’t trust it
- Brought a 2007 T5 with out looking cheap with 100 k with manual transmission
- I suspect the van had a hard life potentially towing heavy loads.
- After 8 months of owning needed a new gear box with a few other bits and bobs - costing 12 K
- So not a great fist impression
- It’s had a new alternator and power steering pump in the 5 years I’ve owned it and few other minor things
Some times the passenger door won’t unlock but then works again ( strange ) ...Read more
Purchased in October 2021 for $14,000.00.
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Don't buy VW Crafter 2.0 Engine
I write this review, here at vw transporter because I couldn't find something for vw crafter.if some want to buy a vw crafter, don't. I have this crap car from March, brand new 46000.since then I was 4 times back to the vw service. First with aircon problem, who drain the water on driver foot, next I was needed to replace the disc brakes at 17000 km end cost me 700 dollars from my pocket because the warranty don't cover this...then I ask them how much can drive this car with a full tank...they couldn't answer me, is somewhere 15l per 100km, I t...Read more
est the car in all conditions, nope...nothing under this. Now I'm going back again because my whole roof edges is in waves...I have a roof rack from rhino, special for this car to carry 2 ladders, nothing heavy end the car looks like was made from paper. Full with dent. Crap car, don't buy.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
A Great Work Vehicle
I stepped out of a hilux and into this VW transporter . I new that this ute was something special from the first test drive. Driving, cornering, breaking and gear box all excellent. Cabin noise was a little high, you can't listen to the radio while driving along A highway. Softer compound tyres fixed that problem.
Fuel economy is great even with a full load. Will never go back to a petrol powered ute again.
The interior is basic plastic and vinyl, so it's easy to keep clean. The dash looks great when lit up at night and is very easy to ...Read more
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Find out how Volkswagen Transporter T5.I compares to other Utes
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IanM
- 2 reviews
- 4 likes
T5 with 216,000km
2.5 L Tdi auto 2008 ex ambulance. Been good so far, used mainly for long trips escorting wide loads till recently, purchased with 46k on the clock. Looks like I am up for a new set of brake rotors and CV shafts. Just had the auto serviced (very important) and the mechanic (QLD Automatics not VW dealer rip off artist) said it looked like new. I had an aftermarket oil cooler fitted last service (45k ago) I think it very important to get the auto serviced regularly. My T4 transporter 2.5L Tdi totally self destructed the auto trans at 128k. Cost me...Read more
over $9000, ouch. Did well over 400,000km on the reconditioned box tho till I parked it in the back yard for retirement. Had a big oil cooler fitted to the T4 after the recon, which seemed to do the trick. So far the T5 has been cheaper to run than the T4 as far as general maintenance goes by 2 to 3 grand up till the 216k mark anyway.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Barnyardgambler
- 5 reviews
- 14 likes
Scraped at 45,000km!
Yes, these are a great van, VW know that once you drive it you'll be hooked an so they can forget about reliability and customer service.
Mine was the older 'big block' 2.5TDI. Amazing torque, easy to spin the wheels in first and second. Just really good fun to drive, in fact it was my favorite vehicle ever (which includes things like Skylines).
Sadly VW's just aren't built to last. To scrap a vehicle at 45,000km due to a cracked cylinder head should be viewed as environmental vandalism (oh wait, that's exactly what VW did with 'dieselgat...Read more
e'). It's not so much that the engine failed, it's that VW charge $18,000 for a replacement head, and that independent's aren't willing to take on the risk, that makes what is actually a fairly minor repair a car scrapper. By the time the other little issues were fixed (I also had the common steering column & driveshaft issues - and you may as well replace the clutch and DMF while the engine's out) you're close to $25K out of pocket. A new "Runner" T5 could be had for $30k drive away at the time, and there's of course no guarantee that they'd actually fix it right. Just for laughs a new VW engine will set you back $34K, when Holden will sell you a 400hp LS3 V8 crate engine for $10K, now if only they sold one wrapped in a van...Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Testing386Sydney, NSW
- 24 reviews
Great vehicle with some flaws
I've owned this van from new.
The Beach is a great soft camper concept based on the T5 Transporter in Australia (the Multivan elsewhere).
It was a bargain when you consider the inclusions over the cost of a bare Transporter:
- factory Comfort (tinted) windows all round, two opening windows in the "mid" positions;
- second "leisure" battery fitted under passenger seat;
- swiveling front bucket "Captains" seats with adjustable arm rests;
- a two seater bench in the cargo bay that folds flat to form part of a spacious double bed;
- huge metal drawer under the bench seat unit;
...Read more
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JeromeClondon
Excellent car
Bought this because I drive over 20000 miles per annum, most of it with six people in the car, and through the alps. Drive is fantastic, not cheap to run, average to good reliability (annoying noise from ventilation, sliding doors changed, electric gremlin, power steering pump, transmission and gearbox work but not full rebuild for 2000 euros in France, over 170000 miles). Best thing is driving 12 hours solid, and feeling less tired than in any of my previous car. 4motion 175cv, top trim
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A Remarkable Workhorse - Gutsy, turns on a sixpence, easy to park
I purchased my LWB Mid Roof Transporter about 6 years ago second hand. It has been an excellent vehicle to drive on long trips which have usually been fully loaded with a trailer on the back as well. The Auto gearbox has performed perfectly. A good high seating position, enormous power that eats the hills and allows for overtaking when required. The Michelin OEM tyres were rubbish on our roads and I replaced with a set of Taiwanese Nanking's which immediately dropped road noise by 50% and have performed very well in all conditions. Fuel economy...Read more
of the diesel is fantastic especially considering the load. Hate the coffee cup holder but few things are perfect in this world! Overall, an excellent van: easy to drive and handle, enormous power, fuel efficient.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
More on auto g'box
Hi again, after spending $8000 on a reco g'box and oil cooler, the auto g'box technician informs me that the new set up will be good for between 50 and 70 thousand k's.
VW Australia want $15000 + gst for a new g'box.
The cause of all these failures is: The G'box oil isn't changed, ( VW management ) and cause they're hauling a big van and often plenty of gear about, trailers etc. the g'box oil gets hot and starts to breakdown, this gums up/block is the fine oil galleries in the oil cooler, this causes a snowball effect. The oil overheats more...Read more
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Find out how Volkswagen Transporter T5.I compares to other Utes
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Most dissapointing purchase ive made
For a NEW vehicle purchased sept 2014 it is missing all basic features unless you pay(and pay you will- VW aren't shy to charge big$) for them as an extra.
Poor interior quality, plenty of rattles(I've found 8 so far). Roof liner fell down in a corner as clips failed. Rear third brake light fell out of door. Design of dash cupholders is frustrating and if something was to spill it will go straight into the fuse box located beneath(great idea VW)
So far it has been fine mechanically, but after all this basic stuff going wrong i am no longer at...Read more
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Worked it hard
Have a 2006 T5 2.0 L petrol, has done 660,000km. (Courier driver)
Had air flow meter go about 220,000 km $1000
Front struts and rear shocks 3 times $1000 each time.
Gearbox 550,000 Kim's $8000, cv joints $1000 twice
Numerous exhaust manifold and flexible joint repairs
Other than that its not been a bad vehicle, a lot is just general wear and tear overall . Better than squashing into a hiace, car like characteristics and good handling.
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Yvonne B
- 2 reviews
- 4 likes
this is a great vehicle
My transporter is just about to click over the 1/2 million kms it is a 2008 mid roof lwb auto 6 speed
and am about to buy a 2008 multivan as a backup vehicle I don't know why VW stopped making the 2.5 engine it is so economical I get about 8.6 .> 9.00 l to the 100km I drive on an average 750km per day 6 . days a week . I love driving it for it's comfort and it has plenty of torque for passing and climbing big hills
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Will never buy another vw vehicle
Seem the 6 speed autos r rubbish
Have been quoted $8000+ to repair!!
A lot of transmission rebuilders don't want to touch them.
Those that do state that they will stuff up again.
My died after 13000km and I did auto service at 60000 and 100000 kms
After hearing about the gear box problems. Didn't help
PS mine was a 2007 t5 transporter
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I will never purchase another Volkswagen again
I purchased the vehicle 06 SWB 2.5ltr 4motion Transporter second hand with 12000ks, the vehicle has now done 88000ks, just after the warranty ran out the air-conditioning compressor packed it in, then at 50000ks had coolant in the oil, diagnosed as engine oil cooler, replaced that, wrong diagnosis, it was actually the water pump, replaced that, now the turbo has packed it in, enough is enough this car is a lemon, would love to drive thru the windows of the dealership that it was purchased from, Volkswagen Australia are a bunch of terrible people to deal with, no help from them, time to sell the van
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Jennifer Meyers
- 2 reviews
- 6 likes
Gearbox problems
Love the vehicle but have spent about 18,000 dollars on repairing the gearbox.... not happy!! Over the last 3 years it has had the torque converter replaced. This has been very expensive and inconvenient as a reliable vehicle is essential to us. I expected better from a German made vehicle.
My son is quadriplegic and I like the two side door access making it easy to attach tie downs to his chair
Geabrox problems
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Find out how Volkswagen Transporter T5.I compares to other Utes
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snookies
- 31 reviews
- 39 likes
A fine van
Compelled to write review. Have a 2007 manual TDI 2.5 128kw version. Had it for 2 years, no problems at all. Only done longer distance trips. Yes, if you want genuine VW accessories, they aren't very cheap but other than that I'd have to be real picky to find fault with it. It looks good and goes even better.
We take it to an authorised VW shop instead of a dealer. The dealers are useless and a terrible rip off.
Has been reliable, inexpensive to travel in - fuel consumption amazing, heaps of power to take on anything, comfortable
Support from VW is extremely poor so find an authorised mechanic instead
2 comments
We still have the 2011 DSG auto. Have had no problems with it.
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Dam VanAU
T5 Auto Transmission knackered 115,000km
I took my 2007 VW T5 for an Auto Transmission service at 115,000km. I was told it needed a new valve body. The cost was quoted at $4000 parts and labour – but – was then warned that given the state of the chard oil there was a good chance it was on the way to being pretty knackered. Further repair could cost up to $10,000.
One of the transmission engineers I spoke to, who once worked for a VW service center, was less than complimentary about the T5 6 speed transmissions and the new 7 speed DSG. In short I was told they were both rubbish and ...Read more
best avoided. The best chance to avoid trouble was to replace the oil every 20km's to 30km's. What a pile Junk. I've done nothing about it yet and am feeling pretty jaded at the VW brand that once had such a good rep in my mind. I will no longer sing there praises. Not that they'd care about that too much. The transmission guys told me to buy the Hyundai iload as they'd personally not seen or heard of one needing repair. If they weren't such pants looking vans I'd nearly consider it. Every that worked execept the dash board rattling noise that work to well. 6 speed auto transmission, loud engine, dash board rattling noise1 comment
Dear Dam Van - reading your article above is like talking about my T5 Caravelle 2007 auto. I am also having gearbox issues at 115000kms. Surely VW are aware of this problem. I have alos taken it in fo... Read more
r the Auto transmission service, twice and it still slips when changing from second to third. Any suggestions out there?Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
BarringtonOcean Grove
I run 3 VW Transporters, 2 are sitting idle with gearbox problems
I have a 2010 transporter twin cab 7 speed auto with only 47K sitting in the dealers yard with gearbox problems waiting to see what Volkswagen Australia decide to do, the second transporter is a 6 speed auto 2006 single cab 1.9litre with 166k on the clock has similar gearbox problems, I am looking around for another gearbox that does cost over10K, the 3rd transporter is 2.5litre a 2005 twin cab auto with 220K traveled and is performing very well (touch wood). I like the concept of these vehicle and was happy to sing their praises however sinc...Read more
e I have encountered these gearbox problems and now reading others with similar problems I could not recommend the brand to others. Very hard to run a business with vehicles encountering these problems. My wife also runs a Tiguan so far so good, figures crossed Great driving positions and good layout of instruments, excellent feul consumption Gearbox problems, electronic paying up with window controlsSimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Leigh3AU
A real winner
We bought our Transporter T5 new in 2008 & could not be happier. It was a 77KW manual SWB model with barn doors, to enable loading of pallets. The fuel economy is great, reliability great, very comfortable and road manners terrific. If your in the market for a good quality van I would recommend a VW Transporter. We have just ordered another this time with the 103KW 6 speed manual transmission.
Fuel economy
2 comments
Dont do it!!!!!!
Yes you said the magic word MANUAL you are lucky its not an auto model . VW should stop sealing their autos and allow the dealers to replace internal filters and clean out any residue from the old stu... Read more
ff . Plus make the auto just that an auto not the mixed up box that is a manual and an auto in one not a good combo.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
yellow75sydney
8 grand to fix
These vans are unreliable i have had my van for less than a year and it is a 2007 model.... and it now needs a new gear box. The transmition on this van is horrible. While i drive it goes into safe mode, i have taken it back to VW and they apparently fixed (in their dreams) as it still goes into safe mode while i drive.... well not at the moment considering its parked up at a mechanic waiting on a gear box!
gear box and safe mode
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Questions & Answers
Brodzasked
Looking to buy a 2002 twin cab vw 5cyl just wondering how far on a tank of fuel an pulling with 3 motor cross bikes on
An is there any bad thing to look for
1 answer
I have a 2006 permanently dragging around 1400kg. @80,000kms on, it still gets 750-800km per tankful
Zac A.asked
My 2005 transporter is slipping in gear
No answers
Sophie M.asked
Have a 2006 TDI transporter 390k in the clock, and the fuel injectors have just gone. The turbo has recently been replaced, with other things (over 11k). What am I looking at for the fuel injectors? Somewhere of a cost?
No answers
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snookies
Additional: We bought this van after reading reviews from all over the world. Like most things, people tend to post when they have a problem. People without problems don't post. When you consider how ... Read more
many of these vans get sold in AU, the number of lemons isn't that high. We took all of this information into account. You will notice there seem to be more complaints about the auto. We chose a manual prior to the 2010 because even our mechanic agrees that the old auto T5 (pre the 2010 model change) seems to have a few too many regular and recurring problems. VW had a LOT of problems with the old auto and you have to wonder why anyone would change the design during a model run, which of course, they did. Without any factory back-up or support, buying a pre 2010 auto seems to me to be like a lucky dip - wouldn't touch it.