OT (BUT AT LEAST IT'S GERMAN): VW EUROVAN??

[rdvnac]

In the never-ending quest to find a new vehicle to haul around the wife and four kids, yet avoid the heartache of a Dodge minivan, I have become intrigued by the Volkswagen Eurovan.

I have plenty of experience with Porsches and Bimmers, but VWs are foreign turf to me. Anybody have any comments, good or bad, about the Eurovan? Reliability, driving experience, safety, etc.? FYI, I am looking at a new 2001, and I believe they were revamped recently (and have a 201 HP engine, I assume from the Jetta or Passat??)

Any feedback appreciated, either here or to me directly.

TIA,

Bob D.
'92 Carrera 2
Chicago

[GIBSON]

Bob, I think they use the VR6 in these now with increased output over the previous engine. It's been around VW for several years now, it's a narrow angle V6 with a single common cylinder head. They have proven to be reliable and are raced frequently in the UK and Germany (the engine not the eurovan!). They have been so overpriced that they did not sell well. VW is making an effort to pump up sales. If you like the looks and the price seems right I think they are a great alternative to the US vans. I'm just not sure about resale value.

Bruce Herrmann
73911S

[9XI]

Check out this link for a very well travelled EuroVan BBS. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ev_update/messages

We are very happy with ours. FYI, the torque on the pre-2001s is almost identical to the new 201 hp engine. You will find that in the Bus, torque is the relevant number.

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1969 911S Targa
1999 Eurovan Camper

[This message has been edited by 9XI (edited 07-03-2001).]

[island911]

I suggest a nice Vanagon for the 911 affectionatos. They are much more spacious & space efficient, more maneuverable, have superior ground clearance, and the engine is in the back where it belongs. With the $20k you'll save you can drop in a sweet 993 motor. To me the eurovan is just another minivan.

---

'81 Platinum Metalic SC COUPE

[Rod Walter]

Well, Bob, it just so happens that the August issue of Car and Driver has a story on the VW Eurovan beginning on p. 79. If there is anything specific you would like to know from the article let me know.

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Rod Walter
'88 911 coupe

Are you referring to the VW Sharan? It's available with the 2.8 liter 20V VR6 engine that has 204 HP in euro form. Nice car and engine, but it drinks A LOT OF fuel.

[Randy W]

I have owned a front engine/front wheel drive VW Eurovan MV Weekender (pop top/fridge, no sink/stove) since 1994 when they first came out. The original was powered by the 110hp Audi inline 5 cylinder, which saw 175,000 miles without anything but a head gasket and alternator. I just purchased a new 2001 Weekender with the 201 hp 24 valve VR6 engine. What a great vehicle - quality build and materials, no rattles, spacious, very comfortable, and now reasonably quick. I have removed the rear seats (except that behind the driver) and transferred many of the items I had custom built from my earlier Eurovan: storage cabinets, aluminum safe with overlying folding futon, 1200W inverter, stove, heater, and heavy duty bumper/tow hitch. I have also repaced the passenger seat pedestal with the camper's rotating one. I recently towed my 2350 lb. autocross 911 on a 1000 lb. custom aluminum tilting trailer to Central California and back with no difficulties whatsoever. The slowest I went was 45mph over the steepest pass and the temperature guage did not move from 190. Can't say enough good things about these vehicles.

Randy Wells

[Randy W]

Regarding price/resale value, the 2001 Eurovan with pop top is now much more reasonable new - I paid $30K. I purchased my 1994 MV Weekender for $26K new, sold it seven years later with 175,000 miles on it for $10,500 - not bad in my book. The old rear engined buses are cool, but if you do alot of traveling cross-country in heat, you may prefer air bags and a water cooled engine in front. I never have had a problem with ground clearance or traction in the snow. I made it in my Eurovan over Ophir pass in Colorado with the bridge closed, for those who know about this road!

Randy Wells

[jrdavid68]

Slightly OT for this OT thread. Here is the VW Passat I bought the wife last weekend. Gotta love that German engineering!

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jrdavid68
1986 Carrera (166K Miles)
1980 911SC (176K Miles)
2001 VW Passat (<1000 Miles)
1972 Chevy C10 (40,300 Miles)

[RLJ]

To add a note to Randy Wells comments. Both Randy and I went to Cambria. We met up with Randy and his wife in Albany OR. Saw his white 911 on the trailer and knew exactly who it was. The first thought was
"Oh great" I get to follow this VW Bus over the Siskiyou Pass into California.

Let me be the first to tell you that Randy's
"Bus" could run right with my Ford Expodition with a 5.4L motor. My Porsche is a little heavier than his, and I have an all steel tilt deck trailer, I also think he spent less for fuel than I did. His van and some common sence in picking a trailer works great for him.

Randy Jones
1971 911

[David McLaughlin]

I quit selling VW's just as the Eurovan hit the American showrooms. I did not realize the HP was so great in that thing. (hell, my Golf only puts out 172hp, it must be the fender slots, gotta get those.) I can say that it rides more truck like than the Honda Odyssey, which I sold a lot of. The VW rides high and stiff. I love the VR6 motor. It has alot of torque and claims to be reliable, though I'm on my third motor on my car with the two prior dying with spun bearings.

Test drive it, and if you like what you see and feel, then by all means buy it.



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Dave
1970 914/6
1995 Golf GTI-VR6
1996 Passat TDI

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

The Volkswagen Van is the Porsche under the vans.

quote from a american magazin testing the Type 2 2,1 waterboxer in the 80´s.

Testdrive a TDI and you will love how it pulls without pulling your wallet.

Grüsse