Hello Volks,

I believe that VW stayed with the boxer engine in the Vanagon is the
following: A boxer engine is naturally balanced, i.e., it has no harmonic
vibration at any given RPM. In a big box like the Vanagon this makes a big
differance. I honestly think it has nothing to do with saving development
costs.

An inline four cylinder, diesel or gas has an imbalance at the speed we
travel on the highway. I had a diesel Vanagon at one time and that resonance
was unbearable for any length of time. Yes, the motor mounts were new. My
diesel Golf has the same thing but because it is not a big box it is
bearable. My VR6 Passat is smooth as silk. I believe some have mentioned the
same problem with the Eurospec conversions. An inline four cylinder is the
worst choice for the Vanagon because of this.

So for the Vanagon the flat four, inline five or six or V6, or V8 are the
best choices for the big box. Especially at the speeds we travel at on the
highway.

John Wessels