on 5/22/04 8:34 PM, zolo at zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET wrote:

> I was wondering if there is any reason to buy or not to buy a Eurovan.  I have
> heard some things and I would like to know "from the mouth of the horse" which
> ones and why not to buy.
> Any of you can give me some info?
> Zoltan

You will find a lot of folks trashing the EuroVans on this list.

I suggest you sign on the EV_Update mailing list at groups.yahoo.com

You should be able to get better opinions based on real world experience.
Of course those that currently own a EuroVan are biased, so search the
archives there for past members that have had problems.

My personal experience with 2 1993 EuroVans was excellent.  In fact the
first MV I owned went 166K before an engine fire.  I suspect the fuel lines,
which is now a recall on all 1993 EuroVan models.

My current van is a '93 Weekender, with 156K on it.  It is still going
strong.  This weekend I am changing brake pads/shoes, automatic transmission
fluid, final drive gear oil, and engine oil.  I find it very easy to work
on.

Early EuroVans seem to suffer some of the same problems that the later
Vanagons did.  A few of these are:

Bad radiator fan resistors
cracked plastic engine coolant flanges, and or pipes
body seam rust

Some of the early 1993 models have piston slap.  This makes the engine sound
like a diesel on cold start ups, but usually goes away after a few minutes.

Some say the air conditioning and automatic transmissions are a weak point.
I've never had problems with either.  I would even go as far as saying the
automatics last longer and give you less problems than the 5 speed manual.

The 1993 models have bad solder joints connecting the voltage regulator to
the instrument cluster board.  This is an easy fix by touching up those
connections with a soldering iron.

You didn't mention if you were looking for a newer or older model?  Camper,
or Weekender, MV, GLS, GL or CL?  There may still be a few 2003 models at
some dealers, but VW stopped production on the VWT4 in Germany last summer.

The 1997 - on models have the VR6 engine and are all automatics.  In 2001,
VW upped the horse power to 201.  All 1997-2003 will be automatics.  They
seem to be very reliable, but I have heard of some air conditioning and
automatic transmission problems, though I think they are rare.

I would never pay much for a used VW van that I didn't know the complete
history on.

-- Steve Lashley
SKL Enterprises Inc.
http://EuroCampers.com
PO Box 401
7A Industrial Drive
Pacific MO 63069
636-271-0567 voice
636-257-2067 fax
888-797-5994 - phone orders