If the engine is on it's last legs, what's the price of a junk yard
replacement (I should think most any of the Audi inline 5's can be
used as a replacement for the 2.5i, even the 2.3.) You'd have to pull
the tranny at a minimum to do the clutch anyway. Having the
bellhousing and engine mounting points already just about makes this a
decent buy, I'd guess. Is the exhaust in good shape? That too might be
a factor in the decision as the 5 cylinder's exhaust is unique (for
vanagons)  on the SA vans.

On Aug 16, 2009, at 9:18 PM, Andrew Grebneff wrote:

> Just wondering if there are any lurkers (eg in New Zealand) who would
> have an idea as to what a South African 1993 Microbus 2.5i with sick
> engine and dud clutch is worth. I have been offered one for the
> equivalent of $1650US. It's pretty tidy, though it has a few specks of
> rust (SA build quality ain't great). The Audi 5 is blowing lots of
> blue smoke; looks like a piston is burned through.