> Sam Scholten wrote, in part...
>> What about the 5-cylinder motors in the South African T3's? These
>> aren't the same as the dreaded, piston-slapping 5-cylinder motors
>> as in the early Eurovans, are they?
>
>Back when VW was nearing introduction of the Eurovan (1992?), I received a
>video and several letters from VWoA about the new van, obviously encouraging
>me as a registered Vanagon owner to check it out.  Just so happened that we
>were in the mood for something that would make the climb up to Park City
>better than our automatic 83.5 GL, so I went by to look over the Eurovan.  It
>was cool and I really liked the interior layout and feel.  But....  That
>motor was incredibly noisy and the whole thing shook and rattled at idle.  I
>remember thinking that VW had no chance of winning over Vanagon people with
>the EV with that motor, even if it didn't spring H2O leaks at will.  We
>eventually bought a Mercury Villager which is still going strong and drives
>like a dream.  Too bad it's so tiny and cramped compared to my Syncro, which
>remains my primary driver.
>
>Anyway, I haven't kept up with the EVs and have, quite frankly -- and please
>excuse my ignorance, been slightly amazed that folks on the mailing list
>actually own and enjoy them.  So, my question is -- especially in light of
>Sam's comments -- Did only the first-generation EVs have the rough-running,
>piston-slapping Audi truck motors, and at some point in the EV's history have
>they been given a different engine?  Did VW simply smooth out the previously
>rough engine?  If I were looking for an EV, which year is best and what model
>years should be avoided?  Is VWoA still selling new Eurovans, and is the VR6
>available?  (Oh, how I miss my Jetta GLX.....)
>
>PS:  I still have the video.  It was quite a good piece of advertising. The
>part with the guy swinging from the "forged hinged" doors is notable.
>
>Scott McDonell
>Ogden, Utah
>'86 Syncro GL
>'83.5 GL [sold]
>'59 Splittie [high-school ride / sold]
>'96 Jetta GLX [sold]