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kirstie_h
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Why? Why was the Chevy Astro the vehicle the target competition? VW solds millions of vans by producing vehicles that were simple and easily maintained, with good mpg. Poor acceleration was never a concern. Why alter the equation and try to out-chevy Chevrolet??? Because the Kalifornia design studios say that everyone wants a big v6 or v8 with leather everything and power glovebox door? The Kalifornia design studios wouldn't have approved of their old products either, but VW built an automotive empire with them....only to squander it away seeking to enter the upscale market.
>aerodynamics of a refrigerator,
Not a problem with the right engine, as you noted with the TDI getting 35+mpg.
>and high curb weight (over 4000 lbs).
Ditto
>The auto transmission does nothing to help the fuel economy either.
Again, why? Even today, VW owners appreciate a manual tranny more than consumers who buy other makes. Why not aim for the market they used to have, instead of entering the "just like every other minivan" segment?
It's funny, considering that a fullsize van gets the gas mileage of the commonly encountered Explorer/Trailblazer/4Runner/Pathfinder midsize SUV segment, yet has about three times the interior space.
I see a lot of Sprinters, usually in cargo form, but don't see consumers talking about them on any of the boards. The VW van owners segment is a natural place to look for future Sprinter owners though. I must admit that the boxy, utilitarian design with European features and the nice diesel engine are all very attractive.
Last I looked, annual sales were less than 1,000 units.
Steve, Host
My new 7 passenger 1976 VW Bus was shot by the time it was 4 years old with 60,000 miles. It was traded in on a new 8 passenger 1980 Chevy Van that was much more reliable and we kept it 14 years and 200,000 miles. In addition, the 6 cyl Chevy van had more power AND a real heater !! My VW Bus was more like your 2000 Chevy (and my 1970 Dodge van).
Never saved enough on better fuel economy with the 76 VW Bus to pay for extra cost of repairs and maintenance vs cost of fuel, repairs, and maintenance of the 1980 Chevy Van.
Apparently most people had the same experience with expensive repairs and maintenance with VW Buses, Vanagons, and Eurovans that I did because sales of VW Eurovans dropped below that of the Vanagon which did not sell as well as the VW Bus.
Edmunds doesn't even list the Eurovan after 2003 - I know sales are way down, but are they officially discontinued in the US?
Steve, Host
I am blessed to have a very honest mechanic who is about to retire. He owns no computers, but can tune and air cooled bug better than any butcher at the half a dozen dealers in my area.
He can not help me read codes.
Has any one had or heard of these types of problems in the past?
Anxiously awaiting advice...
VW Drops Microbus, Announces Pickup (Inside Line)
Steve, Host
Papa3
Thanks in advance.
I wish I lived closer - I'd be happy to show you my 2003 EVC [Eurovan Winnebago Camper, essentially identical to 2001 & 2002 models]. I live about 40 miles E of NYC.
As you may know, the [2003, etc.] Eurovan Campers came in 3 models - MV, Weekender, & Winnebago. You can run a 'compare' search to get a chart showing the specs of the 3. The Weekender has the Winnie pop-up top, but I THINK the full Winnie Kit is the only model built on the 1.5 ft. longer chassis.
I went to CT, Queens/NYC, NJ & PA looking at left-over 2002s, etc. before purchasing my new 2003 EVC from Holbert's VW, Warrenton, PA. The 5 cylinder was reported to be more than a bit sluggish, and the earlier VR-6 6-cyl was somewhat better. My 201 hp [added about 2001] is pretty responsive, and I keep up with most traffic under 80 mph. Long trips are comfortable, even though my other 13 VWs were much smaller. It is nice to see through the large back door/window, & that door opens to horizontal, serving as a high 'roof' when loading rear cargo.
I have a lot of info on the following, if you or anyone else is interested:
My EVC Accessories & Tips: [1] inverter [2] gasoline 115 V AC generator - Honda 2KW [3] 3rd battery [4] Floor & inside roof cargo lash points [5] Ham radio antenna, equipment, & coax installation notes [6] warm shower notes [7] 'Fridge 12 VDC/115 VAC/LP notes
I'd like to swap notes with others re their EVC mods & notes.
jack_son
My brotherin-law (disabled) has an '03 Eurovan 6 cylinder Automatic transmission. He ran over , cracked the tranny case, and now needs a new one. VW America is stonewalling the dealer and my brother in law on the transmission which, variously, was shipped, arrived in country, didn't, is lost, was never ordered, ...
Does anyone have a lead on a recovered, rebuilt transmission for this thing? I'm sure we could start with a wreck and work from there, but the dealer has no knowledge.
Help us defeat VW America's customer no service department!!!
Thanks
Love our Eurovan, cannot even touch the cargo space with a Suburban or any other vehicle short of a full size van - and who wants to drive one of those if they don't have too.
Service seems expensive and that is too bad becuase one tends to avoid expensive scheduled maintenance. I think it is somewhat due to our local dealer being a VW/AUDI/PORSHE dealer whereby VW customers are the lowest on the totem pole and must oull in behind the Porsche Carerra set and have the service techs look at you like "wow, nice Eurovan...".
Oil changes are a go to the dealer, buy filter for $16, take to local quick oil change and get it done.
Original Michelin tires are expensive to replace and lasted to 40k, also a bit stiff. Replaced with the goodyear advantage and they are great.
Brakes - dealer wanted huge dollars to change brakes. Brake sensor light on dash went on at 40k. Drove the car for qite a few miles after that (approx 8000 more miles). Ordered new pads from Europarts-ad online for cheap. Excellent source for Eurovan parts. The eurovan brakes were the simplest brakes I have ever changed. The reason the dealer wants so much if the rotors have very little "extra" on them from the factory - so the dealer standard is to replace instead of turn them. the first time through I just threw the new brakes on right over the origional rotors (no turning) they work perfect. Simple allen wrench to take off the front calipers and a 13mm socket to take off the back. 20 minutes each wheel.
Complaints: 1) No shoulder belt in back middle. 2) Cd Changer is in BS location under passenger seat and is finnicky. 3) Paint chips easily on front of car, no dings, just tiny chips of the top paint exposing primer underneath. 4) Plastic panels under back seat do not stay on and tabs break.
Otherwise love the car. Solid.
I am dismayed at how many little problems are being discussed, but then again, these are Volkswagens. I am hoping for few (or no) problems with this one, but it will be our 7th or 8th VW over our lifespan and know that is wishful thinking.
I am sure I'll be back with more questions, but just one for now. Being a camping "snob", I like to stay away from "RV" camping sites. Does anyone have any good suggestions in the Northeast for EV Camping without the RV's?
Thanks and keep up the chatter!
Thanks for helping us keep the discussion on-topic.
Also, if anyone is interested (or knows where) I can get a 2002 aluminum OEM rim for my Eurovan, please let me know - somehow one is silghtly bent and causes a small shake at high speeds.
Just finished replacing all four disc brakes - it was very painless. You need to use an allen wrench on the two front caliper bolts. A 13mm socket (and open end wrench to hold the adjacent collar from turning) on the rear caliper bolts. A special caliper tool for disc brakes (you need this to rotate the caliper as you press it back in) can be purchased from www.Harborfreighttools.com (part # 40732-0VGA). All pads, etc. can be purchased from www.europarts-sd.com
- Mike
- Mike
1. I can't figure out how to raise the side table table in the back. It appears to have a VERY strong latching mech., but, for the life of me, I can not find it (not to mention release it) and so the table is still tightly closed against the side of the passenger compartment.
2. There appears to be a small, electrically operated refrigerator under the left side, rear-facing passenger seat. I can not figure out how to get to it to open it up, etc., and I am afraid of breaking it or the seat above it. Also, how does it work? Is it hard wired into the vehicle? How do you turn it on and off?
3. Should I get the VW owner's manual? Will it cover the MV Weekender with all its particular equipment (pop-top, frige, etc.)? If not, are there supplements that cover that stuff, or is there a good after market manual (Haynes, perhaps) that does the trick even better?
Sorry for all these questions in my first post, but I need help.
Dach
Congratulations on the new van. I've only had mine for a couple weeks now, but I am loving it!
Anyway, I have an '02, but the answers should be the same...I think. It's worth a shot:
<<1. I can't figure out how to raise the side table table in the back. It appears to have a VERY strong latching mech., but, for the life of me, I can not find it (not to mention release it) and so the table is still tightly closed against the side of the passenger compartment. >>
As you look at the table, on the right side there should be a small area where your fingers can sneak behind it. Just pull-the only latch is a pressure latch-it should just release. Make sure the rug isn;t in the way or anything as well.
<<2. There appears to be a small, electrically operated refrigerator under the left side, rear-facing passenger seat. I can not figure out how to get to it to open it up, etc., and I am afraid of breaking it or the seat above it. Also, how does it work? Is it hard wired into the vehicle? How do you turn it on and off? >>
As you look at the seat above the fridge, there should be a lever on the left side between the seat and the side wall (the one the table is on) lift it up and the bottom of the seat pops up and you can slide the fridge out. To get the top off the fridge, slide it towards you and up.
As for turning it on and off, there should be a swithch and a fuse visible on the back. When the fridge is on, the switch glows red (in mine). It should be plugged in, of course, in the 12 volt outlet under the driver's seat (there is a second battery under the seat).
3. Should I get the VW owner's manual? Will it cover the MV Weekender with all its particular equipment (pop-top, frige, etc.)? If not, are there supplements that cover that stuff, or is there a good after market manual (Haynes, perhaps) that does the trick even better?
My owners manual includes info on the extra things included in the weekender. I would recommend it, as in my brief glance through it, I found many interesting things-like what little levers that appeared to do nothing were for.
I know nothing of the Haynes, but plan on getting one for myself.
Best of luck.
www.gowesty.com
www.eurocampers.com
www.bus-boys.com (more older stuff, but some EV)
You can try Ebay and Google as well.
Good luck.
thx
I'm also a little concerned about drilling through the poptop and what effects this might create.
There's got to be others out there with poptops and racks. Any advice out there?
After looking for alternative sliding windows instead of the original, i found several pictures of the Winnibago sliding window, which is (only?) for the large wheelbase and for the last window, passenger side. Several contact to Winnebago or suppliers failed (because of mybad english :confuse: ) or ??
I´m looking for someone, who wants to help me find a) the manufacturer, which produces these Winnebago sliding window or b) helps me let the window be produced fitting the short wheelbase and also those windows for the sliding door and the opposite side (replacement)
Thanx for reply
Colonius
What's the best way to buy a eurovan this year?
Anybody with some compelling arguements?
I can not vouch for any of this, however the rack did look like it had been up there a while and there was no visible signs of damage to the top on the exterior.
The search continues. If I fabricate custom brackets that dont require drilling, how many of you would buy them (that is, of course, assuming they work). I might be willing to give it a shot.
1) Looking at vehicles online, we noticed that it was not unheard of for these years to have a new motor or transmission, which is worrisome. Is this an aberration, or should we be concerned about the longevity of the drivetrain? We would most likely be buying one with around 100,000 miles and hope to drive it for years.
2) I saw several posts asking about safety, but no real answers. I have looked unsuccessfully for crash test results. Also, do all '97 and new come with both driver and front passenger airbags, or was the passenger one an option?
3) We live in Eastern Washington, and have not yet found any for sale nearby, although we have not really looked seriously yet. Anyone have any experience buying from the company "Pop Top Heaven" in California?
4) Recommendations between the various years 1997 - 2000? Any quirks/problems that were only present in one year that we should be aware of?
Thanks!
Sharon
I'm a HUGE VW van nut, but I would have to say that, honestly, it has to be worrisome. More worrisome, I think, is the lack of parts availability for late EV's that sold so dismally in the US. Hard to drive the vehicle for years since they really aren't many sources for repair parts at least in the US. You'll notice that the Mexican EV's are more like the early EV's, so there are few parts that interchange.
>>2) I saw several posts asking about safety, but no real answers. I have looked unsuccessfully for crash test results. Also, do all '97 and new come with both driver and front passenger airbags, or was the passenger one an option?
Sorry, no idea.
>>3) We live in Eastern Washington, and have not yet found any for sale nearby, although we have not really looked seriously yet. Anyone have any experience buying from the company "Pop Top Heaven" in California?
I've heard that they are very expensive and but that they know their job.
>>4) Recommendations between the various years 1997 - 2000? Any quirks/problems that were only present in one year that we should be aware of?
Not really. All had electrical problems and FI issues to my knowledge.
Lloyd (williams6)
ClaireS
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