Are we mad? :-(

digbychicken · 08-08-2011 4:14pm #1

Hey ho everybody! We are new to the forum and have been lurking a while because we are looking for a camper and have been reading up on the right kinda questions to ask. As we are new to campers we have decided to go through a dealers. We have looked at a good few that fall in to our tiny price bracket...my question is..we have seen one we really really like...in fact I think I am in love

But with 214,000 kms on the clock are we nuts to even consider it?

spaceHopper · 08-08-2011 5:18pm

digbychicken wrote: »

Hey ho everybody! We are new to the forum and have been lurking a while because we are looking for a camper and have been reading up on the right kinda questions to ask. As we are new to campers we have decided to go through a dealers. We have looked at a good few that fall in to our tiny price bracket...my question is..we have seen one we really really like...in fact I think I am in love But with 214,000 kms on the clock are we nuts to even consider it?

Is there a service history, how old is it, is it a van or a motor home. The pannels on motor homes can work loose over time and shaking starting to let in water. What is the price. Check it for damp and get a mechanic to look at it. The engine should be good for another 214k is it's a big diesle.

digbychicken · 08-08-2011 5:30pm

Howdy, its a 94 VW LT31. I'd say it can be gotten for €8750. It will be serviced before we get it. Have also asked them for info re when the cambelt was changed...think thats a problem with the LT 31's? I am open to correction cos thats just what I read about them

niloc1951 · 08-08-2011 7:38pm

digbychicken wrote: »

Howdy, its a 94 VW LT31. I'd say it can be gotten for €8750. It will be serviced before we get it. Have also asked them for info re when the cambelt was changed...think thats a problem with the LT 31's? I am open to correction cos thats just what I read about them

Is it a van conversion LIKE THIS
Or a coach-built LIKE THIS

digbychicken · 08-08-2011 7:46pm

Its the second one there..thats the actual coachbuilt we have looked at. What do you think? I do really like it. But it needs a bitta TLC. Should I ask for a DOE test too? I have asked about an Engineers report alright.

karmaan · 08-08-2011 10:06pm

Hi,heres another Karmann you might consider,
http://www.adverts.ie/676315
its mine(cheeky)

digbychicken · 08-08-2011 10:17pm

Hey Terry, I was actually going to mail you! I spotted you over on Karmann Coachbuilts as well

can you let me know two things, when was last service done and when was cambelt changed? You can PM me if you prefer,
Thanks a million,
Bronagh

650Ginge · 08-08-2011 10:31pm

karmaan wrote: »

Hi,heres another Karmann you might consider,
http://www.adverts.ie/676315
its mine(cheeky)

Thats a nice van. What sort of MPG do you get? What is the 'cruising' speed?

niloc1951 · 08-08-2011 10:38pm

Karmann would be considered a quality German converter.
Being a coachbuilt of 17 years old it is important to have it damp tested by someone who knows what they are doing, if there is any trace of water ingress walk away.
I wouldn't be overly concerned about the mileage, the base vehicle should be good for at least 300,000Kms and more if regularly serviced.

A DoE is not yet a legal requirement. I would spend my money on an engineers report or a good mechanic who will check stuff like engine condition, transmission condition, suspension & steering, brake component (shoes, pads, pistons, cylinders, etc.) condition, the kind of stuff not covered in an NCT / DoE test, and have a good look for any rust that might be structurally significant..

karmaan · 08-08-2011 10:56pm

digbychicken wrote: »

Hey Terry, I was actually going to mail you! I spotted you over on Karmann Coachbuilts as well can you let me know two things, when was last service done and when was cambelt changed? You can PM me if you prefer,
Thanks a million,
Bronagh

pm sent Terry

karmaan · 08-08-2011 11:00pm

650Ginge wrote: »

Thats a nice van. What sort of MPG do you get? What is the 'cruising' speed?

Its not fast , sits nice up to 95 kmph, im guessin it does about 25 to 30 mpg,

650Ginge · 08-08-2011 11:59pm

karmaan wrote: »

650Ginge wrote: »

Thats a nice van. What sort of MPG do you get? What is the 'cruising' speed?

Its not fast , sits nice up to 95 kmph, im guessin it does about 25 to 30 mpg,

That's fast enough and the mpg ain't bad either. My 1.9 td fait only gets 22 on a good day.

blahblah06 · 09-08-2011 4:42am

karmaan wrote: »

Hi,heres another Karmann you might consider,
http://www.adverts.ie/676315
its mine(cheeky)

Was going to contact u as I love ur van specially the bike rack as I race motocross and it Would b perfect however price an issue

Aidan_M_M · 09-08-2011 4:19pm

Pat Keogh is a very decent fellow , and Karmann are a good brand , so if it's in good order and not smokey etc it may be worth a chance . KMS seem high , but maybe it was just one that had a lot of regular use .

The driving feel on them is a bit....different.... I actually like it , as I have a '79 LT31 as a Retro rally service barge , but some people think they feel weird .

Are we mad? :-(

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