Craikeybaby's VW T5 Bike Van
Discussion
Van by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
After years of struggling with a BMW 1 series as our "big sensible car", I decided that I needed to buy something more practical. I figured that if I was getting something big and FWD, I may as well get something BIG and not have to bother with bike racks etc. So ended up, seemingly like most other mountain bikers with a VW Transporter. It is a 2014 T5 (facelift) SWB Kombi Highline 140ps. The 140ps is key, because although these all have pretty much the same 2.0tdi engine, in various states of tune, the 140ps version gets the stronger 6 speed gearbox.
The plan was not to buy quite this early in the year, but once I had the idea of what I wanted I kept an eye out on all the classified sites and this one popped up on Facebook, as one of their suggested posts, and on further inspection it had the perfect spec, was fairly local, in budget and by far the best colour - so I bought it!
I have only had it a week, but am pleased with it so far, it is better to drive than I was expecting, the gearshift being particularly good. Not only is it my first van, it is my first diesel vehicle and the first front wheel drive vehicle I have owned for 15 years. I am enjoying the elevated driving position and embracing taking a more chilled out attitude to driving - I still have my MR2 Roadster to thrash around in when I am not transporting kids or bikes. I have had a few trips out with bikes which fit in the back easily.
Bike and van by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I have no plans to convert it into a camper van, which is common with these, but there may be a few changes to the interior to make it more comfortable/practical. However the plan for now is just to use it like a big estate car.
There are a few little jobs to do:
Sort out the Bluetooth media player - I test these things for a living and the VW one has me stumped, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and other times the option isn't even shown on the headunit (phone is shown as connected, including media player on the cluster display).
Sort out what can be displayed in the cluster display, as temperature/range are displayed, but only with warning messages, the rest of the time it is phone information.
Buy/build some under seat storage for the twin seat in the back.
Touch in a few stone chips/small scratches.
Correct the number of seats on the V5 - it says 6, but it is a 5 seater. I'm guessing it was most likely an admin error at the dealer that originally registered it (coincidentally my local VW dealer).
Floor mats for the front, I'm thinking rubber will be a better bet than carpet as I am using it for mountain biking.
Possibly fit a ground anchor in the boot to secure my bikes.
I'll keep this thread updated with any changes/fixes I make to the van, or maybe just post pictures of where I have been in it...
Awesome - we had one (albeit a DSG) which we converted to a campervan. Decided that was too small so bought a motorhome but would really like another Kombi to replace my wife's Focus. They make great family cars.
I've also put a few notes below:
ETA: just noticed you mentioned it was a highline so you should have this.
We added DAB (had a DAB headunit but wasn't enabled in software), needle sweep, changing the automatic locking and enabled cruise control.
I've also put a few notes below:
Craikeybaby said:
There are a few little jobs to do:
Sort out the Bluetooth media player - I test these things for a living and the VW one has me stumped, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and other times the option isn't even shown on the headunit (phone is shown as connected, including media player on the cluster display).
There is a weird thing but if you hold down the Aux/Media button it should display different options, i.e. SD card, bluetooth audio etc. We had the VW Sat Nav and this is how it worked as it stumped us for a while.Sort out the Bluetooth media player - I test these things for a living and the VW one has me stumped, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and other times the option isn't even shown on the headunit (phone is shown as connected, including media player on the cluster display).
Craikeybaby said:
Sort out what can be displayed in the cluster display, as temperature/range are displayed, but only with warning messages, the rest of the time it is phone information.
Again dependent upon what spec you have and whether you have highline display or not. If you do the selector is on the end of the windscreen switch. Hold up and it will give you a range of options then scroll and use the button on the bottom as OK. If you don't have Highline spec screen it is more limited but you can buy dongle which allow you to re-program certain things including adding some stuff to the screen.ETA: just noticed you mentioned it was a highline so you should have this.
We added DAB (had a DAB headunit but wasn't enabled in software), needle sweep, changing the automatic locking and enabled cruise control.
Craikeybaby said:
Correct the number of seats on the V5 - it says 6, but it is a 5 seater. I'm guessing it was most likely an admin error at the dealer that originally registered it (coincidentally my local VW dealer).
Or it could have come with 3 seats in the front and somebody switched out the passenger double for a single.Drove my wife’s Yaris earlier, after a week in the van and I had to double check that I hadn’t left the handbrake on! Definitely wasn’t expecting that coming from a van!
It is a 2017 Four, was my dream bike at the time, and still is really.
Fatball said:
Looks great, always wanted one. Enjoy!
Thanks, I wanted one for a while, but had planned to run my old car into the ground, as it was reliable, but worth nothing. I just bit the bullet and bought this - glad I did!gkeele said:
Wouldn't mind one of these at all, I've been roof racking for years now. Love the Orange. 
The roof rack worked well for localish rides, but wasn’t keen on leaving the car anywhere, with bikes, especially the Orange on top. It is a 2017 Four, was my dream bike at the time, and still is really.
Greendubber said:
Nice choice, mates got one and its brilliant. Does yours have a bulkhead between the back seats and the load area? I've found that makes them way more car like, plus you can just mop the back out once muddy bikes have been removed 
I did look at one with a bulkhead, but wanted to keep the flexibility. wolfie1978 said:
Do you have many plans for it op? I have a 2012 Caravelle and i'm looking for some inspiration with it
No plans for the van yet, will see how we get on with it over the summer. Maybe carpet the back/sides to make it quieter inside, although it is no worse than the BMW with bikes on top. I can imagine I’ll lower it and change the wheels at some point, but nothing crazy. Wonderman said:
Post on FB doing rounds re fitting "high locks" to stop doors being peeled open at the top. Just a thought as I was looking into doing something similar vehicle wise as gets a bit of a pita when more than 2 of us.
Thanks, will look in to that. My priority is getting something solid to lock the bikes to inside, but obviously better to stop entry in the first place!TryingHard said:
Loads of useful stuff.
Thanks! We’re planning on it be in more of a big family than a camper - I may have the odd overnighted with one of the boys when they are a bit older. I did manage to get Bluetooth media working at first, by activating it in the menu, however it is still shown as active, but not available. My next test will be unpairing and re-pairing my phone. I’ll try holding down the media button too. I may just get another head unit, as I would really like car play!
I haven’t tried holding the up button down on the stalk, so will try that too. I need to try and find what exactly is fitted, same goes with the seats. The cluster features are more nice to haves than essentials, I will be getting a diagnostic tool though.
I'm a mountain biker and yes, I had a T5 like everyone else! I bought a pretty basic LWB panel van and used it like a big estate. Didn't want a camper but fitted side windows, insulation, carpeting, nice floor etc. It was like going everywhere with a big metal tent. It's amazing to have shelter and a changing room everywhere you go.
We kept it for 7 years and went all over Europe in it. Best thing I ever bought. Regularly check out T6's but the prices are alarming. Everyone has cottoned on to how fashionable they are and they're massively overpriced.
Still miss having a van though. Not sure what I'll end up with. Good luck and enjoy it,
We kept it for 7 years and went all over Europe in it. Best thing I ever bought. Regularly check out T6's but the prices are alarming. Everyone has cottoned on to how fashionable they are and they're massively overpriced.
Still miss having a van though. Not sure what I'll end up with. Good luck and enjoy it,
I’ve had loads of Vw campers over the years, partly as I’ve been cycling for 30 plus yrs. I’d stick a decent rigid fiamma rack on the back. When your bike is dripping in filth, it’s out of the way. Fair enough if yr parking it up, stick it in the van, but generally it’s a lot easy keeping all the muck out. More so if you’ve mates gf wife etc bikes and 2,3,4 of them.
I’m surprised at the universally positive response on here, but I agree it is shaping up to be great family car.
austinsmirk said:
I’ve had loads of Vw campers over the years, partly as I’ve been cycling for 30 plus yrs. I’d stick a decent rigid fiamma rack on the back. When your bike is dripping in filth, it’s out of the way. Fair enough if yr parking it up, stick it in the van, but generally it’s a lot easy keeping all the muck out. More so if you’ve mates gf wife etc bikes and 2,3,4 of them.
I’m thinking that I’ll get a portable power washer to remedy the muddy bikes in the van issue. I decoded the production codes, hoping to find out if it was 5 or 6 seats from factory, if it has the trip computer features and if there were any clues as to what the “ECOFUEL” badge on the back means. Unfortunately I am no nearer to answers:
So, can anyone shed any light on what “ECOFUEL” means? The only thing I can find on Google in relation to VW “ECOFUEL” is to do Compressed National Gas variants, and this is definitely a diesel 140. So my only guess is that someone has fitted a random badge.
X13 = National sales program Europe (RHD)
B0A = Component parts set without country-specific design requirement
CK8 = Alloy wheels 6.5J x 16
G0K = 6-speed manual transmission
H0D = Tires 215/65 R16 C 106/104T
J1D = Battery 380 A (72 Ah)
D91 = 4-cyl. turbo diesel engine 2.0 l/103 kW (4V) TDI common rail; Base engine: TG3/ TJ3/TU3/TU4/TL4/TP4/TM3/TW3/TR4/TS1/TN5
1AK = Electronic stabilization program (ESP) with brake assistant
1G2 = Steel spare wheel with original equipment tires
2PW = Leather steering wheel
1NL = Covers for alloy wheels
5RV = Right exterior mirror: aspherical
5SJ = Left exterior mirror: convex
TW3 = 4-cylinder diesel engine 2.0 l Unit 03L.K
3S0 = Without roof rails/roof load rack
3U0 = Without luggage compartment cover
QI8 = Service indicator 40,000 km or 2 year ( variable )
8AE = Radio "RCD310 MP3"
8GU = Alternator 140 A
1BA = Standard suspension/shock absorption
7MJ = Emission standard EU5 plus
0E1 = Short wheelbase
4UF = Drivers and front passenger air bag with front passenger air bag deactivation
4X0 = Without side air bag
4R1 = Power windows
4K3 = Radio remote controlled central locking operated from inside and safe securing
N0F = Woven fabric seat covering
5TC = Without decorative inserts
8RE = 4 speakers (passive)
2JG = Body-colored bumpers
E0A = No special edition
2V1 = Dust and pollen filter
0JD = Weight category front axle weight range 4
0YD = Weight range 4 installation control only, no requirement forecast
1D0 = Without trailer hitch
A8B = Basic equipment
8BF = Halogen headlight for driving on the left
U5B = Instrument insert, mph speedometer Great Britain
1N1 = Power steering
3L3 = Manual height adjustment for front seats
4A0 = Without seat heater
8N1 = Windshield wiper intermittent control
So, can anyone shed any light on what “ECOFUEL” means? The only thing I can find on Google in relation to VW “ECOFUEL” is to do Compressed National Gas variants, and this is definitely a diesel 140. So my only guess is that someone has fitted a random badge.
I have managed to get into the MFD menu, rather than just pressing the up button on the end of the wiper stalk, I needed to press the up button on the stalk AND nudge the stalk up, then I can choose between MFD/Media/Phone.
I still can't get the Bluetooth Media player to show on the headhunt though. I tried a long press on the media button, which had no effect.
I still can't get the Bluetooth Media player to show on the headhunt though. I tried a long press on the media button, which had no effect.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff