Hello! Just bought our first ever motorhome!

by Pamponi Tue Nov 04, 2014 5:26 pm

Hello folks

We have been searching for quite a while & finally settled on an Auto-sleeper Clubman GL for our first foray into camper van/motorhome (joint) ownership (with Dad).

Its old, but in wonderful condition. A VW T4 2.5tdi 102bhp 5cylinder with 39K miles & an almost spotless interior.

May have been a little foolish having bought it without ever actually driving a T4 myself before. I drive T5 GP for work so I figured a T4 must ok, right?
Boy was I in for a surprise.
The gear change was APPALLING & the brakes were soft & it was so SLOW & noisy! Nearly put it straight back on the market! covermyeyes

Just as well we like a challenge.

So, I did plenty of homework, joined a forum or 2 & got stuck in.

I have so far:
Fitted a DAB radio/CD
Fitted a center console popd with cup holders & 6"x9" speakers
Fitted a reversing camera & sensors
Cleaned/blanked the EGR
Got the Turbo actuator to actually let the turbo work!! (it wasn't when we bought it, but we didn't know at the time, thought it was par for the course...)
Changed the MAF
Replaced the paper air filter for a Pipercross jobbie
Modified the gear linkage to reduce the throw & extended the gear stick with a cranked 6" extension (FAVOURITE MOD:allthumbz:)

So it goes like the clappers now & the gear change is ok. bow

Only real problem left is that the gearing is too low & its rather noisy at speed. Next job will be to work out which gearbox we have & whether I can source a taller 5th gear.

Anyone been down this route before?

Cheers

Pamponi

by TeamRienza Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:44 pm

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum.

I hope you have many happy trips in your new van.

You certainly are not hanging about as you personalise it.

Loads of advice available on all sorts of subjects, just dive in and ask.

All the best.

Davy

by mikethebike Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:49 pm

Hi Welcome to the forum.

asof_welcome2

How are the brakes coming along?

Regards

Mike

by burlingtonboaby Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:47 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bridlington
Boaby

by daisy mae Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:54 pm

Hi and

from Leicestershire, good van, I have the 2.5tdi 102 and it`s great, the second one that I have had. enjoy your van, they are a tardis.

by Pamponi Tue Nov 04, 2014 10:13 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Re the brakes

I just learned to push the pedal harder!

Will probably stick some fancy discs & pads on when these wear out.

by **roli** Tue Nov 04, 2014 10:18 pm

from Warrington
Just think you have time to get it all sorted for the new year when I am sure you will enjoy your choice of van

by mikethebike Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:14 pm

Pamponi wrote:Thanks for the warm welcome.

Re the brakes

I just learned to push the pedal harder!

Will probably stick some fancy discs & pads on when these wear out.

May just need a bleed. Maybe a change of fluid.
Keep the costs down.
regards

Mike

by Dutto Wed Nov 05, 2014 1:18 am

Hi there,

Welcome from Skegness where we have just enjoyed a cold but sunny day. shiver

Best regards,
drinksallround

by deka Wed Nov 05, 2014 8:12 am

Hi,And welcome from Stokie Deka, Quite a good van you have have there, My last van was the t4 clubman none turbo and once I got use to coaxing it uphill we loved every minute of it, Slow maybe but it would run forever and we got really attached to it. Good luck with yours and hope to see you on the field, Christine & Derek. drinksallround