Hi, my brother is looking for a secondhand volkswagon camper van, ideally from a dealership that sells these vans, by the looks of things they seem mostly to be sold privatley, he lives in clacton essex, any recomended garages in essex or surounding areas?.
Hi - i'm not sure whether you are looking for a Bay Window or a T25 (wedge) camper. Buying any of these can be a bit of a minefield. The only company i have seen in Essex is called Bullibarn / Superbeetles in Cochester.
I would suggest looking at specific forums on the web for the various types of VW. For instance club80-90 is a brilliant source of information and contacts on all things T25 and i'm sure a post on there would give you some leads. There are also two magazines VW Camper and Bus and VW Camper and Commercial which contains lots of adverts. Up and down the country there are companies who specialise in importing VW campers from Germany but they tend to be Westfalias and left hand drive and you are likely to have to put the miles in searching.
I can personally recommend a company in Ruthin North Wales who imports campers and sells on and he also does any follow servicing and work. The company is called MPI Campers and the chap is called Mike.
Agree with the above. We got ours from ebay then joined 80 90 and got a load of advice and help with our T25. Not that it needed much attention but its worth getting to know a bit about them. You could save a decent sum buying privately and the garages ive seen seem to charge a premium.
It's worth seeking out a local VW club, members are usually 'in the know' about vehicles available locally. They tend to be a helpful and experienced bunch as well
------------- Of all the things I have lost I miss my mind the most.
I eventually found Delilah and brought her from a dealer but she was sold as 'sold as seen' defo no warranty - and i now understand why!! lol
Always something to fix, always spending money on her but worth every penny for all the fun times and friends we have made... other VW owners, campers and people who just want to admire her.
Local vw club's are good and the www.80-90club.co.uk is a very good source...T25 owners are helpful and always willing to help... This is my second now .... I know of a T25 for sale ..good one joker lhd in green if your interested let me know ...
Quote: Originally posted by choplee on 16/7/2011
Local vw club's are good and the www.80-90club.co.uk is a very good source...T25 owners are helpful and always willing to help... This is my second now .... I know of a T25 for sale ..good one joker lhd in green if your interested let me know ...
Thank you all for your helpfull advice, and for the above, i will pass that on to him.
Hi,
I would definitely look at the Club 80-90s forum. They also have a fantastic "Wiki" full of useful advice in what to look for and what NOT to look for in a van - a good body is essential unless you want it to be a money box on wheels.
We got our T25 VW Camper last year after having more tents than you can shake a stick at, and I really don't know why we waited so long! It's fabulous just to drive and go, no packing the car, unpacking & erecting tents. The camping season's much longer for us now and we often just pop for a day out in the van, it's a moving picnic.
There's also a "for sale" section in the Club80-90s site, with vans that are often known to club members and cherished - it probably gives a better idea of what you / your brother would be buying. Remember, buying a 25 year old van you're always likely to have the odd surprise along the way and getting this from a dealer isn't necessarily going to avoid it. My accelerator pedal came off on the motorway recently, only 3 days after the MOT -- oops!
Prices have gone through the roof in the last 4 years. Our van has doubled in value. So be prepared to pay loads for a good solid example
But even so, it might be worth talking to the guy (Paul) even if the prices of his van are way too much for the budget.
He is very helpful and will guide you. He may be able to help you find a "project" van..