Cometh the hour, cometh the van

A little bit of background, if you'll allow.  I have had a long string of VW/Audi's (not all as reliable as you might think). Beetle, Golf (MkII, MkIII and Mk IV), a couple of MkI Audi A3's, a MkIII Audi A4 and a couple of MkII Audi A4 Avants the last of which was the car I felt I needed to replace.

(I've never had a MkI Golf, might need to sort that out one day)

My cars have always needed to serve a purpose, which I'm guessing is the same for everyone. The gauntlet laid down for the last A4 Avant was to reliably cope with frequent round trips up and down the M1 & M6 between Hertfordshire and Birmingham. In addition, enough space to drop the back seats and throw in a mountain bike (or two) and not worry about having to carry it/them on one of those dreadful Halfordsesque bike rack contraptions. For this...   ...I have no hesitation, the A4 Avant (1.9TDi 130) was nothing short of outstanding. Fantastically comfortable, strong, powerful engine and enough tools and gadgets to keep things comfortable on long journeys. 

However, it was starting to get a little tatty, a few little niggles had started to creep in and the trips to the local VW/Audi independent were becoming more and more frequent.  

Time for it to go?  

Yes!  

No wait, there's life in the old...  

Yes!!  

Surely not, it just needs... 

Yes!!!  

It needed go!!!  To be replaced by what?  I could've just got another A4 Avant, newer model, more toys, more comfortable. Sound choice.  Nah, I fancied a change.  Also considering that 2 mountain bikes was actually 4 when you add in Nicole's and the kids bikes. Another A4 Avant could've been made to work, but I really fancied a change

My brother from another mother had recently bought a VW T5 and to be perfectly honest this rekindled a long standing desire to have one (serious jealousy). Plenty of space for bikes but what about long journeys, frequent long journeys, would it be comfortable?  I started quizzing said brother from another mother and following links he was sending me.  I quickly worked out that the list of possible mods was reminiscent of my Beetle owning days - the possibilities are endless.  Therefore, surely, if not comfortable on day 1 then it could certainly be made comfortable.  

Gingerly broached the subject with Nicole and was greeted with a surprisingly enthusiastic response.  "Yeah, do it.  Get one!"  Turns out she has great memories of her Dad having a Chevy van when she was growing up in Toronto.  Decision made, budget set, hunt initiated.  

So, to end my rambling about my motoring past, it was bye bye to the A4.  Your loyal service was very much appreciated and will be fondly remembered.

COMETH THE VAN

Scouring the classifieds for a good month or so gave me some pretty solid criteria.
Not white.
Not beaten up to the point that panel beating is required
Not been round the circumference of the earth 25 times
Not the low powered 1.9 diesel engine that would feel tortured whenever power is required.

So, we went for this.

This is a pic from the eBay ad, so a good record of what it was like the day I picked it up.  Let the mods commence.

2004, VW T5 Factory Kombi.  2.5l manual, 137k miles on the clock.