Air cooled and Water cooled running costs

Hello all, my first post and a potential kombi owner. firstly I know nothing of vw`s  and will be in the market for a camper next season. As the title says "running costs" is there much difference between the two models? I assume these later vehicles have  discs brakes as opposed to old drum  set up? would I be correct in thinking the air cooled model uses a timing chain and will not require belt changes as would the later water cooled models? And also road fund licence? is there a difference in the costing for 12 months? Any thoughts on your own running  experience will be gratefully appreciated,or maybe there is a online or paper format buyers guide I could be pointed in the direction of?
Thanks in advance.
John

Welcome John.

I think I'm right in saying the brake setup is the same for both water and air cooled Brazi Bays, drums at the rear and disks at the front.

Yes to the timing chain in an airbag and timing belt in an aqua (change at 50k miles I think).

Road fund license for an aqua is £140 pa, not sure about an Airbus.

An aqua should achieve 30-35mpg, an Airbus slightly less 25-30mpg?

Depending on your mileage, an Airbus may require more regular servicing but the cost of the service is the same/similar for both.

Hope that helps.

Hello John and welcome to the forum. We went with the advise of Ian @ VW Kampers and opted for a water cooled as the Kombi is a daily user and servicing once a year. Ditto's Tallulah comments regsrding mpg.

Either way you will have great fun in whatever you purchase

Welcome!

No timing chain in the Airbus - it's all directly driven from the cam!  (Sorry Tallulah)

The only belt you'll find in an Airbus is the one from the crankcase pulley driving the alternator and very importantly the big fan at the back of the engine.  It costs about £5 to replace and should be done every 3000 miles along with setting the tappets.

An AquaBay will need a new water pump at the same time that the cambelt is changed.

Road tax on an Airbus is £230 per year.

There's a guide to buying a used BraziBay found by clicking this link:

What to look out for when buying a used Brazilian VW Bay

Many thanks for the swift replies and the buyers guide, I must admit the air cooled engine seems a better option in terms of no regular replacement of a fragile cam belt. The clutch  of an air cooled is something I forgot to mention, if viewing a vehicle of say 50-60k miles would I expect a new clutch to added in the service history? Just trying to ascertain a ball park life expectancy of  clutch when inspecting a potential purchase.
Thanks again
John

I guess it's all down to what kind of driving the BraziBay has endured. Lots of motorway/A-road driving won't cause the clutch to wear out, whereas loads of town traffic stuff would. Regardless, the clutch on an aircooled is readily available, costs 100 quid and is a quick engine out job (4 bolts!)

Think the last time the clutch was changed on my Kombi it was done in a morning, if that!

elanelise wrote:

no regular replacement of a fragile cam belt

Not sure this should a concern, a change after 50k miles is technically 'regular' but for most kombi owners this is a minimum of 5 years between changes.

Especially when considered alongside a 'regular' service/oil change every 3k miles for an air cooled.

In my book that's almost 20 services/oil changes in an airbus before an aqua owner needs to be concerned with a cam belt change.

I think the difference in petrol costs are a major factor (and maximum speed!). Ive got an air-cooled and get 24mpg, and suspect if you plan to use van regularly, this difference in petrol costs will be a much bigger than cost of the servicing works.

I do like the clatter of the air-cooled engine etc - adds to the "Old VW" feel, but I suspect that a watercooled would be cheaper to run in long term, if van used quite a lot (and once you get one you will use it loads!!).

Enjoy the new van when you get it.

gordonmac wrote:

I think the difference in petrol costs are a major factor (and maximum speed!)

Can't agree with you on that one Gordon, my BraziBay happily bombs along at 70mph - measured on the SatNav - sure you've got your tappets set right?!

I cruised back from the Halloween meet last weekend at 65-70 mph.......and I was overtaken by Scooby on the M40!

Scooby endeavours to stick around 65mph on the motorway.
Slowing down up hill and speeding up down hill.  

We doo sometimes go a little faster for short periods  . . .

harryhornet wrote:

I cruised back from the Halloween meet last weekend at 65-70 mph.......and I was overtaken by Scooby on the M40!  

BrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaazzzzziiiBays!!! Beep Beep!!

Hi Guys,

Another things worth pointing out..!

The air - cooled Brazilian bays may cost slightly more per year to maintain (only slightly) but the biggest factor in my eyes is that they are cheaper to buy to the water-cooled..!

We find that spec on spec of water-cooled and air-cooled the water-cooled sell for more so with the saving made by buying an air-cooled braz bay will pay for the extra running costs for years to come.

Either way you wont go wrong with either!

Happy Camping ....

So people pay a (slight) premium for aquas, interesting.... must be because they are faster....!

Many thanks for all your input, i suppose the impending purchase will ultimately boil down to budget and what vehicles are available at the time. I don`t intend the kombi to be a everyday driver,just used for over nighters at weekend motoring events like the grand prix etc. I assume servicing intervals to be 3000miles or every 12 months for the air bus and 9000miles /12 months for the aqua bus?
Prices don`t seem very static, a 2003 tin top model with 23k on the clock was marketed in September at £15,495.00, a similar model marketed by the same company now offer a 2003 tin top model with 41k at £20,995,a bit confused by this to say the least, could this simply be down to supply and demand and that the kombi is no longer in production? a bit perplexing.
Regards
John

The market is small and demand is strong!

Hi John,

When we price a camper we base it on , age, mileage, spec and condition.

We sold a 2007 this year with 13k on the clock , power steering, high spec, as new condition for £29995 and it sold within a few days.

On my site today there is a 2007 model, 2 owners, 26k miles, ex hire van for £25995.

So basically the same age van, similar spec but with £4000 difference due to condition and mileage.

Factors like a Tin Top, left hand drive dramatically reduce the price.

Also, some camper's may be being sold on a sale or return basis so the trader may be convened by what the owner wants to see back for the camper.

We typically price our campers 10% cheaper in the Winter time due to demand and a slow up in sales so its actually a good time to buy!

Hope this helps a little,

Ian www.vwkampers.co.uk

Ianvwk wrote:

Hi John,

When we price a camper we base it on , age, mileage, spec and condition.

We sold a 2007 this year with 13k on the clock , power steering, high spec, as new condition for £29995 and it sold within a few days.

On my site today there is a 2007 model, 2 owners, 26k miles, ex hire van for £25995.

So basically the same age van,  similar spec but with £4000 difference due to condition and mileage.

Factors like a Tin Top, left hand drive dramatically reduce the price.

Also, some camper's may be being sold on a sale or return basis so the trader may be convened by what the owner wants to see back for the camper.

We typically price our campers 10% cheaper in the Winter time due to demand and a slow up in sales so its actually a good time to buy!

Hope this helps a little,

Ian www.vwkampers.co.uk

Hello Ian, I have viewed your website on numerous occasions ,when I have the time I intend on making an appointment to view your current stock and discuss all things kombi, i`m only a short distance away in Tunbridge wells.
Regards
John

Hi John,

Great stuff.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Ian VWK

Hi John. We have lots of new stock arriving at Danbury: 5 used Brazi bays and 4 more used VW T5. Lots of stock doesn't reach our web site before selling so give us a call and we will add you to our list and let you know whats new before it goes on sale

www.danburymotorcaravans.com

Welcome to the forum John , will be good to have another Kent based forum member...

Tallulah wrote:

So people pay a (slight) premium for aquas, interesting.... must be because they are faster....!

risky game ... winding up the club boss!

Pah!

jj123vw wrote:

Hi John. We have lots of new stock arriving at Danbury: 5 used Brazi bays and 4 more used VW T5. Lots of stock doesn't reach our web site before selling so give us a call and we will add you to our list and let you know whats new before it goes on sale

www.danburymotorcaravans.com

Thanks for the info, i will sign up in due course.

John

beakyboy wrote:

Welcome to the forum John , will be good to have another Kent based forum member...

Many thanks for all your warm welcomes.