2003 Volkswagen Eurovan Consumer Reviews

This review is of the '99 12v MV model. I purchsed this van used in 03, with about 60k miles on it. I've owned VW microbuses since I started driving, so I sort of knew what I was getting. First - the van is very comfortable, fucntional and versitile. Nothing else on the market does quite what it does, the way it does it. Unfortunately that is the ONLY reason I still own the van. I have 130,000 miles on it now, and my lifetime MPG average is in the 17's. It seems to const around $1,000/yr in repairs to keep it on the road, on top of regular maintenance. Sometimes a little less, mostly a little more. thank God it's paid for. You'll probably have to take it to the dealer and pay dearly for repairs, as almost no independant shops will touch one. Especially if it's a Full Camper model. Later vans with the "ESP" traction system eat brakes up quickly, and a brake job at a shop runs around a grand, easy. The "major" service intervals at 40,000 miles cost around 6-800$ at the dealer. Oil changes at a "quick lube" take around an hour due to the ENOURMOUS belly pan that has to be removed to access the oil filter. Some shops will charge you an extra fee, and/or ask you to never come back again due to that pan. Driving the van however is great. You can't beat the vantage point of the road it gices you, it's ride is smooth and stable, and gopbs of power. Heat & AC work a treat - no scraping the INSIDE of the windshields in this VW! The solid feel and driveability beats all other minivans I've driven by miles. Road trips are a blast, though my cruise control hasn't worked since around the 90k mark. Non-US market models get a trick trip-calculator thingy built into the dash. The people here commenting that tires wear out fast - I wonder if they have the *correct* tires fitted - few Eurovans ever do. Tire shops don't realize they need Load range "C" tires (of which there is only like 1 or 2 brands in that size, that they have to special order). most shops slap standard car tires on them which wear out or fail in a flash. I've had the correct tires on mine (Michellin Agilis) for the last 20,000 miles and they still look brand-new. Correct brake-pads are essential also. Camping comfort without the Weekend package is limited. the biggest problem is the design of the pull-out bed. you can't have anything on the floor in fornt of it, all the way up to the edge of the jump seats. Cargo carrying is where my van really blows peoples minds. We can take the seats out (heavy!!) and fit 2 scooters inside easily, using the jump-seat anchors as tie-strap points, or I can load a full-size motorcycle in, without even having to take the windshield and mirrors off! (plus luggage and drink coolers) Just ride it right in! With a hitch-mounted hauler I can carry 3 scooters to a rally, or tow the biggest trailer full that you dare with no issues. If any other minivan out there offered the same kind of carrying ability, fuel mileage, towing capacity, and camping ability in one package I'd get rid of this in a heartbeat. The cashier at the VW dealer here says ALL us Eurovan owners tell her the same thing! Sadly, nothing else out there does what it does. Have been considering a Honda Element lately though. Seems like lots of former VW Type 2 fans have gone that way.