Newcomers! T6 / 6.1 engine size?

[Deekay]

Hi all, we're considering buying a new T6.1 Ocean but worried about deciding on the engine size 150 or 199. We wondered of anyone has experience of both the 140 / 204 as is on the T6 or if the 140 seems to be adequate enough when fully loaded. We're concerned of diving in with the 150 and being disappointed when travelling hilly country and / or fully loaded (or with a small trailer on). Many thanks.

 

[Hapless Hamburger]

Hi there,
I recently bought a 2018 T6 Ocean, 4 motion with 150HP. I find the engine decent enough even when fully laden. I test drove the higher engine, and it was a little ‘zippier’ from a standing start, but as we tend to drive more sedately with this type of vehicle, I don’t miss the extra power. Fuel consumption will be higher also.
Cheers,
Richie

 

[Wild Bob]

Hi all, we're considering buying a new T6.1 Ocean but worried about deciding on the engine size 150 or 199. We wondered of anyone has experience of both the 140 / 204 as is on the T6 or if the 140 seems to be adequate enough when fully loaded. We're concerned of diving in with the 150 and being disappointed when travelling hilly country and / or fully loaded (or with a small trailer on). Many thanks.

We have a 150 dsg 2019 Cali had two trips out when fully loaded and yes not as nippy but you don't feel underpowered. I am getting mid 30's mpg fully loaded

 

[Erbster]

I think the DSG is the key. The engine just drops a gear when extra oomph needed so it just doesn’t feel sluggish on the open road unless you want rally car speed or launching from the lights. I prefer the lower running costs and dint miss having extra power.


caliventures364847572.wordpress.com

 

[Deekay]

Hi there,
I recently bought a 2018 T6 Ocean, 4 motion with 150HP. I find the engine decent enough even when fully laden. I test drove the higher engine, and it was a little ‘zippier’ from a standing start, but as we tend to drive more sedately with this type of vehicle, I don’t miss the extra power. Fuel consumption will be higher also.
Cheers,
Richie

Hi Richie, thanks for taking the time and responding so quickly. I think we are going to find the VWCC very useful indeed. Kind regards, David.

 

[Deekay]

We have a 150 dsg 2019 Cali had two trips out when fully loaded and yes not as nippy but you don't feel underpowered. I am getting mid 30's mpg fully loaded

Hi Bob, thanks for your help with this. Really useful information when were launching into spending this sort of money. I'd hate to be disappointed, I can only imagine getting it wrong! Kind regards, David and Helen.

 

[Meoncoast]

We had a 180 t5 and replaced with 150 t6 both DSGs and daily drives have no regrets and find 150 adequate for us.

 

[Deekay]

I think the DSG is the key. The engine just drops a gear when extra oomph needed so it just doesn’t feel sluggish on the open road unless you want rally car speed or launching from the lights. I prefer the lower running costs and dint miss having extra power.


caliventures364847572.wordpress.com

Hi Erbster, thanks for the prompt reply with such detail, really appreciated. Sounds like 150 will be fine for us and looking forward to the saving! Kind regards,

David and Helen.

 

[Deekay]

We had a 180 t5 and replaced with 150 t6 both DSGs and daily drives have no regrets and find 150 adequate for us.

Hi Andy, really appreciate you taking the time, certainly given us some peace of mind for Helen and I as this is out first venture into 'campervanning' though we have had a caravan many years ago. This quality info given by you and the other members has removed the only remaining stumbling block and looking forward to the cost saving! Kind regards, David and Helen.

 

[Meoncoast]

Have a drive of both at a dealers.

 

[Sandyvan]

This question pops up from time to time, of course more power is desirable so I personally would say 199hp is the best but its got to be taken into context. Out of all your future journeys how many will you take fully loaded as opposed to daily drives or weekend trips.

When I say fully loaded I mean as we do three weeks traversing mainland Europe loaded to the gunwale's, including a tow bar mounted bike rack C/W two bikes and anything else I can get on there safely within GVW.

We have done several drives of 4/5 hours across Europe at 130kph returning healthy Mpg.
No regrets buying a 150hp. Its our Third Cali the first had the 140hp

As Meoncoast says try both before you commit, if your unsure. I could have bought a 199hp 4 Motion, but do I need 4x4 No, do I intend to pull two horses in a box or a 2/3 axel car transporter to track days anymore No, so we made the choice based on our needs.

What ever you decide it will be a Cali enjoy.

 

[Bstop]

I drive a 102hp coast. Fully laden it climbs the Alps no problem.

 

[Jay20cali]

Had a 130 140 180 and a 150 and as it’s been said the 150 is plenty powerful.
Also cheaper in the beginning and slightly cheaper on fuel costs also if you plan on keeping a long time it’s only a single turbo to go wrong not 2 like the 199 has ..
So unless you really want POWER the 150 is good.

 

[Legin]

I have the 199 but only because I wanted the 4 motion. If you dont want or need 4 motion then the 150 is just fine imo.

 

[Hapless Hamburger]

I have the 199 but only because I wanted the 4 motion. If you dont want or need 4 motion then the 150 is just fine imo.

Very true. I only got 4Motion so I can hammer the icy autobahns and choose all year tyres with no messing around two times a year in Germany swapping over for winter/summer tyres. (In Germany the 4Motion was available with 150HP, in 2018 anyhow)

 

[gvick]

Like @Legin i got the 199 because of4 motion and I drive Cali as main car and do circa 20k miles a year. That said I test drove 150 and it was perfectly fine so just down to personal choice imho

 

[Deekay]

Like @Legin i got the 199 because of4 motion and I drive Cali as main car and do circa 20k miles a year. That said I test drove 150 and it was perfectly fine so just down to personal choice imho

Thank you for this (not sure of your name). We really appreciate you taking the time, Kind regards, David and Helen.

 

[Deekay]

This question pops up from time to time, of course more power is desirable so I personally would say 199hp is the best but its got to be taken into context. Out of all your future journeys how many will you take fully loaded as opposed to daily drives or weekend trips.

When I say fully loaded I mean as we do three weeks traversing mainland Europe loaded to the gunwale's, including a tow bar mounted bike rack C/W two bikes and anything else I can get on there safely within GVW.

We have done several drives of 4/5 hours across Europe at 130kph returning healthy Mpg.
No regrets buying a 150hp. Its our Third Cali the first had the 140hp

As Meoncoast says try both before you commit, if your unsure. I could have bought a 199hp 4 Motion, but do I need 4x4 No, do I intend to pull two horses in a box or a 2/3 axel car transporter to track days anymore No, so we made the choice based on our needs.

What ever you decide it will be a Cali enjoy.

Many thanks (Sandy)? So pleased we joined this site. We never expected this response so soon! Valuable information. Makes me wonder now if we shouldn't consider a new T6 end of line stock rather than the 6.1 and save a lump of money. I fear that would open up a can of worms in terms of Q + A's!! Many thanks for taking the time. Kind regards, David and Helen.

 

[Deekay]

Very true. I only got 4Motion so I can hammer the icy autobahns and choose all year tyres with no messing around two times a year in Germany swapping over for winter/summer tyres. (In Germany the 4Motion was available with 150HP, in 2018 anyhow)

Thanks Richie, I think we have settled for the 150 DSG at least for now! Just having to wait for the order books to open properly as VW apparently won't finalise the prices for delivery etc. although you can still configure and obtain the price for the vehicle itself. I presume its a Brexit issue? Kind regards, David and Helen.

 

[Deekay]

I drive a 102hp coast. Fully laden it climbs the Alps no problem.

Thank you for this, some added peace of mind! Kind regards, David and Helen.

 

[dave6779]

Hi all, we're considering buying a new T6.1 Ocean but worried about deciding on the engine size 150 or 199. We wondered of anyone has experience of both the 140 / 204 as is on the T6 or if the 140 seems to be adequate enough when fully loaded. We're concerned of diving in with the 150 and being disappointed when travelling hilly country and / or fully loaded (or with a small trailer on). Many thanks.

I've tried both and went for 204. The extra power comes in handy (in my opinion) but I only drive a short distance to work (7 miles each way) so fuel isn't really an issue. I got 42 mpg on motorways fully loaded (water, camping gear fuel food etc) for a 2 week holiday, which given the full weight is frankly amazing.

One thing I would say is, even with the more powerful engine, it is still a van not a golf GTi. And you're gna have to stop 2 and half tons so less power might not be a bad thing.

 

[Deekay]

Thanks Dave. We're not concerned really about the fuel, just a fully loaded van that has cost an arm and a leg and finding it to be sluggish. Considering what other members have said we should be OK with the 150 but to go for the safety of the 199 is soooo tempting!! As its our first van I think we need to stay sensible with the budget. Thank you for your insight.
Kind regards,
David and Helen

 

[dave6779]

Thanks Dave. We're not concerned really about the fuel, just a fully loaded van that has cost an arm and a leg and finding it to be sluggish. Considering what other members have said we should be OK with the 150 but to go for the safety of the 199 is soooo tempting!! As its our first van I think we need to stay sensible with the budget. Thank you for your insight.
Kind regards,
David and Helen

No probs, sounds very sensible to me! Good luck, I'm sure you'll love it!! They're the best thing ever!

 

[altvic]

Thanks Dave. We're not concerned really about the fuel, just a fully loaded van that has cost an arm and a leg and finding it to be sluggish. Considering what other members have said we should be OK with the 150 but to go for the safety of the 199 is soooo tempting!! As its our first van I think we need to stay sensible with the budget. Thank you for your insight.
Kind regards,
David and Helen

While waiting for our 204 to be prepared for selling I had a trial run in a new 150 T6 2wd van on M6 and other roads around Preston VW (Lancashire VW). I was underwhelmed with the power in this light van and the sloppy handling around a large roundabout was not good for my confidence!. If I had chosen a 150 2wd the suspension upgrade to stiffen the ride (not expensive and I do not remember the correct term) would be a must.
Overall, the 204 is a very pleasing ride compared to my experience with a 150; not sure if it makes much difference to driving but I do have 4Motion. I'm not a speed merchant and the VW App rates my driving style as 'gentle'

 

[Swisstoni]

Believe it or not, the 199 actually has (very marginally) better fuel consumption as the engine is not working as hard at higher speeds. At least this is according to VW’s quoted figures. Like a few of the above, we had to go for 199 in order to get 4motion. And with 199 you don’t ever need to worry about whether you’ll have enough power.