Which T5 model is Best?

[topspan]

Hi,
I am looking a round to purchase a California.
Which is the best model to go for a 2.5 pre 2011 or a 1.9 post 2011?.
Any other points to beware of?.

John

 

[calikev]

2006 2.5 tdi 2010. 2.0 140 bhp 2.0 180 bhp bi turbo. No 1.9 Cali

 

[calikev]

This is only my opinion the 2.5 can have problems with cracked manifolds apart from that great engine the early 2011 2012 180 ‘s can suffer premature engine wear my choice is a remapped 140 bhp engine

 

[calikev]

Fight lol

 

[Hotel California]

....mine ...

Welcome btw!

 

[topspan]

2006 2.5 tdi 2010. 2.0 140 bhp 2.0 180 bhp bi turbo. No 1.9 Cali

Whoops my mistake, I thought they were classed as 1.9 as they are not quiet 2.0lt

 

[westfalia]

Extensive scientific research has concluded that the 5 pot 174ps
is by far the best one to go for. Especially in Off road grey metallic.

 

[sapto]

Welcome here!

IMO it is more important to look at the history of the future van.

(I‘ve got a 2005 T5 California SE/Comfortline 2.5 TDI with 96kw/131hps and it is well documented what was done by whom.)

If I ever buy new or again I would go for 2.0 TDI with 140hps.

 

[jts46]

Mine is the 2006 T% SE/Comfortline 2.5, 130 bhp. and i would never swap it. I love the vehicle almost as much as the wife. Good job she doesn't read the forum

 

[69 Campers]

We bought a 2015 Confortline just before the T6 was introduced, I couldn't be happier, imo you certainly seem to get more value for the money on the confortline spec than what they introduced on the T6 models

 

[Geesvw]

Extensive scientific research has concluded that the 5 pot 174ps
is by far the best one to go for. Especially in Off road grey metallic.

Quite agree, we’ve a 174 2.5, 2008 done 135K miles and the engine is as sweet as a nut, doesn’t use any oil between services

 

[Private_Kelly]

To answer the question imho i don’t know. But what I can say is I own a 2010 manual California SE TDI 140. and it is very economical ( 40ish mpg ) It is lovely to drive and the engine is very quiet and I love it. Hope that helps make your mind up.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Shhhhhhhhh. Don't....wake....Sidepod....up.

 

[FyfettBoy]

Lots of negative written about the 180, mainly based on the 2010/11 reliability problems I think. IMHO great engine in my 2014 model. Friend had a couple of 180 Caravelles, with the last one boosted to 225bhp for a few hundred quid. Drove it to Alps, was certainly pokey. If you want more, the twin turbo is very tunable. Never felt the need myself, power to spare (and wary of the 'overpowered' 204 reports!).