4 Motion v 2Wheel front Drive

[shane]

Ive ordered a 2 wheel front drive Cali with practically every option apart from 4 Motion. But as the build has not started yet, then I still have the option to choose the 4 Motion, which I am considering. I've personally owned had experience with the two wheel drive option before and found no problems in the winter. The dealer is not even trying to encourage me to go 4 Motion.

I know that the 4 Motion adds approx 220 KG and the fuel consumption is about 10% less than the two wheel drive version.

Does anyone have any experience of owning both the these vans with 2 and 4 wheel drive running gear and can give an insight in to the pro's and cons.

many thanks

 

[WelshGas]

All I can say is the 4Motion, in my opinion, gives a more planted presence on the road for such a heavy vehicle.
Ignoring the additional abilities on wet grass campsites etc:

 

[shane]

All I can say is the 4Motion, in my opinion, gives a more planted presence on the road for such a heavy vehicle.
Ignoring the additional abilities on wet grass campsites etc:

hi WelshGas, thanks for your reply. Is this compared to your experience compared to the 2 wheel version?

 

[TomC]

In the same position Shane have ordered the 204ps with GSG but not 4wd. As long as 2wd is good enough for most campsite situations then I am fine with it as don't plan anything extreme in the vehicle. Will be interested in others views and experiences. 220kg is a very significant weight penalty particularly when planning a 2 week road trip with family, bikes etc. Would seem easy to get near the total weight limit.


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[shane]

hi TomC, this is my thoughts also like yours. I just want to get the order right because there is a good chance that I will keep this cali for many years.

If its a "must have" then good. But at the moment I see no reason to have it.

I welcome other opinions

 

[craig j]

Hi
Where did you get your weight information from?
The T5 quotes 129kg difference for 4motion on a manual 140PS and 121kg on a manual 180PS.
The T6 brochure is quoting around 100kg difference for both engine derivatives.
Craig

 

[shane]

Hi
Where did you get your weight information from?
The T5 quotes 129kg difference for 4motion on a manual 140PS and 121kg on a manual 180PS.
The T6 brochure is quoting around 100kg difference for both engine derivatives.
Craig

Hi Craig
The weight was quoted from The dealer. He also says that the 4 motion affects the upgrade wheels. I can't choose the 18 Toluca with 4 motion because of the weight.'

 

[T6 CFO]

In the same position Shane have ordered the 204ps with GSG but not 4wd. As long as 2wd is good enough for most campsite situations then I am fine with it as don't plan anything extreme in the vehicle. Will be interested in others views and experiences. 220kg is a very significant weight penalty particularly when planning a 2 week road trip with family, bikes etc. Would seem easy to get near the total weight limit.


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This is from the UK Website

 

[WelshGas]

hi WelshGas, thanks for your reply. Is this compared to your experience compared to the 2 wheel version?

Yes.

The weight and fuel penalty is of no consideration to me personally.

 

[TomC]

So not much difference in payload then which is useful to know. From experience of owners who are using for 'normal' campsite use is 4wd necessary? Has anyone gone standard 2WD and then regretted?


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[motacyclist]

I've been stuck often on not much more than wet grass. When I had the option of 4WD for a camper I jumped at it, it's worth it for the peace of mind.

It also gives you more options of where you can choose on a site. For example, we went to a wet Coniston NT site a few months back and the more accessible parts were crowded, but we were able to drive over the iffy surfaces and find a good spot away from the pack.

Maybe it uses a bit more fuel but that is a very tiny proportion of the running costs of one of these vehicles.

Have a look at some of the T5 4motion videos on Youtube to see how capable these vehicles are; you can have some fun with them if you're that way inclined.

 

[2into1]

I think it's more of an issue now, as campervans gain increasingly large, wide, sportier, lower profile tyres.
Earlier campers used to be supplied with specialist camper tyres which were built for wet grass (and 100hp!) not tarmac and 200hp.

 

[T6 CFO]

I've been stuck often on not much more than wet grass. When I had the option of 4WD for a camper I jumped at it, it's worth it for the peace of mind.

It also gives you more options of where you can choose on a site. For example, we went to a wet Coniston NT site a few months back and the more accessible parts were crowded, but we were able to drive over the iffy surfaces and find a good spot away from the pack.

Maybe it uses a bit more fuel but that is a very tiny proportion of the running costs of one of these vehicles.

Have a look at some of the T5 4motion videos on Youtube to see how capable these vehicles are; you can have some fun with them if you're that way inclined.

Excellent! My motivation is the way it is likely to drive and it's good to hear that from someone who has one. Add the greater flexibity and for me it is decided.

 

[larrylamb]

I think it's more of an issue now, as campervans gain increasingly large, wide, sportier, lower profile tyres.

But they won't be much use with 4wd anyway, like you said sensible tyres m&s count for a lot.

 

[shane]

thanks for the replies on this thread, it is very useful to read the different views. I will be going back to the dealer now to question the weight and also the weight issue on the Tolucas

 

[sbmcd]

We have a 180 with 2WD, now done 25K in ours, use proper winters in winter for snow, never had a traction issue. 4WD is an expensive extra. Fully loaded on hols in Europe we were getting 32 mpg, would not want 10% less.

 

[TomC]

sbmcd having read numerous forums now and spoken again to dealership Im sticking with 2WD. Like you have done if needed I can opt for winter tyres if required. Another £2500 for 4motion pays for a lot of camping trips and I don't intend entering the Paris Dakar in the Cali.

 

[Neilgbj]

Often debated topic it seems....we have 2WD, we do do 'adventurous' but with a common sense approach....for us 4WD not worth it ( ground clearance prob just as important as the traction...) but understand why others may like the reassurance.....other optional extras more important for us but we worked on the simplest is best option !

 

[MattBW]

In 3 years of camper ownership I've got stuck once and had to be rescued but the wheels were half sunk in mud. I've camped quite a lot in a T25 and a few times now in teh Cali and good tyres make a big difference. In fact I've seen a Citroen C2 with winter tyres climb a snowy hill past a land rover that couldnt. I love hte idea of 4x4 camper and always wanted a Syncro but I don't fancy driving a new VW where I would risk an old one.

With my Cali I figured that, the extra weight and extra engineering (to maintain and potentially go wrong) wasn't worth the amount of times I expect to get stuck.

The one time I almost got stuck in the Cali on very wet grass, it was because the traction control thingy was actually hindering getting out. Luckily the dealer had mentioned this to me, so I just turned off the traction control and found I could then leave.

 

[shane]

We have a 180 with 2WD, now done 25K in ours, use proper winters in winter for snow, never had a traction issue. 4WD is an expensive extra. Fully loaded on hols in Europe we were getting 32 mpg, would not want 10% less.

This is my experience too. Ive only had the 2 wheel drive and was very impressed in the winter with the right winter tyres, but ordering a car of this value needs to be right. hence the consideration of the 4 wheel drive option.

 

[motacyclist]

We have a 180 with 2WD, now done 25K in ours, use proper winters in winter for snow, never had a traction issue. 4WD is an expensive extra. Fully loaded on hols in Europe we were getting 32 mpg, would not want 10% less.

I was a bit disappointed with our mpg, brim to brim it does just under 32mpg since we've had it (DSG + 4M); so I feel less disappointed now! Our previous 140 manual did around 35mpg.

BTW, the computer is usually about 2-3mpg better than the actual consumption; this is a trick VW have programmed into these vehicles to make the owner feel better! (Read todays news ...)

 

[KernowLad]

We had a 180 4motion; it did come in useful a few times but it does hit mph badly and now we're considering a T6, I think I'd do without it.

We also needed a new rear diff at 14k miles; out of warranty (it was in warranty), that would have cost £1000s.

Haldex AWD isn't the best IMO; proper 4wd is far more effective for light (or heavy) off roading.

 

[Skylark2.0]

On our second campsite we watched a great white whale get towed away. Our 4motion danced over the mud. I have no doubt that if we ahd a 2wd we would have sunk into the mire too. Felt rather smug.

 

[sbmcd]

I was a bit disappointed with our mpg, brim to brim it does just under 32mpg since we've had it (DSG + 4M); so I feel less disappointed now! Our previous 140 manual did around 35mpg.

BTW, the computer is usually about 2-3mpg better than the actual consumption; this is a trick VW have programmed into these vehicles to make the owner feel better! (Read todays news ...)

Our holiday mileage was either fast motorway or steep mountain roads so given the size and weight of the van I thought is was reasonable. More normal driving return 36 ish, more if you are careful but why have a 180 ps van to go slow!

 

[GrannyJen]

It's who you are and what you want issue.

I would not have been in half the places that I have ended up in this year had I not had a 4WD. Perhaps 2WD with winters, all season in the mud, this drive system better than that ... etc. .... but in my mind, in my perception, I feel hugely reassured by having 4WD and that has increased my use of the vehicle, and my enjoyment of that use, enormously.

Horses for courses ..

and this old nag always seems to be where the going's a bit more than soft ...