I need a new van with enough power to tow a camper trailer of about 1000kg, so planning to get something with at least a 2.5 turbo diesel. Id rather a van as I hate stuffing about with roof racks and doth like having all the gear on the outside in West OZ cos of the heat in summer. Does anyone have first hand experience with either of these vans, either owning or working with them? I quite fancied the iload, but they are quite expensive for a basic van, but consensus in OZ is to avoid the european brands cos if they go wrong it costs an arm and a leg. i have thought about the Delica as well, but had a bad experience with an L300 so not as keen on a Mitsi again, but havent ruled it out completely. Anyone got any wise words?

I don't know the price of the iload in oz, but they are good vans.

Go for the diesel one cause the petrol one lacks power.
I'm on my second iload (the V1 called H1 here) and still very happy with it !

V2 has more grunt and looks sweet, just shorter.

Steve I have the VW Transporter long wheel base 2.0 TDI in a manual. I can fit up to a 295cm board in it. Never towed anything but it has got some torque, easily going up large hills at 110 in high gear while a lot of cars are struggling to keep up. Regularly get 900 km out of an 80L tank of diesel and that is driving around Sydney. Haven't had one problem with it and got a extra three years warranty off the dealer (six years in total) if I got it serviced with them. I really like mine the only thing I did was put a reversing camera on it before I brought it home as I back into my drive and have small kids. Pretty quite and you can feel the weight of the doors and quality of the van. Just don't recommend getting a van where you are sitting on the engine and wheels as very uncomfortable ride compared to the VW and probably the iload.

I have a Hyundai iload, it is a turbo diesel 2010. I fit 4 boards in the back easily even though I have a cargo barrier.
I often tow my boyfriends windsurfing trailer which would probably weigh about 1000kg. The van tows it easily.
I havent had any problems with it so far and im very happy with it.
I'll add a picture later.

Plug for the T5 transporter, 5 years on and still enjoy this van.
The iload is a smart looking van and price wise seems a good buy, there are a few local windsurfers who are happy with them.

If you are going to tow anything forget about a petrol engine, there are no options for new high powered (kw) diesel vans in australia so the best you can do is go for the highest torque output and both the iload and transporter really perform here.

If you feel like throwing your coin all over the marble floors of a mercedes dealership there is the vito 122.

'With its 3.0L V6 multi-stage turbo diesel engine cranking out 165 kilowatts and 440Nm, the Vito 122 CDI is the most powerful diesel van in Australia. The Vito 122 CDI is the first turbocharged V6 diesel van in the one tonne market'

Approx 65k?
Can i afford it, noooooo.
Do i want one, oh yeah!

Some owners have had issues with the dsg auto in the t5's and i think any long term owner of a t5 (including myself) would have replaced the gates coupling and or the water pump seals.

Aside from effortless towing, the drivability of any car in my opinion increases with torque especially if its a manual and
i get very little difference from 980 kms per 80 litres towing or not.

The R5 engine in the transporter,
2.5 TDI PD?2,461 cc (150 cu in) I5 turbo?174 PS (128 kW; 172 hp)?400 N?m (295 lb?ft)


The iload petrol and diesel,

Cylinder capacity?2.4 litres (2359cc)?2.5 litres (2497cc)
Number of cylinders?4 in-line
Valve system?DOHC (4 Valve/Cyl)?DOHC (4 Valve/Cyl)
Maximum power?129 kW @ 6000 rpm?100 kW @ 3800 rpm (Manual), 125kW @ 3600 rpm (Automatic)
Maximum torque?228 Nm @ 4200 rpm?343 Nm @ 1500-2500 rpm (Manual), 441 Nm @ 2000-2250 rpm (Automatic)
Fuel System?Sequential multi-point fuel injection?Common Rail Direct injection (CRDi)
Bore x stroke?88.0 mm x 97.0 mm?91.0 mm x 96.0 mm
Compression ratio?10.5:1?16.4:1

Being common rail i would expect the iload to perform slightly better on fuel?
Any iload drivers out there with some real time fuel figures?

Ive got the VW T5 LWB with 4motion 2.5L diesel. I had the ECU re-flashed so should have about 440Nm and 200odd Hp now.
She pulls like a truck, i can fit a 9'5 SUP in the back without it touching the tail gate or the seats.
I've got the manual, and dropped 245/75R16 tyres on her so its better in the sand but with stock tyres on getting over 800kms on and 85L tank is no worries, but i know friends with the 2wd version who have pulled almost 1000kms off a single tank!!
I'm yet to have a drama in the over 18months i've owned mine.
Towing is a dream and so is overtaking trucks on the highway with a trailer! Something that was scary in my delica.
The T5 has so much power and torque on tap and is so pleasant to drive around town.
Road noise is a little loud if you have the tradie version but some matts in the back soften the noise, and my cargo barrier made the most noise so I pulled it out.
Sorry never been in an iLoad so cant comment on it.

Seen a couple of VW Transporters with stuffed 2.5 TDI R5 engines. The VW service guys say to steer away from the 2.5 TDI. Everything is gear driven and prone to failure, no belts or chains. Classified as their worst engine ever!

I bought a second hand 6 seater 2010 diesel auto Iload with 60k odd kms on it when I bought it (now 73000ks) and can't recommend them enough. Comfy to drive, tonnes of power and 8.5 litres/100ks on country roads. They have increased in price over the last year or so but I think are still cheaper than VW ????

With a couple of tweaks from Hyundai they would be Euro beaters for sure - they may already be that. Cruise control is one change and split rear seats that fold away would be great. My board fits diagonally on it's side in the back even with the rear seat in (6 bolts to remove it if I want).

Not first hand experience, but as per mentioned above, watch the DSG box in the T5s.

A couple of mates over here have them with no issues, but a couple of mates in the UK have had big problems with them.

I looked at buying a very cheap one with a stuffed DSG, and got quotes $12k for a new box or $7k for a recon.

The guy in the warehouse next door to me has a long wheel-base T5 1.9 manual and he loves it. Looks awesome slammed on 19s as well.

Hello, Steve,

The current-model iLoad was reduced in engine power to 100kW/343 Nm torque. It has 4.3 cub. m of load space and costs $34490.

The new engine rating was introduced in MY 2013 (to the best of my knowledge). The old engine rating was 125kW/392 Nm torque. Both the old and the new engines were 2.5 L in size. The old engine had a variable-geometry turbo, whilst the new engine has a single-stage turbo.

Current-model VW T5?s have different engine ratings, but the equivalent to the iLoad in terms of power is a 2.0 L engine, has 103kW/340Nm torque. It has 5.8 cub. m of load space and costs $37990.

All of the above specs were taken from ?Delivery? magazine, past and present issues, but you can check the specs on both manufacturer?s web-sites.

In making your decision, you might also consider: are dealers readily to hand (particularly if you travel North from Perth), cost of scheduled servicing, frequency of servicing, warranty period and body rust warranty period.

You will find that the cleaner the engine (in terms of exhaust emissions), the more expensive the oil used in the engine. You might care to go onto the Castrol website to see what oils they recommend for both vehicles, then get prices from the Supercheap website, but prices of $50 (or more) for 5 L of oil are pretty common.

Hope this helps.

I have the Turbo diesel ILoad in a manual had it from new and just ticked over 90,000 klm.

I got the manual diesel because it had the better towing specs and it tows my Jayco Eagle camper fully loaded very well. I used to tow with a VT Commodore but the Iload is much better going up hills.

And as Windman says the oil is expensive, I use the Castrol Edge 5w-30 and it takes 7.5L and its about $70 for 5L. changed every 10,000

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AUS841 said..

I have a Hyundai iload, it is a turbo diesel 2010. I fit 4 boards in the back easily even though I have a cargo barrier.
I often tow my boyfriends windsurfing trailer which would probably weigh about 1000kg. The van tows it easily.
I havent had any problems with it so far and im very happy with it.
I'll add a picture later.

This is unbelievable! Do you have a sister?

Select to expand quote

WindmanV said..

Hello, Steve,

The current-model iLoad was reduced in engine power to 100kW/343 Nm torque. It has 4.3 cub. m of load space and costs $34490.

The new engine rating was introduced in MY 2013 (to the best of my knowledge). The old engine rating was 125kW/392 Nm torque. Both the old and the new engines were 2.5 L in size. The old engine had a variable-geometry turbo, whilst the new engine has a single-stage turbo.

Current-model VW T5?s have different engine ratings, but the equivalent to the iLoad in terms of power is a 2.0 L engine, has 103kW/340Nm torque. It has 5.8 cub. m of load space and costs $37990.

All of the above specs were taken from ?Delivery? magazine, past and present issues, but you can check the specs on both manufacturer?s web-sites.

In making your decision, you might also consider: are dealers readily to hand (particularly if you travel North from Perth), cost of scheduled servicing, frequency of servicing, warranty period and body rust warranty period.

You will find that the cleaner the engine (in terms of exhaust emissions), the more expensive the oil used in the engine. You might care to go onto the Castrol website to see what oils they recommend for both vehicles, then get prices from the Supercheap website, but prices of $50 (or more) for 5 L of oil are pretty common.

Hope this helps.

It's actually only the Manual that has the lower power engine, the auto gets 125kw/440Nm, seems like a weird move? I guess maybe most private consumers buy the auto where power specs etc matter. The manual 100kw version is probably mostly bought buy fleets like toll etc so they just want the cheapest/best fuel econ.

Don't own either but have been in both the iload/trans plenty of times, both pretty good vans. iload wins on price, vw probably wins on hipster cred status.

There's a vw transporter runner coming out soon for about $29,990

I've had an iload 2.5 diesel auto for about 4 years now, overall it's good van. Some key points
- drives nicely, more like car than van
- quality of finish good
- comfy on a long trip
- plenty of power and torque, and mines been tweaked - around town it accelerates quicker than the average car
- just enough load space - 2.4 m ( luckily all my boards are less than 2.4)

Fuel economy on the auto isn't great. Driven nicely on a country trip 9-10l per 100k. Around town if you're a lead foot you can see 17L

Rear wheel traction not the best when empty or lightly loaded, so dirt and or muddy roads are hairy. I don't know if a locking diff option is available now, it wasn't when I got mine.

The t5 does everything that the iload does but feels a bit more solid. Better on fuel I think. I was driving the 4 motion model towing a trailer full of WS GEAR and 4 guys and it did the job nicely.
From memory the t5 is Front wheel drive so better for traction with the engine weight over the front.

I ruled out the T5 when I bought mine as I had a lot of first hand stories of reliability issues and very expensive repairs. I would buy one only with full warranty for the life of the car.

I hasn't heard much about the Renault van but they look ok, may be worth a look.

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ikw777 said..

AUS841 said..

I have a Hyundai iload, it is a turbo diesel 2010. I fit 4 boards in the back easily even though I have a cargo barrier.
I often tow my boyfriends windsurfing trailer which would probably weigh about 1000kg. The van tows it easily.
I havent had any problems with it so far and im very happy with it.
I'll add a picture later.

This is unbelievable! Do you have a sister?

Select to expand quote

Waiting4wind said..
...
Fuel economy on the auto isn't great. Driven nicely on a country trip 9-10l per 100k. Around town if you're a lead foot you can see 17L
...

I have the Auto Diesel also and love the power - it easlily cruises up Mt Ousley at 90kmh. On the trip to Lake George I got 8.5 l/100 (Comfy enough for 13 hours straight too). Around town I get 10-11 l/100. I've seen you drive your WRX Des - you have a lead foot

CJW said:" It's actually only the Manual that has the lower power engine, the auto gets 125kw/440Nm...."

And he's right. "Delivery" mag didn't make the distinction.

Thanks.

I have owned both I Load & T5. First was 2006 T5, 2.5 turbo diesel. No probs except water pump at about 100,000ks & an unsolved problem with heat exchanger or something at 160,000ks which caused me to go straight to dealers to trade in. T5 is a bit narrower in load area but Taller & longer & you can put long bits down the middle between the seats so 12m sails etc are OK. It has fully galvanized body which seems good when loading wet salty stuff in it. Has a much better rear suspension but a bit noisier & truckish than the I Load. Power coming out its ears & good handling. You hear bad things about the auto so I would stay with manual.
I Load drives a bit more like a car with radio controls on the wheel & quieterl. i added cruise control & works well. Mine is petrol, if towing get the diesel, the petrol is gutless ( I had to buy in a hurry because of T5 issues). After 45000 ks has had no problems, cheaper to service. The middle seat stops placing long bits down the middle but I can fit 11m sail at a bit of an angle or 10m laid straight. Rear suspension is very basic which I notice as the gear doesn't weigh much. Love the rear wheel drive though.
About when I bought mine 5 of the the NSW guys bought T5s in various models. 2 had serious issues quite early on, at least mine lasted well for quite a while.

So after 18 years & 3 VWs I now happy with I Load. More interested in reliability I suppose.

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WindmanV said..

CJW said:" It's actually only the Manual that has the lower power engine, the auto gets 125kw/440Nm...."

And he's right. "Delivery" mag didn't make the distinction.

Thanks.

Sounds like the manual gearbox is not quite up to the power/torque outputs the engine is capable off.
Hence beware is if have a manual and are thinking of putting a diesel power chip in.

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DavMen said..

WindmanV said..

CJW said:" It's actually only the Manual that has the lower power engine, the auto gets 125kw/440Nm...."

And he's right. "Delivery" mag didn't make the distinction.

Thanks.

Sounds like the manual gearbox is not quite up to the power/torque outputs the engine is capable off.
Hence beware is if have a manual and are thinking of putting a diesel power chip in.

I think it was all about offering a better fuel economy option than anything else as far as I know. From memory it drops fuel consumption by about half a litre or so per 100ks which stacks up against some of the Euro vans a bit better.

Play the percentages, avoid the euro lemon.

This UK data is produced every year and tells a story about what cars are cheapest after the warranty expires:

www.honestjohn.co.uk:443/news/miscellaneous/2013-07/big-surprises-in-uks-most-accurate-car-reliability-survey/

Honda, Suzuki, Hyundai, Subaru, Toyota filled the top 5 in 2013, in that order. VW was 21.

Ive previously had a VW transporter Diesel.
I now have a petrol Iload.

the i load is no diferent to drive, tows fine.

The major difference is the price at service time.

The spare parts and servicing for VW's is ridiculous.

go the iload

guys - awesome info! thanks a lot everyone.

Jman in Victoria - any chance you can contact me via email as the iload+jayco camper trailer combo is exactly what Im planning, be great to get your experience with this (eg can you slide out the front bed without disconnecting the trailer?) - steveandtin@bigpond.com. I've never towed anything before so a bit green on the ins and outs.

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shear tip said..

Waiting4wind said..
...
Fuel economy on the auto isn't great. Driven nicely on a country trip 9-10l per 100k. Around town if you're a lead foot you can see 17L
...

I have the Auto Diesel also and love the power - it easlily cruises up Mt Ousley at 90kmh. On the trip to Lake George I got 8.5 l/100 (Comfy enough for 13 hours straight too). Around town I get 10-11 l/100. I've seen you drive your WRX Des - you have a lead foot

Got rid of the Sti WRX, it was too slow!

The v.w would win by a country mile.lol.