Hello...help me convince the wife!!

[zu!]

More food for thought.

You guys are great! I've got so much food for thought now that I feel like a glutton. Don't stop now though...keep 'em comin'.

Seriously though...if I understand you correctly, it is almost an absolute must to have the suspension either refreshed or at least tweaked to work properly. Good to know, when looking at a used one.

Regarding the comparison to the old busses...one of the main complaints about these is much the same as the Delica. Squirrelly and feels like its going to tip at the slightest provocation. In the bus though, many people had this problem because they used Load Range C tyres. Whereas the proper bus tyres would be Load Range D. I did on my bus and it was like I had changed the entire suspension! The high centre of gravity, coupled with narrow track and short wheelbase (actually the vw is, I think, pretty close to the Delica) caused people to fear the bus. There have been reports of people just losing control and getting into a rollover going straight down, with nothing more than a mild crosswind to start the ball, er, rolling.

Have any L300 owners tried a D-rated tyre yet? It probably won't stop the front back bobbing (that just sounds like shot shocks to me), but side-to-side may benefit.

[jessef]

The VW van's have a longer wheelbase and wider track than the L300's. Those two things put together with old suspension are the main concerns when driving at high speeds.

It's not a death trap by any means. We did long trips in both L300 and L400.

It is simply that an L300 requires more driver concentration and input to maintain long drives at highway speeds than an L400. Just like the old VW's.

Valid comparison would be an old vw bus compared to a eurovan. Lightyears apart in comfort, driver input/vehicle reaction, especially on the highway.

If it's windy out or not a perfect driving day, you need both hands on the wheel on the highway on an L300, no exceptions to maintain full control. If you need a quick reaction, that is what can lead to a roll over in an instant before you know it's even happening.

With an L400, it enjoys cruising on the highway in any conditions due to it's more modern frame layout, wheelbase and in slippery conditions, AWD mode.

You just cannot compare the two at all on the highway. One drives like a modern suv/van while the other needs a constant attention/input from the driver at all times.

On long distances, I found the L400 to be easy on my eyes, body and mind due to the ease of driving and seating position. The L300 is more fun and you can see more (much better viewing area) but because it does require a constant attention while at the wheel, it is more tiring. This is very noticeable when you drive in wet/slick/windy conditions.

[thedjjack]

My 1982 300SD climbed at 70mph without a complaint....I did not overheat the engine until the transplant into my 1963 Willys FC170 with camper and not enough rad and not enough fuel under boost!

My L300 has the torsion bars turned up and gas shocks (what a difference!) and either D or E range 16" truck tires. It does not dive in corners. I think all cars would feel the same as L300 in a corner except you would have to sit on the front of the hood to get the same effect. I think people not use to that over reacted and crash!

L300 maybe not as slow as the NonTurbo OM617 just not as fast as my turbo OM617 was (Except after transplant into the Willys (It was 6000LBS+) with the automatic going through a divorced transfercase).

Go for a test drive you will be happy....