The Volkswagen T3 Transporter is a legendary vehicle. Motor Talk, our German-based blog partner, recently spoke with two Berlin-based bus experts to get tips on buying and fixing T3s. Detlef Dürr and Ralf Drange are the guys behind Auto Service Bohnsdorf, a resource for customers throughout Germany who want to get a custom-built Transporter.
The earlier Transporter T1 and T2 can only be found in collections, but the T3—affectionately called the Bulli—is still running on streets and back roads. And fortunately, the T3, produced from 1979 to 1992, is still affordable. What advice did Dürr and Drange offer?
The T3 remains popular, which keeps Berlin Bulli experts Detlef Dürr (left) and Ralf Drange (right) very busy.
Expect Rust
The first lesson in Bulli-buying is not to be irritated by a lot of rust. “The joints can be really bad,” said Dürr. “The T3’s the body is welded together from individual sheet metal parts, so there is hardly any seam that avoids rust.” If the roof is rusted, the repair can be very expensive. The cost for parts to replace a roof might run as high as 600 euros ($640). In total, the repair costs could quickly add to more than 2,000 euros ($2,140).
Bulli drivers use broomsticks when the rear flaps no longer work.
But if rust is the only problem, consider yourself lucky. On the other hand, if the chassis and electrics have problems, the repair costs can run into the thousands. You might have to do extensive welding work. “If the plumber has to come, it will, of course, be more expensive,” says Dürr.
Not All T3s Are the Same
Transporters were built in many different variants, including the postal bus, Multivan and Bluestar.
Transporters from the 1980s were built in so many different variants that it’s hard to speak of a single T3. In Europe, there’s the Doka, Flatbed, Caravan, and Weekender. It’s difficult even for connoisseurs to keep track of these variants. Many T3s are so modified that you have to check the VIN to find out how the bus rolled off the production line.
Keep in mind that the T3 was built in two generations and they are fundamentally different from one another. There are the “Luftis” with an air-cooled Boxer engine (built until 1982) and those with a water-cooled engine. The latter is more complex and can be more susceptible to problems as time passes.
Past Modifications Are the Norm
The T3 Multivan is versatile, thanks to its folding seats, folding table, and double-bed option.
A “Lufti” with a missing radiator grille might have been put into service by the German post office. But there’s no way to know for sure. A later owner could have added a high roof to convert it to a camper. The important thing is that you might not know what’s going on until a thorough inspection.
One T3 customer came to Auto Service Bohnsdorf because it was losing oil. During the review, the professionals discovered an entirely different issue, that the roof in the front area was rotten. A new roof had to be built, to the tune of 2,000 euros.
A Bulli restoration can devour considerable sums, but owners have a high threshold for financial pain, reports Dürr. The T3 is simply a tremendously practical car with high utility value. And after a restoration, they are relatively simple to repair—a big advantage, especially when on holiday trips. Spare parts are widely available on eBay Motors.
Prices Will Vary, But They Will Go Up
With its high seating position and large plastic steering wheel, the T3 has a unique driving feel.
The T3’s cult factor has advantages and disadvantages. The biggest drawback is rising prices. If a Multivan with 1.9-liter engine and 78 horsepower was around $11,500 five years ago, it’s almost $20,000 now. For special models—such as Bluestar, Whitestar, or Carat—you could see prices in Europe that are more than 30,000 euros ($32,100). Even the price for a basic bus with a water-cooled engine has grown from 5,300 to 11,500 euros.
The popularity of the T3 has created an entirely different issue. “Theft is a massive problem,” says Dürr. “These things are stolen at every corner.”
See Corner Lights for Volkswagen Transporter for sale on eBay.
