Chinese diesel heater vs Webasto — is the price difference worth it?
I've been looking at heating options and the price difference is massive. A Chinese diesel heater from eBay is about £100-150, while a genuine Webasto Air Top 2000 is £800+. I've read mixed reviews about the Chinese ones — some people say they're brilliant, others say they're unreliable or even dangerous. Has anyone used both? Is the Webasto really 5x better, or is the Chinese one perfectly fine for weekend use? My van is a Transit Custom MWB.
2 Answers
I've had a Chinese diesel heater for 3 years now and it's been absolutely fine. The key is to buy one with a decent controller (the digital LCD type, not the rotary dial) and replace the fuel line with proper automotive-grade stuff. I paid £120 on eBay and it heats my Transit Custom in about 10 minutes. The only downside is it's a bit noisier than a Webasto. For weekend use, I'd say save your money and go Chinese. If you're living in the van full-time, maybe consider the Webasto for reliability.
I went Webasto after my friend's Chinese heater died after one winter. Yes, it's expensive, but the build quality is noticeably better. The Webasto is whisper-quiet, starts reliably every time, and the fuel consumption is very low. I also feel safer with a properly certified unit. That said, I know plenty of people who've had Chinese heaters running for years without issues. It's a bit of a lottery.
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