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New T6 Ocean + New California Owner + Help for New Owners

D

Dean Oldfield

Messages
103
Location
Warwickshire
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 204
Picked up our new California on Tuesday 1st March.

Hopefully this will help other or get feedback on some of my questions/issues? Sorry for the waffle!

T6 Ocean - 204 DSG
  • Indium Grey
  • Black Awning
  • Lights & Vision
  • Cruise Control
  • Front & Rear Parking Sensors
  • Large Radio/Media Display
  • App Connect
  • Removable Towbar
  • Fresher intake system
  • Lockable Storage
  • Storage Net
  • Shower
The van was bought from Vindis Van Centre in Northampton, easy purchase, helped through the options we'd need, easy correspondence by email. We tried to keep the options to a minimum to keep the price down. Changed the finance 3 times due to a better offer right up until purchase.

Spec Regrets;
  • Initially I thought not having a parking camera was a mistake but the parking sensor display is perfectly fine, probably the best I have used.
  • Also wondered about the multi function steering wheel but everything is easily assesible so not worried.
  • 4 wheel drive - time will tell!! but was going to buy some traction mats and in the future maybe some winter tyres
Initial Setup;
  • Bought the 907 Calor Gas bottle £3 of eBay empty and a £30 refill, easy fit. Stove checked and worked out how to use fine, just need to ensure the stove gas button is pressed when igniting the gas and it stays lit fine. The gas also needs to be turned on in the cab, this is located until the stove and the leaver shouldn't be aligned along the pipe if you want the gas on.
  • Drinking Water, I bought a food grade hose from amazon and filled up to full. However the leaver to empty this which is above the gas bottle was slightly open so just needed to close this to fill it! The indicator in the cab showed this was full. After the weekend and a bit of use it was showing as 1 bar so need to double check this as didn't use too much water.
  • Electric hookup, we had a hookup extension already from camping. Bought a 3 pin plug socket from amazon and plugged this into the house. Took me a few mins to realise the electric cap actually went into the slot into the van and the blue leaver kept this in place. I initially thought I had to bend this cap right back! Also make sure the electric fuse box is turned on. This is above the gas bottle with the fresh water leaver.
  • Waste water ensure the leaver is in the closed position located under the gas burners in the bottom cupboard.
  • App Connect, still need to work this out. It seemed a bit flakey turning off randomly for music. The USB socket I thought should be in the little dash opening rather than the big glove box. I'm not sure if wireless is available yet?? Apple music and Spotify seem fine but Deezer was a bit flakey. I prefer my TomTom for Navigation on my iPhone but tried Apple Maps. Maybe just need to try this a bit more.
  • I use a Kenu Airframe on the fan grill with the fan turned off to hold the iPhone. This works great with the usb from the small underneath cupboard.
  • I bought some very small Cigarette Lighter to twin USB sockets that only just come over the socket by a few mm. They power all the iPhones, iPads from the various sockets. Still working out where these sockets all are? Some are not in the best places but all workable.
  • The fridge we started on the setting 3 but lowered as we like drink cold so lowered to 1.
  • Not used the 3 pin or euro socket.
  • Not used the shower.
Extra's Bought;
  • QTM Grey full set of mats.
  • Bungee for bellows - Not fitted yet.
  • VW Plastic mats, not used but should of done as it was muddy.
  • Spare wheel lock - fitted and easy to install
  • Wind deflectors - not fitted yet
  • Rear bumper black guard - not fitted yet
  • Waterproof covers - not fitted yet
  • Vango Aibeam Galli - not arrived yet
Extra's thinking of buying;
  • VW Cycle Carrier
  • Step Mats
  • Worktop protection
  • Rear mattress water proof covers
  • Mattress topper for lower bed
  • heater for top bed
First Main Use;

I was running an Ultra Run in Bristol and my partner/kids said they would support and we'd stay over the night at a local campsite so decided this would be our first trip.
  • Driving;
The drive and power of the DSG 204 is great. High speeds on the motorway are fine, quick acceleration at roundabouts also no issues. The drive is smooth and no rattles, visibility is great with the rear windows and mirrors. It was raining an the sensitivity of the wipers was great. Only used half a tank of fuel so far and average fuel consumption from the MFD says is 34.9mpg and rising. The Multi Function Display thinks we'll get approx 500 miles on 1 tank but obviously dependant on where/how we drive. We were mainly motorways 2 hours each way and country/main road driving for another hour each way.

Everything is fairly easy to use on the controls, radio/media is a great interface. Aircon/Heating and Heated seats are all good. It was cold but the heating at the front and rear was so much better than our car. Often too hot.

If you do long distance run the heated seats are amazing for soothing the back and glutes!

Front and rear drinks holders are great as well.

If you like lots of drinks, sweets and store other things, there are loads of assessable pockets everywhere around the driver to hand.

One question the MFD dos the speed in KM/H, can this be changed?? The dial is in Mile/H so not a big issue.

All in all while I was out running my family had a great time relaxing, eating, playing games and keeping warm!
  • Camping
We have 4 in the van and a dog so there is never going to be a lot of room. During the day is fine with the roof up/table up/seats swivelled. Night time if your just in the van with no awning you have to be careful how much stuff you cram in the boot as it all needs to come out or moved elsewhere to get the bed down.

Seats - The front seats swivel fine and initially you need to take it very slow to work out what position you need to be in, rush and you risk scratching the sides.

Roof/Beds all these are easy to put out. The roof bed is the comfiest, the lower bed really does need a topper or something unless you like the bed really hard but fine for a night.

Heater - The heater is great for downstairs, even on setting 1 heats up everything fine with a low outside temperature. You do get the occasional clicking noise from from the front but believe this is normal. Upstairs however it does stay cool, maybe the heater does take the chill off but for kids maybe the cali-cosy or a mini heater upstairs is needed to take the chill off. Any ideas??

Storage net - £150 is a lot of money, not sure why I ordered it but it does have it's use for more storage at night and during the day with the roof up so not a total waste.

Roof - This goes up and down easy, I plan to put the bungee cord on but the creases in the roof keep this in the right place when going down so far.

Blinds - All the blinds are easy to use, the front ones take a couple of goes to get right but we know how to do it now making sure you can lower the blinds afterwards and get the connectors over the drivers mirror. All blinds accept the front doors are pull down/up/across blinds, the front door are magnetic clothe blinds. You also get a free cigarette lighter torch which is very bright and useful.

Still to work out;
  • How long can we run for on leisure batteries?
  • MFD Km/H or M/H, can this be changed?
  • App connect? Its got potential but need to work it out?
  • Keeping upstairs bed warm?
There is loads to say/think about but really is a great campervan and still lots to learn.......

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Excellent report. For my own information.
On the T5 Fridge Settings you go- like a Domestic fridge- 1-2-3-4-5-6-Maximum

Are you saying that on the T6 Fridge Level 1 is colder than Level 3?:thumb
 
Your not kidding. Stunning review and thanks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
You should be able to change the display to MPH. I can on mine (it's an SE not an Ocean) but I imagine they are similar. I can only do it via my multi function steering wheel so I'm not sure how to do it!
 
Excellent report. For my own information.
On the T5 Fridge Settings you go- like a Domestic fridge- 1-2-3-4-5-6-Maximum

Are you saying that on the T6 Fridge Level 1 is colder than Level 3?:thumb

Yep hoping setting 1 is the coldest, but being a bloke not got round to reading the manual.
 
You should be able to change the display to MPH. I can on mine (it's an SE not an Ocean) but I imagine they are similar. I can only do it via my multi function steering wheel so I'm not sure how to do it!

I'm sure its possible, been in settings on the MFD but can't seem to find it.
 
Dean I also bought from Vindis in Northampton. Oryx White van which Im learning my way around. The carpets and mats that come as standard are ridiculously light in colour. Whoever thought they could be used for camping clearly has an awning that doubles as a sterile decontamination unit. The QTM mats look great that you have put in. Is that the 'mid grey' or did you go for the darker Carbon Grey mats?
 
Yep hoping setting 1 is the coldest, but being a bloke not got round to reading the manual.
I think you will find it is the same as the T5, and Level 1 is the warmest setting.
 
Dean I also bought from Vindis in Northampton. Oryx White van which Im learning my way around. The carpets and mats that come as standard are ridiculously light in colour. Whoever thought they could be used for camping clearly has an awning that doubles as a sterile decontamination unit. The QTM mats look great that you have put in. Is that the 'mid grey' or did you go for the darker Carbon Grey mats?

Mid Grey, 900g ones. very nice and cosy. £122 with discount for the full set. I'd probably use the heavy duty VW front plastic mats if going near a beach or anywhere very muddy again. The VW standard ones have been brought in the house and probably won't be used again.
 
My kids slept up top on a recent camping trip during Feb half term. The weather was below zero at night, we have a Pucer roof screen and they wear pyjamas and sleep under a 10 tog double duvet. They were fine both nights with the heater running on 1. Downstairs was almost too warm but I didn't want to turn the heater off in case the kids froze.
 
Dean have just ordered a set of the mats from QTM but then read on another thread the cut outs in the middle carpet dont extend past the plastic ends stops of the rails. Does this make the carpet bulge up or do they fit ok? Also I will be putting the 5th seat in now and again so is the carpet easy to remove/replace?

Thanks Tom C
 
Dean have just ordered a set of the mats from QTM but then read on another thread the cut outs in the middle carpet dont extend past the plastic ends stops of the rails. Does this make the carpet bulge up or do they fit ok? Also I will be putting the 5th seat in now and again so is the carpet easy to remove/replace?

Thanks Tom C

Seems to fit OK for me and not bulged or moved. Even moving the bed out and back was fine.

My carpet I have not fixed down yet with the supplied velcro strip but stays in place very well. You only fix down the thin strip closest to the door.
 
i've got a kyham cosy for roof to make sure sleeping up top not too cold- also use bungee but the metal parts that bend in seem to do job fine without really needing it but for £12 worth not taking the gamble. how long batteries last is down to how much you use them but with normal not over loading when not on hook up i think 3 days is do able in my experience and sure could go longer as weren't too low. depends if driving in-between stops as that charges again. I've got a new manual SE and on a tank of fuel been around coast of cornwall and back up other side and still got 1/4 tank left and done 550 and control panel saying another 155 miles before i run out of fuel. Mainly local roads/lanes some A roads and on the way back did a chunk of dual carriageway and motorway. Oh and thats also having had heater on over night all night on level 1 for 3 nights plus normal heater in day at times when parked up.
great review BTW :)
 
Its under "units" and "Consum/Distance" (or something confusing like that...)

Found that previously but the main display seems to only display Km/H as the digital speed? I think this changes the other MFD screens but the KM/H digital display is always fixed. Going to check with the dealer when he's back tomorrow.

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That's a great review Dean. We're due to pick up our Indium grey 204 DSG on the 19th March so it's been really helpful to read.

I've also bought a good grade fresh water hose from Amazon (embarrassed to say I probably would have used the garden hose before reading 'hosegate')

I didn't know about the free torch - I assumed that was what VW was trying to sell for £60 in the price list. Where should I look for it when I collect? Was yours already installed in the lighter socket?

I do really like the look of the QTM carpets but I have 2 floor rails (4motion) and they don't seem to list these for a T6 yet. Hopefully I'll find an alternative before we collect the Cali.

Cheers for all the great info and I'll be sure to do the same when we pick ours up.

Dan
 
That's a great review Dean. We're due to pick up our Indium grey 204 DSG on the 19th March so it's been really helpful to read.

I've also bought a good grade fresh water hose from Amazon (embarrassed to say I probably would have used the garden hose before reading 'hosegate')

I didn't know about the free torch - I assumed that was what VW was trying to sell for £60 in the price list. Where should I look for it when I collect? Was yours already installed in the lighter socket?

I do really like the look of the QTM carpets but I have 2 floor rails (4motion) and they don't seem to list these for a T6 yet. Hopefully I'll find an alternative before we collect the Cali.

Cheers for all the great info and I'll be sure to do the same when we pick ours up.

Dan

No the options Torch I think fits in somewhere behind the passenger seat. The lighter socket torch comes in a box in the bag with the driver/passenger cloth blinds that attachs to the windows. Its nothing special but probably will be handy kept in the front.
 
I'm sure its possible, been in settings on the MFD but can't seem to find it.

In the Ocean manual it describes the digital speedo as alternate speed value. you can only turn it off. So it tells you KM if you have the UK speedo & i presume MPH if you have a euro speedo?
 
No the options Torch I think fits in somewhere behind the passenger seat. The lighter socket torch comes in a box in the bag with the driver/passenger cloth blinds that attachs to the windows. Its nothing special but probably will be handy kept in the front.

Ok thanks. I'll keep an eye out for it.
 
We got the lighter torch which we found in the top Glove box and now lives permanently in the cigarette lighter holder. We also found what appears to be a very well engineered portable ashtray with lid and matching mounting bracket - at least that's what I think it is?
(I would attach a photo but I don't know how to!)
Has anybody else received such a goodie?
 
We got the lighter torch which we found in the top Glove box and now lives permanently in the cigarette lighter holder. We also found what appears to be a very well engineered portable ashtray with lid and matching mounting bracket - at least that's what I think it is?
(I would attach a photo but I don't know how to!)
Has anybody else received such a goodie?

I think the plastic bracket is a cup holder for the rear seat, it fits in the rail along the work top. Yes the dealer said the plastic canister thing was an ashtray.
 
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