Ten things I hate about my Cali

[Mark13]

Only two things I hate 1) the stupid things that go wrong that shouldn't and 2) the dealers, VW and VW customer service. Real sympathy with Snowy above.

Have at last found, I think, a VW main dealer who can look after the cali properly, fix no 1) and the damage done by the other dealer, and actually get a sensible response from VW. Hallelujah, hopefully.

 

[Lewis]

Have at last found, I think, a VW main dealer who can look after the cali properly, fix no 1) and the damage done by the other dealer, and actually get a sensible response from VW. Hallelujah, hopefully.

Who is it, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[2CV67]

I thought the temp display on the control panel was for inside the van not outside?

No, the manual says it shows the outside temperature.
So I imagined it would show the same as the (reliable-seeming) dash indicator.
But it is often 5-8°C higher, so totally useless...

 

[Freeley]

No, the manual says it shows the outside temperature.
So I imagined it would show the same as the (reliable-seeming) dash indicator.
But it is often 5-8°C higher, so totally useless...

Ah ok mine is much the same I think which is probably why I thought it must've been measuring inside.
I've never read the manual!

 

[RichardP]

1) Roof corrosion and VWs total lack of action in doing anything about it.
2) EGR valve made of cheese.
3) Control module knob made of cheese.
4) The palaver required to rotate the drivers seat.
5) The gap between the dash and windscreen that eats car park tickets.
6) The height of the bike rack, if it was lower it would be so much easier to stow bikes.
7) The radio that runs of the battery used to start the van making it possible to flatten it.
8) The stupid way the front mud flaps are attached by simply pushing a plastic nut into a hole which then falls out due to the weight of the mud flap.
9) The time required to drain the sink.
10) Lack of a 4th seat belt on the rear seat so you can only take 2 kids in the back when 3 would fit.

 

[Borris]

Hi Paul , let us know how you and Simon get on with the awning kit , would love to get away without using laundry pegs and poundshop ground sheets !
Lesley

Hello Lesley,
The kit looks fine, takes up very little space and matches the awning panels exactly. For storage I have just tucked it in the bag with the awning room bits and bobs.

We were going to try it out at a Campimg and Caravan Club site recently but were told very firmly that it would be against the rules so very definitely not. Actually I started off on the wrong foot with them when I had the sheer audacity to drive past their "STOP HERE" sign. Voices were raised and fingers wagged.
When we have had the chance to test it out properly I will give you the full review. I told Nick at Comfortz that I would do a review on the forum along with glossy photos. Unfortunately, as I don't have two awning room kits it will have to wait until we meet up with Simon and Helen again.

Best wishes
Paul

 

[Richard Teale]

Roller cover to pop top opening.... I was beginning to question my sanity when I look up to see a few inches of canvas. Haunted?

Used to drive me mad too! Get hold of some self adhesive Velcro and cut something like a 60x1cm strip from the furry/female material. Now stick the strip to the lower edge of the runner, where the roof cover locates when closed (i.e. at the front, parallel with windscreen rather than on the sides where the roof cover traverses the opening) - I centred the tape around where the handle locates.

The roof cover should now fit snugly and stay there! Mine's been fine since.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hirsty]

1/ I'd like the front seats to rotate more easily, or at least with fewer steps required, so they'd get more use during shorter pit stops

2/ Rear tailgate is a general PITA after having got so used to barn doors on previous T5 conversion, but the solidity of the bike rack makes up for it

3/ No-one else but me seems able to close the sliding rear door first time, unless there's a window cracked open

4/ Standard T6 headlamps are like fireflies in jam jars on low beam

5/ Pale grey carpets & seats show a mark if you even look at, let alone use 'em ...


Everything else is fantastic, I still love it.

 

[motacyclist]

No, the manual says it shows the outside temperature.
So I imagined it would show the same as the (reliable-seeming) dash indicator.
But it is often 5-8°C higher, so totally useless...

There is no temperature display on my control unit. The menu shows it, but when selected it says refer to the dashboard display (or words to that effect).

 

[Trailertrash]

Or apostrophes. You know Trailertrash is on one when he starts using those instead of commas!

You cheeky little scamp. Watch it or the pokey stick will come out for you my lad. Or I may set the Taffia on you.

 

[Jabberwocky]

You cheeky little scamp. Watch it or the pokey stick will come out for you my lad. Or I may set the Taffia on you.

Ooo errrr! Just so long as we avoid the capitals.

 

[pjm-84]

I have a few niggles but accept them because of the flexibility the Cali offers.

My list would be:

1- VW.
2- Rattles. Dash, sliding door mech above my head. (I now have a 11year D3 V8 that puts the Cali to shame )
3- DSG box. Take off delay, changes into top a tad too soon and will labour on slight inclines requiring manual intervention
4- Electric side door - poor design
5- Seats. Not the most comfortable
6- Stop start. No logic behind it so generally lean across and deactivate. Really annoying when it switches itself off only to say "I changed my mind" and instantly restart
7- Engine slow to reach operating temperature

 

[pjm-84]

8- Dash gap

 

[WelshGas]

Well I must be unusual . Cannot get to 10 or anywhere close to it.
1. Dashboard/Windscreen gap - fixed with a rubber moulding strip.
2. Opening roof hatch - fixed with replacement felt strips at the rear of the hatch sliding channel.
3. Useless cup holder and 12v socket between bench seat and sliding door. But have now found a use for it and the 12v socket.

No rattles or squeaks.
DSG operates faultlessly under all conditions.
Engine warms up within 3/4 miles in summer and 1/2 miles in winter if the Webasto Coolant Heater is triggered.
Stop/Start works as expected.

Mind you it is in use virtually every day.

 

[briwy]

Well with so many potential problems I'm now so depressed I may have to go out and buy a Mercedes Marco Polo to see how many bad things I can find with that

 

[pjm-84]

Forgot about the cup holder

On the plus side the first Cali rattled even more. Envious about the warm up WG. I assume that was an option that I missed. Ours takes about 10 to 12 miles to get up to operating temperature on an urban, extra urban run out to the forest. Fiat 500 takes about 90sec.

Ours is at 15500 miles.

 

[pjm-84]

I like stop\stop. Worked well on the 1 series and flawlessly on the Volvo I owned. The one on our Cali is poor.

I will ask the dealer to look at this when it goes for its first service

 

[WelshGas]

Forgot about the cup holder

On the plus side the first Cali rattled even more. Envious about the warm up WG. I assume that was an option that I missed. Ours takes about 10 to 12 miles to get up to operating temperature on an urban, extra urban run out to the forest. Fiat 500 takes about 90sec.

Ours is at 15500 miles.

I thought the Webasto Coolant Heater was standard. How many Diesel Heaters do you have. Check the sticker on the B pillar, passenger/drivers door. There should be 2, the Webasto for the coolant and the Eberspacher Parking Heater. The Webasto is automatic and should start up automatically when the engine starts IF the external temperature is 5c or below.

 

[motacyclist]

Forgot about the cup holder

On the plus side the first Cali rattled even more. Envious about the warm up WG. I assume that was an option that I missed. Ours takes about 10 to 12 miles to get up to operating temperature on an urban, extra urban run out to the forest. Fiat 500 takes about 90sec.

Ours is at 15500 miles.

Must try a Fiat, sounds ideal in this weather!

I think some of these niggles are subjective. I've never had a car that warms up in 90 secs, so to me the Cali is acceptable. There is lukewarm air coming out of the heater after a couple of miles on these cold mornings' but I guess it would be 10 - 12 miles before the oil is up to temperature.

Anyway, the heated seats are fantastic in the mornings, don't want to get out of the van!

 

[pjm-84]

Will look tomorrow. Aware of the FBH on the D3 so if the Cali has one mine is most certainly not working.

Fiat is awesome. I drive under 2miles to work and its up to operating temperature by the fourth corner.

 

[Brindisi]

Hello Lesley,
The kit looks fine, takes up very little space and matches the awning panels exactly. For storage I have just tucked it in the bag with the awning room bits and bobs.

We were going to try it out at a Campimg and Caravan Club site recently but were told very firmly that it would be against the rules so very definitely not. Actually I started off on the wrong foot with them when I had the sheer audacity to drive past their "STOP HERE" sign. Voices were raised and fingers wagged.
When we have had the chance to test it out properly I will give you the full review. I told Nick at Comfortz that I would do a review on the forum along with glossy photos. Unfortunately, as I don't have two awning room kits it will have to wait until we meet up with Simon and Helen again.

Best wishes
Paul

Thank you Paul , look forward to that and make sure you get the candelabra in shot too . Always brings a lovely smile.
Lesley and Bugsy - our other half !

 

[Trailertrash]

New Beach ordered 26th March 2016, week 12, just been given by, VWCS, a new unconfirmed build date of week 15 2017.
So that's a year and 2 weeks and still no guarantee when it will arrive.

To say we are both bitterly disappointed is an understatement.

We both hate VW.

Cancel and ask for your deposit back. Take it from someone who was in sales for thirty years. Best to phone on a Monday morning at 0930hrs. The managers are at their desks. They are all about to go into a sales meeting and their order book is empty and on page 1 for the week. Also its Christmas the worse time of the year for large ticket items...... Upto you but that is what I would do......

 

[zerofour]

Fiat is awesome. I drive under 2miles to work and its up to operating temperature by the fourth corner.

Is the Fiat petrol? Diesel engines take a lot longer to warm up which is why are no good for short trips.

 

[hirsty]

Fiat is awesome. I drive under 2miles to work and its up to operating temperature by the fourth corner.

try walking / cycling - you'll be up to temp by the second corner

 

[Mark13]

Who is it, if you don't mind me asking?

Lewis, hi, can't think why not. Alan Day City, there is a very helpful chap called John Coles, recommended to me by the lovely people at Campervantastic.

Couple of caveats - so far its only warranty work, and some parts (the sink, believe it or not) still to arrive from wherever so not yet complete. Not apparently an official Cali supplier, but my experience of them to date has been very good indeed.

Just outside the congestion zone, will be much easier to get to (particularly for me) when Tower Bridge reopens.

Will post an update when the whole saga is over.