HectaTheSpecta
Hi all
Attached is a picture of my recently acquired Ocean. Not entirely sure if it is a MY20 or 21 hence the entitled question mark. I’m sure it is in the paperwork but not really looked at it in depth.
I wanted to provide my initials thoughts and forgive me if any of the below has already been mentioned.
I’m Jumping out of a 2016 Audi RS3 8V as comparable tech and features based on the fact the 8V platform introduced itself late 2012 / 2013 so a relatively ageing platform. Some would say a later model was released in 2017 but it was simply a facelift which was minor ascetics and a new engine. I emphasise this because Audi did not have a massive fanfare, new marketing nor did they make it a new version when the facelift came to market. VW on the other hand did with the T 6.1 (marketing campaign, new interior, dash..etc etc...) therefore I was perhaps perplexed and disappointed to lose some useful features from an ageing 8V platform.
I’m sort of expecting some Cali’ purist to challenge me but that’s fine plus I’ve only had it a week so learning lots.
Considering the price tag, circa 65 - 70K GBP is it more of a van than it is Motorhome/Camper? They say the same about i’Phones‘, is it more of a phone than a mini computer, personal assistant? With the latter, I would say it is definitely more of a mini computer than it is a phone considering how many hours you can spend on it without make a call (I certainly can!). So, I come back to my original question given the price tag, have VW given it enough consideration, and I must stress this is with the cabin error, that differs it from a commercial van to a Cali? I’ll press on, with price tag in mind....
— Surprised there’s no electronic handbrake. I’m really missing this from my 8V which also provides the additional brake hold (not hill hold) when at traffics light or when you come to a stand still. For a 2019/2020 released vehicle this is archaic in my view to have a lever hand brake.
— with reference to the above point, I’m also missing keyless entry / starting. Again, I would’ve happily have paid for this potential optional extra but for it not to even feature is disappointing.
— i went for the discovery pro media but I haven’t found how to mute the volume at the touch of a steering button. Perhaps I haven’t looked hard enough but perhaps it isn’t possible besides reaching for the large screen to mute the volume which turned the entire screen off. This is possible on the 8V by swift and quick access but either steering wheel or volume control.
— Is there a dark / night mode for the large screen so as to effectively turn it off but still keep the infotainment on? I don’t always need it on. Granted I can hide the screen by retracting it on my 8V which effectively turns it off and leaves the infotainment on but I haven’t been able to find a dark mode, yet In the Cali.
— Cruise only goes up in in/decrements of 5 MPH - again may be configuration but this’ll get really annoying if it isn’t configurable and almost a safety concern.
— I accept that the later revision has made the sport mode gearbox obsolete but it’s disappointing that various driving profiles do not exist (eco, normal, sport) because these could still exist without the sport mode gearbox option, particularly eco to normal driving conditions.
— while I don’t have electronic tail gate closure in my 8V, the Cali is missing this vastly. One because the tailgate is an unwieldy beast to close which isn‘t helped by the fact the pull down strap is inappropriately positionEd in the middle of the gate thus negating optimum leverage and at best I have only managed to get it closed to about 3/4’s and the last is by a push from the outside tailgate which is far from ideal in these dirty winter months.
- only 1 central cup holder? the 8V has two even with less real estate up Front!
As I have said, I’m still learning and there’s possibly some resolutions to the above out of not researching them yet but some of those above I am going to need to live with. Pay a premium price should really give a premium product but hey ho.
All the above withstanding, we do really like it, particularly the sleeping area/cabinets etc and have purchased it to serve us a purpose (weekend getaways and living the camper experience)
Attached is a picture of my recently acquired Ocean. Not entirely sure if it is a MY20 or 21 hence the entitled question mark. I’m sure it is in the paperwork but not really looked at it in depth.
I wanted to provide my initials thoughts and forgive me if any of the below has already been mentioned.
I’m Jumping out of a 2016 Audi RS3 8V as comparable tech and features based on the fact the 8V platform introduced itself late 2012 / 2013 so a relatively ageing platform. Some would say a later model was released in 2017 but it was simply a facelift which was minor ascetics and a new engine. I emphasise this because Audi did not have a massive fanfare, new marketing nor did they make it a new version when the facelift came to market. VW on the other hand did with the T 6.1 (marketing campaign, new interior, dash..etc etc...) therefore I was perhaps perplexed and disappointed to lose some useful features from an ageing 8V platform.
I’m sort of expecting some Cali’ purist to challenge me but that’s fine plus I’ve only had it a week so learning lots.
Considering the price tag, circa 65 - 70K GBP is it more of a van than it is Motorhome/Camper? They say the same about i’Phones‘, is it more of a phone than a mini computer, personal assistant? With the latter, I would say it is definitely more of a mini computer than it is a phone considering how many hours you can spend on it without make a call (I certainly can!). So, I come back to my original question given the price tag, have VW given it enough consideration, and I must stress this is with the cabin error, that differs it from a commercial van to a Cali? I’ll press on, with price tag in mind....
— Surprised there’s no electronic handbrake. I’m really missing this from my 8V which also provides the additional brake hold (not hill hold) when at traffics light or when you come to a stand still. For a 2019/2020 released vehicle this is archaic in my view to have a lever hand brake.
— with reference to the above point, I’m also missing keyless entry / starting. Again, I would’ve happily have paid for this potential optional extra but for it not to even feature is disappointing.
— i went for the discovery pro media but I haven’t found how to mute the volume at the touch of a steering button. Perhaps I haven’t looked hard enough but perhaps it isn’t possible besides reaching for the large screen to mute the volume which turned the entire screen off. This is possible on the 8V by swift and quick access but either steering wheel or volume control.
— Is there a dark / night mode for the large screen so as to effectively turn it off but still keep the infotainment on? I don’t always need it on. Granted I can hide the screen by retracting it on my 8V which effectively turns it off and leaves the infotainment on but I haven’t been able to find a dark mode, yet In the Cali.
— Cruise only goes up in in/decrements of 5 MPH - again may be configuration but this’ll get really annoying if it isn’t configurable and almost a safety concern.
— I accept that the later revision has made the sport mode gearbox obsolete but it’s disappointing that various driving profiles do not exist (eco, normal, sport) because these could still exist without the sport mode gearbox option, particularly eco to normal driving conditions.
— while I don’t have electronic tail gate closure in my 8V, the Cali is missing this vastly. One because the tailgate is an unwieldy beast to close which isn‘t helped by the fact the pull down strap is inappropriately positionEd in the middle of the gate thus negating optimum leverage and at best I have only managed to get it closed to about 3/4’s and the last is by a push from the outside tailgate which is far from ideal in these dirty winter months.
- only 1 central cup holder? the 8V has two even with less real estate up Front!
As I have said, I’m still learning and there’s possibly some resolutions to the above out of not researching them yet but some of those above I am going to need to live with. Pay a premium price should really give a premium product but hey ho.
All the above withstanding, we do really like it, particularly the sleeping area/cabinets etc and have purchased it to serve us a purpose (weekend getaways and living the camper experience)
Over the years I have owned and experienced many cars from a basic Ford Escort (first drive in the 70s) through to hardcore Porsche GT4 with quite a bit of luxury and gadgetry in many others. Also owned Motorhomes. So first thoughts on the California is that's its a "luxury van' with some electronic driving aids and yes its expensive but that's driven by current market demand. But it is a Camper van and I can open the door sit back enjoy the view in a way that I can't in my Porsche. I for one understaood the limitations and differences between a Luxury high end car and a luxury camper van. the cali has to make compromises and I think it makes those compromises well, in fact I think its actually better than I expected. it has to compromise between Car Vs Van and Camper vs Motorhome again think it does this well. I was down for a Marco Polo but supply issues drove me to the Cali, the MP offers more of a luxury car feel both in the interior finish and the gadgetry, rather seats, electric bed its finish is probably better than the Cali and it would have cost me less money. that said I think I would have been scared of using it as a camper because its too plush and its also around 300mm longer. As an aside I quite like to Analogue handbrake also have that on my Porsche Spyder 
