Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

New Cali - wong tyres :-(

nickb77

nickb77

VIP Member
Messages
132
Location
UK
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 204 4 motion
So first the good news - after eight and a half months (not that I've been counting...) finally picked up the new Cali yesterday - Ocean 204 4m Indium Grey.

All good, except when I did my walk around to check everything was OK before leaving the dealer I spotted that the 235/55 All Weather tyres I'd ordered weren't fitted - instead I've got Bridgestone 215/60's with a normal tread pattern. Mentioned to the dealer who said 'ah - we had another one like that a few days ago'. Dealer hadn't been made aware of VW doing this and has no idea why. All tthe paperwork on the order clearly shows I'd specified the All Weathers.

I was initially offered a refund of the extra I'd paid for the All Weather tyres, but that's no good as if I then want to get All Weather boots fitted I'd be chucking away 4 good tyres and paying full price for the new ones. Anyway, dealer has raised with VW so awaiting the outcome.

Anyone else had this?
 
Have you checked what the tyres would cost to source yourself? I'm guessing you could get them cheaper elsewhere (compared the the VW price) and sell the unused tyres to cover some of the cost?

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
 
I too would not be happy. Much prefer 235 over 216. I would want them replace back to order no other outcome would be acceptable
 
Stick it out with the Dealer as you ordered/contracted to have the 235's fitted

They can easily recoup the costs by selling the 215's to a van owner later.
 
We ordered the 235's, but when the official order paperwork came through they were missing - mentioned it to the dealer and he said that he'd ordered the 235's but their internal system is only able to show 215's so don't worry about it!

Still months away from delivery so will be sure to check when the day finally comes.
 
do you have alloys ?
be aware the tyre balancing weights are stuck on, when the new tyres are fitted the old weights will be removed, probably leaving marks and old tape / glue residue, this will possibly be visible from the front and they may even cause damage when removing the old weights.

just something to be aware of,

i would be asking for four brand new wheels to be fitted with the correct tyres as per your order, It’s a VW factory mistake, not yours and the wheels will look decidedly second hand after the factory weights are removed, and the new ones fitted in a different position on the rear of the rim, that’s not right for a brand new car and not a situation you should have to put up with.

edit + you should ask for a dollop of good will for the inconvenience

edit; I see from a previous post you ordered Woodstock wheels,
Alloy wheels are prone to premature corrosion, when the paint / lacquer is damaged, even a very small bit which may seem insignificant can lead to future issues.
 
Last edited:
do you have alloys ?
be aware the tyre balancing weights are stuck on, when the new tyres are fitted the old weights will be removed, probably leaving marks and old tape / glue residue, this will possibly be visible from the front and they may even cause damage when removing the old weights.
All the weights should be on the back of the wheel so shouldn't show.
 
All the weights should be on the back of the wheel so shouldn't show.
I know from experience they can show And if they do when the weights are removed you can see the residual glue and tape which looks a mess
 
@nickb77 PM me if you want to and I’ll fill you in with some details (not appropriate for open discussion on the forum)

Edit : IMO they will show ! Particularly if you can already see the factory weights

F0A83D6B-B0BB-49A4-A177-3B07A880A01C.png
 
I have a bit of a sinking feeling that our new Cali (due to collect on Wednesday) is in the same position. We ordered 235 all weather tyres, as we had them on our previous Cali and really liked them.

Just watched the quick walk around video they sent us of it in the car park there, and the tyres don't look wide enough and don't have the tread pattern I was expected. I've emailed them to see what they say.

I too will be very annoyed if they have missed/deleted this option without telling us as I am with @Perfectos above on potential alloy damage and future corrosion. Diamond cut alloys are a pain at the best of times but having them hacked about with right from 0 miles is not on...
 
I have a bit of a sinking feeling that our new Cali (due to collect on Wednesday) is in the same position. We ordered 235 all weather tyres, as we had them on our previous Cali and really liked them.

Just watched the quick walk around video they sent us of it in the car park there, and the tyres don't look wide enough and don't have the tread pattern I was expected. I've emailed them to see what they say.

I too will be very annoyed if they have missed/deleted this option without telling us as I am with @Perfectos above on potential alloy damage and future corrosion. Diamond cut alloys are a pain at the best of times but having them hacked about with right from 0 miles is not on...
Although my dealer has said they'll 'discuss' with VW, I'll be phonng Customer Care on Monday and making sure the issue is logged - as well as stating that nothing other than new alloys + correct tyres will be acceptable.
 
Don’t forget the spare wheel needs other tyre too ! Better check.
 
For those of you collecting new vans:
It is a factory miss build issue, not of your making.
do not accept remedial works to provide new tyres fitted to the existing rims,
insist that your order is fulfilled correctly without remedial works to the existing. I.e new wheels and tyres are supplied to the correct spec. If it was any other missed extra they would have to fix it fully and fully replace all affected items.
IMO changing tyres is the cheapest option for VW not necessarily the best long term solution for the customer, , who in many instances have waited an inordinate time only to receive a vehicle that you are with your rights to reject. (I.e.not to your order spec) you will have a very short period of time to rectify this to your satisfaction, if it were me I would not accept the vehicle until four new wheels and tyres were fitted (do not reject the vehicle, just refuse to complete the transaction UNTIL the van is 100% correct

edit: often you will be asked to sign the paperwork before the formal hand over !
 
Diamond cut alloys are a pain at the best of times but having them hacked about with right from 0 miles is not on...

It seems many on here are so worried about diamond cut alloys, it makes me wonder what you will do if you have a puncture and need tyre replacement (happened to me once after only 3 days and 600km..)? Or when you need new tyres in 2-3 years time? Or if you will be doing an annual tyre change to summer/winter tyres…

just my thoughts…
 
It seems many on here are so worried about diamond cut alloys, it makes me wonder what you will do if you have a puncture and need tyre replacement (happened to me once after only 3 days and 600km..)? Or when you need new tyres in 2-3 years time? Or if you will be doing an annual tyre change to summer/winter tyres…

just my thoughts…
That would be normal use and wear & tear.
Not an issue made by VW with an Uber expensive van that is of no fault of the buyer
 
I would ask the dealer to supply what you ordered. Your contract is with the dealer. VW Customer Services can help but ultimately it is the dealer that must supply what you ordered. Send an email to the dealer explaining that you want what you ordered. You could also say that you are willing to reject the vehicle and order another one. I am sure they will come to a suitable arrangement for you.
 
You could also say that you are willing to reject the vehicle and order another one. I am sure they will come to a suitable arrangement for you.

I am sure that if you want to reject it, your dealer will be happy to oblige. Please think carefully what the implications are before doing anything rash.

The dealer will have no problem selling your van, its not damaged or faulty, and will sell at full current list price whilst you wait another year for a replacement to be built.
 
exactly this above - regardless of contract law etc the balance of power here is with the dealer knowing how strong the market for these vehicles is. For me, it’s not die in the ditch over, just an irritation.

im more concerned that my T6.1 may not come with a spare wheel. Didn’t realise I had to order even a steel one?!
 
im more concerned that my T6.1 may not come with a spare wheel. Didn’t realise I had to order even a steel one?!
Until the latest configurator, the default was to supply a spare wheel if the van had 17" or 16" wheels, and just the inflator and gunge with 18"

Whether the spare was steel or a matching alloy seemed to change every other week.

Mine was stock order & the dealer always deleted the spare wheel as they were fed up with having them pinched. From memory the cradle cost about £70 on ebay and half that for a rough 17" steel wheel with tyre to put in it.
 
I was able to spec an optional steel spare. So yes, you can have a 5th wheel on a 4Mo
 
I stuck with 17” Woodstocks on my new 204 4m Ocean specifically so I’d have a spare (even if steel). Delivered with a 17” steel spare without me needing to order it. When I ordered the upgraded all weather tyres, must admit that I hadn’t thought whether the spare would also be upgraded or just have standard tyres.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top