VB Air Suspension or Lower mileage

[GRob]

Hi VW CaliClub,

Delighted to say that I recently got the wife’s blessing to get a second-hand Cali Ocean - took 5 years, but I’m there now. I’m looking at two vans - one early 2021 and the other late 2021. Both vans are in great condition, with the early 2021 having 38k miles + VB Air suspension (c. £57k), the other late 2021 at 20k miles with NO VB air suspension (c. £59k). My inclination is to go for the early 2021 with 38k as I really fancy the VB Air suspension. I know this is a somewhat subjective question, but I’m keen to hear from the community if 20k fewer miles is more meaningful than the VB air suspension - assume all else is equal, and I plan to keep the van for 5 to 8 years (probably do 15k miles p/annum).

Thoughts most welcome and thank you in advance.
GRob

 

[Perfectos]

 

[Sad]

I'd go for the VB air also

 

[WelshGas]

Hi VW CaliClub,

Delighted to say that I recently got the wife’s blessing to get a second-hand Cali Ocean - took 5 years, but I’m there now. I’m looking at two vans - one early 2021 and the other late 2021. Both vans are in great condition, with the early 2021 having 38k miles + VB Air suspension (c. £57k), the other late 2021 at 20k miles with NO VB air suspension (c. £59k). My inclination is to go for the early 2021 with 38k as I really fancy the VB Air suspension. I know this is a somewhat subjective question, but I’m keen to hear from the community if 20k fewer miles is more meaningful than the VB air suspension - assume all else is equal, and I plan to keep the van for 5 to 8 years (probably do 15k miles p/annum).

Thoughts most welcome and thank you in advance.
GRob

Some pre-decision reading.

VB air ride failure - what replacement?

Hi , I mounted 3 years ago the VB air suspension, front and rear . Since then the VB dealer replaced 3 times the front suspensions because of a failure . The last time they've been replaced lasted until today when the front left started again to leak air . I decided to take it off and replace...

www.t6forum.com

 

[sticky1]

Personally I’d go for the lower mileage one.
If you do the 75k miles in five years you still have a van with less than 100k on the clock.
I have fitted air suspension to a 4x4 and it was fantastic but you do need to maintain it.

 

[Black Forest]

There is another one here:

VB Air suspension on t6.1

We got our vb-air suspension installed, with auto level support. The improvement in driving is significant, smoother and tighter in turns and more stable when passing trucks. Anybody know how to calibrate the vw level indicator in the t6.1? it’s slightly off now.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[GRob]

Thank you to everyone who replied - very much appreciated. Supporters on both sides of the argument, which give me food for thought.

 

[BigJohn]

Does the air suspension do auto-levelling for when you are camping? If so, that would get my vote!

 

[GRob]

Does the air suspension do auto-levelling for when you are camping? If so, that would get my vote!

Yes it does out levelling when camping, which is definitely one of the pros for me

 

[GRob]

I won’t forget to wave. I hired a van, then wondered why every time I drove by a Cali I got a wave - quickly figured it out and enjoyed joining in.

 

[AcapulcoLoco]

I just paid £2k to have the VB suspension removed from my Ocean and Koni active shocks fitted, I couldn't put up with the pogo stick ride anymore. Massive improvement in ride quality and damping now. If anyone wants to buy the VB setup it's in boxes, one of the airbags is almost new and they can have it for £500.