Had a look at Multivan Cali

Popped down to Gunwharf Quay in Portsmouth earlier today as Breeze Campers are there with a display including the new Multivan and T6.1 Californias that you can have good poke around. They had a T6.1 Ocean 4 Motion and the new T7 Ocean. Very interesting to compare them side by side. The new model has some nice features like the removable rear seats and better lighting. However, overall we preferred the T6.1 as the storage seemed so much bigger and the “upgrades” in the new model seemed relatively unimportant vs the downgrades in other key areas. Also sitting in the drivers seat I preferred the shorter nose on the T6.1. The front end just feels too long on the T7 but I guess you’d get used to it. We have decided we’ll hunt down a nearly new T6.1 Ocean 4 Motion when we buy later this year. They also had a T6.1 Beach which I loved and I could see how it could be adapted very flexibly to be a really usable camper. My wife preferred the Ocean though, so that’s that!

I have a T7 Coast as courtesy vehicle, week on missing the 6.1 (no soul in the T7) sadly may have the T7 for some weeks to come:

First impressions (my personal opinion)

Good over 6.1

*Very car like in cab.
*Comfortable drive
*Quiet
*Some standard features in this coast were extras on the 6.1
*Spoiler looks nice
*Sound system / nice sound
*Radio stops on when parked up
*Handles better than my 6.1(lower to ground) less roll
*Sport mode
*Electric deployable tow bar ( optional extra on this van)
*Reversing camera view and guidelines.
*Rear seats ability to position (one in front of other) creates more room for rear passengers.
*Very comfortable for passengers front and rear.
*Plenty Dash storage.
*Footwells capacious.
*Fridge easy to get at
*Wipers have washers built in under middle of blade holder.
*Puddle lights in wing mirrors.



Jury still out..

*Windscreen rake & small windows in A pillar
*Drivers seat further from front of van / long frontage (this is where the internal space has disappeared too)
*Gear shift located on dash ( can't find in dark as not lit)
*LED headlights seem bit dim compared to LED lights on my Ocean (my21)
*Cab feels very narrow although body longer
*Won’t fit in garage
*Overhangs parking bays
*Buttons / switches a bit of a faff
*No dial / Twisty knobs at all (all touch/press)
*Does not seem much about in after market ( seat covers / windscreen covers / floor mats etc)
*Seems very low compared to 6.1 no grab handles on entry? (these are needed in my opinion)
*Power latch doors start to close unless locked in to position (this may be normal on all power latch doors)
*Interior colour ( doors to dash) brown/beige/coffee no colour alternatives as I can see? Looks very cheap finish?
*No room to fit to porta potty when bed down.
*Over done with digital faff.
*Narrow very little useable storage space / boot (approx 6” narrower)
*Seems more like car than van / no soul.
*Door bins - no comment
*Steering wheel finish poor / cost cut here / cheap.
*Use of low quality plastic finish (weight saving)
*Heating speed controls in digital menu / touch sliders under info screen, cant see them in the dark.
*Digital dash (no binnacle) reflects in drivers window in dark (distraction when dark, reflection in right of eye)
*Sits low in bright light oncoming car headlight zone.
*Made downstairs bed up (not used) however, appears very comfortable. Not as quick / easy to set up.
*Internal table need to get out of van to rescue to inside.
*Storage / cupboard space limited / difficult to get at.
*Controls, hidden in various menus, trying to find particular operations in dark when on the move is a little precarious to say the least.
* Pop top entry pull over cab cover, looks like a plain table top, no feature. Good to put stickers on if thats your thing!

Recently had a look around one, a few pros but more cons, I’ll keep my T 6:1 ocean and would only change for a 4 wd. T6.1

Had a look round the new Ocean today and although never say never, I didn't really like it. The rear seats sounded a bit "tinny" when moved back and forth and when put into the bed position. Seems to be a lack of storage and I don't think there will be room for the Porta Potty to be used comfortably when the bed is utilized.

Anyway, the salesmen at our local dealers were not interested in trying to get a sale. Too busy trying to look busy at their desks. We bought our Cali new two and a half years ago there and also hubby's work Transporter when it was under 6 months old a few months later. Only interaction last week was being asked to move our Cali to the customer's carpark so hubby parked in a disabled space as no others empty.

Makes you wonder if they are not interested in their all new vehicle or if their pay is too easily gotten.

I think we'll just spend some money on our T6.1 and spoil her a bit.

Porta Potti unuseable when bed in situ

Agree! I'm not that skinny.

pjduffill said:

Porta Potti unuseable when bed in situ

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Jacqueline & William said:

Agree! I'm not that skinny.

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Bog in a Bag has a smaller footprint , even sits between front seats in my Multivan. Multi use, can be used as a stool, minimal storage requirements, no chemicals and disposed in nearest rubbish bin. And much, much cheaper to buy and use.
Just saying.

Thanks for the idea but I'll stick with my Porta Potti.

Jacqueline & William said:

Thanks for the idea but I'll stick with my Porta Potti.

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Its the middle of the night when its cold snd raining you may need the use of an emergency porta poti use.
Can use with comfort in my 6.1 but porta potti unusable in the T7 Coast courtesy. May be ok in T7 Beach with no other clutter‍?

WelshGas said:

Bog in a Bag has a smaller footprint , even sits between front seats in my Multivan. Multi use, can be used as a stool, minimal storage requirements, no chemicals and disposed in nearest rubbish bin. And much, much cheaper to buy and use.
Just saying.

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I have something like this for emergency use. In fact its only been used once in anger after a total of 8 weeks away. The frame folds flat and the seat clips on the top with the bag hanging down. It easily stows away in the bench drawer. I have one of those hospital pee bottles when caught short. For me this is the perfect space saving solution.

I have the bottle.

Not so good for the missile! (Other half)

pjduffill said:

I have the bottle, not so good for the missile!

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I hope that’s a typo for missus and not a euphemism!

pjduffill said:

Porta Potti unuseable when bed in situ

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Was there space to move the passenger seat back towards the dash when you took the photo? It wouldn’t need much and there would at least be a bit of manoeuvring room! We tend to leave our PP outside overnight in the awning with awning sides anyway so not too concerned.
If there’s one thing all these T7 discussions are showing it’s how differently we all use our vans. Some people have said it’s a none starter as there is only 1gas ring but we never used 2 rings indoors in the 3 years we had our SE. Always cooked under the awning in all weathers. Indoor ring only used for soup / drinks on days out in winter.
Downstairs bed we only used if it was too cold in the tent for the kids and they had to come in (had to be bloody cold to let them steal the warmth of the van heater!) I wouldn’t see us using the downstairs bed in a T7 as a couple now unless it was blowing a gale, then we would put up with it for 1 or 2 nights. “Vanlifers” would think differently I suspect, but how many are going to spend £78k+ to purposely kip in a lay-by with the roof down regularly?